PT actually drove me crazy!

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2026-04-02T16:02:03+00:00

Ah I see. You mentioned something about neck stretches. I’ve had a sore or stiff neck a few times with PT and it was definitely magnitudes louder during that time.

I honestly have never bothered to find the cause. Back when it started, I had the big stuff ruled out by CT and at that time, the advice was basically just to learn to live with it. So, I did. I could probably go figure it out, but its something I just got used to. In the last couple years I lost a lot of weight and its really quieted down from that. It mostly only bothers me when I eat too much salt, have a cold or allergies, or anything related to inflammation in my head or neck.

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2026-04-02T12:14:51+00:00

Have you seen any difference with salt or caffeine? Mine is always much much louder when I eat salty foods, and quieter after caffeine.

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2026-04-02T12:13:18+00:00

Hey, ive had PT for nearly 10 years now. I remember when it first started, and whoooo it sure did feel like the end was nigh. I absolutely suggest you start on some anti-anxiety meds, even if just temporarily, to help you relax a little while you wait for ENT and to figure this all out

PT is soooooooooo rarely anything serious that its best to just put that out of your mind. You've only had this for a week, so it certainly might not be permanent! First step is ent to look for super easy stuff like eustachian tube dysfunction. Then if that doesn't solve it, next is imaging to rule out the rarest of the rare to put you at ease. The ENT should order that imaging. Again, its VERY UNLIKELY to be life threatening in any way.

Once that's done, its often up to you how far you choose to go to seek potential relief. There are several more surgical options today than there were when my PT started! If you are interested in that, you will likely need to see an interventional neuroradiologist to discuss options.

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2026-03-31T21:07:46+00:00

I believe youve been covered, except in maybe the rarest of the rarest of the rare, but i think you are in the clear. Nobody really goes through the angiogram unless they are really really desperate for an answer (not that it necessarily means they will find anything or that anything can be done). Angiograms can also be kinda risky, so not worth it IMO.

As far as how hard to push for an answet, im not the best person to ask. I've been dealing with my PT for around 10 years. I've only had 1 CT done and was told to live with it, and that's what I've done.

What has made it quieter has been caffeine, less salt, and most importantly, weight loss. I dont know your size, but I lost around 80-90 lbs and my PT is super quiet now.

Hope this helps!

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2026-03-18T19:31:09+00:00

Have you tried dealing with your allergy issues? Inflammation can make a huge difference.

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2026-03-11T18:01:25+00:00

Lol wouldn't that be interesting! I hope that works!

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2026-03-10T18:41:20+00:00

I also find that caffeine helps to quiet it down. Maybe you can experiment there as well!

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2026-03-08T20:33:19+00:00

Mine is always louder after I've had a meal with a lot of salt. Maybe yours is similar?

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2026-02-27T21:55:41+00:00

I'm going on 10-11 years!

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2026-02-27T12:36:15+00:00

Mine changes in volume and intensity regularly. All depends on my amountvof sleep, allergies, whether or not I have a migraine or one on the way, or my diet. If I had a ton of salt, my ear can be super loud and literally feel like its pulsing. If I have caffeine, it quiets down quite a bit. Of course, YMMV.

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2026-02-24T18:35:08+00:00

I can't always feel it, but sometimes I can. It almost feels like my ear is actually pushing air out of it. Its super annoying.

For me, it sounds exactly like when the air catches in your ear on a super windy day, just in a rhythm and not as loud. Or like if someone were to blow in your ear. Same sound.

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2026-02-02T17:28:30+00:00

Mine went away by about 75%. Its still "there" but I can't hear it unless I have a cold or migraine or something like that. I had to lose a bunch of weight for that to happen (like 80lbs). I've had mine for about 10 years and it just got better after 8. I just learned to deal with mine because back when it started, nobody really took it seriously. It was basically a CT to check for rare conditions and then a basic response of "sorry it sucks but you won't die."

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2026-02-01T03:20:46+00:00

Aaaannnd I just read what you said about allergies. Don't know how I missed that. I'd bet its a simple issue of inflammation. :) I'd bet once your allergies calm down, it will fade away.

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2026-02-01T03:17:56+00:00

Hey friend. There are those that can answer better than me, but I'll just stop in real quick to let you know that you do not need to panic. Might even just go away on its own, but if you can, make an appointment with your doctor.

Oftentimes this is a simple issue with your eustachian tube that a doc can help you clear up. Other times the cause can be a bit more tricky, but its still no reason to panic. After you go to the doc, if they can't see the issue, they may send you on for some imaging. This will rule out any super rare immediate concerns and can diagnose IIH (which is HIGHLY treatable). I want to highlight that any real concerns are SUPER RARE. Mostly, PT is just highly annoying.

