Buzzing in head

[Petertaffy]

Hi I'm 73 years old and have been on preds for 2 years and finally down to 10 mg, the buzzing in my head is really driving me crazy and my hands are always tingling, is there anyone out there has similar symptoms? Thanks for reading.

[Toolie2]

Hi, I’m glad you’ve asked this and looking forward to answers!

A few days after I started on 60mg pred for GCA 13 months ago, I heard “Sailing By” before the shipping forecast on Radio 4. “Sailing By” stayed with me, not on my brain, not in my head, but playing in its entirety, just behind me and to my right. At first it was very loud and if there was other music playing in reality, it somehow blended in with it and became louder. Gradually over months it changed and variations came in and took me by surprise. A couple of times a tuba was introduced for a few bars. I often had to check with other people if there was music or not.

At the moment I take 5 mg and not long ago for a few days I thought the music had dwindled away and gone, but it hasn’t. There is a 4 note melody constantly repeated just behind me. It sets a rhythm which I automatically move to. I seem to have to do everything at its measured pace.

I thought it could be aural hallucination, but have never dared mention it to a doctor!

[SnazzyD in reply to Toolie2]

Do see a doctor because this issue is complex and there a number of causes of auditory hallucinations. You need to find out what yours is instead of suffering alone. See my reply to Petertaffy. GCA can causes ear problems and Pred can cause tinnitus as well, though yours sounds slightly different. Being diagnosed with Meniere's recently opened up the medical world of tinnitus and auditory issues. I was told in the tinnitus clinic that it is thought to be the brain not the ear, more like a hallucination. You’ll see that there are lots of causes but you need to speak to someone about it.

Have a read of this which mentions music (“…so clearly it is hard to believe there isn’t a band or radio nearby”) and please don’t be put off by the link title! It’s not just about that.

The list of causes is a bit daunting but given the right diagnosis, you might be able to get something done about it, support or at least not be alone with it.

webmd.com/schizophrenia/aud...

[Toolie2 in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks SnazzyD, I’ll do that. Actually, I’ve seen it mentioned that there’s a link with dementia, and I really haven’t wanted to investigate further!

[SnazzyD in reply to Toolie2]

Ah yes, cold comfort of keeping your worst scenario hidden but not at bay. We’ve all done it to some degree. Even if it is dementia (amongst other less bad things!) some types can be slowed if started early. As with most things, early is better, knowledge shows choices and you feel more in control.

[Claremont2023 in reply to SnazzyD]

I’ve had Tinnitus for years (sometimes 2 or 3 noises at once) in both ears. Diagnosed in January with PMR & started on 15mg Pred. Since then the noise in both ears is much louder & I now have ticking in the left ear as if someone is holding a watch there. I keep waiting for it all to go to a quieter level again, but not so far. 🙁

[SnazzyD in reply to Claremont2023]

I do find it evolves but Pred seemed to hold it until the doses were really low. Recently I’ve had like a pneumatic drill outside the house and for no apparent reason it has gone. The multiple noises are a pain. It can be made worse by different things like fatigue, pressure changes in the weather and recently flying, general well being, a churning mind and of course Pred. I find any loud noise that changes suddenly to quiet is not good so if we’ve been watching tv before bed I like to reduce the volume slowly if it is a loud program like an action film. The tinnitus clinic gave me a pillow speaker which is a box that plays a choice of sounds or tunes and little speakers go under the pillow. I haven’t tried it yet. No idea if my husband will be disturbed; his ADHD gives him permanent music in his head.

[SnazzyD]

GCA can affect the 8th cranial nerve and cause ear damage and tinnitus. I ended up with a complex tinnitus, though the worst buzzing in my head went away on low doses of Pred. The buzzing felt almost like a physical sensation rather than tinnitus so I don’t know if it was a different thing. I have been diagnosed a few years later with Ménière’s disease after a brain scan was done to rule out other causes. You also have tingling physically which may or may not be linked. Have you had your blood sugars and b/p checked? There are so many causes and I think you need to see a doctor to rule things out and work out if this is auditory or not. Have a read of this.

tinnitus.org.uk/understandi...

[Toolie2 in reply to SnazzyD]

Hi SnazzyD, do you think your tinnitus was caused by GCA damage. or by steroids? or maybe by both, as the worst buzzing went away as the dose reduced.

[SnazzyD in reply to Toolie2]

You won’t know until the Pred and GCA are gone. I had slight improvement in hearing my Right (worst GCA side) over the last few years which surprised me. My tinnitus has evolved. The pre diagnosis tinnitus was helped by Pred but then I got the Pred buzz and that improved with dose reduction. I was left with hearing impairment but not terrible. A gentle tinnitus was left over that waxed and waned. Since my first Meniere’s attack (awful vertigo and outrageous tinnitus) a few months ago, I have all sorts of funny business. There are no certainties and you just have to see what happens. If it is distressing or persistent seek help from audiology.

[Toolie2 in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks, I see, it is complicated. I think my music must be steroid related, my hearing isn't affected at all, and the volume and complexity has faded as the dose has reduced. It doesn't really trouble me, it just goes on in the background. Thanks for your explanations, it's really helpful.

[SnazzyD in reply to Toolie2]

Both, the tinnitus types were different.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Brilliant reply from SnazzyD!!!!

[whitefishbay]

I had muffled hearing in one ear and my GP looked and said there was wax. Thanks to PMR Pro on the forum for telling me to go to A&E I found out I have a vestibular schwannoma (benign brain tumour) which is why I had hearing loss. Sure you don't have that but what I mean is go check it out with ENT and Audiology.

[Body_bonkers]

Me too - my head wasn't buzzing and didn't have tinnitus before steroids