I read Fieldofdreams recent post that mentioned tinnitus as one of her symptoms. I have had PMR for about six years and tinnitus which started about the same time. Doctors and specialists have never linked the two even though it makes sense that they could be linked due to the involvement of blood vessels.
I had my tinnitus investigated by an ear, nose and throat specialist who put it down to age related hearing loss and high cholesterol (which I didn’t have) he was a thoroughly unpleasant man so I didn’t argue with him and have learned to live with it.
I am presently taking 5mg of prednisolone and my PMR is well controlled, I have noticed that when I was on higher dose my tinnitus was much better and almost disappeared.
I realise I will probably be stuck with tinnitus for life but a possible cause for its origin would be relief.
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Loco99
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Have to say I was unaware of a cholesterol/hearing loss link, but yes, it is a thing. So googling I found this which I thought was interesting:
“Inflammation Can Lead To Less Blood Flow
One theory is that a high cholesterol diet leads to inflammation that reduces blood flow to the inner ear. Reduced blood flow means less oxygen in the inner ear, reduced delivery of nutrients, and less waste being removed – which can leave the inner ear more vulnerable to damage from other factors such as noise or the aging process.” Remove the word cholesterol and replace with PMR/GCA?
Do you have hearing loss as well or just tinnitus? My brother complained of tinnitus and recently had 2 hearing aids fitted which seems to be helping the tinnitus.
I had tinnitus that started about when/just after the PMR appeared - and it went eventually and didn't return even when I did get to 5mg for some time.
Research has been done, it has found that a much higher proportion of people with GCA have ear problems than the PMR patients so it definitely can be a part of GCA and should be on the list of symptoms. Not published yet - in its final stages but even they take months ...
A very high proportion of PMR patients can be shown to have symptoms of large vessel vasculitis and even GCA - so it isn't surprising that at least some PMR patients have GCA symptoms.
I had increasingly more persistent tinnitus during the two years leading up to diagnosis with GCA. 18 months before, I was tested and my right worse GCA side, had a deficit. High dose Pred made my ears ring constantly but it has reduced as the dose has come down.
My GCA was left sides. I have minor hearing loss and mild tinnitus plus occasional ear ache in that ear. It commenced with the GCA. I have not mentioned it because I get fed up with doctors and tests and meds. It doesn't worry me but will get tested if it gets worse. I think it is associated with GCA
Do you use white noise to help, especially on a night?
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