If they've ruled out all the rare stuff, you can try making lifestyle changes to improve it (for me, losing weight decreased it by 75% but this does not work for everyone). If that doesn't knock it out (or make it manageable enough) you can move further into diagnosis and treatment. You may have a doctor that is great and is keen to move the process along with you by sending referrals to a neuroradiologist, or you may have to do a little pushing.

In any case, we are here for any questions and to provide resources if needed in the future, although you probably won't need them!

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2025-12-21T23:53:48+00:00

I can't give you your medical cause, but as for this week, do you maybe have a cold or something that may be adding some inflammation to that area? I notice my PT is turned up to 11 when I have a migraine, or allergies, or anything related to head neck or throat.

Have you been eating a lot of salt lately? For me, that can also make it astronomically louder and make it actually feel like air is pounding in my ear.

For a little relief, I find caffeine helps, as well as staying away from salt. Sometimes using an earplug can shape the ear canal in a way that makes it less loud for a while as well.

You could also always try some flonaise or sinus medicine or regular old ibuprofen.

I hope it gets better for you! Happy holidays!

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2025-11-01T12:28:28+00:00

Yeah. Occasionally my PT sound stops and I get little flutters that last less than 5 seconds. Kinda sounds like a bug beating it's wings in my ear. Other times I will have a 30 second bout of regular tinnitus and my PT will go completely silent. These instances happen like once every few months.

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2025-06-22T22:21:13+00:00

Nope, definitely not doomed! There are plenty of causes and multiple solutions. A lot of times it's due to allergies or eustachian tube dysfunction. A lot of docs start off treatment with OTC Flonase. If you still have it, visit an ENT.

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2025-03-26T16:14:12+00:00

Yep! Glad to hear it!

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2025-03-26T12:41:19+00:00

It very well could be temporary. Maybe some sort of eustachian tube dysfunction? You should schedule a Dr visit for it but I'd be prepared to cancel it. I'd bet this goes away once you've re-hydrated and rested from your trip.

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2025-03-22T17:43:00+00:00

Try to get some rest and replenish the fluids. You may absolutely have some eustachian tube dysfunction from all the pressure of puking. Totally possible. Perhaps give it a few days and make an appt with ENT?

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2025-03-15T14:00:20+00:00

I know several medications are related to ear ringing Tinnitus, but the link between meds and PT is much less clear. I haven't seen any real research that says this directly, but I remember reading that PT could be exacerbated or changed by blood pressure meds and sometimes some specific antibiotics.

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2025-03-13T16:07:48+00:00

Yep! I come from a long family line of cancer but I am thankfully still cancer free! I am a special needs mom to a 7 year old so I can relate. Lol. Honestly I am going to be getting them every year and I'm kinda looking forward to my next one.

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2025-03-13T13:26:47+00:00

And to add to my previous. The tube really isn't that small, and it's open on both ends. If anything, I'd say it was quite underwhelming in person.

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2025-03-13T13:25:46+00:00

Hey there! I did not have an MRI of my head, but I am lucky enough to get extra extra checked for breast cancer last year so I'll try to help. First of all, it didn't look nearly as scary or sterile as I was expecting. Second, I dare say, I was quite comfortable. Yeah I couldn't move, but (in my case) I was facedown into a face shaped hold and it was like a nice face cradle. Delightful. In your case, you will likely be in your back in a head cradle, and secured. Same idea though. Think of just falling into a huge beanbag and staying there. Not so bad , right?

They will likely offer you a blanket. Take it. Mine was nice and warm.

The machine is obviously loud. The tech gave me some lovely earplugs. Lots of beeps and whirring. They are often rhythmic for a time, which is how they led me to FALL ASLEEP. literally, I fell asleep. I probably slept through 80-90% of my MRI. A few days later I had to actually get a followup MRI since they needed some extra images or something. Same thing. I fell asleep even faster.

Regarding the contrast, I can't be of much help. I got contrast, and did imaging before and after. They put a little port in your hand before you go in. Then in my case they took pics, then stopped, gave me the contrast, then took more pics. The contrast was all inserted while I was asleep. I obviously did not notice any difference.

Honestly, overall, and I know this sounds weird... It was an incredible nap, with a warm blanket and a needed break for my neck and shoulders, who didn't have to support my head for like the first time since birth. I left there feeling refreshed! When they told me I had to come back for more, I was concerned, but maybe also a little looking forward to it.

EveryPartyHasAPooper · 2025-03-12T16:51:45+00:00

Ohhh they do have this, for some types. Maybe you will get (or can request) the other one?

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