Pulsatile Tinnitus — Now on Tinnitus Talk

Hi, Stab,

There are many causes for pulsatile tinnitus, so it's hard to make any determination about it from your symptoms. However, I'd say it's a good sign that your PT has not gotten any worse since 2009, and I think you're very lucky that it doesn't bother you when you are lying down. That means that you can, at least, get some sleep!

Do you know if you have any hearing loss? The very high-pitched sound could be the result of a high-range hearing loss. Have you had your hearing checked?

Also, do you know of any specific health problem or trauma that might have happened to cause the pulsating in the first place? Do you have any neck, jaw, or back problems?

If it doesn't bother you, and it doesn't get any worse, you might be able to go on just as you are. But, if it becomes bothersome, you might want to have it checked out. Most of the people I've heard of who have been cured of PT have had a specific problem that a doctor found on a CT scan, MRI, or angiogram. The majority of cured Whooshers suggest going to a neurologist instead of to an ENT doctor.

I hope this information has been helpful to you!

Best wishes,
Karen

 

Hi, Stab,

I agree; the venous hum sounds just like the symptoms you described to me. So, you can stop or diminish the sound when you put your finger on the jugular vein? That's good; mine does not change when I do that.

It sounds like that might be what you have. However, just to ease your mind, maybe you could go to a doctor for verification. Are you in the UK? I understand it takes awhile to get an appointment there. (I'm in the U.S.).

I would think that when you lie down, there would be more blood going to the head. Mine is louder when I lie down.

That's why it might be worth checking out, just be sure it is not any physical problem. Take care, and keep me posted on what you decide to do.

 

The change in sound might have something to do with the Eustachian tubes. It could still change again, or go back to the way it was before. Also, the dizziness may subside later. I know mine did; I had a lot of dizziness and imbalanced feelings in my head when this first started, but it is virtually gone now. I know it's hard to believe, but your tinnitus will most likely improve (or you'll habituate to it) in time.

 

@Per,
How is your dizziness today? Any better, or about the same? The TRT is a good idea, and I think it will help you a lot.

I've experienced habituation before, although not recently. When you habituate, the tinnitus volume doesn't decrease, but you are able to put the sound out of your consciousness. It's hard to believe that that is possible, but it really does happen that way.

I understand about the masking; it didn't work for me, either, when my tinnitus was at its worst. You might want to forget about that for now. The best things you can do right now are to remain calm, get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and find ways to distract yourself. Living from day to day will become easier as time goes on.

Please stay in touch with us here; we can help you and maybe suggest ways to cope that will help.

Very best wishes,
Karen

 

@Per,

It's possible that your slight dizziness has something to do with the tinnitus. I know that I had a slightly off-balance feeling for a long time (over 2 years) after my tinnitus became worse. It is virtually gone now; I'm not sure if that had anything to do with the habituation process or not. I just know it's better now!

To answer your question about tinnitus decreasing over time, I believe it is all about the perception of it. Mine may be a little worse than most, because I have both hissing and pulsating. But, at the beginning, I had roaring tinnitus, and I don't have that any more (thank goodness!). It's more about how much the tinnitus occupies your consciousness.

I think you'll find that, in a few months, you'll notice that it is a bit better. I hope so anyway. There is no one-size-fits-all for tinnitus. But I wish you better days in the not-too-distant future!!

Best wishes,
Karen

 

@Per,

I hope I've been able to help a little bit. Having hyperacusis along with the T must, I'm sure, make it even worse. I didn't have that, but from what I've heard, most people get it under control after awhile, and I'm hoping you'll be one of those people! Yes, this thing is a nightmare at first, but if you can keep a positive outlook (easier said than done!), I know there are better days ahead for you.

 

Hi, Stab,

I think I've responded to you before, but can't find the thread right now. I have pulsatile tinnitus, too, and have had several tests, where nothing was found. Mine is a constant, steady pulsating in sync with my heartbeat. It is always the same, no matter what I do. However, it is more noticeable when I lie down.

