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 my doctor thought I might have inflammation, but it worsened my tinnitus tremendously. I am positive it was the prescription, because my tinnitus had been steady for six years, always the same ringing that I had grown used to over time. Then suddenly he gave me this medication, which I had never taken before, and now it is extremely worse.

I used to hear a little less in that ear, but when I went for the hearing test, all I could hear were muffled sounds. The ringing is worse, and it no longer feels confined to my ear. It feels like it has spread through the entire side of my head.

He prescribed it for 11 days, but I am going to stop tonight, and tomorrow morning I will see him again. I do not want any more medication. I just want this to get better, and if not, I would rather leave it alone than risk making it worse.