Head/Ear Pressure Accompanied by Pulsatile Tinnitus

[HeidiB]

Has anyone else had tremendous pressure in their head and ears with pulsatile tinnitus?

I've had every test known to man and apparently I'm fine except for some minor hearing loss in higher frequencies-yet still "normal". I also have some ear popping and crackling. My jaw crackles a bit too! I'm at my wits end here.

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[dingaling]

Hi HeidiB

Go and get your blood pressure checked. Are you under any other stress at the moment?

 

[HeidiB]

My blood pressure is super low. 107/71. Stress ... YES! Work and this is making me a crazy person. Do you think stress can cause this head pressure? I'm visiting a TMJ dentist Friday

 

[Veronica]

@HeidiB i have the same !! What did your neurologist prescribe you?

 

[HeidiB]

I haven't seen a neurologist yet. I see him in July. I've seen 3 ENTs 3 audiologists and one neurosurgeon and one primary care doctor. I don't think that is so low that we would need meds for our bp...if that is what you're referring to? Did you get any meds for this? The low bp? I did read online (gotta love Dr. Google!) how anxiety can cause pressure in the head!? Not sure how true that is.

 

[dingaling]

Anxiety and stress are plausible but - I would expect high blood pressure

Does the pressure in head occur when you stand up suddenly? Do you get double vision or blurry vision? Do you feel faint? Are you dehydrated? Are you more tired than usual? Are you pregnant?

 

[Veronica]

@HeidiB Im asking because I've seen a neurologist and my symptoms are similar to your and i was told they sounded like migraines ... so I was given a beta blocker for maintenance... my pulse also runs like yours and my neuro told me it was ok

 

[Veronica]

@HeidiB actually my bp sometimes runs a little lower than yours just depends and doctors are never EVER concerned for it

 

[HeidiB]

How are those meds? Are you sleeping?

 

[DougDude]

Have you had a cerebral angiogram? I had a MRA with contrast that didn't show anything and it wasn't until I had a cerebral angiogram (yesterday actually) that I got an answer. They found a fistula.

If you haven't had one, I would talk to your neuro doc about getting one. The idea sounds scary, but it wasn't bad.

Hope you get it figured out soon. I know how frustrating and debilitating it is!

 

[HeidiB]

I haven't had one of those yet no. Thank you @DougDude

 

[dingaling]

Need to rule out migraine, benign intracranial hypertension and intercranial vascular fistula through imaging (MRA) and cerebral angiography

 

[David077]

Pressure in center of my head reducing hissing noise(it's like pulsate tinnitus).

 

[HeidiB]

@DougDude what are they doing about your fistula? Will it stop this nonsense?

Thanks

 

[Chris M]

I get the head pressure to the point where I feel like my head is heavy as if I'm walking on a boat and I get panic attacks that make me have tunnel vision as if Im going to faint. I know this is anxiety because I've never fainted, ever! (knock on wood)
When I give it some time, it usually goes away. I blame it on some type of anxiety. Been dealing with it since 22 maybe and Im now 27. Relative to your BP, 107/71, I believe that is within ideal and normal range.

 

[DougDude]

@DougDude what are they doing about your fistula? Will it stop this nonsense?

Thanks

I had surgery 9 days ago. My fistula was a grade 1 DAVF behind my left ear. It wasn't a threat other than the PT.

They did a embolization... used Onyx glue to fill and block the fistula. Surgery was around 2 hours long under general anesthesia. I was terrified as I never had surgery before, but it wasn't bad.

I'm happy to report I'm PT free now!

It was the cerebral angiogram that found the fistula. My MRI/MRA with contrast didn't find anything.

Hope this helps! I'll pray you get diagnosed and find a simple cure!

 

[Proteo]

Cerebral angiogram, noted!

Heidi (and anyone else with similar symptoms), does it help if you reduce your chewing to a minimum? I did that for a few weeks, and the PT actually diminished tremendously.