Severe Tinnitus, Noxacusis, and ETD Flare After Thunder Exposure — Should I Take Prednisone?

[starlight]

Hi all,

I have had severe tinnitus since 2020 after acoustic trauma and infection. Over the years, I had learned to adapt and live with it as best I could. In March of this year, I visited my mom in the hospital, where she was dying of cancer. The next day, I woke up with noxacusis pain, an intense burning deep within my ear. After a month, it had not gone away, so I tried Clomipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant for OCD), which is sometimes said to help with neuropathic pain. Unfortunately, it spiked my tinnitus to a catastrophic level, so I stopped after four days. The noxacusis improved, but months later my tinnitus had still not gotten better. During that time, I also developed chronic congestion and Eustachian tube dysfunction, possibly related to allergies. My mom passed away shortly after.

Fast forward to now. In August, I noticed some better days where my tinnitus seemed to lessen in intensity. It really felt like I was improving. Then, two weeks ago, I woke up to the loudest thunderclap imaginable while sleeping. I was indoors and not wearing protection. Ever since then, it feels like I have spiked again. Coincidentally, my ear popping, crackling, and congestion have also ramped up around the same time, and my tinnitus has worsened.

I am not sure if the thunder permanently worsened my condition, or if this is another flare-up from Eustachian tube dysfunction, congestion, or inflammation.

Today, I was prescribed Prednisone for a five-day course, with the goal of reducing inflammation and hopefully lowering the spike. I am unsure if I should take it.

I feel very scared and do not know what to do. Please help.

 

[elebon78]

I was prescribed prednisone, because Dr thought I may have inflammation but it worsened my tinnitus tremendously and I'm positive It was the prescription because my tinnitus has been steady for 6 yrs, same ring which has gotten comfortable overtime for six years. And suddenly he gives me this meds that I've never taken before. And it's extremely worse now. I used to hear a little less on that ear. Well now when I went to the hearing test, all I hear is muffled sounds, the Ring It's worse and it's not just in my ear. It feels like it's in my whole side of the head. He prescribed for 11 days. But I'm gonna stop it tonight and I'm going to see him tomorrow morning. I don't want any more meds. I just want this to get better and if not, I rather leave it and not make it worse.