Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

So sorry we have to experience this because of this drug we were prescribed to "help". How long ago did you use lexapro?

I took the last pill exactly a couple of weeks ago, and so far there's been no improvement whatsoever. On the contrary.

It's like I'm new to T all over again.

Have you come across SSRI-induced/worsened T cases that got better?

I have stomach discomfort and sometimes pain still today after taking Lexapro for 7 weeks, and it's been over 3 months since I weaned off. I was worried it would make tinnitus worse as is often mentioned on Tinnitus Talk in regard to SSRI's, but I ended up with another chronic problem instead.

@RunningMan So Lexapro didn't have any affect on your ears? You are very lucky. I wonder how common it is for T to worsen due to starting Lexapro.

Other than fatigue, I didn't notice any other side effect while on it.

It's rather strange that you still have stomach discomfort.

There may have been some additional chirping in my left ear during Lexapro, but I first heard it after days on Sertraline prior to switching to Lexapro. And I have had it reoccur at times since quitting. I can't say conclusively that Lexapro played any part, but it did seem to ease within weeks after quitting.

In my research, I found some others said that SSRI's have messed up their gut, or in some cases, the problems came after stopping SSRI's. But I had the stomach discomfort from day one of SSRI's and it's never gone away in 3 months since weaning off. Seratonin can affect the gut, and SSRI's can affect clotting for things like gastritis and ulcers. I'm hoping it gets better.

Maybe I had an underlying issue that was exacerbated by Lexapro. By the way, I never received any benefit over 7 weeks of 10 mg of Lexapro, which caused stomach pains and forced me to quit, and I was just left with stomach discomfort and pains (variable) for 3+ months now, so I definitely am not feeling lucky.

@RunningMan I'm sorry to hear that.

What does your doctor say though? Is there any effective treatment that can ease your pain?

Maybe more time is required for the discomfort to go away. Or maybe there is an underlying issue, as you say. It needs to be examined properly.

@Yosemite I saw a couple of cases that improved but I wish I could say there were more. Myself I improved in some ways... sound sensitivity went away but reactivity remains but not as bad. T is still loud, but it seems to go up and down all the time. My doc denies it was cause of the lexapro, but can't deny the timing. So much for helping my stress.

Lexapro is a powerful drug and is prescribed like candy anytime someone has a problem that can't be explained by the doc. No going back at this point.

@Tryn2BHopeful How can he deny it if T is already listed as a potential side effect of Lexapro in the drug leaflet?

@Tryn2BHopeful Well... They certainly like to say that the SSRI family of drugs are relatively "safe" compared to the old AD drugs.

Not for everyone, unfortunately.

@Yosemite My doctor just said to stop taking Lexapro and take Lorazepam 3 times per day. I don't take it that often. I'm waiting a little to see if there's more improvement before starting on a series of tests that will run into the thousands of $ out of pocket. Usually there's not much that can be done, anyway. Just careful diet and continued suffering.

@Yosemite yeah, how can they deny it... one would wonder. They didn't even know it was a side effect. Neither did I. It wasn't even on the info that came with it. Under informed CNP with to much power to throw AD'S around to whomever.

Ultimately it doesn't matter now. I just don't trust doctors anymore.

@Tryn2BHopeful - how have been doing?