Hi all ~ Well, 3 weeks ago I started experiencing "Pulsatile Tinnitus" (which is *not* tinnitus, but rather a whoosh that thumps in rhythm with your pulse). I haven't seen a doctor yet -- because corona -- & it's difficult to find much helpful info on this condition.
As you can imagine, with body-focused anxiety, it's sooo difficult for me to not fixate on the idea that my brain will explode from an aneurysm or clot at any moment. (Cue the panic attack.)
***Does anyone else here suffer from The Whoosh, & is it related to anxiety?! I appreciate all words of shared experience or just comfort. Thanks, all.
I have the exact thing that comes and goes. It’s been on and off for at least 25 years. Like you it’s a swish sound that I hear with my heart beat. It’s only in my left ear. I’ve had it looked at with no answers.
It was disruptive and worrying but I no long worry about it. Maybe it’s water in the ear who knows but 25 years later Nothing negative has happened.
Hi! I have the exact same thing too, just in my right ear. I've had it for around 15 years. And like you I was terrified that it was an aneurysm or something equally scary. I had it checked when it first got bad, and had lots of tests (MRI, CT, Ultrasound, ECG) and nothing showed up as a problem, so they decided it was probably just stress/tension.
Fast forward to now, I still have it, and I haven't exploded. Nothing bad has happened from it (except losing my sanity when it's really loud).
The higher my anxiety level, the louder the whooshing. On the odd occasion that I can get my muscles to completely relax, the whooshing goes away (blissful silence!) for a short time. So I guess the doctors were right.
The quieter my surroundings are, the more I notice the whooshing, and the more I focus on it. Is it the same for you? Maybe try having some soft music on in the background? It may at least help to distract you from the whooshing.
You should get it checked if you can, if only for your peace of mind, but please try not to worry too much.
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