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

[attheedgeofscience]

@Markku I am doing okay this morning. I went to bed last night and slept for 12 hour straight. I woke up a few times with a splitting headache. I also woke up to a new sound. This has been happening since the ringing started. I can say that it has changed tone/pitch/volume every week. There are some moments when it is not there and some moments when it is all I hear. Today is a new sound that I have never heard before. Almost an electric sound. I still have the splitting headache. I am wondering if it is the side effect of stopping Celexa (even after 1 day). I go to a new ENT on Tuesday. I also made an appt. with a psychiatrist in a couple weeks. I don't know what will come of it but I am trying to be proactive.

I am still on the fence about work. I spoke (well cried) to my boss yesterday and she brought up the sick leave. I have about two weeks of vacation packed up and I might take that as well. There is a part of me that things the continual changing of sound means that something is happening. It seems that this condition is mysterious on all fronts. I have never had a high pitched sound in my ears (isn't that supposed to be noise induced). I also find that when I am nervous/anxious both of my ears start ringing. I rub them and they stop. It is a strange phenomenon. The other thing that I have to find is some noise that is perfect for my office. When I work with clients I cannot have distracting sound. For some reason, the acoustics sound strange in my office and any sound amplifies the ringing. When I walk out of my office it is a totally different experience.

I assume the first few months are the ones where we panic and try to run from the sounds. I have started to tell myself to focus on the outside noise. I have to remind myself all the time. I have many ups and downs it seems. I know one thing is for sure, my anxiety feeds into the ringing. I have always been an anxious person (since I was a little girl) and tend to fixate on things. I have gone back and forth for years about taking medication to help take the edge off. I have even talked about it with my boyfriend. Its funny because I have clients who are on medication for depression/anxiety/bipolar/schizophrenia and I find myself asking them objectively about their experience with meds. For some they say it is absolutely needed (schizophrenics take meds to reduce the chatter and bipolar take meds to stabilize their up and down moods).

I have almost equated our experience to that of schizophrenics. At first they are scared of the voices in their heads but they realize it is their brain making the voices. This video link I posted is an amazing TED talk about learning to live with schizophrenia and it makes me think of our situation as well.

Eleanor Longden: The voices in my head | Video on TED.com

I am going to get ready and take a walk in my favorite meadow. It manages to calm me down. I am still more on the side of running away from the sound but I assume over time our habituation is our brains way of accepting the noise. It is a crazy, frightening, courageous, daunting journey.

Thanks for the thoughts.

If I were you, I would insist on a proper (visual) inspection of your ears and eustachian tube when seeing your new ENT. You never know what you might find in there - even if the ENTs thinks everything is fine (I speak from experience). Do you feel equal pressure in your ears when doing the valsalva maneuver?

About your anxiety, I assume it is relatively mild given you are well functioning otherwise (and working in the health care industry). For mild anxiety, I can recommend hypnosis - with a good hypnotist, it will take it away more or less instantly (medication is crap). Again, I speak from experience.

Don't expect much from the psychiatrist. In fact, I (personally) wouldn't even bother. If you need meds, get them from your ENT next week.

Best of luck.

 

[Bhavin]

HI,.. i had taken GROFENAC retard diclofenac sodium 100 mg ...and cortancyl 5 mg and Laroxyl Comprime..and after two days ..My T started.....i m thinking that because of above medications i got T...

 

[Lulubug69]

I was such a mess when the ringing started. I actually went off my Welbutrin, anti depressant.
I am sensitive to these types of drugs to begin with, that I was not willing to try another or continue on the only one I could take. I had decided for myself that the anxiety about it was to my detriment. I couldn't stop focusing on it. That's why I went with an herb. I chose (with the help of my Nurse Practitioner) passionflower. It works like the drug valium. It helped me to calm during the day and get a restful sleep at night. I think the anxiety about this condition starts to consume us if we don't address it. I'd advise a conversation with doctor first about anxiety, then maybe an anti depressant next. I think taking meds right away can make it worse in some people. Adapting to these drugs can be awful.That's why I think anyone that gets diagnosed with T, sees a Tinnitus specialist first.

