rapid thumping sound in left ear

Posted by cinnamon @cinnamon, Apr 22, 2012

rapid thumping sound in left ear

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@kanaazpereira

Hello @shieldandguide,
I’m so glad you’ve joined Connect – welcome! You may notice that I moved your message to the ENT group as we have several members talking about similar symptoms, and I'd like to connect you with them. Simply click VIEW & REPLY in your email notification to find your post.

As you go through this discussion, you’ll meet a few members who’ve talked about a condition called pulsatile tinnitus – a type of rhythmic thumping or whooshing, like a heartbeat, that only you can hear. Here’s some more information from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/symptoms-causes/syc-20350156

When did you notice your symptoms, @shieldandguide?

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Thank you for moving me to the correct group. I have been trying to figure out how to do that. My thumping heartbeat inside my head (both ears) began as a swishing sound, In fact, I went outside at 2:30 in the morning two years ago to see if my irrigation system had come on or if the water level in my swimming pool was below the skimmer! After the swishing changed to rapid, loud thumps, I realized it was in my ears. I spent a year trying to get an appt. with my cardiologist of many years. His nurse practitioners said I was “fine”. I have now seen my original cardiologist (who trained at Mayo), snd also an otolaryngologist, and am now trying to determine my next step. Meanwhile the thumping improved after being prescribed Metoprolol and Losartan, but has since returned.

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@shieldandguide

Hello all, Just found this site and will give it a try. Has anyone in this group ever experienced intermittent. rapid, loud thumps heard in their head? I can't differentiate if it is my head or my ears that is perceiving it. I have no medical history that would cause this annoying symptom, my heart and lungs are very healthy. I have no disease but moderate arthritis. Please do share...... Thank you!

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I have exactly the same problem and have been unable to find a cause. I have seen three physicians over a period of two years.

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Hi! I'm a 36 year old female. I'm new to this group. I also have a whooshing in my left ear. To the beat of my heart. May also be described as a bird flapping it's wings. Started one year ago. Started at the walk in clinic, she cleared out some wax, that made the whooshing louder, seen another physicians assistant, put me on Sudafed, seen another doctor, said I shouldn't be on Sudafed because my BP is high. Prescribed me antibiotics, didn't help. Referred me to ENT, all hearing tests came back good. Went back to primary doctor. All in the meantime I have had an MRI, MRA, Ultrasound of my carotid arteries, and an echocardiogram. They prescribed me Losartan for BP and anxiety meds (which after further research it's what a lot of docs prescribe patients with this because they do that know how to handle it because it can literally drive you nuts). Was referred to ENT at Mayo seen him on Oct 2nd and he referred me to neurologist at Mayo and just this week an MRV at the Mayo clinic, which after meeting with a neurologist informed me I have a narrowing in my main vein behind my left ear. Most people's main vein is on the right, for what it's worth. Told me there is a surgery they can do to put a stint in, but there are risks. Suggested I try to lose weight as he has had many patients with the same issue who have seen an improvement after weight loss.
Has anyone had this scenario?? Has anyone lost weight and seen a difference in the noise level??

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@cls91383

Hi! I'm a 36 year old female. I'm new to this group. I also have a whooshing in my left ear. To the beat of my heart. May also be described as a bird flapping it's wings. Started one year ago. Started at the walk in clinic, she cleared out some wax, that made the whooshing louder, seen another physicians assistant, put me on Sudafed, seen another doctor, said I shouldn't be on Sudafed because my BP is high. Prescribed me antibiotics, didn't help. Referred me to ENT, all hearing tests came back good. Went back to primary doctor. All in the meantime I have had an MRI, MRA, Ultrasound of my carotid arteries, and an echocardiogram. They prescribed me Losartan for BP and anxiety meds (which after further research it's what a lot of docs prescribe patients with this because they do that know how to handle it because it can literally drive you nuts). Was referred to ENT at Mayo seen him on Oct 2nd and he referred me to neurologist at Mayo and just this week an MRV at the Mayo clinic, which after meeting with a neurologist informed me I have a narrowing in my main vein behind my left ear. Most people's main vein is on the right, for what it's worth. Told me there is a surgery they can do to put a stint in, but there are risks. Suggested I try to lose weight as he has had many patients with the same issue who have seen an improvement after weight loss.
Has anyone had this scenario?? Has anyone lost weight and seen a difference in the noise level??

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I have GAINED eight pounds since beginning the Losartan and also Metoprolol. Swishing is now thumping sound. Thanks so much for your information,

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@pamsoldit

I noticed when I close my mouth (jaw) thumping gets louder and faster. When I open my jaw it goes away.

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Hi Pam just come across your post, I have exactly the same symptoms left hear is thumping away for over a month now but when I open my jaw it’s completely vanishes.

Have you managed to get rid of it ?

Max

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@max121

Hi Pam just come across your post, I have exactly the same symptoms left hear is thumping away for over a month now but when I open my jaw it’s completely vanishes.

Have you managed to get rid of it ?

Max

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Hello Pam, to answer your query...The 'thumping' which BTW was not in sync with my heartbeat went away when I had a quadruple bypass. I asked my surgeon for his analysis and just shrug his head. I believe it was a message from my body that something was not right. Blood vessels need a clean pathway to allow blood flow to every part of your body. I am NOT saying nor advise anything except to keep an open mind and get a complete check on cholesterol, blood pressure, etc. I had this profound thumping exactly two months before getting a 'mild' heart attack and EKG determined and confirmed the inevitable. I am enroute to my two year anniversary this June and I am STILL smoke free...which was the contributing factor along with high count blood of white blood cells. I wish you well and success in resolving your issue. Take care and great luck Pam.

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A while ago maybe 6 month someone posted that it was a magnesium deficiency. I started taking a supplement and sure enough it’s only happen once since then. For the record it was rapid thumping in my right ear

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@colleenyoung

Hi @gerardcame, Welcome to Connect, an online community where you can share your experiences and find support from other patients. I moved this discussion to the Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat group to connect you with other members.

I wonder if you might have pulsatile tinnitus. Here some information about tinnitus and pulsatile tinnitus.
http://mayocl.in/1Utj1aQ
http://www.tinnitus.org.uk/pulsatiletinnitus

Have you been to see your doctor about the thumping? When does it happen?

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I just experienced a very rapid thumping noise in my right ear while laying down with that ear against pillow. It is much faster than my heart rate. I'm also on IV. Could what I am experiencing be caused by a small gas bubble or something else?

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@jonrf

I just experienced a very rapid thumping noise in my right ear while laying down with that ear against pillow. It is much faster than my heart rate. I'm also on IV. Could what I am experiencing be caused by a small gas bubble or something else?

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@mikemcewen and @jonrf, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

Mike, what dosage and form of magnesium are you taking? Did you tell your doctor about this improvement?
Jon, may I ask why you are currently on IV?

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@mikemcewen

A while ago maybe 6 month someone posted that it was a magnesium deficiency. I started taking a supplement and sure enough it’s only happen once since then. For the record it was rapid thumping in my right ear

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Willing to try anything, could you tell me what strength the magnesium supplement is? Have had the thumping problem for so very many years but as I've aged it has worsened. Appreciate
the info.

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