Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
Sudden hearing loss and muscle weakness/twitching
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
Sudden hearing loss and muscle weakness/twitching
by jim1975, Aug 29, 2006 12:00AM
Hi – I started having hearing problems about 6 weeks ago. It started with my right ear feeling clogged. A couple days later the left ear also felt clogged. I thought it was wax in my ears but after 4 or 5 days of drops I woke up with sudden hearing loss in my left ear – a loud constant ringing noise too. This was about 1 week after the fullness/clogged feeling started. Left ear was also very sensitive to sound. Hearing test showed moderate hearing loss for the left ear in the low frequencies. MRI was normal. Blood work was all negative except for what appears to be a false positive for syphilis – my internist gave me a follow up syphilis test (2 kinds) that was negative. Internist prescribed 6 day treatment of methylpredinisone. During this treatment or slightly after I started getting muscle twitches (mostly arms and legs on both sides but really all over) in addition to general muscle weakness that started around the same time as my hearing loss. I was also pretty fatigued, but I chalked this up to poor sleep and the stress of losing my hearing. Saw an ENT a couple days after finishing the steroids – I had improved some and he put me on a stronger dose of steroids. 50mgs of prednisone for 5 days tapering down 5mgs a day after that (9 more days). Twitching and muscle weakness persisted but hearing returned basically to normal. Had another audiogram which was about 1 month after the first hearing in left ear was almost back to normal. Overall I was feeling better – still some twitching but it was improving every day and I wasn’t feeling as weak. (ENT attributed to the muscle weakness and twitching to the steroids).
About two weeks after being off the steroids the low frequency hearing loss returned as confirmed by another audiogram. ENT gave me another 6day pack of steroids. I just saw him today – 2 days after finishing the 6day pack – audiogram was slightly better and he gave me prescribed another 6 day pack for me to take.
Ringing in left ear hasn’t stopped but is significantly quieter than 6 weeks ago. I’m also unsure what to make of the clogged feeling in the right without loss of hearing like I saw in the left ear.
I had slight dizziness in the beginning (no vertigo) but I haven't noticed it since.
About two weeks after being off the steroids the low frequency hearing loss returned as confirmed by another audiogram. ENT gave me another 6day pack of steroids. I just saw him today – 2 days after finishing the 6day pack – audiogram was slightly better and he gave me prescribed another 6 day pack for me to take.
Ringing in left ear hasn’t stopped but is significantly quieter than 6 weeks ago. I’m also unsure what to make of the clogged feeling in the right without loss of hearing like I saw in the left ear.
I had slight dizziness in the beginning (no vertigo) but I haven't noticed it since.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Aug 30, 2006 12:00AM
, Aug 30, 2006 12:00AM
You have had a pretty comprehensive evaluation, including an evaluation by an ENT as well as an MRI.
If the symptoms continue, you may want to consider a neurology referral to evaluate the muscle twitching.
Electrodiagnostic studies can be considered to evaluate for any peripheral nerve dysfunction that can lead to your symptoms.
Metabolic disorders like diabetes, thyroid disorders or anemia can also lead to hearing loss. These can be evaluated via blood tests.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
If the symptoms continue, you may want to consider a neurology referral to evaluate the muscle twitching.
Electrodiagnostic studies can be considered to evaluate for any peripheral nerve dysfunction that can lead to your symptoms.
Metabolic disorders like diabetes, thyroid disorders or anemia can also lead to hearing loss. These can be evaluated via blood tests.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/magnesium.asp
Some medications, as you will find, deplete magnesium. Too, magnesium may interfere with certain medications so be sure to read up on this prior to taking supplementation.
I do believe stress can exasperate, if not cause twitching on occasion.
Good luck!