 

[demi]

I was prescribed Paxil/Paroxetine for my anxiety, but fear it may make tinnitus worse?

 

[gary]

I was prescribed Paxil/Paroxetine for my anxiety, but fear it may make tinnitus worse?

Hi Demi, I just googled Paxil and tinnitus, several sites came up. you might want to google it...

 

[demi]

Hi Demi, I just googled Paxil and tinnitus, several sites came up. you might want to google it...

I am just confused because I have read that -

"While antidepressant medications like Zoloft, Paxil, and Xanax may cause tinnitus symptoms, they are sometimes effective at treating tinnitus symptoms, as well."

 

[gary]

I am just confused because I have read that -

"While antidepressant medications like Zoloft, Paxil, and Xanax may cause tinnitus symptoms, they are sometimes effective at treating tinnitus symptoms, as well."

Demi, I understand. I take Valium and it helps me chill out, it does not bring on T for me or make it worse. My wife takes Paxil & has no tinnitus, but Paxil does help her with anxiety. Truth is, you won't know until is you try it. I am sure your Dr. has told you Paxil may take three weeks or so before you feel a change in anxiety, but I would imagine it would not take long at all, for it to affect your T.

With T it is a hit or miss thing with foods & meds. Some say caffeine bothers or triggers their T, I can have all the caffeine I want and it does not affect my T level at all...

 

[amm12]

Ahh sorry for another post, I'll delete it if I have to. But I just got prescribed Lexapro for my anxiety, and Trazodone for my insomnia. I'm trying to be very careful about what to take as not to make the tinnitus worse. Are these drugs safe? Or known to have negative effects on tinnitus? Is there a list somewhere of ones to avoid? Thanks!

 

[Lynnette]

Hey Amm, I started lexapro 3 month ago for anxiety and depression (and I used klonopin to help me get through the first month of sleeplessness). I really think these medications (antid's) are a toss up if they make T worse or better with people. For me, it hasn't made my T unbearable but it has increased it a bit. It was already pretty loud to begin with. From what I've heard it may decrease in volume over time once my brain settles from the anxiety and depression, but who knows. I've heard of a few people that antid's have really helped them to cope and tune out the T easier as well. I've also heard that upon discontinuing the med the volume may reduce again...I guess I'll see about this in a year or so. I definitely think something to help you sleep is a must right now...lack of sleep is tough on the T and mental state. Everyone is different...my anxiety and depression being reduced to a level that I can cope and live my life is more important to me than my T right now but hopefully I can live without medication in the future!

 

[Magpie]

Here's a list but the Physicians Desk Reference(PDR) is much more accurate:
http://www.tinnitus-audiology.com/drugs.html
http://www.pdr.net/

Remember though it's horses for course and people may respond differently to specific medications. It's important if you feel something is wrong that you contact your doctor

 

[amm12]

Ahh thank you guys, I'll try to read up more about it. Tinnitus is just so unbelievable, especially because all of the information about it is incredibly inconsistent. I'm just baffled, it's like a unbreakable curse.

 

[carol kane]

Ahh sorry for another post, I'll delete it if I have to. But I just got prescribed Lexapro for my anxiety, and Trazodone for my insomnia. I'm trying to be very careful about what to take as not to make the tinnitus worse. Are these drugs safe? Or known to have negative effects on tinnitus? Is there a list somewhere of ones to avoid? Thanks!

I personally would avoid the whole damn lot, NO drugs for me and my T ... au naturel for me is the only way, as most drugs are ototoxic ( so i'm told ) i just can't risk it!!! God help me if and when i need an Antibiotic, because i just won't take it!!! and as for pain killers ... well i suppose it depends on the level of the pain, again, i'll pass on those too!!

 

[amm12]

Man, yeah I wish I could do that. I have major panic and anxiety disorders though, so I gotta find something. As for pain killers, yeah, ever since the tinnitus, I'm just gonna skip out on those and endure it because the ringing demolishes me more than the physical pain

 

[LadyDi]

Hey Carol; while I respect your right to choose and advocate natural remedies, is not true that "most drugs are ototoxic." The lists you see circulating online usually any medication where anyone, ever, has reported ringing of the ears while taking it. First, there is no way to verify the ringing is connected to the drug, And second, these reports can come from a fraction (as in far, far less than one percent) of those taking the prescription.

