Could it be Pulsatile Tinnitus?

[factotum111]

Over the past few years I have had various symptoms that come and go. It began with a twitching left eyelid (that only lasted a couple months, off and on). Then I would get a sharp piercing pain up the left side of my neck (off and on for a few months). I have had nose bleeds only out of my left nostril. Now I have been experiencing a pulsating noise in my left ear only. I have experienced ringing, pooping, buzzing and wooshing in the same ear for years.

I have been treated for High Blood pressure for the 10+ years. i also suffer from anxiety, which I sometimes wonder if the anxiety causes the high BP or the high BP causes the anxiety.

I have been to an ENT doctor and he could find nothing wrong. I do not have high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease or anything else of the like.

Could I have Tinnitus? Could it be atherosclerotic carotid artery disease? I assume that all of my symptoms are related to having high BP. Could there be a more serious health issue going on in my body? I am also wondering if my high BP is primary or secondary. I have never been diagnosed with anything else; besides MVP (mitral valve prolapse)

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your predicament. High blood pressure can sometimes cause tinnitus. Also, it could be a side effect to the medications you are taking. Majority of cases of hypertension are due to primary cause, where the cause is not known. Secondary causes are due to renal diseases and endocrine disorders and in this case you are likely to manifest symptoms of these disorders.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[factotum111]

Sorry for the misspelled word, I meant to type "popping." Thank you for your comments. They are very helpful. The noise in my ear is that of a heartbeat. It seems to come on mostly when I have had a couple alcoholic drinks. But I have experienced it at other times as well.

I have had my thyroid checked and nothing out of the ordinary was revealed in those tests.

I haven't had the sharp shooting pain up the side of my neck for years, but I still worry about what it might have been.

I find it strange that all of these symptoms are focused on my left side. I have never experienced anything on my right side.

[tschock]

You've hit the nail on the head....It could be from the high blood pressure, and it could be tinnitus or anxiety. All of these things can cause one or more of the symptoms you are experiencing.

The nose bleeds are from the blood pressure.
The noises in ears are generally from tinnitus...unless it's a heartbeat/blood rushing noise...which would be from the blood pressure.

The pain up the side of the neck bothers me however. This could be related to the blood pressure...and you should have that checked. It could also be due to thyroid problems...so you should get that checked as well.

For more help with the BP issues, I suggest visiting one of the heart related forums...they would know much more than I.

[susie197702]

I have low blood pressure and I have been hearing my heart beat through my right ear for years!