A Nervous Pulsatile Tinnitus Newbie

[Nate-H]

Around the beginning of this year is when I first noticed what I believe is pulsatile tinnitus. I have a high pitched ringing sound (not the whooshing and swooshing, or dishwasher sound some identify) in my left ear (sometimes both ears) that is consistent with my pulse.

It started out only at night but now it lasts all day, with the exception of a few hours, and the worst part of the ringing is at night. I recently had a friend take my pulse while I counted the rings in my ear and I was spot on with my pulse count.

I have noticed when I clench my jaw/teeth the sound completely goes away.

I also have very mild weakness/fatigue in both arms (mainly in the back of my arms) that has just started recently along with heart palpitations every once in awhile, not very often. Unfortunately I have been doing too much googling and have made myself very nervous due to all of the serious complications that can come with pulsatile tinnitus.

Of course some sites say it's fine and isn't anything serious, others say seek medical attention immediately.

I do not have valid insurance until April 1st due to a recent job change, but have always had funds set aside in case of a emergency.

Any advice or input would be very much appreciated. I am a 27 year old male.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@Nate-H Hi Nate:

I have noticed when I clench my jaw/teeth the sound completely goes away.

I also have very mild weakness/fatigue in both arms (mainly in the back of my arms) that has just started recently

It may be jaw muscles/bones with stress interaction to the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and trapezius muscles. Also involved may be C1- C3, being out of place or under pressure due to a slightly straighten neck from forward head bending or neck muscle spasms. Nerve pressure applied to the jaw muscles then to ear muscles from the sternocleidomastoid muscles and/or C1-C3 in combo where the trapezius and c spine is causing arm fatigue and possible chest discomfort, but it's probably not a heart problem.

When your insurance kicks in:
Considerations to discuss with a doctor.
EKG
Complete blood work
Dental examination / TMJ joint tests
X ray of neck with PT evaluation of neck

Here is a non professional case history - copied from another site.

I had Tinnitus (Pulsatile, so I could hear my heartbeat) in my left ear for over 2 years. I had been to 3 separate ENT's, doctors, CT scans, MRIs, hearing tests, etc. Everything came back normal, I was told I would have to "live with it". My dentist one day noticed that I was grinding my teeth (could see some signs of wear on my teeth, but just a little bit) so he suggested I might have TMJ (I was also getting bad headaches, pressure in the head/jaw area, dizziness, feeling of fullness in the ears, etc). So he sent me to a TMJ specialist. WOW was that ever eye opening...

So I underwent about 2.5 hours of testing (it felt GREAT to know that someone was actually looking into this tinnitus thing... for once!). I was diagnosed with level 3 TMJ and he felt almost positive that it was also causing my Tinnitus. I got a night guard as well as a day guard.

On the 3rd day of wearing them, something happened. Apparently the treatment was a bit too aggressive for my weak muscles and they essentially just "snapped". It was my "SCM" muscle that was the problem this whole time. Because of forward head posture, my SCM muscle was going into spasm. I was in tremendous pain and was on bedrest for a week not being able to lift my head. I had to take a total of three weeks off from work. It was the worst thing I've ever been through.

HOWEVER, on that 3rd day when my muscle snapped, the tinnitus was GONE! That's the first thing I noticed. I was crying because of the pain and I was also crying out of joy because the heartbeat in my ear was GONE!

My TMJ specialist referred me to a Chiropractor who changed my life. He's absolutely amazing and because of him I was able to go back to work less than a week after my first treatment.

He explained that basically the SCM muscle is attached behind the ear and when it's too "strained" it pulls and dislocates some of the tiny bones in the ear, causing tinnitus. My muscles also were attached to my top vertebraes (C1-C3) and had pulled them out of place, pinching a nerve. This is why I was getting tingly feelings in my arm and hand, as well as my face.

Anyways, sorry for the novel. I'm just SO amazed that I'm actually better and the tinnitus is GONE.

