Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOs, TCAs, TeCAs)

[blamingeverything]

@blamingeverything, happy to hear about your progress! Really happy for you. How are you doing now? The way I feel about it, is I'd rather worry about coming off later and just get on with feeling better now!

Glad to hear you're feeling well! I'm into week 3 now and the sexual side effects have definitely hit me. (I had to think about how to say that without it being some kind of innuendo/pun.) So that's a bummer, I'm hoping I'll adjust to it in weeks to come. Otherwise I don't have a ton to report, negative or positive. Some of the immediate/acute effects of taking the med have tapered off. I feel fine though!

 

[Ksharky13]

The Truth about SSRIs and Tinnitus

First things first, I am in no way trying to question, challenge or otherwise minimize anyone's individual situation regarding their tinnitus and potential link to an SSRI. Like most people on Tinnitus Talk, I have tinnitus (15 months now, with a couple of spikes after initial on-set). Also, like most of us, I am researching to find some kind of relief via traditional medicine, supplements, or other means. First some background on me:

• I got tinnitus in January 2022, 6 weeks after my Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster. I had no such side effect from my first two Pfizer doses.
• Since then I have had 3 spikes (after getting some resolution) and now it is as loud as ever, albeit not debilitating but certainly frustrating and stressful.
• I also have very high anxiety/panic disorder, which may be related to the COVID-19 vaccine or me getting off an SSRI (Sertraline) in June of 2022 after being on it for many years. Although I started getting anxiety symptoms before stopping the SSRI (don't ask – I have no idea why I decided to stop taking the SSRI; big mistake in retrospect).
• I had an audiology exam recently and I do not have any discernible hearing loss and the audiologist does not believe that my tinnitus is due to anything related to my hearing, so I can check that one off the list of possibilities.
• So I am now in the position of not knowing if my tinnitus (or at least my most recent spike) is a result of the covid vaccine or potentially SSRI withdrawal. Again, I had tinnitus several months before stopping the SSRI.
• Finally, my therapist (and family), want me to get back on Sertraline to help deal with my anxiety/panic disorder. However, based on countless visits to "Google University", including Tinnitus Talk, I have developed a fear of even trying to get back on Sertraline due to the stories of it causing either new on-set or exacerbated existing tinnitus for some people, which in some cases is described as debilitating.

Which brings me to the discussion of SSRIs and tinnitus. More specifically, what is the scientific evidence/proof that these drugs, and particularly Sertraline/Zoloft, actually cause tinnitus? And if they do, at what level of prevalence? These questions stem from the following:

• Considering just Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro and Celexa, data from 2020 indicates that the total number of prescriptions in the US for these 4 SSRI was ~100M, and that involved a total of ~23M patients.
• If tinnitus was a side effect in just 1% of cases, the above would translate into 230,000 patients getting tinnitus from one of these SSRI.
  • Note: The above would not be a static number as new patients are prescribed one of these SSRI every year.
• In searching the forums on Tinnitus Talk for all 4 of these SSRI, using both the brand and generic names, I came up with a total of 2,274 individual messages that refer to any of these 4 SSRI. Further:

• • These are not unique messages or users. There is a lot of duplication among these messages.
  • The true number of "unique" messages is likely to be close to half that total, as most people on this forum post multiple messages over time.
  • Also, not all of the messages are negative about the SSRI. Rather, some indicate either success with their SSRI or no effect on tinnitus.
• Still, using the top number of 2,274, that equates to about 1% of the estimated 230,000 cases of tinnitus from the 23M patients using one of these SSRI.
  • A quick analysis would indicate that the real number would likely be half of the 2,274 due to multiple messages from the same people and/or the same threads. That would make the total unique comments being ~0.5% of 230,000.
• Since Tinnitus Talk seems to be the premier tinnitus-focused forum out there, I would expect a much higher number of people finding this site (like we all did) and posting messages:
  • I would also expect that with the level of actual cases of tinnitus from SSRI was ~1%, and in the hundreds of thousands, there would be much more attention being paid to this issue by the medical and/or research communities
  • That said, I do know from research that there has been an increase in the amount of research being conducted in recent years regarding the effects of SSRI on Serotonin and how they may be impacting the auditory system, potentially resulting in tinnitus from hyperactive cells/receptors within the ear and/or brain. So maybe it's a matter of time before this becomes more publicly discussed.
• I also know that reputable drug information sites (PDR.com, Drugs.com, RxList.com) do list tinnitus as a side effect ranging in description from: Mild vs. Other, and Common vs. Uncommon.
• I also know that there is a large gap between "correlation" and "causation" when it comes to drugs and side effects

