Hello,
At age 45 I began to notice trouble hearing. I saw an audiologist and was found to have a moderate loss in both ears. He recommended hearing aids, which I have yet to try. He thought that my psoriatic arthritis may be playing a part in my hearing loss. Has anyone else heard of this happening?
Lisa
I'd be interested in this as well. I've been putting off getting my hearing tested (other things seem to be more important at the moment), but have a feeling that I have some hearing loss, at least in one ear.
I have tinitus recently. Am sure I read somewhere that PsA is linked but to be honest, I've been reading so much about all of this I've lost track. Prob just build up of ear wax but am off to doc tomorrow.
Hi there. I found out about 5 years ago that I had 50% hearing loss in both ears. I was tested and it was determined through the testing that it was not due to loud noises, or injury, thus they determined that it was likely due to autoimmune disorder. At the time I had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. 1 year later I started having issues with what I though was inflammatory arthritis...at that time it was misdiagnosed as osteo, however I persevered and finally got a correct diagnosis from another Rheumatologist in 2012 as PsA....so I definitely think there is a connection between autoimmune disorders and hearing loss, although I don't know if it is specific to PsA or not. I put off the hearing aids of a bit as I was still in my early 40's at the time, but when I finally got them a few years ago, it made a world of difference!! By the way, if you do decide to get them, the prices at Costco, are the best that I have found ANYWHERE (in Canada anyway) on hearing aids, and the service was great!
Hi
I've been reading up on (more) side effects of MTX. And guess what, tinnitus is a little known and rare side effect. I'm now so sick of this horrible drug.... Also, I found out that this tinnitus as a side effect of MTX is usually not reversible..... So, I have a call into Rheumy, hoping she'll ring back soon. Will let you know.
This is very interesting as I am getting hearing loss in one ear. My ear canals always feel itchy too. I wonder if there is a connection or just coincidence?
Diclofenac can also cause tinnitus.
Itch, Merlin? Might that be your psoriasis? My dermis told me that ear symptoms like that are almost always psoriasis.
This is very interesting as I am getting hearing loss in one ear. My ear canals always feel itchy too. I wonder if there is a connection or just coincidence?
Yes, I only get psoriasis on the back of my head now when I am stressed so hadn't really connected it but a friend on here suggested it was psoriasis in my ears and I think they are right.
I've had that itching feeling as well. But I have not had any visible psorisis since about 6 months after starting Methotrexate, 11 years ago.
Dani, no Costco near me. But thanks for the info. I am an interpreter for deaf and hard of hearing students, so I need my hearing!
I did get mine tested i think in 1998....A little loss in left ear. I do get a lot of wax, a couple ear infections..PCP takes the wax out, said i have crooked ear canal..common, so does he.
So i went just this year, to a differant ear doc..with that old report..i have a little improvement, but still some hearing loss, in one ear. Not supposed to use q-tip, yes it itches.....I am supposed to use mineral oil, somnething like that..It's dry in the ear.
hearing loss on my dads side, him, brother..dad had meniere's....this could be worse than RA/PSA...the dizzyness making one fall. Dad had a hearing aid, so does brother. They didnt take mtx, or have auto-immune diseases. SO the hearing loss is heriditary, one cousin, on my dads side has it, her mom has hearing aid, can hardly hear, well she is 91 now
I do get a ear antiobiotic, seems like at least once a year..if i hear water in ear, and it eventually starts hurting
take care!
TKRLADY,
Thank you for your response.
Lisa
tkrlady said:
I did get mine tested i think in 1998....A little loss in left ear. I do get a lot of wax, a couple ear infections..PCP takes the wax out, said i have crooked ear canal..common, so does he.
So i went just this year, to a differant ear doc..with that old report..i have a little improvement, but still some hearing loss, in one ear. Not supposed to use q-tip, yes it itches.....I am supposed to use mineral oil, somnething like that..It's dry in the ear.
hearing loss on my dads side, him, brother..dad had meniere's....this could be worse than RA/PSA...the dizzyness making one fall. Dad had a hearing aid, so does brother. They didnt take mtx, or have auto-immune diseases. SO the hearing loss is heriditary, one cousin, on my dads side has it, her mom has hearing aid, can hardly hear, well she is 91 now
I do get a ear antiobiotic, seems like at least once a year..if i hear water in ear, and it eventually starts hurting
take care!
Ok. Still no phone call back from Rheumy after two days. Am now feeling so bad from general MTX side effects AND the tinnitus is now almost deafening... If I continue to get no response from Rheumy, I will refuse to take next dose of MTX due on Sat. Or thereafter. Can't stand it any longer generally, but specifically my hearing. Am worried about hearing stuff being permanent ototoxicity. My online research indicates this as a potential side effect from this drug. This was never mentioned either by Rheumy, GP OR in the Patient Info leaflet (UK) regarding MTX. (Outdated leaflet, photocopy given to me by hospital dispensing pharmacist was from 2004...) Can't sleep, read, watch TV etc as well as everything else. This MTX stuff is poison! Having no beneficial effects on either P or PA or I would consider coping.
Irene,
There are so many medications that can cause tinnitus. Wouldn't you want your primary care doctor to check it out first, or a ear, nose throat specialist? Instead of your rheummy?
Hi
I am not taking any of the other medications that are known to cause tinnitus. Getting some help and advice is exactly what I am trying to do! Am off up hospital tomorrow for derm appt so am planning on also visiting rheum in same building and just not leaving until I get some reliable advice. But so far that is just what has been lacking. I'm not feeling too much trust in the professionals at the moment. And I'm not prepared to risk my hearing any longer. But thanks anyway.
Hi
So, when I didn't get a reply, I stopped taking the MTX. Two days later, got a call from rheum nurse. When told of symptoms, she reacted strongly and immediately to my tinnitus and told me to take no more. Thankfully, I had worked that out for myself. Am now beginning to recover from many symptoms but NOT the tinnitus. See the rheum again next month, so it's wait and see time again.