pulsatile tinnitus - nusance or serious problem?

mgirl · 02-23-2005, 10:35 PM

Hi! I have been diagnosed with Pulsatile Tinnitus and have had the condition for 2 years. I hear my heartbeat in my head only when I lay down at night and am laying on either side. There is no pain involved other than my left ear sometimes feels blocked I'm guessing because of eustuchian tube problems. I have both a history of bad sinus infections/seasonal allergies and problems with my bite because of faulty orthodontic work. Other than that I am a very healthy 40 year old with no weight, hypertension or cardiovascular issues.

I have seen two ENT's who offered zero help or explanation other than to say that the MRI I had done was negative. My regular doctor and the last ENT I saw told me to go see a neurologist. We have a history of breast cancer in our family but I have not had it.

The pulsating head symptoms are manageable and usually do not bother me unless I have drank alcohol or it is the beginning of my menstrual cycle and that seems to set off a more rapid head pulsation.

My question is.... do I let this go and just live with it or can this be something serious. If you think it is serious, should I see a neurologist or try to find a better ENT?

Please help!

toosunNeo · 02-26-2005, 04:25 PM

I really feel your pain as I think i have pulsalitle tinnitus as well after monitoring my ear beating and researching online. However, I have not tested for this yet. Can you tell me which specialist do you go to test for this and what sort of test do you perform?

Thx in advance,

Neo

berg0449 · 02-26-2005, 05:14 PM

I know your 'pain'. I have the same problem. I have learned over the few year to cope with it. As long as the ENT's and docs agree nothings serious, then it turns to a nusance. I have learned to stay away from quiet rooms. At night I use a fan to add noise.

mgirl · 02-27-2005, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toosunNeo

I really feel your pain as I think i have pulsalitle tinnitus as well after monitoring my ear beating and researching online. However, I have not tested for this yet. Can you tell me which specialist do you go to test for this and what sort of test do you perform?

Thx in advance,

Neo

Neo,
The test I had done was an MRI of the head/brain where they use magnetic and radio waves to view the inside of the head and the flow of blood through vessels in the head to find abnormalities such as tumors etc. Fortunately they found nothing wrong with me with the scan. Good Luck and I wish you well.
Marge

mgirl · 02-27-2005, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berg0449

I know your 'pain'. I have the same problem. I have learned over the few year to cope with it. As long as the ENT's and docs agree nothings serious, then it turns to a nusance. I have learned to stay away from quiet rooms. At night I use a fan to add noise.

Thank you for your reply. Sometimes it helps to know you are not alone.