Again, I am not trying to dismiss or minimize or question anybody's individual case/experience related to getting tinnitus while on an SSRI. I'm just trying to find the most objective answer as to if this causation really exists and, if yes, at what level of prevalence among the SSRI patient population. For me, I will likely have to get back on Sertraline or some other SSRI at some point as my anxiety/panic disorder is not something I want to live with for the rest of my life. I guess I'm just trying to zero in on the realistic "risk factor" involved to help me with that decision. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

 

[JRC1]

Just remember, if someone takes a drug and it causes tinnitus, the likelihood of them going to the trouble of reporting the outcome to the FDA (or other appropriate party) is low. Not sure how low, but certainly low.

 

[ErikaS]

The Truth about SSRIs and Tinnitus

First things first, I am in no way trying to question, challenge or otherwise minimize anyone's individual situation regarding their tinnitus and potential link to an SSRI. Like most people on Tinnitus Talk, I have tinnitus (15 months now, with a couple of spikes after initial on-set). Also, like most of us, I am researching to find some kind of relief via traditional medicine, supplements, or other means. First some background on me:

• I got tinnitus in January 2022, 6 weeks after my Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster. I had no such side effect from my first two Pfizer doses.
• Since then I have had 3 spikes (after getting some resolution) and now it is as loud as ever, albeit not debilitating but certainly frustrating and stressful.
• I also have very high anxiety/panic disorder, which may be related to the COVID-19 vaccine or me getting off an SSRI (Sertraline) in June of 2022 after being on it for many years. Although I started getting anxiety symptoms before stopping the SSRI (don't ask – I have no idea why I decided to stop taking the SSRI; big mistake in retrospect).
• I had an audiology exam recently and I do not have any discernible hearing loss and the audiologist does not believe that my tinnitus is due to anything related to my hearing, so I can check that one off the list of possibilities.
• So I am now in the position of not knowing if my tinnitus (or at least my most recent spike) is a result of the covid vaccine or potentially SSRI withdrawal. Again, I had tinnitus several months before stopping the SSRI.
• Finally, my therapist (and family), want me to get back on Sertraline to help deal with my anxiety/panic disorder. However, based on countless visits to "Google University", including Tinnitus Talk, I have developed a fear of even trying to get back on Sertraline due to the stories of it causing either new on-set or exacerbated existing tinnitus for some people, which in some cases is described as debilitating.

Which brings me to the discussion of SSRIs and tinnitus. More specifically, what is the scientific evidence/proof that these drugs, and particularly Sertraline/Zoloft, actually cause tinnitus? And if they do, at what level of prevalence? These questions stem from the following:

• Considering just Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro and Celexa, data from 2020 indicates that the total number of prescriptions in the US for these 4 SSRI was ~100M, and that involved a total of ~23M patients.
• If tinnitus was a side effect in just 1% of cases, the above would translate into 230,000 patients getting tinnitus from one of these SSRI.
  • Note: The above would not be a static number as new patients are prescribed one of these SSRI every year.
• In searching the forums on Tinnitus Talk for all 4 of these SSRI, using both the brand and generic names, I came up with a total of 2,274 individual messages that refer to any of these 4 SSRI. Further:

