Tinnitus side effect prednisolone: I have been... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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Tinnitus side effect prednisolone

Jesse-Cat profile image
18 Replies

I have been experiencing tinnitus for a long time now. As the dose of pred is getting lower, the tinnitus is not getting less. When will this stop? I had hoped it would reduce at least.

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Jesse-Cat profile image
Jesse-Cat
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18 Replies
PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Did the tinnitus start after pred? It wasn't present before pred? And do you take any other medications that might cause it?

I had tinnitus with PMR, long before I took pred. I think it probably started after I tried using an NSAID for pain even though I didn't use it regularly or for long. It did eventually resolve after starting pred but it did take some time.

Jesse-Cat profile image
Jesse-Cat in reply to PMRpro

Persistent tinnitus started after taking pred

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to PMRpro

Definitely worth getting your ears examined - as Snazzy says, can be caused by wax and pred (and PMR) can lead to a build-up

Jesse-Cat profile image
Jesse-Cat in reply to PMRpro

Ok, will do

icu2 profile image
icu2

since joining this wonderful site i have learned that if i wait long enough someone else will come up with my question. i too have started having auditory issues…not tinnitus, which for me would be a high pitched ring or whine…but rather a low pitched whirring noise…as though a motor was running or the furnace kicked on. i have asked hubby if he hears it, or if he turned the heat on. his answer is no.

if i am watching television or in a situation where there is activity around me i become unaware of the sound.

now for the scary part…if i plug my ears i can still hear it…so for me it is not the ears but the brain that is “ doing this”. i do wear hearing aids.

PMR diagnosis in October/November of 2020. started at 20 mg. currently down to 7-8mg. varies right now as i am trying to find the optimum dosage to settle stiffness down before i continue with DEAD SLOW….protocol.

Do i put this down to the prednisone as well? i seem to have such weird reactions…tremendous nose bleeds ( 4 in one month. cauterized twice…now using cold air mist at night and saline spray during day to keep nose moist; flare of cold sores, fungal infection that is taking forever to clear up and i could go on…maybe unfair to blame everything on prednisone but i do know my body and these things are unusual for me)

so now it is this auditory sensation. troubling in the silence or when i am trying to go to sleep.

anyone out there with an opinion or info? Heron, Pro, Ambassador, Nails, you are all wonderfully informed . and i do appreciate all that you share.

so i am either going crazy or there is an explanation.

thanks in advance.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to icu2

Think you would be better posting as a new thread - only people who are following the thread will see it.

Tinnitus can have a range of different sounds - and it isn't your ears

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con....

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to icu2

Don't really know anything about this, although I did wonder whether it's the same whether your hearing aids are in use or not.

Also you may be sensitive to something in the environment which your husband is not. Where I live now there is a definite hum in the building, which varies according to location. When I've asked others about it they deny any knowledge and tell me it's my ears. Except my son who has exceptionally good hearing, but I think only noticed it when I brought it up, and you can actually feel vibration in some of the walls. I have to use a sound machine at night to cancel out the humming.

theguardian.com/cities/2019...

Richnroo profile image
Richnroo in reply to icu2

I too was having the same sensations as you. I assumed it was the prednisone as well. It did not improve as I decreased prednisone. I finally mentioned it to my rheumatologist who had me get an audiogram, who then referred me to an ear nose and throat doctor. He very quickly diagnosed me with Ménière’s disease. Which I did not know you could have without the vertigo but apparently you can. Anyway, he put me on a 2 g or lower sodium diet and a mild diuretic and the symptoms Have all but disappeared.

icu2 profile image
icu2 in reply to Richnroo

thank you…now to get referral and wait. in the meantime will not sign myself into psych ward.

Richnroo profile image
Richnroo in reply to icu2

Oh I know! You hear all that in your head and it’s maddening!

Shawnar profile image
Shawnar in reply to Richnroo

I too have same symptoms, can I ask what diuretic and how much you take please?

Richnroo profile image
Richnroo in reply to Shawnar

It’s dyazide 37.5/25 once a day

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Shawnar

Be careful with diuretics - you can get into a funny electrolyte balance mixing diuretics and pred.

Shawnar profile image
Shawnar in reply to PMRpro

Thank you but I’m no longer taking Prednisolone. I was given 60mg a day for 7 days as had sudden loss of hearing, but am now left with tinnitus and pins and needles in hands and feet, and, of course, loss of hearing in one ear.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Shawnar

Sorry - my mistake although you don't tell us anything on your profile. This forum is for a condition that requires long term pred and so the use of diuretics is a problem.

Bncc profile image
Bncc

PMPro asked me to reply. It’s good to be included but am sorry I can’t contribute to your problem as I don’t have any experience of tinnitus. Some 6 months ago 20mg of pred cleared up my extreme stiffness overnight, continued reducing now down to 6 mg still with no side effects.Good luck

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Bncc

I don't remember that!

Bncc profile image
Bncc in reply to PMRpro

No problem. Keep up the good work!

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