Twinkie50
11-10-2008, 08:08 AM
Hi - I am kinda new to this board, but not to my heart beating in my ear!!
I have had swishing, pulsing tinnitus in my right ear for about 12 years. Each time I fly it gets worse. I saw an ENT about 8 years ago that scoped up my nose and said my euthastian tube on that side was narrowed and not to fly if I ever have congestion. That was about all he told me.
It comes and goes in intensity, but its always there. I flew in April very sick (had to get home) but I regret getting in that plane. Anyway, since then it has gotten so much worse. I saw an ENT/head/neck surgeon last week - he did a hearing test - my hearing was fine but slightly less in that ear with tones. Probably because when they did the test and I had those headphones on, the pulsing was SO LOUD I could not hear the tones. Anyway, he wanted to be safe and ordered an IAC MRI which I am having tomorrow. I am kinda freaked about it - I am worried about the dye injection. I know they say its safe, but I have alot of allergies to antibiotics and some foods and the sulfites in wine and I am nervous.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated!!!! MaryAnn
I have had swishing, pulsing tinnitus in my right ear for about 12 years. Each time I fly it gets worse. I saw an ENT about 8 years ago that scoped up my nose and said my euthastian tube on that side was narrowed and not to fly if I ever have congestion. That was about all he told me.
It comes and goes in intensity, but its always there. I flew in April very sick (had to get home) but I regret getting in that plane. Anyway, since then it has gotten so much worse. I saw an ENT/head/neck surgeon last week - he did a hearing test - my hearing was fine but slightly less in that ear with tones. Probably because when they did the test and I had those headphones on, the pulsing was SO LOUD I could not hear the tones. Anyway, he wanted to be safe and ordered an IAC MRI which I am having tomorrow. I am kinda freaked about it - I am worried about the dye injection. I know they say its safe, but I have alot of allergies to antibiotics and some foods and the sulfites in wine and I am nervous.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated!!!! MaryAnn
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kitchener12
11-13-2008, 09:45 PM
Hi Twinkie50
By the time you get this you will probably have had your MRI, I hope it went ok :)
I had pulsing tinnitus on and off for about 3 years, it drove me nuts....I can truly empathise with you ;)
My tinnitus was lessened by having a stapedectomy in the noisy ear , but then I did have pretty much full hearing loss there...
It could be related to blood pressure maybe, if your s is high. I am sure your MRI should provide some results.
By the time you get this you will probably have had your MRI, I hope it went ok :)
I had pulsing tinnitus on and off for about 3 years, it drove me nuts....I can truly empathise with you ;)
My tinnitus was lessened by having a stapedectomy in the noisy ear , but then I did have pretty much full hearing loss there...
It could be related to blood pressure maybe, if your s is high. I am sure your MRI should provide some results.
Twinkie50
11-14-2008, 07:03 PM
Hi - thanks for responding. The MRI came out negative and I am surprised. I thought for sure they would find something. Its making me CRAZY. I have had it a very long time, but its so much worse and constant lately. My blood pressure is fine - I have been doing it at home and keeping track. Funny thing is when I place pressure on my jugular vein, the sound stops. They say that can have something to do with rapid blood flow??? I have to go back to my ENT in 2 weeks. Maybe more tests? MaryAnn
kitchener12
11-15-2008, 10:14 AM
Hi Twinkie50
My pulsing tinnitus first started with my first pregnancy, I really freaked me out, I ended up taking early mat leave just to lessen stress!
I know my dr prescribed me a med to lessen anxiety which I have only taken once (!) as I hate taking meds at all and wanted to find the root cause for the noise as I am sure you do too.
I am assuming the MRI would pick up any tumors, swelling etc am I right?
YOu mentioned that you have a narrower eustacian tube on that side? THere is a condition that children can get that can cause tinnitus it is called otitis media (I think) It may be that the narrow tube is causing this :(
You metioned slight haering loss at your test in this ear, does your ear ever feel full?
I did a search for pulsatile tinnitus eustachian tube and found some interesting sites
My pulsing tinnitus first started with my first pregnancy, I really freaked me out, I ended up taking early mat leave just to lessen stress!
I know my dr prescribed me a med to lessen anxiety which I have only taken once (!) as I hate taking meds at all and wanted to find the root cause for the noise as I am sure you do too.
I am assuming the MRI would pick up any tumors, swelling etc am I right?
YOu mentioned that you have a narrower eustacian tube on that side? THere is a condition that children can get that can cause tinnitus it is called otitis media (I think) It may be that the narrow tube is causing this :(
You metioned slight haering loss at your test in this ear, does your ear ever feel full?
I did a search for pulsatile tinnitus eustachian tube and found some interesting sites
kitchener12
11-15-2008, 10:18 AM
Sorry me again
Check out this PATULOUS EUSTACHIAN TUBE
do you have any of these symptoms?
Regards
Check out this PATULOUS EUSTACHIAN TUBE
do you have any of these symptoms?
Regards
Twinkie50
12-09-2008, 08:32 AM
Hi - I have read about this....however, I don't get relief when hanging my head upside down which is one of the things they say will temporarily stop the noise. My voice volume is louder to others, not softer as they say and my symptoms absolutely do not go away when I lie down - they get worse. Thank you though - I wish so much there was an answer to this. At times, when its really loud I feel like I am going to flip out - seriously, its awful to always hear your heart pounding and swishing in your ear. Like I said earlier, my MRI IAC was fine - they do look at your brain and pituitary gland too with this type of MRI and nothing was seen. Next step would be an MRA/MRV but my ENT head/neck surgeon thinks at this point its not necessary but said he would be happy to order it for me if it gets worse. I have to wait and see - I've had it for many years, but its just gotten so much worse - I try to ignore it and some days its there, but pretty quiet so who knows???????? Again, thanks.
MaryAnn
MaryAnn