Pulsatile Tinnitus — No Cause Found Yet

Hi, @Leecey, and welcome!

So sorry to hear that you've joined the ranks of those of us with pulsatile tinnitus. I also have unilateral pulsatile tinnitus (right ear only). I've had it for four years now, and have had just about the same tests you've had: CT scan without contrast, MRI/MRA with contrast, and ultrasound of carotid arteries. Nothing significant was found; I'm taking a break from going from doctor to doctor right now, but haven't given up looking for a cause.

When your PT started 10 months ago, do you remember doing anything differently? Any stressful events? New medications? Health issues? Did your pulsatile tinnitus start suddenly, or gradually?

I agree with Billy43 that it might be worthwhile to go to a neurologist or a neurotologist. These specialists might be more knowledgeable about PT, and might be able to suggest further testing for you to find out what might be causing your symptoms.

Another suggestion would be to consider joining the Facebook group on Whooshers.com. There are other members there from Australia, and one of them might be able to suggest a specialist near you.

As James said, you've come to the right place here at Tinnitus Talk! We are a supportive group, and we certainly understand what you're going through right now.

When mine first started four years ago, I had some symptoms similar to yours: It felt like my whole body was pulsating when I tried to sleep; I had some minor vision problems; I experienced some dizziness/vertigo; I had some occasional skipped heartbeats. I didn't have headaches, but I've heard of many PT sufferers who do.

I wish you well, and hope you'll keep in touch, and let us know if you do decide to see another doctor.

Best wishes and hugs,
Karen

 

@Leecey,

That's encouraging --- that your whooshing does ease from time to time! I'll admit that some of those stories scare me, too. Not everyone who has PT has a life-threatening condition, and many of us never find the cause. I have even heard of cases where the PT went away on its own. Maybe you'll be one of them!

You and I have something in common --- our PT started after getting off a drug. Mine was blood pressure meds, and yours was Lexapro. It could be that we somehow caused a reaction in our bodies, and our ears were vulnerable. This is only speculation on my part, but it makes sense to me. I've gone over the time leading up to my PT many times in my mind, and the only thing that happened was that I got on and got off a blood pressure drug suddenly.

Since I've had PT for four years now, I can tell you that, for me at least, it has calmed down somewhat from what it was like in the beginning. I also have a high-pitched hissing/ringing sound in the same ear. Do you have any hissing or ringing in your PT ear?

Please don't get discouraged --- even if you never find the cause, yours may ease up, too, and you will then find it easier to live with.

Take care, and I hope you have a quiet evening!