Pulsatile Tinnitus Cured

Paul Johnson

Member
Author
Jul 24, 2012
3
Simi Valley, CA
Tinnitus Since
May 2012 - Pulsatile Hi Volume
I have a wonderfully miraculous pulsatile tinnitus cure to report. My name is Paul Johnson. I am 68 years old. I live in Simi Valley California, about 40 minute drive northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

During a very stressful time for me related to my real estate lending business in the spring of 2012, I started to experience a whooshing sound in my left ear. The sound seem to be in sync with my heartbeat. At first the whooshing was very slight and I mostly ignored it thinking that it was something that would soon go way. Within several weeks it had become much louder and begin to cause me much anxiety and sleepless nights. So I made an appointment to see a local ENT.

The ENT examined me in his office and then ordered a hearing test, both of which yielded no explanation for the sounds I was hearing. The ENT then directed me to take numerous tests, MRI and CT scans. The doctors at Simi Adventist Hospital examined the test results but could not tell me the cause of the sound that I was hearing. I was disappointed and a bit discouraged. My ENT gave me no further explanation but referred me to Dr. Brackmann at the well-known House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles. The soonest appointment I could obtain was two and half months out and by then the sound had become very loud.

I took along to the appointment the CDs of my MRI and CT scans. During my examination, Dr. Brackmann quickly recognized the objective nature of my condition by putting a stethoscope to my head. Upon his review of my scans, he swiftly concluded that a blood vessel shunt between my occipital artery and jugular vein near my ear was causing the noise. He pressed hard on my skull in back of my ear explaining that it was possible to cause a situation where that shunt might close and the pulsatile tinnitus would go away. That did not work. He then showed me on the scan images where the condition was indicated. I could see it plainly. I wondered why my ENT or none of the doctors at the Simi hospital had not discovered this.

He directed me to meet with an interventional radiologist, Dr. Lois, at St. Vincent's Hospital across the street from the clinic with the idea of running a plug in an artery up from my leg all the way up to my head to block that blood flow connection. I did meet with Dr. Lois. He showed me his operating room, explained the risks, and also advised me that there was no hurry to make a decision. In the months that followed, Dr. Brackmann contacted me several times by mail to inquire about my condition and to encourage me to go ahead with this angiogram procedure as he believed there was, among other complications, a risk of blood backing up in my jugular vein and affecting my brain.

It seemed that there were risks either way and I somehow sensed that I should hold off doing this procedure even though I've had to live with the risks and the loud heartbeat sound whooshing in my head all the time. I adapted to live with only modest anxiety caused by the whooshing and also learned to use these sounds in a positive way as kind of a biofeedback to regulate and lower my heart rate which has been good for my blood pressure. (I've taken daily medication since 2009 but have had elevated blood pressure all my life.)

In early November of last year (2014) late on a Saturday night, I was sitting in my home office with all the lights turned off meditating when I lifted my smart phone to look at Facebook. Strangely enough there was a FB article posted on my news feed about tinnitus and so I started to read it. What interested me was that it was about somebody with pulsatile tinnitus who eventually discovered that the cause was an enlarged blood vessel near some small bones in his ear. Eventually he had major surgery and it was cured.

I thought about my own tinnitus condition and then went upstairs to go to bed. My wife, Sheila, and I spent some time together and I had her pray over me for general improved health. Then while laying back on my pillow I suddenly realized that I could no longer hear the loud whooshing heartbeats in my ear. I was afraid to move because it was the first time in 30 months that I haven't heard those loud sounds. Somehow, I quickly fell asleep. When I woke up in the morning, the sounds were still gone. At first I was rather cautious about the permanency of this, but Sheila encouraged me to affirm that it is a permanent miraculous cure. It's been so quiet ever since. I continue to be very grateful for this blessing.

Paul D. Johnson, Simi Valley, CA
 
Paul,

Thank you so much for your wonderful story about curing your pulsatile tinnitus! Your story is really encouraging to me and to other pulsatile tinnitus sufferers, and gives us hope that ours may one day go away, too.

Up until now, most of what I've heard about curing pulsatile tinnitus is that one must keep on having tests and looking for a physical cause for this condition. I know I've had my share of tests and seen several doctors, and no cause has been identified for me, so far.

