Swishing pulse feeling in head

[lennysmummy]

Hi I have been on 4/1.2 mg of prednisolone for 4 weeks. For the whole time I have a swish sensation in my head continuously to the feel of my pulse. I just wondered if anyone else with GCA has experienced this. All bloods normal from last week. Thanks 🙏

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is probably what is called pulsatile tinnitis. You are at a low dose of pred, your adrenal function is probably lagging behind and so you have a degree of adrenal insufficiency:

"A connection exists between adrenal insufficiency (low cortisol levels) and pulsatile tinnitus, where individuals might experience a rhythmic whooshing or thumping sound in their ears seemingly in sync with their heartbeat, due to the potential impact of stress-related hormonal imbalances on blood vessel function and auditory perception; essentially, chronic stress from adrenal insufficiency could contribute to the development or worsening of pulsatile tinnitus. "

I apologise for using the AI generated summary in Google but it saves me writing it out and I did check it before copying it!!!

[lennysmummy in reply to PMRpro]

😂 so it is normal? It is driving me crazy and the headache not helping. Is it going to be there the whole time now, it is 4 weeks? 🙈

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to lennysmummy]

I imagine it depends on how long your body takes to catch up - like everything to do with adrenal insufficiency when tapering pred.

White noise can help mask it I think.

[lennysmummy in reply to PMRpro]

I didn’t have this at 5mg. Is there anything I can do to help improve the symptoms as I eat healthy but my sleep pattern has got worse since dropping from even 6mg? And irritated over anything is through the roof. 🙃

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to lennysmummy]

All signs of adrenal insufficiency. Everything. You COULD go back to 5mg and see if it improves and then stick at 5mg for a couple of months before trying again in the hope the adrenal glands are beginning to catch up. The trouble is, only having too little pred around for what you really need will trigger the return of adrenal function. If you go back up, to some extent that just postpones the evil day as the trigger is less.

[lennysmummy in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. Well I’m 4 weeks tomorrow so will try and persevere. I want even going to think about another reduction yet. Been on 5 since last September I think. X

[Oboes22 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMR Pro - I have tinnitus reasonably mild but recently it's been so loud and my head has felt 'full up'. I hadn't realised the connection as I'm beginning to taper again. You are a mine of information and I so appreciate every here.

[Iamfedup in reply to PMRpro]

I’ve had normal tinnitus for many years but developed pulsatile tinnitus as well for a short while. Hope yours goes too

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Iamfedup]

I don't have PT - did you mean this for Oboes22?

[Rynn33]

Hi did you get your ears checked? It might be coincidental with the taper.

I’ve had Pulsatile Tinnitus ( on top of my normal tinnitus) and turned out to be ear infection and cleared up with antibiotics and Vertigo medicine for a week.

[lennysmummy in reply to Rynn33]

I’m going to phone this week. ❤️