• • These are not unique messages or users. There is a lot of duplication among these messages.
  • The true number of "unique" messages is likely to be close to half that total, as most people on this forum post multiple messages over time.
  • Also, not all of the messages are negative about the SSRI. Rather, some indicate either success with their SSRI or no effect on tinnitus.
• Still, using the top number of 2,274, that equates to about 1% of the estimated 230,000 cases of tinnitus from the 23M patients using one of these SSRI.
  • A quick analysis would indicate that the real number would likely be half of the 2,274 due to multiple messages from the same people and/or the same threads. That would make the total unique comments being ~0.5% of 230,000.
• Since Tinnitus Talk seems to be the premier tinnitus-focused forum out there, I would expect a much higher number of people finding this site (like we all did) and posting messages:
  • I would also expect that with the level of actual cases of tinnitus from SSRI was ~1%, and in the hundreds of thousands, there would be much more attention being paid to this issue by the medical and/or research communities
  • That said, I do know from research that there has been an increase in the amount of research being conducted in recent years regarding the effects of SSRI on Serotonin and how they may be impacting the auditory system, potentially resulting in tinnitus from hyperactive cells/receptors within the ear and/or brain. So maybe it's a matter of time before this becomes more publicly discussed.
• I also know that reputable drug information sites (PDR.com, Drugs.com, RxList.com) do list tinnitus as a side effect ranging in description from: Mild vs. Other, and Common vs. Uncommon.
• I also know that there is a large gap between "correlation" and "causation" when it comes to drugs and side effects

Again, I am not trying to dismiss or minimize or question anybody's individual case/experience related to getting tinnitus while on an SSRI. I'm just trying to find the most objective answer as to if this causation really exists and, if yes, at what level of prevalence among the SSRI patient population. For me, I will likely have to get back on Sertraline or some other SSRI at some point as my anxiety/panic disorder is not something I want to live with for the rest of my life. I guess I'm just trying to zero in on the realistic "risk factor" involved to help me with that decision. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

There are a significant amount of tinnitus cases reported after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or getting COVID-19. It is prevalent enough that there is a study going on that is looking at the effects of Pimozide on COVID-19 induced tinnitus. If I were you, I'd be using Google and other sources to investigate that cause. There are specific practitioners that work with long haul COVID-19 symptoms and conditions to help rid the body of the spiked proteins and inflammation.

 

[blamingeverything]

Glad to hear you're feeling well! I'm into week 3 now and the sexual side effects have definitely hit me. (I had to think about how to say that without it being some kind of innuendo/pun.) So that's a bummer, I'm hoping I'll adjust to it in weeks to come. Otherwise I don't have a ton to report, negative or positive. Some of the immediate/acute effects of taking the med have tapered off. I feel fine though!

Week 5 of Lexapro now. Things are going great. I feel like a weight's been lifted off my chest. Tinnitus is taking more of a backseat in my life. If there are types of people that really benefit from SSRI, I must be one of them and should have tried this years ago. Sexual sides have improved, it takes considerably more effort to conclude an encounter but I'm not shut down. I think my testosterone replacement therapy has helped with this. Maybe if I was also low on testosterone, that side effect might be tougher. Can't say for sure though.

 

[Nick47]

takes considerably more effort to conclude an encounter but I'm not shut down. I

She will be happy though.

Are you still going to take Clonazepam?

 

[Ryan Scott]

The general opinion of GPs in the UK is they are happy for people to stay on SSRI/SNRI medications for life but not other types of medications (benzodiazepines, antiepileptics, antipsychotics, opiods) unless necessary.

Of course the ones that help tinnitus and hyperacusis patients don't tend to fall into the SSRI/SNRI groups, although a small minority get a benefit.

I think there was a meta-analysis conducted that showed Sertraline benefited tinnitus patients with depression. It also showed Amitriptyline most effective "overall."

Yet, go to a doctor in Italy with intrusive tinnitus and you will often get Clonazepam/Alprazolam/Cyclobenzaprine in some format.

In America GPs are happy to prescribe you any meds that are not a controlled substance, that is an easy $100 office visit every 3 months. They don't like prescribing controlled substances because they don't want DEA audits for violating the CSA. They pretty much prescribe antidepressants like candy in America.

 

[tiniturk]

They pretty much prescribe antidepressants like candy in America.

Actually insane.

 

[Tryn2BHopeful]

In America GPs are happy to prescribe you any meds that are not a controlled substance, that is an easy $100 office visit every 3 months. They don't like prescribing controlled substances because they don't want DEA audits for violating the CSA. They pretty much prescribe antidepressants like candy in America.

