Question: I'm 71 years old (female) and suffer from permanent tinnitus. Recently the growling sound in my head seems to be connected to a fluttering feeling at diaphragm level and even under the soles of my feet. It's making me feel breathless. I exercise regularly, don't smoke and eat little meat. I'm not overweight. What is it, please?
I've had tinnitus in the right ear for the last 5 years but only recently has it moved to both ears and with an additional 'sound' ie growling (on top of the hissing that is loud but which I've learned to tolerate). The growling is like a drum roll that operates on a definite beat. It seems to trigger off vibrations through my body to the soles of my feet. This development occurred suddenly in XXXXXXX of this year while I was on holiday in Crete. It was so bad that I thought it was defective air conditioning at the hotel and I complained to management. I was frightened to realise that the noise was inside my own head and it's been there ever since. The audio clinic recommended anti-depressants which made me feel ill. I take one 0.5mg lormetazepam tablet every night, or I would get no sleep. Otherwise, apart from eye-drops I take no medicaments and I don't approve of them. I can only describe the tremors as a shuddering which makes me feel on edge. I don't have diabetes, high blood pressure, or cholestrol problems but I had a pulmonary embolism in 1986 following surgery. It could be circulation-based but I don't know what to do about it since I exercise and eat a fruit and veg based diet. I am slight and athletic in build.

Dr XXXXXXX
I have printed off a copy of your advice and I am taking it to my GP because I think you have diagnosed exactly what is wrong with me. Thank you very much for your expert opinion. I was upset yesterday because the online doctor I was given merely repeated my symptoms back to me. You, on the other hand, have given me hope that the right treatment might relieve my various disabling symptoms. I cannot thank you enough.