Anyone familiar with this condition? I am looking for input on any possible more natural solutions. I don't really know if there are ANY solutions, but I keep hoping there will be some natural way to resolve it and be done with it.
Pulsatile tinnitus is a whooshing sound in the ear, very much as though (and perhaps it is) you're hearing your own heartbeat. For me, I can't really hear it in noisy situations, but I can still feel a sort of pressure in the ear. At night, when the house is quieter, it drives me NUTS.
It started after a pretty severe upper respiratory infection (bad enough that when swine flu was "discovered" a month or so later I seriously considered that I may have had it - though in reality swine flu turned out by most accounts to not be as bad as the infection I had). I had immense pain in my ear and painful throat, plus all the usual URI stuff. I tried everything natural I could and finally saw a GP and got abx. I got better by the end of the week or ten days of abx, but a week later, it was back. I did NOT go back for more abx, and it came and went, came and went with this horrible ear pain and typically related throat pain. I finally kicked it for good after my chiro recommended doubling up on zinc and vitamin A.
But, I'm left with this incessant whooshing sound. I can make it stop if I tilt my head to the side that's affected, or if I'm wearing earplugs (which I do nightly b/c my DH snores and I'm a fairly light sleeper), or plug the ear with a finger, or press on my neck below my ear. I know it can be caused by blood pressure issues, but my BP has been fine. So I suspect it is the result of this infection, either damaging the ear or residual fluid still there, maybe?
I have had my chiro try to adjust the ear but nothing happens. I'm not sure if it's just not needing adjustment, or is super stuck? I think it's the former as she's never recommended further treatment.
I have considered seeing an osteopath who does manipulation. I am also (finally) slated to go see a GP on Thursday, because I can't cope with this much longer. I figured I'd start there before seeing an ENT, at least. I don't have a relationship with a GP at this point, so I've been hesitant to go in.
Is it worth seeing an osteopath? Are there other things I can do? I have had friends recommend candling but it is NOT a wax issue. I do have chronic sinus issues, but that's the story of my life... and I've never had this before.
I very much appreciate any input! Thanks!
Pulsatile tinnitus is a whooshing sound in the ear, very much as though (and perhaps it is) you're hearing your own heartbeat. For me, I can't really hear it in noisy situations, but I can still feel a sort of pressure in the ear. At night, when the house is quieter, it drives me NUTS.
It started after a pretty severe upper respiratory infection (bad enough that when swine flu was "discovered" a month or so later I seriously considered that I may have had it - though in reality swine flu turned out by most accounts to not be as bad as the infection I had). I had immense pain in my ear and painful throat, plus all the usual URI stuff. I tried everything natural I could and finally saw a GP and got abx. I got better by the end of the week or ten days of abx, but a week later, it was back. I did NOT go back for more abx, and it came and went, came and went with this horrible ear pain and typically related throat pain. I finally kicked it for good after my chiro recommended doubling up on zinc and vitamin A.
But, I'm left with this incessant whooshing sound. I can make it stop if I tilt my head to the side that's affected, or if I'm wearing earplugs (which I do nightly b/c my DH snores and I'm a fairly light sleeper), or plug the ear with a finger, or press on my neck below my ear. I know it can be caused by blood pressure issues, but my BP has been fine. So I suspect it is the result of this infection, either damaging the ear or residual fluid still there, maybe?
I have had my chiro try to adjust the ear but nothing happens. I'm not sure if it's just not needing adjustment, or is super stuck? I think it's the former as she's never recommended further treatment.
I have considered seeing an osteopath who does manipulation. I am also (finally) slated to go see a GP on Thursday, because I can't cope with this much longer. I figured I'd start there before seeing an ENT, at least. I don't have a relationship with a GP at this point, so I've been hesitant to go in.
Is it worth seeing an osteopath? Are there other things I can do? I have had friends recommend candling but it is NOT a wax issue. I do have chronic sinus issues, but that's the story of my life... and I've never had this before.
I very much appreciate any input! Thanks!