Should I Take Methylprednisolone Despite the Severe Side Effects I Experienced?

[Dreamer]

Hi everyone,

I decided to join this forum because, about four days ago, I had a run-in with a loud noise that caused a significant increase in the ringing in both of my ears. I've had tinnitus from acoustic trauma since I was around 14—I'm 18 now—so I know I need to take any noise exposure seriously.

The next day, I visited an urgent care clinic and was prescribed Methylprednisolone, which I started taking right away. It's a Medrol taper pack (4 mg tablets). I took six on the first day and had minimal side effects besides an increased heart rate, jitters, and sleeplessness. Since I'm already borderline insomniac, that part didn't bother me much.

However, on the second day, I experienced some pretty scary symptoms and ended up calling EMTs to my house. I never went to the hospital, but I was incredibly shaken up and decided to stop taking the Medrol pack altogether. Since I had been on it for less than two days, I didn't need to taper.

My question:

Did I stop taking Methylprednisolone too soon when it could have been beneficial to my recovery? I already have anxiety, and I fear I overreacted since I'm not used to taking prescriptions or their side effects.

About two days ago, I was exposed to another extremely loud noise near my right ear, which has me considering restarting the Medrol pack. However, I'm worried about the potential side effects. I'd really appreciate any input from those who have experience with corticosteroids like Methylprednisolone or Prednisone—do they help despite the side effects?

Side effects I experienced:

• Head pressure, especially on the left side and behind my eyes
• Racing heart
• Extreme tremors
• Mania—I couldn't stop laughing, then I couldn't stop crying
• Severe speech stuttering and slurring
• Neck tension and stiffness
• Heightened thirst
• Euphoria
• Insomnia
• Very sensitive hyperacusis

The uncertainty is causing me a lot of anxiety, so I'd really appreciate any advice. Thank you!

 

[Dreamer]

Bumping — would be very grateful for any advice!

 

[MindOverMatter]

The use of Prednisone seems to be hit or miss in these cases, depending on whom you ask and their experience.

If you're experiencing all those side effects—some of which seem quite alarming—you should think twice before using it at all.

Personally, I can't recall Prednisone having a significant impact, good or bad, after the acoustic trauma I experienced in 2019.

 

[Dreamer]

The use of Prednisone seems to be hit or miss in these cases, depending on whom you ask and their experience.

If you're experiencing all those side effects—some of which seem quite alarming—you should think twice before using it at all.

Personally, I can't recall Prednisone having a significant impact, good or bad, after the acoustic trauma I experienced in 2019.

Hm, alright. Thank you for the input. I am leaning toward not taking them now and instead saving them for an especially difficult day.

If you do not mind me asking, what happened in 2019 that made you decide to take Prednisone?

 

[MindOverMatter]

If you do not mind me asking, what happened in 2019 that made you decide to take Prednisone?

I had 15 years of pretty much stable tinnitus before 2019, until "thunder struck me" late that year and brought me to my knees.

It happened during a loud concert when I forgot to bring my earplugs. I misjudged the situation, made the mistake of staying, and paid the price. After that, I went to a dark place for a long, long time.

But I accepted it a long time ago. We cannot change the past, but we can choose how we look forward instead of staying stuck in old memories.

As a last resort (that's how I saw it at the time), I took a course of Prednisone and tapered down. Back then, I wasn't sure if I had also suffered some hearing loss because the hyperacusis, elevated tinnitus, and muffled sound interfered badly with my hearing.

Luckily, that concert didn't result in any major hearing loss. I do have hearing loss, though, and I use a hearing aid from time to time but I was told it is inherited. It is what they call a "cookie bite" hearing loss.

 

[Dreamer]

I had 15 years of pretty much stable tinnitus before 2019, until "thunder struck me" late that year and brought me to my knees.

It happened during a loud concert when I forgot to bring my earplugs. I misjudged the situation, made the mistake of staying, and paid the price. After that, I went to a dark place for a long, long time.

But I accepted it a long time ago. We cannot change the past, but we can choose how we look forward instead of staying stuck in old memories.

As a last resort (that's how I saw it at the time), I took a course of Prednisone and tapered down. Back then, I wasn't sure if I had also suffered some hearing loss because the hyperacusis, elevated tinnitus, and muffled sound interfered badly with my hearing.

Luckily, that concert didn't result in any major hearing loss. I do have hearing loss, though, and I use a hearing aid from time to time but I was told it is inherited. It is what they call a "cookie bite" hearing loss.

I'm so sorry to hear about your experience— that sounds really scary! It's awful how one slip-up can cost us tinnitus sufferers so dearly.

I'm glad it all worked out for you. Thank you for sharing!