 

[Nate-H]

@Greg Sacramento

Thank you so much for your response, after reading I want to inform you when I was 20 I was involved in a serious car accident that left my jaw on the right side in the doctors words "shattered" I was under the care of a maxillofacial surgeon who also said surgery was not a option due to so many small fragments of bone. I had my jaw wired shut for SIX grueling months, and he also advised me and my parents that later on down the road my jaw could come back to haunt me, or I could never have a issue again. He also said word for word "one day you could wake up and not be able to open your mouth." With this new information I have provided you does that strengthen your confidence in your previous comment? Also in my free time I read and play video games so therefore I am always looking down with my head slightly bent. Thanks again.

I would have included all of this information in my original comment, but I had no clue the two could be tied in together.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@Nate H
Some thoughts:
If you place -Pulsatile Tinnitus TMJ Jaw - into interest search, most professionals say that TMJ/Jaw alone can cause tinnitus, but not usually pulsatile tinnitus without the cradle interaction of injury/whiplash of neck and jaw. They, including dentists will mention the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the C1-C3 and nerve pathways that may also involve pinched nerves. This can get complicated and with your injury, there is a lot of focus on the jaw, but the neck would also have involvement. It may appear that your sternocleidomastoid and trapezius is causing...

mild weakness/fatigue in both arms (mainly in the back of my arms) that has just started recently along with heart palpitations

Forward head blending will cause neck muscle pressure and to the C1-c2 which is in direct line to the jaw. This may be unnoticed as with no discomfort, but all this can place more pressure on the jaw and more so to a badly injured jaw.

You have a tough situation with your jaw, but I don't think from research that the jaw alone is the cause of pulsatile tinnitus.

 

[Nate-H]

@Greg Sacramento

Once again thank you very much, you have given my mind great relief and you have given much light to what path I need to follow. I would have never made the connection between the neck/ jaw/PT. Now that the three have tied together things make a great deal of sense.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@Nate-H
I sent this by Personnel Message to you, but you may not see it since you haven't posted 10 times or what is a required time.

Maybe try to use a pillow under neck when sleeping. This might help stopping added pressure to the jaw even without having a neck problem. Sleeping on sides or back, but not on stomach. When laying down, curling legs with shoulders relaxed may also help. A little vitamin B, B12, C and D3 on occasion might help just a little. When eating or brushing teeth try not to bend head down over table or over sink too much. Try to keep jaw relaxed by not pushing lower jaw back. Trying to keep lips together isn't a bad idea. A light gentle shoulder massage may help.

Stay in touch - OK.

 

[Nate-H]

@Greg Sacramento

I did see the message but I couldn't find a option to reply to it, except on this thread. Thank you for the tips and I most certainly will keep you updated with my new journey.

 

[Lilah]

I'm getting increasing loud high pitched pulsatile tinnitus when I stand up and other movements (looking at the ceiling). It started in my right ear, and now becoming bilateral. What could be the cause of this? I have somatic symptoms with numerous types of movements and possible ETD. I have done the MRA of the neck/head and carotid ultrasound and they are normal.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

I'm getting increasing loud high pitched pulsatile tinnitus when I stand up and other movements (looking at the ceiling). It started in my right ear, and now becoming bilateral. What could be the cause of this? I have somatic symptoms with numerous types of movements and possible ETD. I have done the MRA of the neck/head and carotid ultrasound and they are normal.

The tests that you had would rule out most of you mention, but others tests may be needed to associate everything that you describe.

One could be the neck vertebrae not in proper alignment or it straighten causing pressure to a neck artery and/or muscles. This could then cause effect to other biology. A X ray would be needed to access the c spine. Radiation from a full set of X rays is less than that of a one-way cross country flight, or about equal to that of a 3-hour flight.

 

[Lilah]

The tests that you had would rule out most of you mention, but others tests may be needed to associate everything that you describe.

One could be the neck vertebrae not in proper alignment or it straighten causing pressure to a neck artery and/or muscles. This could then cause effect to other biology. A X ray would be needed to access the c spine. Radiation from a full set of X rays is less than that of a one-way cross country flight, or about equal to that of a 3-hour flight.

Thanks for your response. Yes, I think I will need to get an X ray to cover all bases. A masseuse did tell me that my dowager's hump puts extra stress on my upper neck. Also, a lot of my bones crackle a bit because of Lupus/arthritis, including my neck. Ugh.