It was really lucky that you opted not to go ahead with the angiogram, and instead tried living with the condition for awhile. I believe in the power of prayer and positive self-thought, too, and I'm sure this definitely may have helped with your cure.

Mine is blood pressure-related, too. It started within about two weeks after I began taking blood pressure medicine for the first time, and I really believe something about my up-and-down blood pressure was what set off the pulsatile tinnitus in the first place. Perhaps, in both our cases, an improvement in blood pressure is what made the difference. I know that mine has gotten a lot better since I've gotten my blood pressure under control, and your story gives me hope that one day, it may go away (or at least improve a lot), too.

Many thanks for your positive post, and I'm so happy that your pulsatile tinnitus has not returned!
 
Dear all,
I m new to this forum and found it interesting. Hope I would get some advice, support from you all. I was recently diagnosed with Tinnitus coupled with sensori neural hearing loss. At first, it took some time to get the news sink in. The difficult part was the doctor saying that there is not much cure for this condition. I have this problem in my left ear. I came to a situation of even not minding about my hearing loss which I think I can mange with my right ear (hope it won't get any trouble); but it is the pulsatile ringing that drives me crazy. There must be some of you ( I pray no body should be) having this. Please suggest me something that I can try to get rid of/ manage this.
 
Hi, Gaya,

Welcome to Tinnitus Talk! We're glad you've joined us, and I'm sure you'll find a lot of helpful suggestions for coping with your condition. This particular section is for pulsatile tinnitus, so I'm curious: Do you have a pulsating, heartbeat sound in your ear that is in time with your pulse? Or, does your ringing come in a sort of pulsating current?
This might help to clarify what your condition is like, so we can assist you.

For tinnitus, the best things you can do are to mask the sound with a steady background noise, such as the sound of a fan or water sounds, and to live your life as normally as possible. Sleep is very important, and in the first months of tinnitus, that may be very difficult. If you need an anti anxiety med or sleep aid, you might want to get a prescription from your doctor for a short-term course of medicine. Or you could try a natural sleep remedy, such as melatonin or valerian. There is also chamomile tea, Bach rescue remedy, and supplements such as magnesium. Some people have found that hearing aids (such as the Widex Zen) that are both hearing aids and masking devices.

Others may have additional suggestions here, but the main thing is to get some quality sleep, mask the sound, and try to keep to a normal routine. Distracting your mind with work, exercise, reading, or whatever you choose can really help, too. It is possible to habituate to this condition, but it takes time.

We're glad you've joined us. Look around this forum for lots of helpful information, suggestions, and support!

Best wishes,
Karen
 
Hi Karen, thank you so much for all the comments on the forum. It's so nice to read from all of you challenging and yet hopeful experiences from The big T. I am newbie. Mine started last week. I was so depressed I cried for 2 days because I can't stand the hissing sound in my ear. I was so anxious for the first few nights so I was not able to sleep well . I avoided interacting with my friends n after work I was afraid to go home because I can't tolerate the silence with this sound in my ear. It was driving me crazy!

I went to church on Sunday but I can't tolerate so many sounds around me. When I went to the doctor Monday. The doctor told me that I have lost around 30% of my hearing and the ENT prescribed steroids for a viral affection in my middle ear . I read so many forums n watched you tube in the Internet on T. I even came across someone who gave up on the big T. (So discouraging). It was very alarming and it distracted me all day so I told myself I will not read any more forums or look at you tubes for a while about the tinnutis. However, I still need to find out how to manage It.

Today I came across your forum . I never sign up in forums but to join a support group was in my list of self treatment for T.

Thank you everyone for giving me hope and educating me how to deal with my situation . I hate when doctors tell you that there are no cure for tinnitus. I think the proper way to say is there's no medicine for tinnitus at this time. Maybe in the future just like what "click" said but from what I have been reading, only your body has the natural cure for this disorder.

I really appreciate your advices Karen. As a beginner it was hard at first but I just need to adapt to my new lifestyle. Everything you listed about helped me go on and not worry as much. Funny how you will love listening to a fan or air conditioner at night or daytime. Music is very soothing. I like jazz and piano. Melatonin helps me sleep n chamomile is my favorite tea. Just don't drink it in the daytime esp when you're driving. I would also recommend less caffeine.

