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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be worried my tinnitus could kill me?

56 replies

Thudthudthud · 04/04/2020 01:10

I have had really loud pulsatile tinnitus in my left ear for the past 4 weeks. It started off only being there at night, and although still bad at night, which is why I’m not sleeping now, it has progressed to being there every day especially when I go from sitting to standing or lying to sitting.
I went to the GP who referred me to the ENT because apparently it can be caused by narrowing of the carotid artery and/or an embolism in the artery. I was told I would be seen soon.
Today I had a letter from the hospital saying that in the current coronavirus situation my appointment was postponed. But if it is caused by a blocked artery or similar how can I wait? I’m terrified I’m going to have a stroke.
Has anyone been through similar before?

OP posts:
Original poster
Thudthudthud · 04/04/2020 05:54

Thank you everyone for keeping me company through the night.

OP posts:
Frariedeamin · 04/04/2020 06:08

I am very hard of hearing but the one thing I can bloody hear is my tinnitus! Even ‘talking’ about it now has doubled the screeching! Whilst you are waiting for your scan, please look at the tinnitus UK website and try to understand it more, it helps psychologically to know more about it as you are fixated on one cause when there are many. Their website states it is rare to find the cause of your kind of tinnitus (a good and bad thing in one!). Stress will make it worse. I know it’s not as easy as it sounds but it really really will make it worse. I have hearing therapy and drowning it out, or trying to, is not ideal as it can cause hearing damage. You want to listen to something on the same level as tinnitus and make it ‘associated’ with that noise so you can filter it into the background. Honestly please read the website: it’s easier than it sounds. If you are around Hertfordshire I can recommend an excellent audiologist.

SophocIestheFox · 04/04/2020 06:24

Hope you managed to get some sleep, thud, and are a bit reassured by other posters.

Thank you for starting the thread, I also have pulsatile tinnitus, and have never got to the bottom of why. I’ve never had it investigated, to be honest, as I have such a laundry list of other health conditions to manage, it’s never got to the top of the list, as the thought of seeing one more doctor makes me want to scream (sorry, doctors 😬). Some really interesting clues on this thread as to what might be causing it.

ZaraW · 04/04/2020 07:22

I've had tinnitus in both ears for a year. Started after I had surgery. I was told there was no link. Had an MRI and nothing serious was found. I can forget about it most of the time, but sometimes it's unbearable. I play a lot of music or have TV on which helps. I hate it.

DanielleHirondelle · 04/04/2020 08:42

I sympathise, tinnitus is awful. The British Tinnitus Association website is very good. I've learned that the trick is try not to give it attention (I know that sounds impossible!) to distract e.g. music or background noise (you can get loads on youtube , I've used the 'nature' ones like rain and the sea) or doing something you enjoy (I found baking helpful,and even boring things like clearing out a cupboard). I hope you get some reassurance perhaps by phoning your GP for advice as your worry about the stated urgency is probably making the tinnitus worse. I hope your tinnitus is temporary. Best wishes.

Zombiemum1946 · 04/04/2020 09:13

Nasal wash outs can help with the sinus discomfort and allow any sprays or drops to get in and treat inflammation and/or infection.

PheasantPlucker9 · 04/04/2020 10:18

Hello, I have the exact same thing. I went to the ENT doctor in early March and he said I should do a carotid ultrasound which I did. It was all clear.
I've had this for 3 years before I finally went to the doctor. I wouldn't worry but just for peace of mind, you can book a carotid ultrasound privately, it's around £100 I believe.

ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 04/04/2020 10:36

Keep in mind that tinnitus is very common and very rarely due to to serious underlying causes, especially in healthy 29 year olds. And it can definitely be worsened by both stress and sinus congestion.

I have have it for years. I had an MRI because it can be caused by a benign tumour and they wanted to rule this out. Most cases of tinnitus have no obvious cause though.

Mine always gets worse if I'm tired, run down, ill or stressed. It doesn't really bother me anymore although like you I was really anxious when I first had it.

If you're really concerned get back in contact with your gp. I wouldn't advise going to a&e because you'll be massively increasing your chances of catching coronavirus. Take care x

Namechangervaver · 04/04/2020 13:50

You say your bloods came back normal. Do you know what your FBC and ferritin was? If not then ask your surgery. Some people get pulsatile tinnitus even at levels that are at the lower end but considered normal. I'd say at your age that's a more likely cause than blocked carotid arteries.

Original poster
Thudthudthud · 04/04/2020 14:15

Thanks. I feel very anxious today particularly as have an awful headache on side of temple I have the tinnitus. I know it’s probably caused by stress and lack of sleep logically but it’s hard being logical right now.Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Thudthudthud · 04/04/2020 14:16

Namechangervaver interesting, I will see if I can find this out. Thanks

OP posts:
LaPampa · 04/04/2020 14:24

I have the same thing - started after a bad bout of sinusitis last year. I was told to do a nasal spray daily for 3 months in case it is snot in the wrong place before they could refer me to ENT. I obviously am not going back to GP at the moment - it seems to get worse when I am stressed, so trying to do things to reduce that. Sorry no helpful suggestions.

