New and Not Sure I Have Tinnitus

[Marilyn R]

One week ago I kept getting a whooshing noise in my right ear. Just on and off. The next day I woke up with heavy pressure in my head and lots of different noises kind of like the ocean when waves break. I have had ringing of the ears on and off for 20 plus years that was pretty rare. Since December it has grown in frequency to where it was occurring several times a week but always for a second or so and then gone. The doctor said I had bulging eardrums and she prescribed Flonase once a day and nasal saline twice a day. If I am not better in a week they will refer me to an ENT specialist. Yesterday was my first good day, then today back to the head pressure. For the last 30 min my ears have not stopped ringing.

Last Wednesday I had the pressure and it became severe. Then I had a horrible bout of lightheadedness that landed me in the ER. I thought I was having like a panic attack because my heart started racing and got chest pain and short of breath because I was so scared of what was going on. When they did an EKG there was an irregularity. So saw a cardiologist 2 days ago and he wants to do a heart cath.

I'm so confused as to what is going on. The cardiologist doesn't think the two are related. They did do a CAT scan and that was normal. Of course since they are worried about my heart I can't get anyone to worry about my ears, lol. But that is what is driving me nuts. The pressure in my head, the ringing and other noises. The lightheadedness, and nausea when that gets bad which it comes and goes. Now this constant ringing that hasn't left.

I guess I'm a bit scared and hopefully came to the right place to get some answers because the internet is all over the place and I don't want to spend a lot of money on a lot of useless scams, lol.

 

[Marilyn R]

So I had a heart cath and just as I suspected my heart has no blockages. This was just a panic attack from my extreme lightheadedness. I have continued now with tinnitus since the 25th of March. Guess I'm worried I have waited too long to get the proper treatment for it. As long as they were worried about my heart they did not care about my other symptoms. Thankfully the high pitched ringing is coming and going now and not constant. Gets louder at times and barely noticeable other times. It is mostly annoying at night because it is quieter. I just bought a noise machine. Hopefully that will help. Is it best to use this with earbuds or just in the room? I think I am doing a pretty good job of just ignoring it and trying to live life as normal as possible. When Tinnitus occurs due to fluid in the middle ear what is the usual outcome? Permanent or eventually will go away? Been reading a lot but a little unclear on this!

 

[glynis]

At night use a free standing unit or pillow speakers .
Glad your tests were ok and most of us go through this when tinnitus starts or changes. Try some deep breathing so you breath in slow to the count of 3 and slow out to the count of 4 .
love glynis

 

[dingaling]

Hi MaralynR

Yes, sounds like the heart irregularity came about as a result of your panic attack. Are you prone to these?

Fluid in the middle ear is usually temporary. ENTs usually do watchful waiting/prescribe nasal spray and if the fluid persists, surgery is indicated whereby grommets are inserted into the eardrums to ventilate the middle ears (once the fluid has been aspirated first!)

Main thing - try not to worry/panic. These things are usually temporary