Escitalopram (Lexapro) seems to have caused my current tinnitus. After taking 2 doses, I woke up to high-pitched screaming in my head. I took a 3rd dose, which I kind of wish I hadn't, thinking it was just a temporary side effect and I felt even worse (to the point I checked myself into an ER). I stopped immediately and contacted my GP. It's been almost 4 weeks since my last dose and the tinnitus/hyperacusis remains. Now I take Mirtazapine 7.5 mg just so I can get some sleep at night. It's a vicious circle which I wish I would have never gotten into, but it's too late for that now. I had a minor anxiety issue if that, listened to my GP and ended up with a bigger issue that will ultimately affect me the rest of my life.

I do think that antidepressants can and do help people, but I think that they are given out too liberally (at least in the United States). Doctors, most of which seems to be Nurse Practitioners at this point, don't understand or convey all the risk. They seem to think that anything they can't figure out must be anxiety and to give you a pill. I fell into that thinking, that it must be that and this will help me get back on track. I blame myself many days for doing this, although I know that I was listening to the advice of a professional. Ultimately I took the pill, that changed my and my families lives.

Tinnitus wasn't on the list of side effects included with the drug, and while I realize (now!) that statistically it was less than 1% that got tinnitus in the clinical trials, it doesn't make me feel much better that I am the 1%. Now I am further off track than I was before and trying hard to get myself back out of the this hole. If this manages to get better or go away, I have learned a valuable lesson that I will not forget.

My takeaway is to be EXTREMELY careful with the medications that you are prescribed, even by a professional. Ask questions and do you own research and weigh the pros and cons. I don't blame them for my current predicament, they are just people giving information and pushing pills from big pharma. They likely read the same package insert I did. I do think they should be more informed and more conservative about the drugs they are prescribing to people.

 

[blamingeverything]

Escitalopram (Lexapro) seems to have caused my current tinnitus. After taking 2 doses, I woke up to high-pitched screaming in my head. I took a 3rd dose, which I kind of wish I hadn't, thinking it was just a temporary side effect and I felt even worse (to the point I checked myself into an ER). I stopped immediately and contacted my GP. It's been almost 4 weeks since my last dose and the tinnitus/hyperacusis remains. Now I take Mirtazapine 7.5 mg just so I can get some sleep at night. It's a vicious circle which I wish I would have never gotten into, but it's too late for that now. I had a minor anxiety issue if that, listened to my GP and ended up with a bigger issue that will ultimately affect me the rest of my life.

I do think that antidepressants can and do help people, but I think that they are given out too liberally (at least in the United States). Doctors, most of which seems to be Nurse Practitioners at this point, don't understand or convey all the risk. They seem to think that anything they can't figure out must be anxiety and to give you a pill. I fell into that thinking, that it must be that and this will help me get back on track. I blame myself many days for doing this, although I know that I was listening to the advice of a professional. Ultimately I took the pill, that changed my and my families lives.

Tinnitus wasn't on the list of side effects included with the drug, and while I realize (now!) that statistically it was less than 1% that got tinnitus in the clinical trials, it doesn't make me feel much better that I am the 1%. Now I am further off track than I was before and trying hard to get myself back out of the this hole. If this manages to get better or go away, I have learned a valuable lesson that I will not forget.

My takeaway is to be EXTREMELY careful with the medications that you are prescribed, even by a professional. Ask questions and do you own research and weigh the pros and cons. I don't blame them for my current predicament, they are just people giving information and pushing pills from big pharma. They likely read the same package insert I did. I do think they should be more informed and more conservative about the drugs they are prescribing to people.

There's no way to know that your tinnitus wasn't just waiting for any trigger to happen. Depression and anxiety are huge precursors in and of themselves.

 

[Tryn2BHopeful]

There's no way to know that your tinnitus wasn't just waiting for any trigger to happen. Depression and anxiety are huge precursors in and of themselves.

I guess I may never know for sure. There is no way to prove it one way or another. I can only make the association of the events that led up to my current predicament. Regardless I would have rather not pulled said "trigger". That said, antidepressants certainly have their place, and needless to say I am sure they have made the lives of many people better, or even saved them from themselves. I am using one now to get through this. However, I think they are prescribed way too often for things when they don't need to be without fully understanding the risk.

 

[blamingeverything]

She will be happy though.

Are you still going to take Clonazepam?