To train your body to relax n ignore the sound is a cure for T. Remember each of us has a different way n time in healing. I am hopeful someday this will just turn off n will enjoy silence again. be very patient n live one day at a time
 
Hi, @JoeSee,

Thank you for the kind words, and I am glad if you found some hope or comfort from my posts and others on Tinnitus Talk. It sounds like you have a positive approach to your tinnitus, and I know how hard it is right at first. You definitely have the right attitude.

Yes, it does take time to train your mind and body not to focus so much on your tinnitus, but it can be done. The best advice I can offer, which I am also practicing myself, is to try to live each day as normally as possible. Keep your mind active and stay busy, if possible. Stay away from high-stress, high-noise, or very quiet environments. If you do those things, you'll be going in the right direction.

Take care, and if there is any way I can assist you along the way, I'll be happy to help!!

Best wishes,
Karen
 
So if we pray and God doesn't cure our T, God doesn't love us as much? I don't understand. Seriously? I find this kind of post to be silly and cruel. I rubbed a rock and clicked my heels three times and my disease was cured!!!!! Please stop. Even if this guys condition went away it does not mean it was due to prayer. Grow up please. Sorry, but I just really have low tolerance for this type of stuff.
 
So if we pray and God doesn't cure our T, God doesn't love us as much? I don't understand. Seriously? I find this kind of post to be silly and cruel. I rubbed a rock and clicked my heels three times and my disease was cured!!!!! Please stop. Even if this guys condition went away it does not mean it was due to prayer. Grow up please. Sorry, but I just really have low tolerance for this type of stuff.

Don't apologise for being the only rational person in this thread Constable85. I signed up to this forum today (having has this type of tinnitus for a few years now) and this is the first post I clicked on. I was so disheartened by the silly and cruel stories within that I nearly left for good until I saw your post. So thanks to you I will continue to read and hopefully I'll be able to wade through all the nefarious and downright silly posts like this to actually find methods of coping that I can implement in the real world. Thanks again!
 
Hi, @michaelsft, and welcome,

How long have you had pulsatile tinnitus? (Since 2012?) Have you been to any doctors, and/or had any tests to try to determine a cause?

Pulsatile tinnitus is usually vascular in nature, and there is a chance that it can be cured, or helped, if a cause is identified. I'm still searching myself (I've had an MRI/MRA, CT scan, Doppler of carotid arteries, etc.), but all tests so far have been negative. In the meantime, I'm coping with it as best I can (I have both regular tinnitus and pulsatile tinnitus). Getting from day to day with this condition is not easy, but I've found that keeping busy really helps. When my pulsating first started, it was very bad, and when I tried to sleep, I felt as if my whole body was shaking. Taking magnesium about an hour before bedtime really helped me, and I no longer experience that shaking. It has been five years now, and at least my PT has not gotten any worse.

I'd like to hear what you have tried, and how you are coping.

Best wishes,
Karen
 
Hello paul, , my names is Ron I am from Tucson Arizona, what was your operation going to b like as I also have pulsating tinnitus started sept 4, 2015 during I believe with acute sinusitis but I also had open heart surgery 16 months ago and they say I need to get arteries in my neck check .But I would like to hear prayer that you and your wife said may be I can get some miracle like you paul . I do believe in god.
 
Hey everyone. I've had the big T now since 1988. I've had double stapedectomy but it has not helped. Just recently I had what I thought was a very bad cold but all it did was completely block my ears. When they cleared the next day I had PT ! Really was not aware it was a thing until now and really didn't think my tinnitus could get any worse.
What I have noticed is if I push my jaw forward the PT stops ! I can only hold this for a matter of seconds and then I have to release and the PT returns. It is far worse when I am tired too. Has anyone else found this ?
For people just getting tinnitus all I can say is find your space where you don't hear it. It is there somewhere and it can take you many, many annoying months to find it. I still hear mine after all these years but I've learnt how to control it - sleeping well is the best thing.

