For Those with Loud Tinnitus, How Do You Know When to Take Prednisone?

[Bill Bauer]

Are your ears ever exposed to sound volumes above a quiet room or the sound of a TV or speaker?

No. And my T had been improving (albeit slowly).

By the way, I used to take baths instead of showers, but beginning in October I began taking showers again.

Are you sure you have not made your ears more sensitive?

In October and November I noticed that the sounds that used to bother me (e.g., the sound of a slamming car door or the trunk of my car) were no longer bothering me. My H had been improving. Having said that, it is possible that my lifestyle had not only promoted healing, but made me more vulnerable to noises. It is impossible to know for sure one way or the other.

 

[Luman]

Another related fact is that one time this summer I drank a little Irish Liqueur, and experienced my T had temporarily Switching Ears. Again, several others on this forum mentioned having a similar experience.

Geez, I was just about to go to the liquor store to get some Baileys Almande Liqueur, but since my T is Bilateral, it guess it won't matter if my T switches ears!

 

[jdjd09]

Given that new information, does that change anyone's answer besides Bill Bauer's answer? Or does everyone else still feel prednisone is not needed?

 

[jdjd09]

Also, I am sorry if I sound crazy right now. I just know that decisions have to be made fast. On the one hand, I don't want to take prednisone unless I must. Past noise issues I avoid it if I feel they are minor. However, this one I am not sure if it is minor or all in my head. I really don't know.


Doctors don't know half the time. So at this point I am at a loss what to do. To call doctor now and ask for it or not. As I need to make a decision in the next two hours.

 

[glynis]

@jdjd09 ,
If it puts your mind to rest then ring the doctor and he or she will decide if you have it or not.
Please let us know how you get on.
We are here around the clock to support you so try stay calm and relax too.
Love glynis

 

[jdjd09]

I would rather not check with the doctor as they don't honestly know either. I would only really check with them to get the mess. They will just give me the prednisone or not give it to me and that will hurt me getting it in the future. So I am honestly trying to seek out as many opinions on here as possible. Since you all know what this is about and experienced it first hand on some level.

 

[Kratos]

Given that new information, does that change anyone's answer besides Bill Bauer's answer? Or does everyone else still feel prednisone is not needed?

Not needed, all my spikes go back to baseline after 2-3 weeks (and my spikes are EXTREMELY LOUD).

 

[jdjd09]

Ok, I guess I won't get the prednisone. I don't know if this is the right decision to make :/.

 

[fishbone]

I will not touch steroids, unless it's 100% necessary! I had real bad chest coughs and allergies and a steroid for me at that point was needed. These meds are no joke, they can cause some horrible side effects and one of them being anxiety and stress. This alone can send jitters to your system and ramp up horrible ringing and frustrations.

Not every loud noise situation requires, pred. It's your call, I wouldn't touch em.

 

[jdjd09]

I just wonder if I made the right decision :/?

 

[Bill Bauer]

I just wonder if I made the right decision :/?

We will never know.

 

[jdjd09]

I just feel like no one cares and no one will really answer my questions fully. I get conflicting information led rand right and this is why I can't make a decision. Doctors do the same thing. I never know what to do. If I should get prednisone or not or what I should do. No one seems to know. Some say yes some say no. Some just ignore me.

Should I call a doctor right now and he the meds. I can call one right now.

 

[jdjd09]

Someone just save me from myself and help me make the right decision.

 

[fishbone]

I just feel like no one cares and no one will really answer my questions fully. I get conflicting information led rand right and this is why I can't make a decision. Doctors do the same thing. I never know what to do. If I should get prednisone or not or what I should do. No one seems to know. Some say yes some say no. Some just ignore me.

Should I call a doctor right now and he the meds. I can call one right now.

I care for you and all on this board. This was from 3-5 days ago. What was the noise? Also, I think that you need to take the pred right away after the noise/accident happened. I will not touch the stuff due to the side effects, it can bring on.

 

[jdjd09]

It was from a speaker that was as loud as a megaphone at the time. It was a drive thru speaker turned at full blast for some reason. I never heard something that loud before from a speaker and have no idea why it was so loud.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Someone just save me from myself and help me make the right decision.

You had already made your decision. It is probably too late now.

I answered your question fully.

The bottom line is that it IS an impossible decision, and you might regret your choice no matter what you do.

 

[fishbone]

It was from a speaker that was as loud as a megaphone at the time. It was a drive thru speaker turned at full blast for some reason. I never heard something that loud before from a speaker and have no idea why it was so loud.

Are you having a loud spike right now? It's been the same level since 3-5 days ago?

 

[jdjd09]

I'm going to pick up the steriods now. I can't deal with not knowing that I didn't do anything.

 

[jdjd09]

Are you having a loud spike right now? It's been the same level since 3-5 days ago?