Yeah, I'll continue using it sparingly (I took 0.25 mg last night) though I will say, I feel far less desire to take it. I'm actually surprised how relaxed Lexapro has made me. My resting heart rate has dropped from average of 60 to an average of 50 bpm! Very clear cause and effect as measured by my Apple Watch - the curve drops off a cliff starting from week one of taking the drug. Pretty interesting.

 

[RunningMan]

Week 5 of Lexapro now. Things are going great. I feel like a weight's been lifted off my chest. Tinnitus is taking more of a backseat in my life. If there are types of people that really benefit from SSRI, I must be one of them and should have tried this years ago. Sexual sides have improved, it takes considerably more effort to conclude an encounter but I'm not shut down. I think my testosterone replacement therapy has helped with this. Maybe if I was also low on testosterone, that side effect might be tougher. Can't say for sure though.

You mentioned your dosage went up to 10 mg a few posts back. Was it increased further from there, or still 10 mg?

 

[blamingeverything]

You mentioned your dosage went up to 10 mg a few posts back. Was it increased further from there, or still 10 mg?

I'm still at 10 mg and will keep it steady based on the effect so far.

 

[Ryan Scott]

I do think that antidepressants can and do help people, but I think that they are given out too liberally (at least in the United States). Doctors, most of which seems to be Nurse Practitioners at this point, don't understand or convey all the risk. They seem to think that anything they can't figure out must be anxiety and to give you a pill. I fell into that thinking, that it must be that and this will help me get back on track. I blame myself many days for doing this, although I know that I was listening to the advice of a professional. Ultimately I took the pill, that changed my and my families lives.

That's pretty much exactly my point, they prescribe them a lot more in America but that is not because they are necessarily safe. You have NPs and GPs that prescribe the drug, but don't really understand the side effects. Sure they have medical degrees so they understand the neurochemistry, but they don't have any hard data from their practice that says drug X causes A, B, & C side effects. I personally know someone who has got tinnitus from Celexa and another one from Wellbutrin.

I went to see my GP when I got tinnitus and was like I think I need some medicine to help with this so he prescribed me Pristiq. I asked will it make my tinnitus worse, he simply pulled up his phone and googled the drug's side effects and said "no, it shouldn't cause tinnitus or worsen it." I was like how reassuring is that, an MD googling something that is a very serious issue to me. I decided to not take the drug after researching it on my own.

 

[blamingeverything]

That's pretty much exactly my point, they prescribe them a lot more in America but that is not because they are necessarily safe. You have NPs and GPs that prescribe the drug, but don't really understand the side effects. Sure they have medical degrees so they understand the neurochemistry, but they don't have any hard data from their practice that says drug X causes A, B, & C side effects. I personally know someone who has got tinnitus from Celexa and another one from Wellbutrin.

I went to see my GP when I got tinnitus and was like I think I need some medicine to help with this so he prescribed me Pristiq. I asked will it make my tinnitus worse, he simply pulled up his phone and googled the drug's side effects and said "no, it shouldn't cause tinnitus or worsen it." I was like how reassuring is that, an MD googling something that is a very serious issue to me. I decided to not take the drug after researching it on my own.

The nuance here is how you define safe. SSRIs are prescribed by the millions, ostensibly safely. All medical interventions carry risk, all medicines carry side effects and risks. There aren't any definitive data showing causality between SSRIs and tinnitus that I'm aware of (not that I've looked in depth), but that of course doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

Similar to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and tinnitus - my tinnitus started a week after my flu and 3rd Moderna shot. I'm tempted to link causality, but I also know I have hearing loss sufficient to produce tinnitus, as well as a history of stress, depression, and anxiety. Now, try to untangle that mess and define which part actually caused tinnitus? Impossible, but the most likely culprit is hearing loss and is overwhelmingly supported by research. The vaccine could have pushed me across the threshold, who knows.

