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CVST and Pulsatile Tinnitus
I was diagnosed with CVST left transverse and sigmoid sinuses extending into the jugular on June 21, 2024. I was started on Eliquis. A couple of months ago I began hearing a slight thumping sound in my left ear. It was my heartbeat. It has progressed to a whooshing/thumping, and is worse at night when lying on that side. I just had an MRV today so it will be interesting to see how things compare. I know that the clot is still there because my Hematologist ordered a CT without contrast in October, and that was really all it told us. I had to get my Neuro to do the MRV. It looks like maybe others have experienced this? I'm just wondering if it's a normal part of the process of the clot dissolving, or if it means something else. It was said that the clot was caused by oral contraception.
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Hi, @jmarie711 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. That is a lot to go through with experiencing a clot due to taking oral contraception.
I'm tagging @fischel @jprenewed78 and @jacoblamb, who have mentioned symptoms such as ear fluttering, thumping, earache and whooshing sounds and CVST. They may have some thoughts on your experience with whooshing and thumping which is worse at night when lying on that side.
Do you already have the results of your magnetic resonance venography (MRV), jmarie711? If so, what did you find out?
I don't have them yet. I'm going to assume no news is "okay" news until my follow up visit with my Neuro on the 17th. Either the clot has remained the same or has hopefully dissolved some. This worsening sound is making me worry. I don't know. Possibly it's because some of the clot has dissolved and there is now blood forcefully pumping through, however there is still some blockage? I'm sure there is a better way of saying it.
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1 ReactionHi @jmarie711, You mentioned having a follow-up visit with neurology on Dec. 17. I wanted to check in and see how that appointment went.
I'd also like to tag @fowler0822 @kyglo @runnelht @mvoss8626 @moondusk @gtownsend @hope19 and @maryfrances91, who have talked about cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). They may have some input for you on your CVST diagnosis, the whooshing and thumping, and whether this noise/sensation is something they've experienced as a normal part of the clot-dissolving process. I'd also like you to connect with @hopeful33250.
Beyond inquiring about how your appointment went, I also wanted to see how things are going with the whooshing/thumping noise in the last couple of weeks?
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1 ReactionHello @jmarie711
Like @lisalucier, I'm also interested in hearing about your appointment on the 17th. I hope that you got some answers as to whether the clot has dissolved. I'm also wondering if you were prescribed any meds to dissolve the clot?
I look forward to hearing from you.
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1 ReactionHi there! Sorry, I meant to give an update but have been so busy with the holiday. The clot is still there, but it does show that some blood flow is getting thru. He feels like that could be the reason for the pulsatile tinnitus. It also could be caused by my anemia. So I've got two things working against me. I'm anemic due to very heavy periods. I just had a recent hospital stay and received 2 units of blood. Right now the plan is to just remain on Eliquis for the next 6 months and then they will take me off of it. The tinnitus is driving me insane!!!!
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2 ReactionsI have been on Eliquis for 6 months and will stay on it for another 6 months. The clot is still there, but there shows to be some blood flow getting thru.
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