So, it was just a few days ago that I was so excited that the prednisone was working and my hearing was a lot better. Well, like the title of this post says, it didn't last long. I think I had 2-3 days of better hearing and then it went back to crappy hearing. Oh well, no big surprise. That's the way it usually goes whenever I do a round of prednisone. But the really crappy part about it is that I've been having more dizzy episodes now. So, not only am I back to being deaf I'm more wobbly. No major vertigo attacks (knock on wood) lately but the whole "feeling like I'm constantly walking on a tightrope" is no fun. I hope things get better soon.
Anyways, on my "to do" list today is to schedule a check up appointment with my ear doctor and to find out where we're at with the support group. I know I could use a little support from fellow Meniere's sufferer's right now, and I'm sure some of you could too. "Hang in there!" That's what I keep telling myself! :)
Much Love,
Shanon
Showing posts with label medication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label medication. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
ANOTHER round of Prednisone
Here we go again. After several weeks of MAJOR hearing loss I decided to do another round of the Prednisone steroid in hopes to reduce the inflammation in my ears and bring my hearing back up to a "good level" (for me anyways). I've taken this drug several times for this reason but unfortunately it doesn't always work, and what's even more unfortunate is that there are several short and long term side effects that can go along with taking prednisone, so I don't always like to take it to say the least. This time is no different.
As I've mentioned before I keep a daily log of my bi-lateral Meniere's symptoms. Looking back through my records I'm showing that this round of major hearing loss has been at its worse levels since about July 11th. That's OVER 3 weeks of being nearly deaf. And when I say nearly deaf I mean NEARLY DEAF. That's not being able to hear in person conversations AT ALL. I've been relying on reading lips and having people YELL at me so I can piece conversations together. Even that doesn't always work when my hearing is this bad, so out of frustration I usually just smile and nod and hope that I'm not offending anyone with my reaction... or lack there of. When my hearing loss is as bad as it's been I can't talk on the phone or watch T.V. or listen to music. Basically, I have to do a lot of things by myself...which can obviously become very lonely. So out of loneliness and pure desperation I decided to do another round of prednisone.
I started on August 4th with 30 mg a day for 3 days. Now I'm on 20 mg a day for 3 days and I'll continue tapering down from there. When I started taking it I immediately noticed my hearing getting better within that day! But the problem is those dreaded side effects I mentioned. While my hearing was getting better I also started having more dizziness. Luckily it hasn't been too bad as far as vertigo goes and it's been happening right before bed so I can just fall asleep and usually wake up fine the next day. My other problem with taking prednisone is how it effects my digestion. Trying to not get to detailed here, but I get stomach aches and other long term digestive problems from this medication. Not to mention other risks involved, such as osteoporosis, glaucoma and diabetes just to name a few. What's a person with bi-lateral meniere's disease to do? All these complications sure makes it difficult to decide on a treatment. And what's worse is that after 4 days of taking the meds, and with 4 days of better hearing, I'm now on day 5 and my hearing has dropped again! :( Frustrating to say the least. While I feel so grateful to have 4 days of decent hearing with the ability to have a conversation with my husband, talk to my friends, watch a movie and go to church. I'm back to a bad hearing day. Again I ask, what's a person with bi-lateral Meniere's to do? I guess all I can hope for now is that the prednisone kicks in again. My spirits could really use a few more good hearing days.
Much Love,
Shanon
P.S. Have you taken prednisone for your hearing loss? What kind of results did you have?
As I've mentioned before I keep a daily log of my bi-lateral Meniere's symptoms. Looking back through my records I'm showing that this round of major hearing loss has been at its worse levels since about July 11th. That's OVER 3 weeks of being nearly deaf. And when I say nearly deaf I mean NEARLY DEAF. That's not being able to hear in person conversations AT ALL. I've been relying on reading lips and having people YELL at me so I can piece conversations together. Even that doesn't always work when my hearing is this bad, so out of frustration I usually just smile and nod and hope that I'm not offending anyone with my reaction... or lack there of. When my hearing loss is as bad as it's been I can't talk on the phone or watch T.V. or listen to music. Basically, I have to do a lot of things by myself...which can obviously become very lonely. So out of loneliness and pure desperation I decided to do another round of prednisone.
I started on August 4th with 30 mg a day for 3 days. Now I'm on 20 mg a day for 3 days and I'll continue tapering down from there. When I started taking it I immediately noticed my hearing getting better within that day! But the problem is those dreaded side effects I mentioned. While my hearing was getting better I also started having more dizziness. Luckily it hasn't been too bad as far as vertigo goes and it's been happening right before bed so I can just fall asleep and usually wake up fine the next day. My other problem with taking prednisone is how it effects my digestion. Trying to not get to detailed here, but I get stomach aches and other long term digestive problems from this medication. Not to mention other risks involved, such as osteoporosis, glaucoma and diabetes just to name a few. What's a person with bi-lateral meniere's disease to do? All these complications sure makes it difficult to decide on a treatment. And what's worse is that after 4 days of taking the meds, and with 4 days of better hearing, I'm now on day 5 and my hearing has dropped again! :( Frustrating to say the least. While I feel so grateful to have 4 days of decent hearing with the ability to have a conversation with my husband, talk to my friends, watch a movie and go to church. I'm back to a bad hearing day. Again I ask, what's a person with bi-lateral Meniere's to do? I guess all I can hope for now is that the prednisone kicks in again. My spirits could really use a few more good hearing days.
Much Love,
Shanon
P.S. Have you taken prednisone for your hearing loss? What kind of results did you have?
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