 

[Tryn2BHopeful]

The nuance here is how you define safe. SSRIs are prescribed by the millions, ostensibly safely. All medical interventions carry risk, all medicines carry side effects and risks. There aren't any definitive data showing causality between SSRIs and tinnitus that I'm aware of (not that I've looked in depth), but that of course doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

Similar to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and tinnitus - my tinnitus started a week after my flu and 3rd Moderna shot. I'm tempted to link causality, but I also know I have hearing loss sufficient to produce tinnitus, as well as a history of stress, depression, and anxiety. Now, try to untangle that mess and define which part actually caused tinnitus? Impossible, but the most likely culprit is hearing loss and is overwhelmingly supported by research. The vaccine could have pushed me across the threshold, who knows.

There is an amount of information linking antidepressants to tinnitus but, who knows for certain in each individual case. I don't think I am going to change my view on it for myself, however that doesn't change the end result. It seems like tinnitus is affected by so many different things, but is different for everyone. I think one thing we can agree on is we all would rather not do anything that could make the situation any worse so it's important to do your own research.

 

[Ryan Scott]

The nuance here is how you define safe. SSRIs are prescribed by the millions, ostensibly safely. All medical interventions carry risk, all medicines carry side effects and risks. There aren't any definitive data showing causality between SSRIs and tinnitus that I'm aware of (not that I've looked in depth), but that of course doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

Similar to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and tinnitus - my tinnitus started a week after my flu and 3rd Moderna shot. I'm tempted to link causality, but I also know I have hearing loss sufficient to produce tinnitus, as well as a history of stress, depression, and anxiety. Now, try to untangle that mess and define which part actually caused tinnitus? Impossible, but the most likely culprit is hearing loss and is overwhelmingly supported by research. The vaccine could have pushed me across the threshold, who knows.

My grandfather who is an anesthesiologist says the general definition of unsafe in the medical field is any medicine that has a reputation to cause chronic side effects. Medications that cause fatalities when being used as prescribed usually don't even end up in the safe debate, they get pulled from the market. My grandfather also says that GPs should not be treat psychological problems they don't have the training to do so, that's what we have psychiatrists for. This is probably why most internal medicine GPs won't keep switching antidepressant scripts if one doesn't work, they refer you to a psychiatrist at that point.

My grandfather took Celexa after the death of my grandmother but it actually caused him side effects of tinnitus, nightmares, and an extension of his dreams. Therefore he decided to stop the medication and thankfully none of the side effects were chronic.

 

[Utdmad89]

My grandfather who is an anesthesiologist says the general definition of unsafe in the medical field is any medicine that has a reputation to cause chronic side effects. Medications that cause fatalities when being used as prescribed usually don't even end up in the safe debate, they get pulled from the market. My grandfather also says that GPs should not be treat psychological problems they don't have the training to do so, that's what we have psychiatrists for. This is probably why most internal medicine GPs won't keep switching antidepressant scripts if one doesn't work, they refer you to a psychiatrist at that point.

My grandfather took Celexa after the death of my grandmother but it actually caused him side effects of tinnitus, nightmares, and an extension of his dreams. Therefore he decided to stop the medication and thankfully none of the side effects were chronic.

That's not true in the UK. You only see a psychiatrist if it is a serious mental illness like schizophrenia. And GPs try lots of antidepressants/antipsychotics. I've been prescribed over 20 different antidepressants for my OCD/agoraphobia, social anxiety, and none of them worked. Sertraline caused my intermittent tinnitus, which I'm sure is the thing that started the change in my brain so now I have constant tinnitus and visual snow.

 

[kingsfan]

My grandfather who is an anesthesiologist says the general definition of unsafe in the medical field is any medicine that has a reputation to cause chronic side effects. Medications that cause fatalities when being used as prescribed usually don't even end up in the safe debate, they get pulled from the market. My grandfather also says that GPs should not be treat psychological problems they don't have the training to do so, that's what we have psychiatrists for. This is probably why most internal medicine GPs won't keep switching antidepressant scripts if one doesn't work, they refer you to a psychiatrist at that point.

My grandfather took Celexa after the death of my grandmother but it actually caused him side effects of tinnitus, nightmares, and an extension of his dreams. Therefore he decided to stop the medication and thankfully none of the side effects were chronic.

Most people can't afford a psychiatrist. Most don't accept insurance and are hundreds of dollars per session with months long wait lists if they are even taking new patients. At least that's how it is in LA.

