Pulsatile tinnitus and headaches

Hey everyone, thanks in advance for your help.  I'm trying to get to the root of my health problems right now and feeling very frustrated.  Basically I'm just unsure of what specialist I should be seeing, if any, or whether or not my symptoms are urgent or something to I just have to learn to deal with.  

For the last few months, I've been experiencing what I've now learned is pulsatile (or vascular) tinnitus.  It's always in the right ear, and always goes with my pulse.  If I apply pressure to my carotid artery, it will stop (this has all been confirmed by my ENT doc.)  When it first started, I only ever noticed it at night, starting about 7 in the evening and lasting (on-and-off) until I went to sleep.  Then I began to notice it in the morning as well, when waking up.  Now, in the past 3-4 weeks, I experience it during the day as well.  It isn't constant, but it's very often and it's becoming very distracting.  In addition to the tinnitus, I experience daily headaches.  I've been told they're tension headaches. Basically it feels like a lot of pressure on my skull, like it's being squeezed in a vice.  My eyes also tend to get very tired when I get these headaches.  

I recently saw an ENT about the tinnitus and while he confirmed it was vascular, he said that the tests to see what was causing it were expensive and so I should wait and see if it got worse or improved before spending money on a lot of treatment that might not even help.  He did I say I was welcome to come back and see him if it got worse, or louder (so that he could hear it better, I think.)  At this point, it is really starting to drive me nuts and is becoming very uncomfortable. I'm wondering if I should go back to see the ENT, or if I should see a cardiologist since it's vascular? or should I see my neurologist in case the tinnitus corresponds with my headaches? Should I not even bother?

Other things that may relate to this: had a recent eye exam, my prescription got a little worse but otherwise my eyes were healthy (I'm near-sighted.)  Had a brain MRI in december, it was normal.  I am overweight (not obese) and have migraines, between 0-2 a month.  I take lithium, zoloft, and ambien, as well es excedrin for the headaches (though it rarely helps.)

Thank you so much for your support and advice!

[Ayleen44]

Hello Quinn,
I have been suffering with pulsatile tinnitus for 9 months. I also feel like my head is being squeezed, I get tension headaches, but worst of all I feel alot of pressure behind my eyes, visual disturbances. At night I see white circles around where my pupil is when I open and close my eyes and during the daytime when I look to the sides It looks like the opposite side is moving. It's really strange! Not to mention I am always lightheaded and feeling faint. I am 18 years old, I am overweight. I don't have any other health concerns, I used to have high cholesterol but it has gotten better.
Let me tell ya I am scared to death! Especially reading all of the possible causes =[ So far I have had the following tests done:

Carotid Artery Doppler - normal
MRI of brain with and without contrast - normal
CT scan of my sinuses - normal
Echocardiogram - normal
EKG- arrythmia and tachycardia (doctor said it was due to stress)
CT scan with contrast of my temporal bone - Still waiting for the results, just had that done recently

I have seen every kind of specialist imagined. Most of them look at me like I am crazy and some of them just tell me ... " I don't know.."
It is very frustrating! Silence has become my worst enemy, I hate having to go to sleep at night. My PT is on the left side, but when it gets really loud it kinda sounds like it's coming from both ears! It's confusing.

Recently I went to another ENT who referred me to a neurologist because he is suspecting Intracranial Hypertension. So he wants me to get a spinal tap done. We'll see what happens.
I know it's driving you nuts and trust me, I am going a bit coo-coo myself. But do not let this put you down, DO NOT GIVE UP! If one doctor gives you an answer you don't like, go to the next one! I've been to approximately 22 doctors in 9 months. Some doctors won't even take you serious, all they will do is give you some Xanax and have you on your way, DO NOT TAKE THAT ****! (excuse me for my language). It is your life and your health, take care of it! You only get 1.

[Quinnthevixen]

Thanks for the support Ayleen44!  I saw my PCP today because my tinnitus is NOT improving and now I'm getting more visual disturbances (rings in the vision, blurriness, etc.)  She thinks it's caused by tension I have in my neck on the right side, we're trying muscle relaxants and acupuncture.  I might see a chiropractor or massage therapist too.  I'm not really convinced that this is the problem but I'd rather it be this than intracranial hypertension, which is what I fear it actually is.  But if this doesn't work in a few weeks, I guess I'll see her again and we'll try something else.  Keep me posted on your progress, I hope they can give you a solid answer soon!

[AATiday]

Your symptoms DO sound alot like Intracranial Hypertension.......I just recently researched that when trying to figure out my own symptoms.  From what I understand, a spinal tap is the only way to determine for sure whether or not a person has Intracranial Hypertension.  I have had a spinal tap done before, and they are not fun, but its worth it if it can give you definitive answers and rule something out 100 percent.

Another test that could point to Intracranial Hypertension is a Visual Field Test...they arent 100 percent, but if there are any abnormalities in that test, your eye Dr will know to go ahead and refer you to a Neurologist, who can in turn do the spinal tap and other necessary tests.

Good luck!

[Krosen]

I have the same exact symptoms. I was diagnosed with migraines, but when I took the triptan meds, it made them worse. I even ended up in the emergency room after my first dose of Imitrex, where I was diagnosed with tension headaches. I am 18 and overweight.. Female. I have the pulsatile tinnitus in my left ear and all the visual disturbances you described. Is this anything I should see the doctor about? I have a dull achy pain inside my left ear with an occasional sharp stabbing pain in the same spot. I had the headaches daily starting august and just now going away in December, but I've had bad headaches all my life, just not this often. But 5 days ago I noticed a whooshing sound in my ear that seems to be synchronized with my heartbeat. It hasn't stopped, it's persistent and here 100% of the time. What should I do?

[hava]

For very bad headache and ear problems, follow these techniques twice a day. It is important to breathe through both nostrils, to balance the body systems and the head.Do not give up before 4 months, as this works gradually.Drink warm water and avoid cold drinks.

Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Anulom Vilom pranayam –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30  minutes twice a day.
January 10 ,2012
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close little flap of ears with thumb,place  index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee.
Repeat this  5 to 21 times.