+Throbbing in ears

[VicSat]

I don't know when this started. When I'm relaxed I hear the sound of airplanes overhead. (There aren't any.) When my energy is higher I'm aware of a throbbing in my ears coinciding with my heart beat. The doctor said i'ts tinnitus; but I don't remember experiencing it before I was diagnosed with GCA. (Although at 82 I can't rely on my memory) I started on Prednisolone in October at 60mg. I'm now on 6mg

Is it a result of taking Prednisolone?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Could be the GCA - 8th cranial nerve involvement:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk....

[VicSat in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for link - most informative

[Carriemetz]

I had this while I was on higher dose pred for GCA - pulsatile tinnitus, probably connected to original condition, tho it only came when I’d decreased pred to 20. So I upped to 25 again and stayed on it a bit longer just in case. Bad for resting and sleeping - but my clever daughter found me a sea sounds app that drowned it out. Helped a bit during the worst of it. I took it a bit easier too and one day, I found it had gone! Am sure yrs will too as the GCA works itself out of tge system. I’m down to 7 now and tinnitis has never come back. Good luck. Carrie

[VicSat in reply to Carriemetz]

Lucky you - though reading your profile - it seems in short supply.

Wishing you well.

[SnazzyD]

High dose Pred made me aware of pulsing blood rushing and tinnitus which was higher pitched and does its own thing and reducing dose relieved it to an extent. The tinnitus seems permanent now since before diagnosis.

However, did the doc look in your ears? Something as simple as impacted wax can cause your symptoms as can fluid behind the ear drum that can be seen sometimes with an auroscope.

[VicSat in reply to SnazzyD]

I asked for a check but was told that is not happening at the moment because of the pressure on the practice. A nurse comes monthly to take blood. Would be easy for her to look in my ears. Will be able to get a check when GP can see patients at the Practice.

[SnazzyD in reply to VicSat]

As long as the nurse is qualified to do it. I’d check as they might be a community phlebotomist rather than a nurse. Why on Earth is the GP not seeing patients in the practice? Are the nurses seeing people?

[VicSat in reply to SnazzyD]

The GP's see emergencies at the Medical Centre otherwise it is a telephone consultation. Seems to be fine for staff (no one has contracted Covid-19), and for themembers of this Scottish Practice covering a number of villages. In this village of about 1,000 people there is one case of Covid-19 and she is a hospital nurse.

There are 2 Practice Nurses who visit people who are shielding & others requiring medical attention.

[Maisie1958]

I had pulsatile tinnitus that came on suddenly 2 years ago, 3 years after PMR diagnosis and on low dose meds, but definitely had more “ordinary” tinnitus before starting on Pred. I had all sorts of investigations but it just gradually faded after 5 months. I was convinced it was something to do with LVV but it did come on after a very stiff neck on that side. I do hope yours goes too, it was horrible. All good wishes, Irene

[VicSat in reply to Maisie1958]

Thanks hope it just goes away. Shielding, with little activity, mine is no worse than hearing engine noise from high up in sky.

[MsDirecto in reply to VicSat]

hello Vic

I have had tinnitus for many years. ...long before GCA and prednisone. It’s hard to explain it to another person, and your description of a high up airplane sound really fit. I describe it as the sound you might hear in the ocean when your ears are under wAter and there is the sound of a small boat engine in the distance. I guess it’s pretty. Common. My hearing aids go through my cell phone and there is a Tinnitus app on the phone. The sound of wave seems to partially mask the other noise. I like to listen to audiobooks from my cell phone and tinnitus is over ridden.

I did hAve a very different loud “whooshing” sound w when I having a flare during a taper from 20 mg to 15. It lasted a couple of days

[VicSat in reply to MsDirecto]

Thanks. For months until recently I had sweet breath. That has disappeared. I'm hoping the same for the 'airplane' tinnitus since the pulsating tinnitus has stopped to.

[lfu2]

I have had pulsative tinnitus and this exercise worked for me. Stand up and hold on to a seat back. Bend at the waist until your head is roughly at knee level. Turn head to right and hold for 10 seconds. Turn head to left and hold again for 10 seconds. Move head to straight forward position. Slowly come upright. This worked for me.... it is not long term relief but enough to make you feel better. Good Luck with it. Hugh

[VicSat in reply to lfu2]

I'm hoping for an exercise free solution. Interesting discovery of yours.