This is super fascinating to me because as a youngin when I was 14 back in 2008 I was put on fluvoxamine for my tinnitus and it legit lowered the volume to a point where at times it was literally gone. But in saying that I dont doubt what this research says as Ive heard some really horrible stories of tinnitus ramping up, especially after SNRI use. I just wonder why it worked for me.Except there was an animal model study which showed that increased serotonin agonized the hyperactivity of the DCN, thereby worsening tinnnitus. I would amp up dopamine and completely ignore serotonin. Despite its popularity in pop psychology it's not all it's cracked up to be.
Josef Rauschecker's "gate-keeper" model has been used to claim that commonly prescribed antidepressants could treat tinnitus by restoring the gate keeping function of the SSRI and treat depression too. However, study after study has failed to yield significant reductions in tinnitus symptoms (NOT perception, that's an emotional reaction and has nothing to do with tinnitus itself).
Amitriptyline has been somewhat effective at reducing tinnitus, but commonly prescribed SSRIs should be avoided, snd serotonin should not be increased. If your doctor or psychiatrist prescribes such mood enchanting drugs, you should throw them away in place of something else.
An article last year analyzing brain slices in rats indicated that serotonin worsens the burst firing in the DCN, the likely source of the tinnitus signal.I have had severe tinnitus for 5 months and just went on Prozac 11 days ago. It's been such a roller coaster with my T and I'm now becoming paranoid that the Prozac is making the T worse? I'm so anxious from these last 5 months that I'm not sure if it's in my head. Could this just be me getting used to the med and if so could it level out in a couple weeks? I'd like to stay on it for the benefits of lifting some anxiety and depression but could switch to another AD if absolutely necessary....thanks for any input.
I have had severe tinnitus for 5 months and just went on Prozac 11 days ago. It's been such a roller coaster with my T and I'm now becoming paranoid that the Prozac is making the T worse? I'm so anxious from these last 5 months that I'm not sure if it's in my head. Could this just be me getting used to the med and if so could it level out in a couple weeks? I'd like to stay on it for the benefits of lifting some anxiety and depression but could switch to another AD if absolutely necessary....thanks for any input.
Well if your attitude is "cope rather then search for cure" we will never have one.What to expect from antidepressants?
I think we have to look for something that can help us to cope better with tinnitus than wasting time looking for cure , it's really complicated thing and until that time they find cure we have to live our life as normal ppl
That is exactly the attitude a tinnitus sufferer requires. Acceptance is important, and part of habituation. That does not mean a search for a cure can't coexist with this acceptance.Well if your attitude is "cope rather then search for cure" we will never have one.
Hello, @Svento have it back att my "normal" level. 9 days of increase for me now.
I stopped taking it after 4 days. I didn't like the side effects. It also seemed to slightly elevate my tinnitus, but that may have been a placebo.What about escitalopram?
Does someone have a successful experience of using it?
Did it help you just with the mood?I've taken escitalopram (Cipralex) and it did help with mood - I took it for less than 6 months so no long-time experience.
Hello, @Sven
So, how long did your spike last? You were able to return to the previous usual level ?! Did the antidepressant help you?
What caused the spike, stress, loud sound or something else?
Has anyone used Amitriptyline?
While this is true, there are several factors when it comes to ototoxicity. Certain medications are known to cause permanent damage to the hearing system in some people and there are very few of these. The rest are considered to be "possible" ototoxic including anti-depressants.
Other factors are dosage, frequency and how many meds you are taken at the same time which are ototoxic (combined increased dosage). If you are taken high doses for longer periods of time, you may experience certain ototoxic effects. Many ototoxic drugs which cause hearing issues are considered to be reversible including nsaids, aspirin and anti-depressants, however the chance is minor that you will experience adverse effects in the first place. Most only 1-2%. Just because a med may potentially be ototoxic doesn't mean it will be for you.
Symptoms of ototoxicty are tinnitus or worsening of existing tinnitus, balance problems, dizziness and vertigo. In most case, just stopping a med will cause these symptoms to improve or go away within a few days, weeks or sometimes months.
You can go crazy reading all these comments, one needs to sleep another is afraid of side effects.
So did you guys found out what antidepressant is best for Tinnitus? Maybe make a top 10 or something?
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...actually, today I AM experiencing my T as louder. I don't know if it's because I'm trying to kick the meds or if it's the lack of sleep that's making me tired and thus causing the T to appear louder. Or, maybe sertraline actually has an effect on my T (and/or general wellbeing).
What was your experience like going on and off SSRIs for tinnitus?
It helped me get over my anxiety, but it was a little annoying trying to quit because of a "heavy" sensation in the head. However, I gradually lowered the dose and now I'm off it.
Fantastic! And it has no effect on your tinnitus coming on or off?