Pulsatile Tinnitus

[MaintainTheMolehill]

Feeling sorry for myself today, does anyone else have this? (Throbbing noise in one ear in time with heartbeat)

I've had it for weeks, finally phoned the doctor who gave me a prescription for antibiotics which I'm half way through and they seem to be making it worse.

If I push the main artery in my neck it stops but not today that's only reducing the volume slightly.

It's so lonely as I can't concentrate on what people are saying or the TV. I've tried everything but it seems from a read online that it could be something I just have to live with.

aibu over being so down over a noise in my ear?

Ah that sounds annoying . I've had tinnitus for about 6 months or so, it's made worse by my hay fever blocking my ears up. Mine is more like a electrical buzzing kind of sound, not too loud but definitely there. It's really annoying at night, fortunately I'm generally a good sleeper - if not I think I'd go mad!!

Hi OP I don’t think you’re being unreasonable at all, any kind of tinnitus is a horrible thing to have. My mum suffers quite badly with it and I have it now in my left ear, although so far it generally only bothers me at night. I don’t have much advice except to say read up about it and the coping techniques - there’s lots online. Also go back to your GP if the antibiotics don’t help xx

I have pulsatile tinnitus too, op.
I've had it for many years, some days worse than others.
I feel your pain.

I've had tinnitus for >20years continuously (it was intermittent before then) and it was pulsatile for a fair amount of that.

Your GP might need to refer you quite soon so I hope you've a follow-up scheduled. Take a look at the NICE guidelines:

cks.nice.org.uk/tinnitus#!scenario

If you're classed as non-urgent, your GP should be able to refer you to acoustic rehabilitation services to assist you adapting to the tinnitus if it persists.

Go to an acupuncturist. Mine fixed the problem. There are lots of things acupuncturists can fix that western medicine can’t but people are afraid to go or think it’s not my type of thing.

Go!

I've had it for a couple of years now. I never thought I would get used to it but I have. Mine is exactly the same as yours btw, goes when I push that artery. I have had it checked out with MRI and CT scan to make sure it was nothing dodgy, and it's not. You should have that done by your Dr, push for it. Mine came on after recurrent ear infections. I think I will have it for life but I have accepted that.

If it is something that stays around, you will get used to it, but it will take time. I worry now if I cant' hear mine, which is odd I know!

Pulsatile tinnitus should be checked out; either by ENT, or I think a GP can sometimes send for a scan directly. I had it once , had a scan, and no problem found and it went away on its own. But if it doesn’t resolve get GP to do something other than antibiotics... as PP said the NICE guidelines might help if GP is not inclined to take action!

Sorry I had completely forgotten I had written this post! Thanks for the replies they are really helpful.

I've phoned the gp back today again because I now have left low skull pain and the tinnitus. She is arranging blood tests to check for low b12 and has referred me as non urgent to ENT (I like to update in case anyone is looking for similar info in the future)

Ive had this a few years now in my right ear, but fairly mildly, but i constantly feel my heartbeat like my chest is being pushed on and in my whole body at night, it can make me motion sick lay completelt still.

I have this. Have had it for a year and a half. Very loud at night and pretty bad in the day too. What seems to slightly reduce the sound is pressing hard against the bone behind my ear. Very hard to concentrate on anything and really difficult to get used to

I have this too so completely understand how you’re feeling. Definitely push to get an MRI and CT done to make sure there is not anything nefarious going on. There wasn’t with me and to be honest, 10 years on, I barely give it a moment’s thought anymore and just accepted it as part of my life. I know that’s easier said than done, and it did take a while for me to accept that, but hopefully you too will feel better about it soon. For me, it’s definitely worse if tired, stressed or thirsty so I try hard to have a regular sleep time and stay hydrated and to relax. When really loud, I, too, hold the artery in my neck and it can also help to lie down on the affected side with a soft pillow in the crook of my neck. Best wishes.

I have had this for years too. Had two scans - the first one they thought there was a benign growth in my inner ear. The second scan found nothing. Mine comes and goes but it can be really disturbing.