Hello, New Here and Suffering from Pulsatile Tinnitus

[320sammy]

Hi, I'm a 41 year old women, and developed unilateral pulsatile tinnitus spontaneously last October(2012).MY only history was 2 very painful ear infections in my right ear, aug and oct 2012.
I finally got referred to ENT clinic and am currently awaiting an MRI scan.
My main issue is sleeping, I've tried low level radio at night and it doesn't help. Went to see my GP and was given a short course of sleeping tablets ( have taken them to try and sleep), and came away with some anti depressants ( I haven't taken them)...I don't think I'm depressed, just exhausted from not sleeping!!! I feel fine in every other way, although I admit I feel driven to tears at times, due to being so very tired. Can anyone suggest anything to help with sleeping? If I can get on top of that, I feel I will be able to cope better with the tinnitus.

 

[Karen]

Hi, @320sammy, and welcome!

I'm a PT sufferer, too. I've had unilateral pulsatile tinnitus for 3 years now, and am still searching for a cause/cure. Mine is in my right ear, too.

Sleeping is indeed difficult with PT, and I don't have a magic formula. However, I'll tell you what has worked for me:

1) I use a Conair sound machine, set at "running stream" (it sounds like gently flowing water). It is turned low, and is in the bedroom, but away from my bed. Water sounds seem to work well, at least for me. It doesn't exactly mask the sound, but it does soften it to some degree. You could try experimenting with different sounds to see what works best for you.

2) I take natural supplements for sleep. The one I am currently using is called Sweet Slumber, and it is a natural combination sleep aid that contains vitamins, melatonin, valerian root, etc. It helps you to fall asleep naturally, and awake without feeling drugged.

3) I also take magnesium about 1 - 1 1/2 hours before bedtime. The one I use is magnesium chloride, and it helps to calm the body and nervous system. When my pulsating first started, I felt as if my whole body was vibrating from the sound, and the magnesium helped considerably to calm things down.

4) During the day, I take a natural supplement called moringa oliefera, that contains some natural calming properties. I believe I read that it contains natural melatonin, as well.

I've had a lot of problems with sleeping since the PT started, and it has been only recently that I've found the right combination of factors that works for me. I have found that going to bed later (around 11:30 P.M.) works best for me.

I wish you the best, and will be interested to hear the results of your MRI!

Best wishes, Karen

 

[James]

Hello 320sammy,

I was overcome by pusling-tinnitus. At that point, I couldn't sleep either. I had sirens in my head. I got a low dosage of anti-depressents, -- and ones that had a sleeping effect. The first one prescribed didn't help. I was able to sleep. That's a big help. Good luck. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Markku]

Mirtazapine (Remeron, Avanza, Zispin) has been praised here on the forums for its sleep-inducing properties.

You may want to look into it.

Welcome to TT!


Markku

 

[Robert Fahey]

Sammy, let's assume you cannot treat the T. You can instead treat your hypervigililant reaction, a.k.a. anxiety. Solve that, and you've solved the whole puzzle because the T will not spook you. I used Zoloft for 9 months to accelerate my acceptance and numb the anxiety, but you know yourself better than I.