What causes pulsatile tinnitus, unsteadiness, and feeling lousy?

[laurajean19]

I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts as to what might be going on with me.  Here's the story:  back in November 2004 I fell and hit my head, was knocked out for a few seconds, had some visual disturbances, and then went to the ER because I was having memory issues and kept repeating the same question.  No CT was done, just xrays of my arms because when I fell I landed on the back of my head and my elbows hit the floor pretty hard.  A few months later I started experiencing weird dizzy spells, almost like I felt like I was drunk, along with a distinct falling backwards feeling.    Over 2 years this got progressively worse, to the point that I was unable to speak during these episodes and would have altered consciousness.  I went to see a neurologist, who diagnosed me with complex partial seizures, but after several attempts to capture a seizure on EEG, nothing happened and I was told that maybe I don't have epilepsy after all.  I went and got a second opinion, and this neuro told me that I have vertebrobasilar migraines, but I never have headaches??  She put me on Inderal, and a day or 2 later I started having ringing in my ears that is synchronous with my heart beat.  I thought maybe it was the medicine, so I stopped taking it, but the ringing is getting progressively worse.  It stops if I hang my head between my knees or press on the sides of my neck.  I still have the unsteady feelings, like I've been drinking, and memory loss, as well as an overall feeling of being unwell.  I'm wondering what could be causing this pulsating high pitched ring--worse in my left ear.  I'm a 41 year old woman, generally healthy, except for this.  Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

[selmaS]

HI Laura,

A syrinx is a fluid filled cyst that can be the result of a truama....the fluid is CSF fluid. As this syrinx grows it can put pressure on the spinal cord and in turn cause other issues.

The thing with MRI reports is the radiologist most times only reports on what he/she was asked to look for and sometimes an incidential finding can be overlooked.

I had a recent MRI of my lumbar spine and the report stated I had a condition clearly seen in a previous MRI- which I was never told about and am now looking at a surgery for.

So, always ask for copies of the reports as well as the MRI...and get 2nd and 3rd opinions if necessary.

I hope cutting the salt works for u...I cut my salt intake in half and have yet to notice a diff, but my ear issues may b neuro in nature.

"selma"

[laurajean19]

Thanks for the response, I appreciate it!

I should have mentioned that when I was initially treated for epilepsy, I had an MRI, which they said was normal.  That was almost 2 years ago though.  

What is a syrinx by the way?  And I definitely think that everything that's happened to me over the past few years is related to that head injury.  I wasn't right for days after and the front of my neck was so sore with pulled muscles, etc, that I couldn't even lift my head when lying down.  I really think they didn't do more tests because I didn't have insurance at the time (was in school full time).  

Yesterday my mom said she noticed a bulging on the side of my neck when I turned my head a certain way.  I happened to be going for my carotid ultrasound, so I asked the technician if she saw anything in that area.  She said it looked like maybe a lymph node or something.....who knows?  Meanwhile the tinnitus keeps me up at night, and I hate doing anything because as soon as I start moving around it gets ten times worse.  Drag!

I'll try cutting the salt out to see if that helps.  

Thanks again for your suggestions and I'll let you know what I find out.

Best wishes,
Laura

[selmaS]

Hi Laura...I am surprised that a head trauma did not warrent an MRI.

I would ask for one and see if u have a syrinx which could be result of the head truama.

I too have the ear ringing and buzzing and was told to cut salt out of the diet that it could help.....


Please post an update
"selma"