StinkyWizzleteets · 05/04/2020 12:40

Could your ears be blocked? I get weird heartbeat blood whooshing sounds when I’m congested which in allergy season is most of the time. I used to call them wowwows because of the noise they make.

GirlCalledJames · 05/04/2020 13:00

I’ve had it for 35 years. At some point you get used to it.

BelfryBat · 05/04/2020 13:04

Tinnitus is a bugger and the more stressed you get about it and the more you concentrate on it, the worse it will be. Try to relax and ignore it rather than focusing on it. I know this seems impossible, but it does work.

BelfryBat · 05/04/2020 13:05

Lots of info here www.tinnitus.org.uk/

Fuss · 05/04/2020 13:11

OP I have tinnitus.

Mine is completely my own fault. Years of loud rock music blasted through headphones and standing too close to speaker stacks at gigs. I also have a hearing loss of certain frequencies due to the same thing.

I was formally diagnosed about 4 years ago. I was sent to my local hospital one sunday morning for an MRI to just check there was nothing pressing on the ear canal. I was told this was incredibly rare and that it was just precaution. I was then referred on to a great audiologist who played lots of sounds at me to determine at what frequency I couldn't hear and then discussed my tinnitus with me and a mutual love for the same loud music.

The best tip I can give you is embrace the whistle. You know how people pay good money for white noise machines in their bedrooms? You've got it built in. Rather than seeing it as an annoyance, try and tune into it when you lie in bed. It helps clear the mind and sends me to sleep.
In the day I don't notice it so much with background noise going on etc.

It's probably nothing and might well go away of its own accord. Try not to worry over it too much.

Callimanco · 05/04/2020 13:16

I had tinnitus and chronic sinus problems on one side for years.

Last year a cracked molar tooth which cracked about 20 years ago became increasingly sensitive and "itchy". Eventually the start of an abscess was detected and I had root canal treatment.

An unexpected side effect of the root canal is that is has hugely improved my sinus and tinnitus. I now wonder if there was a low level infection/ nerve damage or something impacting that side of my face for years.

Distressingtimes · 05/04/2020 13:16

My ears are ringing loudly as I’m sitting here typing this. Have done since 2015, I wasn’t referred to ENT just told it’s one of those things you have to put up with!

I always have to have the TV or radio on in the house, it helps me focus less on the ringing. At night I play an app -rain noise- again this helps me to focus less on the noise so I can sleep. Try downloading some white noise. Just google white noise for tinnitus, there are lots of apps.

hadtojoin · 05/04/2020 13:22

I have had tinnitus for 40years and I agree background noise does help to mask it. You will get used to it if it carries on, like a ticking clock in the background or the hum of the fridge that you no longer notice.

Comefromaway · 05/04/2020 13:27

My tinnitus is caused by a burst eardrum following an ear infection that never healed.

Dh, however has tinnitus as a result of Menieres Disease. It’s not life threatening but his vertigo attacks sometimes mimic stroke/mini stroke symptoms.

The likelihood is it’s nothing serious but do contact your gp again if you notice any other symptoms.

quarantinevibes · 05/04/2020 13:32

I’ve had it for years now, it’s quite loud I’ve learnt to ignore it now as best I can. Sometimes it randomly goes even louder and different noises etc, the first time it scared me but I’m used to it now.
Please don’t worry, just ignore it as best you can x

Echobelly · 05/04/2020 13:33

OP, I developed tinnitus at uni and was told by a GP that I'd damaged my hearing and shouldn't go to gigs or clubs, even with earplugs, effectively ending my social life. I was miserable, desperate, even went to A&E one morning after a sleepless night and the practitioner who saw me gave me a letter to show to my GP.

After a few months of this, I was very fortunate that my parents knew of, and could afford to send me to, a private specialist who gave me a hearing test and showed me my hearing wasn't damaged, and explained how the tinnitus was basically an anxiety condition - it scared me, my brain identified it as a danger and started 'listening' to it and it it got worse. Basically he gave me a cognitive behavioural therapy regime for it and I got rid of it within a year. Sadly tinnitus is poorly understood by most health practitioners - I found some time later the letter the A&E guy had given to me that I'd never opened. It basically said I turned up looking shifty and was a hypochondriac needing some attention. And I don't blame him for that, people just don't understand it.

I'd recommend you look up specialist tinnitus clinics online - there seem to be more of them now and some may be able to help remotely. Good luck!

TerrorWig · 05/04/2020 15:51

I have had this as well, although I wasn't referred to ENT. I was referred to have a hearing test.

It did gradually go away on it's own. It could be sinister, but it is more likely to be that you're making it worse yourself by thinking about it and through your anxiety (as @Echobelly says).

Take care of yourself. I think we're all in a bit of heightened state of anxiety at the moment.

Melanie7788 · 31/08/2020 12:09

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