Yes, some meds cause or exacerbate tinnitus. But most do not. And anyone with major panic or anxiety disorders should not be afraid to look at appropriate short term meds (administered by a psychiatrist, not a general practitioner) for help.

 

[thenightman]

hey guys, so whats the general consensus with Amitriptyline? My ENT prescribed it yesterday and said it would likely reduce the volume of my T. But after skimming this thread it seems like it can also make T worse. What would you guys recommend?

 

[Golly]

@thenightman;

I have generally heard positive things about Amitriptyline. Indeed, I took it myself in low doses (10mg) as a sleep aid years ago. I have discussed it with my doctor as a route to dealing with tinnitus, and he said that he would prescribe. However, his advice, which I have heeded, is that I am better off with Mirtazapine. These are similar drugs in many respects, except that Mirtazapine has fewer negative side effects. One similarity is that they both promote sleep: always a plus when you have tinnitus!

No one knows for sure, but my guess is that any aggravation to your tinnitus that might be caused by Amitriptyline will vanish upon cessation of the drug.

-Golly

 

[thenightman]

thanks for the response. I started it last night, I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

[kenji]

well i don't feel so bad after all ., i currently take abilify , lithium , nuronton , keeps me treading on ...meds work good . at least my T went down to a little t and then a littler +

 

[Street Spirit]

I just read this entire thread, some really good info here. I am searching for an AD, as my depression, H and T is getting worse. Anyways thought I would post here that today at the docs I got a prescription for flexril, or cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant. I am currently tapering off clonazepam and hoping this drug will be better for my tmj muscle spasms and ear spasms from H..anywho,, did a google search to check for T and this drug and stumbled upon several studies of where peoples T was significantly reduced while using this med...thought I would share and will let you know..and also read the other day, how T may be caused by muscle impinging facial nerves. Or something like that...maybe thats why, however I think alot of people know T can also stem from the scm muscle in the neck too, trigger points...anyways I hope it works..clonaz works only o.k and wears off quickly..not great for longterm imo...

 

[Street Spirit]

Also, I am not 100% that clonazepam didn't help contribute to my eye and ear issues, after having tmj for ten years, I find it odd that after being on clonazepam for 3 mths, all these symptoms appeared..H, T worsened and crazy eye spasms, and floaters..though I will never really know...but I will be happy to be off it..and I have read other accounts of people getting H and t from this drug..so anyone thinking of taking it should know..just my personal experience and what I have read, I am tapering in hopes my symptoms will get better somewhat..one can only hope

 

[Jeff M.]

hey guys, so whats the general consensus with Amitriptyline? My ENT prescribed it yesterday and said it would likely reduce the volume of my T. But after skimming this thread it seems like it can also make T worse. What would you guys recommend?

my experience with amitriptyline was a nightmare. Weird nighttime awake/sleep episodes. did not help my T. Just my experience nightman....

 

[Dr. Ancill]

None of these medications treats tinnitus. They are used to treat the secondary consequences such as anxiety, depression and insomnia which themselves will 'amplify' the tinnitus. These antidepressants will often reduce anxiety, improve depression and increase sleep - so they seem to help the tinnitus but they only treat the secondary elements. Sometimes, especially with the serotonin medications, anxiety will increase - thus increasing the perceived level of tiinitus and that medication will be accused of causing or worsening the tinnitus, This is not what is happening - again, the tinnitus is percieved as worse because of a secondary effect. Amitriptyline in low doses is sedating so it will improve sleep but some patients do not tolerate it (see responses above). Flexoril will likely do very little as TMJ spasms are not major cause of tinnitus although increasing muscles tension will make the tinnitus louder, probably by altering blood through to the inner ear. Different individuals will do better on individual treatments but what works for one will not work for all.

 

[Dr. Ancill]

Yes, I have tried and currently take buspar. It had no affect on my tinnitus whatsoever. I'm not convinced it's that great of an anti-anxiety drug though, as it did not seem to touch my panic attacks. It is a non-benzodiazepine drug though, which makes it desirable in that you will not become addicted to it, or suffer withdrawals much when you discontinue it.

