Pulsatile Tinnitus

[Johnnyb]

Hi all
my name is johnny and i have been diagnosed with tinnitus.hopefully being on here will help me as im really struggling to cope with this.i seem to get pulsating tinnitus in my left ear which sounds like a whooshing sound and i also have a continuous ringing in both.its actually reall life changing having this condition.i have been to see ENT and all they done was a hearing test which was done by a nurse and when i actually seen the specialist he looked in my ears asked about my ringing and sent me away with noise generator.i left the hospital feeling really let down.feels like the doctors dont have a clue.

 

[Karen]

Hi, @Johnnyb,

I'm so sorry you're having problems with both tinnitus and pulsatile tinnitus. I have both, too, and I certainly understand the frustration you're feeling right now.

Most ENT's don't know a lot about pulsatile tinnitus and/or don't have the time to help their patients explore different options to find a diagnosis. My suggestion would be for you to try going to another type of doctor, such as a neurologist or neurotologist, if there is one in your area. He or she might be able to spend a little more time with you, and perhaps suggest additional testing that could help to locate the problem.

Do you know of any changes in your health that took place in May, when your T and PT started? Do you have any other ongoing conditions?

Pulsatile tinnitus is usually vascular in nature (meaning that it might involve the veins or arteries) and should at least be checked out.

We're glad you've joined us, and I hope you'll keep us posted on how you're doing.

Best wishes,
Karen

 

[Johnnyb]

i seen my doctor again and he said to me "what is it that you would like me to do for you" which i thought was terrible .i felt so defeated and let down so i asked if i could get scans and whatever and he said he would write a letter to hospital so im still waiting on a response

 

[Karen]

Johnnyb,

That's good! Now, do you know what kinds of scans he is going to order? I'm wondering if he will prescribe an MRI first. If he does, you might want to ask if they will also do an MRA (arteries) and MRV (veins) for you, which they can do at the same time as the MRI.

 

[Johnnyb]

im not sure hopefully all of them but thanks for the info so that i can be well prepared for appointment

 

[Johnnyb]

just wondering if you know much about the medication i am on, currently take propranalol 40mg three times a day to help with the anxiety and have a few diazepam 2mg but my doctor doesnt like giving diazepam because they are very addictive but they really help me settle at night.i was also on betahistine 16mg but the ENT specialist said stop taking them as they wont do anything for me

 

[Karen]

Well, I know a little bit about diazepam (Valium), because I've taken it before. It is supposed to be highly addictive, but I only took it when I really needed it, so I didn't become addicted. However, it may be ototoxic (harmful to the ears). If you're only taking it for a short time, it may be OK.

Propranolol also may be ototoxic, but if there is a good reason you're taking it, you probably should continue. I took it for a short time, for high blood pressure. I had to stop taking it because it made my pulse pound whenever it was time to take the next dose. That was right around the time my pulsatile tinnitus started, and I still think mine was caused by blood pressure meds.

Here's an article citing both of these drugs as being ototoxic:
http://nowhearthisclinic.com/cms2/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Ototoxic_Brochure.pdf

If you want to try to some natural supplements that are not ototoxic, you could try magnesium, which is calming, and has helped me with sleep. Another natural supplement to try for natural calming is holy basil.

Do you know what might have caused your tinnitus and/or pulsating to begin, or did both of them begin suddenly?

 

[Johnnyb]

The continuous tinnitus started first all of a sudden while i was just watching tv then after i seen doctor pulsate tinnitus started.the pulsate comes and goes,i have had it again for 5 days now