Marc, Sydney Australia
 
fantastic, Paul ! I am so glad that this problem went back to wherever it came from ! Thanks for sharing your story!

Dr. Brackmann is obviously a really good doctor. Unfortunately these are very few and far between. Like you, I met with doctors who frankly seemed what they were: not only insensitive a*****s, (one of them said :' yeah it's tinnitus, there's no cure, oh man I heard about people committing suicide'. I swear that's what he said. Decided to keep the hell away from him.)

They also seemed being good at being doctors, the same way as I would be good being an astronaut on a 24 hours notice.
 
I never add myself to threads online, but when I came across this thread, I couldn't stay silent. Paul Johnson, your story is amazing and very hopeful thank you for sharing it with believers.
I've been a 'whoosher' for almost 4 years now. The first time I saw a doctor about it, he promised me that it was going to go away. I knew that wasn't going to happen, but I didn't bother seeking more help because my life was so busy with college and planning my wedding. Today I am going to a doctor again, and will demand to be referred to a ENT specialist to further my investigation into what's causing it. I pray to God I'll be able to find an answer.
In the beginning, the whooshing was worst. Over the next couple of years, it somewhat subsided a bit. But in the last couple of months, I noticed that it's been coming back stronger than ever! It makes me miserable. I figured out a couple of tricks that help me quiet it down a bit (or simply ignore it until I fall asleep). It's strongest for me when I lie down--which is when I need to sleep! I always start off by laying down on my left side (where the whooshing is) and think about something else. I have to remember to stay calm and breath normally. Within 5-10 minutes, it usually quiets down. If it doesn't and it continues on throughout the night, I put on head phones and listen to relaxing ocean music until I can finally fall asleep. Also, a couple of times I tried exercising intensely right before I went to sleep. My ear would pump very very loudly from the workout, but it'd quiet down once my heart rate went back to normal.
 
Congratulations Paul,
When I first noticed my pulsatile tinnitus 2 years ago, I did some research which said about the only life threatening condition that T would indicate was blockage of the jugular vein. I brought this up with my Dr. who scheduled me up for an ultrasound. I was assured that I would get more than a "we would have called you if it was anything" from the specialist but that is all I got. Luckily the tech said "I'm not supposed to tell you anything" and then gave me a play by play of her testing and glad to know I have no significant blockage in my late 50s.
I continue to be amazed how bad the best medical system in the world proves to be, over and over and over again.
Rick
 
Marc;
My wife has the exact same symptoms.
It's mechanical in nature, move the lower jaw forward and the pulsating stops.
I think it has to do with the styloid process restricting the jugular vein at the C1 vertebrae.
She also started getting the tinnitus after an ear blockage.
Have yet to prove it but I'm still working on a solution.
 
northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

During a very stressful time for me related to my real estate lending business in the spring of 2012, I started to experience a whooshing sound in my left ear. The sound seem to be in sync with my heartbeat. At first the whooshing was very slight and I mostly ignored it thinking that it was something that would soon go way. Within several weeks it had become much louder and begin to cause me much anxiety and sleepless nights. appointment to see a local ENT.

The ENT examined me in his office and then ordered a hearing test, both of which yielded no explanation for the sounds I was hearing. The ENT then directed me to take numerous tests, MRI and CT scans. The doctors at Simi Adventist Hospital examined the test results but could not tell me the cause of the sound that I was hearing. I was disappointed and a bit discouraged. My ENT gave me no further explanation but referred me to Dr. Brackmann at the well-known House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles. The soonest appointment I could obtain was two and half months out and by then the sound had become very loud.

I took along to the appointment the CDs of my MRI and CT scans. During my examination, Dr. Brackmann quickly recognized the objective nature of my condition by putting a stethoscope to my head. Upon his review of my scans, he swiftly concluded that a blood vessel shunt between my occipital artery and jugular vein near my ear was causing the noise. He pressed hard on my skull in back of my ear explaining that it was possible to cause a situation where that shunt might close and the pulsatile tinnitus would go away. That did not work. He then showed me on the scan images where the condition was indicated. I could see it plainly. I wondered why my ENT or none of the doctors at the Simi hospital had not discovered this.

