Pulsatile Tinnitus — No Cause Found Yet

Discussion in 'Introduce Yourself' started by Leecey, May 31, 2014.

    1. Leecey

      Leecey Member

      Location:
      Sydney
      Tinnitus Since:
      06/2013
      Hi, I'm a 35yr old Aussie who has suffered from unilateral pulsatile tinnitus for over 10 months. My GP had never heard of it (I had researched my symptoms on the internet so knew what i had) and brushed my concerns aside until I pushed for a referral to a specialist, which took 3 months to get an appointment before I finally saw an ENT. I was sent for a CT (with contrast) an MRI (no contrast) and an ultrasound of my neck arteries. Nothing was found except for a slightly flattened pituitary gland sac (sellar) that is apparently not related or a concern. I have been told the pulsatile tinnitus is just my health Anxiety. I have skipped heart beats many times most days (told it's my anxiety) pressure headaches with vision blurred, giddiness and nausea (apparently also anxiety) and I developed GERD at the same time I developed the Pulsatile Tinnitus (again told this was Anxiety too). I only have health anxiety due to all these symptoms.Im so scared and the medical professionals just don't seem to see that there must be something going on here???
       
      • Hug Hug x 1
      Leecey, May 31, 2014
      #1
    2. billy43
      Lucky

      billy43 Member

      Location:
      nj usa
      Tinnitus Since:
      9/28/13
      hi leecey. if possible I would recommend seeing a nuerologist. I also have pulsatile tinnitus.ive had it for 8 months.ive seen several specialist and had several tests .all came back negative.sometimes youll find a nuerologist who is more interested in trying to find the cause of your PT than an ENT. especially because your experiencing blurred vision and headaches.ok well good luck with this and hope you feel better.
       
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      • Agree Agree x 1
      billy43, May 31, 2014
      #2
    3. James
      No Mood

      James Member Benefactor

      Location:
      California
      Tinnitus Since:
      Pulsing 03/2013
      Welcome Leecey,
      Sorry that you have come down with Pulsing Tinnitus. As you probably know, the pulsing effect can be terrible. I have PT too. I hope you find support and some info in the forum. Seems like people understand Tinnitus here, they can relate.

      The causes seem so unknown. My Doctors tell me stress, (they don't know what else to tell me), medications, age, damaged ear nerves, hearing loss? I think we can agree on one thing, please let there be a cure in life. I wish you a good night sleep.
       
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      James, May 31, 2014
      #3
    4. Karen
      Talkative

      Karen Manager Staff Benefactor Hall of Fame Ambassador

      Location:
      U.S.
      Tinnitus Since:
      05/2010
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      First time: Noise 2nd Time: Ototoxic drug
      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
       
      • Like Like x 3
      Karen, May 31, 2014
      #4
    5. Leecey

      Leecey Member

      Location:
      Sydney
      Tinnitus Since:
      06/2013
      Thank you everyone, the only significant things were that I had weaned off Lexapro (very slowly) for Anxiety and I had been on a small plane trip immediately before all this began. I will definitely go the route of a neurologist, thank you for the advise. I did try the Whooshers fb and site but the stories really scare me. I just want to know there is no ticking time bomb going on, then I could deal with the whooshing.
       
      Leecey, May 31, 2014
      #5
    6. Leecey

      Leecey Member

      Location:
      Sydney
      Tinnitus Since:
      06/2013
      It also started sporadically and within a month it was constant. It does ease at times but for no apparent reason
       
      Leecey, May 31, 2014
      #6
    7. Karen
      Talkative

      Karen Manager Staff Benefactor Hall of Fame Ambassador

      Location:
      U.S.
      Tinnitus Since:
      05/2010
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      First time: Noise 2nd Time: Ototoxic drug
      @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!
       
      • Like Like x 2
      Karen, May 31, 2014
      #7

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