Also, it does not work. There is a medical axiom that says -a drug with no side effects is a drug with no front effects either.

 

[George Brady]

O

Anyone tried an anxiety drug called BuSpar be

I. Been on it for a year or so. Works for me takes a month or so to kick in so give time.

Anyone tried an anxiety drug called BuSpar.

 

[marco bugeja]

Before I had T I got vertigo for about a month and I had mwrtazapin for anxiety . 2-3 weeks later balance was coming OK but T kicks in . can the anti anxiety pills be the cause for T ?

 

[Golly]

Before I had T I got vertigo for about a month and I had mwrtazapin for anxiety . 2-3 weeks later balance was coming OK but T kicks in . can the anti anxiety pills be the cause for T ?

@marco bugeja:

I assume you are referring to the antidepressant, Mirtazapine (often called Remeron). If so, know that as far as antidepressants go, this drug appears to have a low side-effect profile and is generally not thought to aggravate tinnitus. Of course it is impossible to be sure, but I expect that the onset of your tinnitus is independent of the Mirtazapine.

-Golly

 

[areilly91]

Hello everyone, I had my first intake appt with a psychiatrist two weeks ago. On Wednesday I will be going in to discuss the best course of treatment for my depression/ anxiety. I have always had problems but since my T kicked in full force in August I am really suffering. I do take klonopin to help keep my panic at bay. I tried doxepin and elavil for depression but it immediately affected my ears. My sleep is terrible, always has been. What do you guys suggest I inquire about as far as a med that will alleviate my anxiety/depression without aggravating my ears? I trust your opinions, thank you!

 

[kevin b]

Has anyone had experience starting up on an SSRI and having it increase your ringing but have it go back to normal after a few days or week?

 

[Street Spirit]

None of these medications treats tinnitus. They are used to treat the secondary consequences such as anxiety, depression and insomnia which themselves will 'amplify' the tinnitus. These antidepressants will often reduce anxiety, improve depression and increase sleep - so they seem to help the tinnitus but they only treat the secondary elements. Sometimes, especially with the serotonin medications, anxiety will increase - thus increasing the perceived level of tiinitus and that medication will be accused of causing or worsening the tinnitus, This is not what is happening - again, the tinnitus is percieved as worse because of a secondary effect. Amitriptyline in low doses is sedating so it will improve sleep but some patients do not tolerate it (see responses above). Flexoril will likely do very little as TMJ spasms are not major cause of tinnitus although increasing muscles tension will make the tinnitus louder, probably by altering blood through to the inner ear. Different individuals will do better on individual treatments but what works for one will not work for all.

http://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/335657

Tinnitus, the phantom perception of sounds, is a highly prevalent disorder. Although a wide variety of drugs have been investigated off label for the treatment of tinnitus, there is no approved pharmacotherapy. We report an open-label exploratory pilot study to assess the effect of muscle relaxants acting on the central nervous system on tinnitus patients. Cyclobenzaprine at high (30 mg) and low doses (10 mg), orphenadrine (100 mg), tizanidine (24 mg) and eperisone (50 mg) were administered to a maximum of 20 patients per group over a 12-week period. High-dose cyclobenzaprine resulted in a significant reduction in the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score between baseline and week 12 in the intention-to-treat sample. On the other hand, other treatments were not effective. These results were confirmed in an explorative analysis where baseline corrected THI and Clinical Global Impression scores at week 12 were compared between groups. The present open trial presents a new promising pharmacotherapy for tinnitus that should be validated in placebo-controlled double-blind trials.

A thread I found as well....https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/cyclobenzaprine-flexeril.525/

 

[Grace]

I was prescribed 10 mg lexapro two years ago way before my t started ( on top of klonopin when needed) and its been a life saver! Ive always had severe panic and anxiety pre T and it helped me and is still helping me with the T. Lexapro made me more calm and happy but it did take about 3 or 4 monthes before i felt the full effect so i tell even my friends who get on it for anixety and depression to give it some months to actually notice a change and it has way less side effects beside any other anti depressant out there is what my doc said and i had none so i reccomend it!