It's been 8 months since my AVM got removed by craniotomy and I'm now hearing a whooshing sound in my left ear and throbbing in time with my pulse!! I'm worried that this is not normal after having the thing removed!! I'm in the middle of moving out of my place to move to another state. It has been stressful, I'm doing it alone and I have a LOT of stuff that I can't seem to get rid of, and the driving back and forth between states has really wiped me out mentally. So I've been moving boxes around and trying to pack things and this whooshing sound is there and pressing on my ear drum too, it feels like. And there is sometimes a ticking or clicking in my head, like when I'm walking fast, but not always. I've also been getting headaches, not bad ones, but little ones. And I feel my pulse throbbing at the craniotomy site in the back of my head. Is this (hopefully) just because I'm stressed out & bending over and lifting stuff and overtaxing my brain or is it something I should be worried about??? Should I call my neurologist or am I overreacting?? Should I call this move off?? What to do???? Yikes!!!!
Hi Nicole. I was having the same problem a few months ago and it had me freaked out too. Same exact thing you’re describing. I did talk to my neurologist about it and some other kinda weird new symptoms I was having. It prompted a fresh MRI (it had been over a year since my last) and it showed that everything was stable in my head, meaning that the AVM is indeed gone, no regrowth. My neurologist doesn’t really know why I can still hear the heartbeat in my head sometimes and why I experience the pulsing . All I can tell you is that for me it was far more noticeable when my blood pressure is up, like when I’m exercising, or walking up the stairs, etc. I would say to talk to your neurologist about it and see what they have to say. It may just be one more thing that makes all of us survivors “special”. I still experience it, but I’m more able to ignore it when I try. Good luck with your move!
Thanks Trish, yes it’s more noticeable when my pressure’s up, so maybe it is all the stress and whatnot. I had an MRi a month & a half ago and it was all clear so I would hope it hasn’t regrown in that short of time!! It’s hard to determine what stuff we should freak out about and what not to, isn’t it??
Oh the clicking. I was told that I had a screw loose and over time the as the skin heals it will tighten up. I am almost 15 months post-op and I still hear it at times. I also hear whooshing at times was checked out and told that healing is still an on going process, but to still call when I have concerns.It sure wouldn’t hurt calling your neurologist as it will help put your mind at ease. I am constantly calling mine asking questions. He understands and I am sure your doctor will as well.
Hi Nicole,
This new symptom of whooshing sound in your ear (pulsating tinnitus) warrants medical attention. You are not overreacting...you should be concerned. When my Carotid Cavernous Fistula ruptured I developed pulsating tinnitus in my right ear. It took two hospitals and four days before they diagnosed me and rushed me into surgery! After embolization, I have some residual pulsating tinnitus with increased cardiac activity or stress, but is expected with current circumstances. The fact that this is something new for you and that you are experiencing more with increased cardiac activity and stress (when your pressure goes up), I would definetly recommend that you seek medical attention now! (Also, don't do any more lifting until you get checked). Better be safe than sorry!!! Good Luck, Isabella
Hi Nicole, as the others have said, it is a good idea to have this checked out. Recently, I had to move house and just when I was getting sorted out, I get the whoosing noise again. I had a crainotomy in July 2009 and boy, the noises really freaked me out big time!! The medics calmed me down and mentioned it was actually some water in my ear as I had been doing a little swimming. The noises are gone again )Thank God), but definately check it out for your own peace of mind! Take care and blessings.xx
Hi Nicole,
How are you doing? Haven't heard from you in a little while. Hope you are doing ok.
Take care, Isabella
I’m ok, it comes and goes, I have an appointment w/ a neurologist on 4/18, the move must go on!!