rapid thumping sound in left ear

Posted by cinnamon @cinnamon, Apr 22, 2012

rapid thumping sound in left ear

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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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What? I have the same problem with my left ear. I never received an dc answer. I weigh 115 pounds and I am 5 feet 41/2 inches tall. Your weight has nothing to do with it. Is your Doctor on drugs?

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@morninglory

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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I have the same problem. Mag. got nothing to do with it. I have been taking mag. for many years.

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@akacha

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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Thanks for the information. For me my thumping is most likely cause m spasms in an artery.

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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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It could also be that you might have spasms going on. Try some L-Arginine, it’s a supplement. Also opens up and relaxes the arteries. Start with 1,000 mg. 3 times a day then if you still have a problem then increase to 2,000 mg 3 times a day.

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Friendly reminder. Always talk to your doctor and/or pharmacist before taking supplements.
As the first point states in the Community Guidelines (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/) :
1. Be careful about giving out medical advice
- Sharing your own experience is fine, but don't tell other members what they should do.
- See the Mayo Clinic Connect Disclaimer (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/disclaimer/).

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@redhead63

It could also be that you might have spasms going on. Try some L-Arginine, it’s a supplement. Also opens up and relaxes the arteries. Start with 1,000 mg. 3 times a day then if you still have a problem then increase to 2,000 mg 3 times a day.

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Thanks - I'll check it out and talk with my doctor at some point.
And to answer redhead63 - yes, I think sometimes they are on drugs! My normal physician shook her head at it - I was told that by the Mayo doctor. I think a lot of doctors use that - they think it's a cure all - Not sure why I wouldn't have had it when I was 60 PDs heavier with triplets but of course they can't explain any that either. Just happens! Has nothing to do with weight.
Unfortunately, I've tried losing had a great plan, then my mom died very unexpectedly so I lost all interest. Trying to get myself back to it because the whooshing is bothering me more again (mind was side tracked so took my mind off it). If I keep myself busy, I can deal with it.

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@redmonarch8

For the past 24 hours, I've been having the spastic thumbing in my ear. It doesn't match my heart beat either. It's very random, but it seems to happen every 3-6 seconds and lasts about 5-10 seconds. What could this be?

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Did you get a diagnosis / solve this? I have the same thing only when in bed. Like the percussion section in my ear -- thumps 7 - 12 times in a row and then pauses for about 30 sec. only to resume. No change in head or body position - even trying to sleep sitting up -- will stop it. So no sleep. Bad. Going to make ENT appt tmw.

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You have my sympathy. I have had thumping in both ears for several years now. I have pulsatile tinnitus and I hear every heart beat all day and all night. Mine does not seem to be related to my ears; it has to do with blood flow but no one seems to know the cause of the loud thumping. I have been on blood pressure medication for quite some time and the sound is not so loud, particularly during the day. But it is a terrible affliction . . . almost impossible to sleep. Unless you can find a neuro/cardio/vascular expert who has the patience to do all of the tests, you will never find the cause. My problem started when I quit taking .88 aspirin daily after taking it every day for 30 years, It’s probably something weird like an enlarged jugular bulb
or a fistula. I have been to an internist, a cardiologist, and a otolaryngologist and they all said, “Get used to it.”. Can’t be done. This site only makes me feel better to know I am not the only one who suffers with this condition.

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@kittyrushing

You have my sympathy. I have had thumping in both ears for several years now. I have pulsatile tinnitus and I hear every heart beat all day and all night. Mine does not seem to be related to my ears; it has to do with blood flow but no one seems to know the cause of the loud thumping. I have been on blood pressure medication for quite some time and the sound is not so loud, particularly during the day. But it is a terrible affliction . . . almost impossible to sleep. Unless you can find a neuro/cardio/vascular expert who has the patience to do all of the tests, you will never find the cause. My problem started when I quit taking .88 aspirin daily after taking it every day for 30 years, It’s probably something weird like an enlarged jugular bulb
or a fistula. I have been to an internist, a cardiologist, and a otolaryngologist and they all said, “Get used to it.”. Can’t be done. This site only makes me feel better to know I am not the only one who suffers with this condition.

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Thank you for your thoughts and sympathy. "Affliction" sounds just about right. I liken this to having one's head pressed up against the big drum in a marching band while the drummer pounds away. OK, maybe a tad overstated -- but not in terms of effect on being able to sleep or get used to it. I had jack-hammering going on next door to my house years ago to remove a big river of rock and it was just about as pleasant. And at least it stopped before bedtime.

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@variegata

Thank you for your thoughts and sympathy. "Affliction" sounds just about right. I liken this to having one's head pressed up against the big drum in a marching band while the drummer pounds away. OK, maybe a tad overstated -- but not in terms of effect on being able to sleep or get used to it. I had jack-hammering going on next door to my house years ago to remove a big river of rock and it was just about as pleasant. And at least it stopped before bedtime.

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You do have my sympathy. Have you Googled Whooshers.com? You may get information there. Maybe if we all band together, we can find a cure or at least a doctor who won’t say, “Get used to it.”

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