Yes, it is louder and I am concerned I may loss hearing from it. I am picking up the steriods right now. It is 3 days out instead of 2 days, but I still think it is worth a shot. I rarely use steriods ever. Last time I used it was a year ago, for a very loud situation as well.

Overall, I am doing this for my peace of mind more than anything. I don't get side affects from steriods as I rarely take them.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I'm going to pick up the steriods now. I can't deal with not knowing that I didn't do anything.

You want to pick up those steroids no matter what you end up deciding. It is good to have some prednisone at home, so that you can start taking it within minutes of an acoustic trauma (should you have one).

 

[jdjd09]

Sorry everyone. I respect your opinions but I just couldn't take it anymore and don't think I could live with myself to make the same mistake I made in the past and not take it. It may not be needed, but I just couldn't take it anymore. Even took it tonight when I know it gives insomnia, because I just needed that peace of mind.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Even took it tonight when I know it gives insomnia

I have taken prednisone in the evening, and I was able to sleep normally. I also never had any side effects from prednisone, but of course I realize that some people's experience is different.

There is some chance that taking it now will ensure that your T doesn't get worse than it is now.

 

[Bobby B]

There were a few times that I got exposed to loud noises which were unavoidable such as a meeting room at work full of people clapping hands and such
I took prednisone asap just for peace of mind - 80mg per day 3 days and no taper down since it's a very short course

We have studies on prednisone - old studies as it's not new now -in the military where prednisone demonstrated a clear improvement in hearing recovery after unprotected rifle shooting vs the soldiers who got nothing but the window of opportunity is very short that's why I store those at home

Also make sure you also swallow a PPI as it's very hard on the stomach

The only side effect I noticed - besides stomach if no PPI is taken - is difficulty sleeping for those 2-3 nights that's about it for a healthy young man

Side effects are overblown here most of these horror stories are from people taking it for months or years not 3 days or a week

Also Watch you diet as it raises sugar level - eat low GI foods

And next time you get close to speakers - make sure you put your ear muffs on before just in case that's what I do usually

 

[JurgenG]

There were a few times that I got exposed to loud noises which were unavoidable such as a meeting room at work full of people clapping hands and such
I took prednisone asap just for peace of mind - 80mg per day 3 days and no taper down since it's a very short course

We have studies on prednisone - old studies as it's not new now -in the military where prednisone demonstrated a clear improvement in hearing recovery after unprotected rifle shooting vs the soldiers who got nothing but the window of opportunity is very short that's why I store those at home

Also make sure you also swallow a PPI as it's very hard on the stomach

The only side effect I noticed - besides stomach if no PPI is taken - is difficulty sleeping for those 2-3 nights that's about it for a healthy young man

Side effects are overblown here most of these horror stories are from people taking it for months or years not 3 days or a week

Also Watch you diet as it raises sugar level - eat low GI foods

And next time you get close to speakers - make sure you put your ear muffs on before just in case that's what I do usually

I have been down that path as well, and took pred after every loud thing, but these things happen constantly, no?
So you've must have been taking pred every two weeks for sure?

I've taken around 50 32 mg pills in 11 months..
Side-effects have gotten worse, so I got scared of it.

But now I have a new dilema, last week I dropped something, very loudly. And even know I kinda still feel my ear, and am afraid I might also have hearing loss, might start taking another pill..

 

[jdjd09]

So, I'm going to do similar dosage. 80mg, 60mg, 40mg, and 20 mg on last day. Is there any harm in doing that?

The doctor wanted to do a lower dosage, but I feel that many on here follow this type of protocol with success. Short higher bursts. Also read a taper is not needed if you do it for less than 5 days.

 

[JurgenG]

80 mg is quite a lot, I've never taken more than 64.

 

[Tinker Bell]

So, I'm going to do similar dosage. 80mg, 60mg, 40mg, and 20 mg on last day. Is there any harm in doing that?

The doctor wanted to do a lower dosage, but I feel that many on here follow this type of protocol with success. Short higher bursts. Also read a taper is not needed if you do it for less than 5 days.

I am not sure. I am confused by the short doses, too. The recommendation for sudden hearing loss is a two week oral steroid treatment. Most studies relied on that as well. I do not recall studies claiming only a few days would be effective.

Steroids work to reduce inflammation and supress the immune system's response. Does only three or five days accomplish that enough to make a difference in the ear?

Maybe that is why some did not see side effects, too. I was fine the first few days of taking prednisone. I was a mess of anxiety and insomnia by day nine.

 

[jdjd09]

Yeah, I don't know if I made the wrong choice. But I feel it gets a high dose and it does taper. Someone else on here seems to recommend this and someone else seems to do the same thing.

It just seems like I may be making wrong move after another, or maybe this is the right choice.

I typically don't get more than 5-7 days of pills btw.

 

[jdjd09]

@Bobby B , where did you read to do those high doses over a short time like that?