He directed me to meet with an interventional radiologist, Dr. Lois, at St. Vincent's Hospital across the street from the clinic with the idea of running a plug in an artery up from my leg all the way up to my head to block that blood flow connection. I did meet with Dr. Lois. He showed me his operating room, explained the risks, and also advised me that there was no hurry to make a decision. In the months that followed, Dr. Brackmann contacted me several times by mail to inquire about my condition and to encourage me to go ahead with this angiogram procedure as he believed there was, among other complications, a risk of blood backing up in my jugular vein and affecting my brain.

It seemed that there were risks either way and I somehow sensed that I should hold off doing this procedure even though I've had to live with the risks and the loud heartbeat sound whooshing in my head all the time. I adapted to live with only modest anxiety caused by the whooshing and also learned to use these sounds in a positive way as kind of a biofeedback to regulate and lower my heart rate which has been good for my blood pressure. (I've taken daily medication since 2009 but have had elevated blood pressure all my life.)

In early November of last year (2014) late on a Saturday night, I was sitting in my home office with all the lights turned off meditating when I lifted my smart phone to look at Facebook. Strangely enough there was a FB article posted on my news feed about tinnitus and so I started to read it. What interested me was that it was about somebody with pulsatile tinnitus who eventually discovered that the cause was an enlarged blood vessel near some small bones in his ear. Eventually he had major surgery and it was cured.

I thought about my own tinnitus condition and then went upstairs to go to bed. My wife, Sheila, and I spent some time together and I had her pray over me for general improved health. Then while laying back on my pillow I suddenly realized that I could no longer hear the loud whooshing heartbeats in my ear. I was afraid to move because it was the first time in 30 months that I haven't heard those loud sounds. Somehow, I quickly fell asleep. When I woke up in the morning, the sounds were still gone. At first I was rather cautious about the permanency of this, but Sheila encouraged me to affirm that it is a permanent miraculous cure. It's been so quiet ever since. I continue to be very grateful for this blessing.

Paul D. Johnson, Simi Valley, CA[/QUOTE]
 
Thank you so much Paul for reminding me about the power of prayer. After reading your testimony few minutes ago, I held my hands to both ears and prayed. It is completely gone. I hear no sound or nothing. I have an MRI appointment this afternoon for the noise, but I don't think I need it now. I told the lord that I will publicly give my testimony of His healing. By His stripes we are healed. His name is Jehovah Rapha. The God who heals. I am so happy. May God bless you and may others also believe in God for their healing.
 
Hello I'm new here also. My pulsating tinnitus started when my doctor changed my dosage for my thyroid therapy 8 months ago. Not sure if that's related. I also take meds for BP but have it under control. My new doctor kept lowering my thyroid meds dosage and now it's way too low. So I'm having to adjust it again and the tinnitus is now just louder...very frustrating and wonder if it's all related or something unrelated like a tumor...scary stuff...
 
Hi, @Aviatrix,

I have pulsatile tinnitus, too, and can definitely relate to what you're feeling right now. My pulsatile tinnitus started right after I began taking a blood pressure drug, then tried to get off it. Also, I have an underactive thyroid, and around that time, my doctor lowered my dosage of Synthroid in the hope that it might help my pulsating. I'm now off all the blood pressure drugs, but still taking Synthroid.

I do believe there could be a connection between adjustments of certain drugs (dosages) and pulsatile tinnitus. When mine first started, I scoured the internet trying to see if anyone else had a similar problem. Since then, I have heard of other people whose tinnitus started after taking blood pressure drugs, and I've also heard of people whose tinnitus worsened after taking a new dosage of thyroid medicine.

I've had pulsatile tinnitus for six years now. It has not worsened, and I have adjusted to it, so that I am more able to live with it than I was in the beginning. I have both a high-pitched hissing tinnitus, and pulsatile tinnitus as well.

If you're really concerned about the possibility of a tumor, it might be worthwhile to get checked out, just to rule that out. You could ask your doctor if he would recommend further testing for you.

I'll be interested to hear what you decide to do, and if your pulsatile tinnitus changes any when you up your dosage of thyroid medicine.

