Pulse/whooshing in head with pressure.
Posted , 34 users are following.
I know about pulsatile tinnitus, and i do have "regular" tinnitus, but I'm hoping someone has had this feeling as well during the hormonal fluctuations. I'd like to believe that this sensation is another weird symptom in meno, rather than the descriptions online of what could be causing this pressure and pulse pound in my head. I seem to go through phases of it, so I'm hoping that's a good thing, but I'm in a bad spell right now and am fighting off the fear factor.
The best way to describe it is to hear my pulse in my ear, usually with head pressure/head feels full of air, and sometimes a dull headache at the base/back of my head. It can sometimes pound or "whoosh" quote loudly, and often most noticable when lying down. Almost like hearing an ultrasound machine on the womb. I'm seeing my Dr right before the holidays, but I'd like to know if others have experienced this as well. It's definitely activating my anxiety & I try really hard to breathe through that and divert my mind when its happening.
6 likes, 51 replies
sarah34522 jenni70
Edited
This is exactly my symptoms as well, and like you i am slightly worried that it could be something more sinister!
I have the whooshing that appears to be more prominent on the left side along with head and face pressure, headaches, and terrible tinnitus, with a constant noise that sounds like an electricity pylon but slightly higher pitched also 2 more different pitches that come and go, but most of the time I have at least one noise constantly, such a pain when you're trying to get to sleep!
My docs have suggested I come off my BP tablets to see whether this is perhaps the cause but after a week off them the whooshing, pressure in head and tinnitus is still there!
I know this thread is quite old but do people know if this is a relatively common symptom of menopause, I'm 48 and have been on combined HRT for about 15 months, which I have to say has massively helped, but thus is driving me insane, especially as I'm unsure if it'll ever go away. If anyone has any comments or advice I'd be very grateful 🙏.
jenni70 sarah34522
Posted
Hello! Sorry, I haven't been back on this site for some time. I had a break from the whooshing tinnitus and head/ear pressure, so I am positive that it was hormone fluctuations or drops/surges that cause them. I do believe exacerbated by stress/worry. My theory is that stress was something that my body always handled - now with hormone depletion and changes, my body can no longer rely on those calming effects & it just cannot cope the same. With all of the physical issues cropping up, my anxiety and stress creates more issues - and so the vicious cycle goes round! I've been at this for around 10 years now, so Ive had pretty much everything strange/odd/scary, under the sun. I am still here! Do I worry about the possibility of terminal diseases, given how absolutely horrid and scared Ive felt? Yes, however when these things eventually fade, or I get a reprieve, I trust that I will be okay. Sometimes they come back, and I have to remind myself that I've been through this before and I will be okay. I've had lots of bizarre things happen to my body over the past decade - and it took years for me to consider peri-menopause as the culprit. It took a little longer for me to them BELIEVE that it was actually a hormone (hormone/stress/anxiety) issue. When I found this forum, I was shocked and relieved to see that others experienced some of the most bizarre symptoms that I was experiencing! It was so helpful to me!!!
I will copy & paste this reply to the others who have sought an update from me on this subject. I shouldn't take so long to come back here, but life gets busy sometimes...or I'm going through a calmer spell!
A bit about me:
52 yrs old (a relatively young 52...despite my aching body!)
Last period was July 2022
Before that, the periods were having longer breaks between them, and/or shorter!
Hot flashes were never an issue for me until the periods started having longer breaks in between. In 2020 I had my first foray into hot flashes (likely stress from covid as it started right around lockdown time). Then they went away after about 3 months. I just started having doozy hot flashes in the fall of 2022 & they are still happening. They are curious beasts!
I have just started to gain weight in the last year + as well. Have never been overweight in my life! 20 lbs on me over the last 2+ years. I'm only 5'3" and a thin frame....not so much anymore! I just downloaded a Galvasten Diet audiobook to see what this particular menopause doctor has to say about how to battle the bulge. I also am trying to be very kind to myself about this - my body is going through a lot and I am not hating on this new shape...but do want to try and get myself back to where I feel like me again.
I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia (something I would never dream of being diagnosed with!), along with degenerative disc disease and arthritis (not entirely uncommon as we age). My system reacts to and feels pain far more intensely than most of my adult life so far. It's sadly the new norm. I have also had a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis, however my Rheumatologist is not 100% convinced of this other doctor's diagnosis.
In any event - this year I hope to get a handle on my physical health.
How I cope (things I've done to help myself):
Meditation app to help me sleep (poor sleeper)
Massage
Physio
Acupuncture
Naturopathic Dr.
Try to do yoga when I can!
See a registered therapist
I don't watch the news
Starting art classes soon & also a walking/walk to run class.
Try and stay away from caffeine (but I'm weak!)
Supplements
Ocean walks 😃
Take care everyone! Try to remind yourself to take each day as it comes & focus on the good stuff (I know sometimes it gets hard). I'd give the advice of my favourite saying, this too shall pass, but realistically, something new often crops up to take its place, lol!!! That's horrible menopause humour 😉
J
susan0369 jenni70
Edited
Yep, I have this. Was freaking me out because I also have high blood pressure (managed with medication) and I thought maybe the two are related - not sure if they are? I thought maybe it was my medication (Ramipril) causing it, but having read this thread, it's more likely the menopause. It doesn't bother me too much - as long as I know it's harmless! It came on in the last month or so and it comes and goes. I try not to give it too much thought as I'm prone to anxiety as well and I just don't want to go there! It's reassuring to know that other women my age have this too! So I'm not going to worry about it!
Weewoofie jenni70
Edited
Yes! I'm experiencing this too. It's becoming more frequent. i used to get it when i was pregnant, 14 years ago, and kept being fobbed off by docs then. I started HRT a couple of months ago, and wonder has that anything to do with it. Sometimes its so strong it feels like its moving my whole head. I changed positions last night to lie on my stomach, and it was pulsing so strong i was concerned something was going to burst. ☹
I even feel the sensation in my back, around where my kidneys would be. Anyone else get that?
so glad i found this thread.
jenni70 Weewoofie
Posted
hi! I've posted a lengthy update in this thread - hope it helps.
As for kidney/back issues...I've experienced them! Not sure if it's the same as yours, but luckily I live in Canada and have a good Dr. so he checked all my bloodwork, kidney function and eventually had an ultrasound and then a CT scan. Nothing found. This peri/meno is a real kick in the pants (or kidneys!)
I hope your aches subside. Sometimes all we need is a break for a few weeks and we can be less anxious when the symptom returns.
Take care!