 

[Nick47]

That's not true in the UK. You only see a psychiatrist if it is a serious mental illness like schizophrenia. And GPs try lots of antidepressants/antipsychotics. I've been prescribed over 20 different antidepressants for my OCD/agoraphobia, social anxiety, and none of them worked. Sertraline caused my intermittent tinnitus, which I'm sure is the thing that started the change in my brain so now I have constant tinnitus and visual snow.

This is spot on in Britain. GPs tend to prescribe them and, unless you have severe mental illness, you will not get to see a psychiatrist.

I was referred to psychiatry by an ENT, who wrote to my GP. The GP requested a psychiatrist who refused the referral because an "underlying condition is the reason for psychiatric problems."

 

[ECP]

My primary care doctor prescribed duloxetine (Cymbalta) to help me with depression, tinnitus, noxacusis, and the mysterious head-tingling sensations.

That was six weeks ago. I was too scared to take it, but today I caved in and filled the prescription because I'm at my wits' end. I'll be starting with a single 30 mg capsule per day and then increasing to two capsules per day, assuming there are no troubling side effects.

I never, ever wanted to take a prescription antidepressant for this, but I am truly desperate.

 

[ErikaS]

My primary care doctor prescribed duloxetine (Cymbalta) to help me with depression, tinnitus, noxacusis, and the mysterious head-tingling sensations.

That was six weeks ago. I was too scared to take it, but today I caved in and filled the prescription because I'm at my wits' end. I'll be starting with a single 30 mg capsule per day and then increasing to two capsules per day, assuming there are no troubling side effects.

I never, ever wanted to take a prescription antidepressant for this, but I am truly desperate.

You/we all have to do what we need to in order to survive these conditions when there is no direct treatment or cure. We literally have to hang on with what we can until those things become a reality. I'm hoping you will have no adverse side effects, and even more, notable relief.

 

[blamingeverything]

My primary care doctor prescribed duloxetine (Cymbalta) to help me with depression, tinnitus, noxacusis, and the mysterious head-tingling sensations.

That was six weeks ago. I was too scared to take it, but today I caved in and filled the prescription because I'm at my wits' end. I'll be starting with a single 30 mg capsule per day and then increasing to two capsules per day, assuming there are no troubling side effects.

I never, ever wanted to take a prescription antidepressant for this, but I am truly desperate.

I definitely made it a bigger deal than it needed to be, turning down prescriptions for SSRIs several times over the years. Lexapro turned out to be an excellent medication for me and I should have taken it years ago. I feel like a normalized person now.

 

[Tryn2BHopeful]

I definitely made it a bigger deal than it needed to be, turning down prescriptions for SSRIs several times over the years. Lexapro turned out to be an excellent medication for me and I should have taken it years ago. I feel like a normalized person now.

I can agree there is a point where you need to try something. Not taking it and putting yourself through the stress and anxiety can be equally as destructive to yourself and your family. Don't expect immediate results; most of these medications take weeks to start providing benefit. Also, just because one person has a bad experience, doesn't mean you will. I think @blamingeverything vs. myself is a good example of that.

Best of luck.

 

[RunningMan]

My primary care doctor prescribed duloxetine (Cymbalta) to help me with depression, tinnitus, noxacusis, and the mysterious head-tingling sensations.

That was six weeks ago. I was too scared to take it, but today I caved in and filled the prescription because I'm at my wits' end. I'll be starting with a single 30 mg capsule per day and then increasing to two capsules per day, assuming there are no troubling side effects.

I never, ever wanted to take a prescription antidepressant for this, but I am truly desperate.

I know what you mean. I was put on a prescription antidepressant (50 mg Nortriptyline) shortly after tinnitus first hit me at a higher intensity 17 months ago and weaned off over quite a few months hoping I could avoid being on one because I thought I could make it without it along with some side effects and unsure how much it was even helping at 50 mg. I'm still having a lot of anxiety and depression periods lately, so I've been trying 100 mg 5-HTP for 3 1/2 weeks, which I can't say has helped. Nor have any of the other supplements I've tried for anxiety and sleep. And I'm still having a lot of problems sleeping - that's never stopped. I'm afraid I'll have to cave and follow up with my primary care provider also.