Best wishes and hugs,
Karen
 
My wife, Sheila, and I spent some time together and I had her pray over me for general improved health. Then while laying back on my pillow I suddenly realized that I could no longer hear the loud whooshing heartbeats in my ear.

Oh what a mighty God we serve! Praise His holy name! I am so happy for you. It is such an encouragement and blessing to read your testimony. Enjoy the silence and please have your wife pray for me too!!! :) God bless you.
 
The waves began beating against the shore in my ears in 2008. Initially like all others i ignored it then began to worry I about it. Talked to an ENT surgeon that dismissed it as nothing and told me to relax. Have lived with it since. It has its moments especially when I like down. I don't let it bother me since I live in Africa and none of the tests everyone states above would be available to me.
 
It's a Christmas Miracle!!!! After a year of pounding in my head every single day the pulsating pounding tinnitus has STOPPED!! Thank you lord!!! I'm thinking it now was my thyroid medication that was changed after 5 years. I finally found a doctor that would change it back to what I was on and original dosage. It's taken several months for my body to re adjust, but it has stopped! Keeping my fingers crossed of course, but it's pretty sad when you have to tell your doctor what you need. I'm not liking these new young doctors right out of med school. That is all Kaiser seems to have to choose from. All the older doctors are retiring. Happy Holidays and a Happy QUIET New Year for me!!!!
 
Hi, @Aviatrix,

I'm so happy to hear that your pulsating seems to have gone away! That is wonderful news, and I hope it continues.

If you don't mind sharing the information, which thyroid med were you on, and which one did you change back to?

I'm on thyroid medication, too, and I've had pulsatile tinnitus ever since getting on a blood pressure drug. I got off the blood pressure drug six years ago, but still have the pulsating. I am currently taking levothyroxine, and used to take the brand name drug Synthroid for many years.

Merry Christmas, and I hope you continue to experience silence!

Best wishes,
Karen
 
Hi, @michaelsft, and welcome,

How long have you had pulsatile tinnitus? (Since 2012?) Have you been to any doctors, and/or had any tests to try to determine a cause?

Pulsatile tinnitus is usually vascular in nature, and there is a chance that it can be cured, or helped, if a cause is identified. I'm still searching myself (I've had an MRI/MRA, CT scan, Doppler of carotid arteries, etc.), but all tests so far have been negative. In the meantime, I'm coping with it as best I can (I have both regular tinnitus and pulsatile tinnitus). Getting from day to day with this condition is not easy, but I've found that keeping busy really helps. When my pulsating first started, it was very bad, and when I tried to sleep, I felt as if my whole body was shaking. Taking magnesium about an hour before bedtime really helped me, and I no longer experience that shaking. It has been five years now, and at least my PT has not gotten any worse.

I'd like to hear what you have tried, and how you are coping.

Best wishes,
Karen
I am new to this site......how do you post a question?
 
OK.....this must be it! I started with Pulsatile Tinnitus on Oct. 1,2016. I flew home and the plane did not slowly descend...but, dropped. I could not hear for a day and slowly my left ear hearing returned and my right ear has the heartbeat/pulsing rhythm. Yesterday and today it changed. I now have just a loud high pitched tone in my right ear. It is super loud. I really don't know what to do. I have tried neti cup to clean my sinuses....heat pad......tranquilizers, you tube hypnosis tapes....nothing works. Has anyone reported this change? Don't know what tomorrow will bring. I have had MRI?MRA...carotid sonogram...ENT diagnosed PT.
 
I have a wonderfully miraculous pulsatile tinnitus cure to report. My name is Paul Johnson. I am 68 years old. I live in Simi Valley California, about 40 minute drive northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

During a very stressful time for me related to my real estate lending business in the spring of 2012, I started to experience a whooshing sound in my left ear. The sound seem to be in sync with my heartbeat. At first the whooshing was very slight and I mostly ignored it thinking that it was something that would soon go way. Within several weeks it had become much louder and begin to cause me much anxiety and sleepless nights. So I made an appointment to see a local ENT.

