Q: Primarily at night I hear a whooshing in my head that to me is the sound of blood swooshing through my head with each heart beat. It sometimes happens during the day in a stressful situation. It became more noticeable about a year ago, so my doctor send me to an ear-nose-and-throat doctor who thought it was sinus and suggested I take an allergy pill. Did not work.
I went back to my doctor five months later and was sent for a CT with contrast. The report was negative. I was then referred to a neurologist who requested another CT with contrast at a different facility. Negative.
In looking on my computer at tinnitus, I came across pulsatile tinnitus that I thought might be the problem but the neurologist I saw who requested the last CT said that it was related to ringing in my ears and this is now what I have. So, is this something that I will have to live with or is there some other explanation?
I’m a 73-year-old woman, borderline osteoporosis. I take one Actonel per week, Fortical Nose Spray daily, Oxybutynin, calcium B complex, vitamins D and E, and have recently been put on Trazadone daily for stress.
Please help!
A: Let’s consider a few options, the first of which is, as you pointed out, is ringing in the ears. The condition is rather common, yet when it continues as it has in your case, it is known as tinnitus. There are two types of tinnitus — specifically pulsatile and non-pulsatile. The first causes a rhythmic swooshing sound in the ear(s) that coincides with the heartbeat. This appears to be what you refer to. If it is caused by the flow of blood through the jugular vein, it can often be temporarily corrected with gentle pressure on that side of the neck. In rare instances, it can be the result of a blood flow abnormality through the carotid artery that courses through the ear, as well. This is a more serious condition that will require additional testing as yours will.
Individuals who over-use aspirin, ibuprofen, antibiotics, or who undergo chemotherapy often complain of tinnitus. So while we are on the subject of medications, let’s review what you are taking. According to Drugs.com, Actonel (risedronate) does list less common side effects of the drug to include ringing and pounding in the ears. Reported adverse effects have been mild to moderate with 7% of those in three clinical studies reporting tinnitus. You might choose to speak with your prescribing physician to determine if a trial with another drug might be effective in dissipating your “tinnitus”. You might also suffer from hypertension, a blood vessel laying across your hearing mechanism, or an infection.
So, while you have already been seen by one otolaryngologist, I recommend you request a referral to another at a top notch facility or teaching hospital who can review the test results on what has been done, check your blood pressure, and hopefully get to the bottom of things. Spring is almost here. It’s time to hear the birds chirp, not to be overcome by whooshing. Good luck.