I hope the duloxetine really helps you. Let us know how it goes - I know it can take some time.

 

[ECP]

I know what you mean. I was put on a prescription antidepressant (50 mg Nortriptyline) shortly after tinnitus first hit me at a higher intensity 17 months ago and weaned off over quite a few months hoping I could avoid being on one because I thought I could make it without it along with some side effects and unsure how much it was even helping at 50 mg. I'm still having a lot of anxiety and depression periods lately, so I've been trying 100 mg 5-HTP for 3 1/2 weeks, which I can't say has helped. Nor have any of the other supplements I've tried for anxiety and sleep. And I'm still having a lot of problems sleeping - that's never stopped. I'm afraid I'll have to cave and follow up with my primary care provider also.

I hope the duloxetine really helps you. Let us know how it goes - I know it can take some time.

How did you do this week? Any luck finding a combination of supplements or meds that have helped?

I've been on 30 mg of Cymbalta for exactly one week now. It lifted the depression significantly within the first 24 hours and also helped with pain a little bit. However, it might have made my tinnitus louder and more annoying. It's hard to say for sure. We had a heat wave this week, so I had to set up the portable A/C and electric fans. Even though I tried not to sit too close to them, it was still pretty loud inside my apartment, and the constant droning sound may have triggered some reactivity in my ears, in which case Cymbalta would not be the culprit.

We're having some cooler weather now, so I'm curious to see if the tinnitus will settle back down, now that the A/C and fans have been turned off.

As of today, I'm supposed to jump from 30 mg per day to 60 mg per day, but I'm tempted to stay at 30 mg for the duration of the weekend. I'm still getting used to the drowsiness caused by the current dosage.

 

[RunningMan]

How did you do this week? Any luck finding a combination of supplements or meds that have helped?

Due to having been taking Super B Complex, 5-HTP, and Magnesium Glycinate for a few weeks, I have stopping taking all three for 6 days now. So far, I can't see that it has made a difference. 5-HTP increases serotonin over weeks, so I think I need to go a while longer without it to be certain the effects are cleared out of my system. Then I can see if anything changes and how bad it is on my squealing days, before adding it or any meds back.

I've been on 30 mg of Cymbalta for exactly one week now. It lifted the depression significantly within the first 24 hours and also helped with pain a little bit. However, it might have made my tinnitus louder and more annoying. It's hard to say for sure.

Well that's remarkable to have an effect on depression in 24 hours. I read it takes 6 to 8 weeks to take full effect for depression.

As of today, I'm supposed to jump from 30 mg per day to 60 mg per day, but I'm tempted to stay at 30 mg for the duration of the weekend. I'm still getting used to the drowsiness caused by the current dosage.

I think I would be tempted to stick with 30 mg if you feel that it is doing the job for depression, but then I know you were taking it for noxacusis and head tingling. I doubt it will help the tinnitus intensity itself.

 

[blamingeverything]

Well that's remarkable to have an effect on depression in 24 hours. I read it takes 6 to 8 weeks to take full effect for depression.

I'm not sure Lexapro helped me with depression per se in the first 24 hours, but it gives me a noticeable boost immediately after taking it.

As an aside, my tinnitus has been stable at relatively low levels (for me) now for a few weeks. I mentioned a few posts ago on this thread that my tinnitus is taking more of a back seat since starting this medication, and that continues to be the case.

 

[ECP]

So I've been on Cymbalta for almost two weeks now, and while it has helped with the depression, it has changed the nature of the tinnitus in my right ear. It is now musical tinnitus or musical ear syndrome. The left ear still hears regular tinnitus.

Most of the time, the song sounds like it's being played by the horn section of a high school marching band. Other times, it sounds like bagpipes. It's annoying, but it's preferable to ordinary tinnitus because the melody is repetitive and unchanging. I can see myself habituating to this over time, whereas I could never make peace with the constantly changing volumes and tones of regular tinnitus. I also like the fact that the melody in right ear is loud enough to drown out the regular tinnitus in my left ear for the most part.

I'm going to wait another day to see what happens, and then I'll report this to my doctor and see what she says. I'm kind of torn because I really don't mind the musical tinnitus and I'd hate to make it go away if that means having regular tinnitus return to my right ear.