The ENT examined me in his office and then ordered a hearing test, both of which yielded no explanation for the sounds I was hearing. The ENT then directed me to take numerous tests, MRI and CT scans. The doctors at Simi Adventist Hospital examined the test results but could not tell me the cause of the sound that I was hearing. I was disappointed and a bit discouraged. My ENT gave me no further explanation but referred me to Dr. Brackmann at the well-known House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles. The soonest appointment I could obtain was two and half months out and by then the sound had become very loud.

I took along to the appointment the CDs of my MRI and CT scans. During my examination, Dr. Brackmann quickly recognized the objective nature of my condition by putting a stethoscope to my head. Upon his review of my scans, he swiftly concluded that a blood vessel shunt between my occipital artery and jugular vein near my ear was causing the noise. He pressed hard on my skull in back of my ear explaining that it was possible to cause a situation where that shunt might close and the pulsatile tinnitus would go away. That did not work. He then showed me on the scan images where the condition was indicated. I could see it plainly. I wondered why my ENT or none of the doctors at the Simi hospital had not discovered this.

He directed me to meet with an interventional radiologist, Dr. Lois, at St. Vincent's Hospital across the street from the clinic with the idea of running a plug in an artery up from my leg all the way up to my head to block that blood flow connection. I did meet with Dr. Lois. He showed me his operating room, explained the risks, and also advised me that there was no hurry to make a decision. In the months that followed, Dr. Brackmann contacted me several times by mail to inquire about my condition and to encourage me to go ahead with this angiogram procedure as he believed there was, among other complications, a risk of blood backing up in my jugular vein and affecting my brain.

It seemed that there were risks either way and I somehow sensed that I should hold off doing this procedure even though I've had to live with the risks and the loud heartbeat sound whooshing in my head all the time. I adapted to live with only modest anxiety caused by the whooshing and also learned to use these sounds in a positive way as kind of a biofeedback to regulate and lower my heart rate which has been good for my blood pressure. (I've taken daily medication since 2009 but have had elevated blood pressure all my life.)

In early November of last year (2014) late on a Saturday night, I was sitting in my home office with all the lights turned off meditating when I lifted my smart phone to look at Facebook. Strangely enough there was a FB article posted on my news feed about tinnitus and so I started to read it. What interested me was that it was about somebody with pulsatile tinnitus who eventually discovered that the cause was an enlarged blood vessel near some small bones in his ear. Eventually he had major surgery and it was cured.

I thought about my own tinnitus condition and then went upstairs to go to bed. My wife, Sheila, and I spent some time together and I had her pray over me for general improved health. Then while laying back on my pillow I suddenly realized that I could no longer hear the loud whooshing heartbeats in my ear. I was afraid to move because it was the first time in 30 months that I haven't heard those loud sounds. Somehow, I quickly fell asleep. When I woke up in the morning, the sounds were still gone. At first I was rather cautious about the permanency of this, but Sheila encouraged me to affirm that it is a permanent miraculous cure. It's been so quiet ever since. I continue to be very grateful for this blessing.

Paul D. Johnson, Simi Valley, CA
  • I am happy for you
 
Hi, @Pat W. ,

That is a most unusual cause, and I'm so sorry that happened to you. Since the sound of your tinnitus has changed more than once, there is a possibility that things will improve gradually. I don't think a neti pot would do much good in your case. You might want to give it some time, and see if it changes again.

Pulsatile tinnitus is usually due to a vascular cause, and is a constant pulsating sound (the sound of your heartbeat in your ear). The sudden drop in pressure in your ear may have affected your Eustachean tube.

I've had pulsatile tinnitus for over six years now, and what has worked best for me has been time. Also, I am now able to distract myself so that I can live with it more easily now. I also have a high-pitched regular tinnitus in the same ear, and distraction has helped me with that, as well.

Is your pulsatile tinnitus a constant sound, or does it change?
 
Thank you for your response. The sound is not as loud but the heartbeat....rhythmic pulsing is there. I have had all the tests in addition to the sonogram carotid. My vascular surgeon says vascular is not my problem. I have had one diagnosis of fluid in the inner ear. I am now taking a diuretic...but, it has been over a month and no change. I am going to try acupuncture. Has anyone had any success with that healing modality?

To answer your question, my PT is there beating away 24/7. It is a constant sound in the respect that the pulsing does not go away. I have been diagnosed with PT!
 

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