Hello I'm New, Think I Developed Pulsatile Tinnitus in My Left Ear a Couple of Months Ago

Hi, @Taylor H,

Welcome to Tinnitus Talk! I am a fellow pulsatile tinnitus sufferer, and certainly understand your concerns.

Do you remember exactly when you first noticed the pulsating? Have you had any recent changes in your health, such as new medication, weight loss or weight gain, or any other type of health concern? Sometimes changes in your physical condition can trigger the pulsating to begin. Mine began after I took a blood pressure drug for the first time.

I've had a CT scan, MRI, and Doppler of carotid arteries, and nothing was found. I've been living with this condition since 2010, and I have learned how to cope with it as best I can. Mine has not gotten any worse, and in fact seems more bearable now than it did in the beginning.

I'll be interested to hear the results of your CT scan, and hope that your doctors will be able to give you some answers.

You're welcome to send me a private message if you wish to discuss further.

Best wishes,
Karen

 

Hi, @Dna_420,

My pulsatile tinnitus is constant. However, it does seem worse at night when I'm in bed, probably because there are no distractions and no background noise. During the day, I don't hear it much any more, except in a quiet environment. I try to keep myself busy and active most of the time, so that I don't notice the PT so much. That is my way of coping with it. I've found that exercise helps a lot, too. I enjoy walking outdoors, weather permitting. When I'm outside, I don't notice the PT.

How are you coping? Have you had any tests for your PT? Do you know what might have caused it to begin?

 

Hi, @Lesly

Yes, I did have an audiogram test, and some hearing loss was detected. I already had hearing loss and regular tinnitus when I took the blood pressure drug. The drug just worsened what I already had, plus it added pulsatile tinnitus to the mix! I only took the blood pressure drugs (more than 1) for about 3 months total, and then I went to another doctor, who helped me get off the meds. I don't take blood pressure drugs now; I control my blood pressure through exercise, diet, and supplements. One supplement I take is Carditone, which seems to help.

 

Hi, @Dna_420,

Yes, I will pray for a good outcome for you tomorrow. But please try not to worry; there are many possible causes of pulsatile tinnitus, and certainly not all of them require surgery. I hope that things go well for you, and that you will post tomorrow after your MRI to let us know how you are doing.

Best wishes and hugs,
Karen

 

@Dna_420,

Thanks for posting today. I'm glad things look OK, according to your doctor, and I will be interested to hear the official results.

Yes, it is possible that the PT will calm down as you calm down. I hope you are feeling better this evening, and that your T is settling down a bit.

Take care, and get some rest!

Best wishes,
Karen

 

@Dna_420

Thanks for the update! That is truly a blessing, and I am very glad for you.

There is always hope that you will find a doctor (if you want to keep searching) who understands what PT is, and wants to investigate a little bit further.

One possible cause of PT that may be overlooked is blood pressure. Higher BP can cause it, or make it worse. Another possible cause is benign intracranial hypertension (too much fluid around the brain), which can be determined by lumbar puncture.

I will keep you in my prayers, and I hope things are calm for you this evening.

Best wishes,
Karen

 

Hi, @Dna_420

No, I don't think the MRI does pick that up. I've read that you can have an eye test to look at the optic nerves, to tell if you have this condition. However, since I don't have that condition myself, I don't know a lot about it. I think it would be good to go to a specialist, if you can find one in your area, such as a neurologist or neurotologist.

Also, the blood pressure could have something to do with your pulsating. Some people have benefitted from taking a low-dose beta blocker for the pulsating.

These would be questions to ask your doctor.

Best wishes, and please keep me posted.

Karen