Can It Be Diet or Gastric?

[Fleegle]

I have tinnitus and I don't know why. Mine comes and go, and I can definitely work it so it disappears for days, and is definitely not damage-caused. See my other posts for specifics. But when it does come back then I can't understand why.

I have a varied diet and includes some things I would not include by choice so I am thinking that I am eating something that isn't right for me and it flares up next day or days later. Not quite an allergy but perhaps a chemical/nervous/neurological response.

Or something blocked/released gastricly. Because when I burp it spikes

 

[Jack Barnes]

It might be silent reflux causing acid to sneak into your ears through the eustachian tubes after eating certain things, and burps can also carry acid on the way up. Keep in mind silent reflux can come without heartburn related symptoms so it can be hard to diagnose.

Just an idea

 

[Fleegle]

Good idea. It is a kind of half-burp. I catch it before it comes out and it goes back down. The creates a kind of pressure, and the T spikes. Also, if I hang my head down after first waking up in the morning then a lot of gunk comes out of my nose but the tinnitus clears up. takes about 20-30 minutes.
This is not normal right? But then I don't know what is normal anymore.

 

[Jack Barnes]

@Fleegle I read a few of your other posts and it sounds like you've got a pretty vague problem. That's tough because specialists really suck at helping with those kinds of issues. I know this from experience lol. We're pretty much on our own.

Since your tinnitus is related to burping and congestion in the morning, I would suggest doing some research into the conditions known as GERD & LPR. I was diagnosed with both and I too have weird problems related to burping, and I get fluid/congestion in my ears and throat that spikes my T at times. I'm now on a special diet and am making progress.

It might help you to keep a journal of what you eat each day and whether or not you experience symptoms. That way you can narrow down and identify certain food groups that may exacerbate the tinnitus.

That's all I got. I hope you can figure this out soon! -Jack

 

[housemzk]

I can tell you that when I went back on PPI's late last week because H2's weren't cutting it, the pain in my ear disappeared almost completely after my daily bouts with reflux. I believe my reflux was getting to my ear and causing a great deal of pain whenever I couldn't control it as it came up.

 

[Fleegle]

@Jack Barnes thanks for the advice. I wouldn't say burping is the cause - but a request/response that spikes the T --- momentarily. But this happens ONLY when the T is OFF.
Why is it ON for 10 days, then OFF for 9, then 4 ON, then 4 OFF, then 2, 4 , 1 , 4.
@housemzk I don't know that PPI or H2 is. Abt reflux - I don't have reflux much -- very rare -- maybe 2 times a year. I wonder if there is a restriction or blockage or some growth somewhere down there. I have read about "sympathetic systems" and the vagus nerve and wonder if something along the gastro route is causing an effect.
Context: I have fullness of the left ear, feel like it is always blocked. ENT says that the it is just a feeling because of hearing loss. But when I have audio exams it is because I can't hear the exam over the T that I fail them. But when the T is OFF then my hearing is fine - I just can't line up an exam on a good day. LOL

 

[housemzk]

Hi @Fleegle - I was referring to H2 as in histamine 2 blockers that are used for heartburn and indigestion. I was taking Pepcid as it's a popular H2 blocker with less dramatic long term affects. I switched to it because I was concerned about the long term use of PPI's (Prilosec) and the link to dementia in older patients. Prilosec has a noticeable positive impact on my symptoms.

I echo what @Jack Barnes mentions about GERD and LPR. You might want to go to a Gastroenterologist to rule out either one of those, or even try a Prilosec or Pepcid for a week or 2 and see if your symptoms persist. I'm curious what you find out!

 

[Fleegle]

I don't have any acid reflux - no "backwash" at all. I just mentioned that burping puts pressure on the ears and the T spikes. And I want to rule out any food related issues because my diet includes some foods that although healthy I would rather not eat. Could I be allergic in some way that causes some nerve related issues?
I wonder if fasting and cleansing could throw some light on my issue?

 

[Jack Barnes]

@Fleegle Do you burp excessively after eatimg/drinking? Or do you burp alot in general throughout the day?

 

[Fleegle]

No and no. Only after drinking soda (of course). Or a meal - maybe. So not often I would think. It's not like I ever think "Gee I burp a lot" - but it happens. But when I do, and if I "hold" it so that my ears might pop - but they don't - then there is a pressure which spikes the T for maybe a split second and then it's gone.
Actually I just did it as I type this message -- about an hour after drinking a quantity of milk. Feels like a burp that stops somewhere at the bottom of the sternum.
Saying all this, I can never reproduce this on my own. I can't gulp down air, swallow hard, or convulse in any kind of way to force it.