Most people with PT say that, when they press on the jugular vein, they can stop the sound. For me, however, that isn't the case. Also, I notice that you say yours is inaudible when you are lying flat. Not so for me.

I think mine might be due to a venous hum, too, because of what I've read when doing research on this condition. I have an underactive thyroid, and I understand that venous hum can be caused by that. Have you read that, as well? Also, has yours remained the same since it started, or has it gotten worse, or better? Mine has stayed about the same. I also have ringing in the same ear as the PT. It is a high-pitched, hissing sound.

I'll be interested to hear from other people who might have PT due to a venous hum. Please share your experiences with us!

 

Hi, James and MLS,
I also have pulsatile tinnitus, and it started after I was diagnosed with hypertension three years ago. I've also been on Synthroid for many years.

My doctor prescribed a blood pressure drug for me in 2010, and insisted that I take it. It was after I began taking the blood pressure drug that my ringing tinnitus (which was mild before) got very bad, and shortly after that, the pulsating tinnitus began.

I believe there is some connection between my rise in blood pressure and my thyroid condition. I've always tried to eat right, exercise, non-smoker, non-drinker, etc., so there was no real reason for my blood pressure to increase so much.

By the way, I am no longer on blood pressure medication and my blood pressure is back to normal. The last time I took my blood pressure (earlier today), it was 111/73. I'm controlling it naturally by watching my diet, exercising daily, drinking no caffeine, and taking natural supplements such as magnesium and fish oil. My tinnitus has improved greatly since 2010, and the pulsating tinnitus has gotten softer, but both are still there.l

MLS, I'll be interested to hear what your doctor says about your condition.

 

Hi, @Siomes,

I've been living with pulsatile tinnitus and ringing/hissing tinnitus for over three years now. When it first began, I had something similar to what you are describing with the vibrating legs, etc. It was so bad sometimes when I was trying to sleep that I could hardly stand to lie in bed for very long.

It has taken me some time to get things to calm down, but I am feeling better now. While I still have the pulsating tinnitus, it is not as bothersome as it was. One thing that I think has helped me is magnesium. I began taking magnesium chloride tablets almost two years ago, and they helped me to calm down. I no longer experience the vibrating body sensation, and I am able to sleep again. I take two magnesium chloride tablets (500 mg. size) each night, about 1 hour before bedtime.

Pulsating tinnitus can have many causes, and most times they are vascular. However, I have heard that, for some people, it goes away on its own. I'm glad you're going to see a doctor, and maybe he can shed some light on what is causing your problems. I'll be interested to hear what he has to say.

In the meantime, try to stay calm, get some sleep (if sleep is possible right now!), and find ways to distract yourself. If you need to vent, you've come to the right place here at Tinnitus Talk! I know what you're going through right now, and my heart goes out to you.

 

@Siomes,

Please keep me posted on how you're doing. I hope the vibrating legs thing goes away soon! I agree; it's horrible, and it's so hard to sleep with all that going on. Take care!!

 

@Siomes,

I'm sorry to hear that your doctor wasn't much help. I've been going through this for over 3 years now, and I can tell you that many doctors don't know much about pulsatile tinnitus. There is a whole website about PT (Whooshers.com) that you might want to check out. There is a section there about "Cured Whooshers" that will give you hope. On Whooshers.com, they suggest going to another doctor if the one you've been to is no help. PT is often vascular in nature, so it's best to get checked out.

I'd monitor the situation for awhile, see if anything improves; then, if it doesn't, maybe try going to another doctor. They suggest (Whooshers.com) that a neurologist might be a good doctor to see, because they understand more about PT.

In my case, I've had several tests for my PT, including a CT scan, MRI and MRA (arteries), and a Doppler of the carotid arteries. Nothing showed up; however, just recently, my PT has mysteriously gotten much calmer. I have no idea why! It's a mystery, this PT!

Take care, and monitor your situation.

Best wishes,
Karen