Aripiprazole (Abilify): Case Reports of Diminishing/Lowering Tinnitus

[Mic]

Ok ladies and gents... time to share some interesting insights about a drug called Aripiprazole (aka Abilify) and its effects on our old friend Mr. T.

About a month ago I stumbled upon the tweet below on Twitter that sounded like silence in my ears. Asked right away for more information and got response as shown below.

This was exciting... but as my professors always told me at college: 'One case will never make a big case'. So... I did more research and found similar cases on 3 different forums all describing a positive effect on easing the loud voice of Mr T.:

The big question I now want to ask you all is: Are there more experiences like those described above??

*That being said 2 warnings: There are also sporadic cases in which this drug might have caused Mr T. to scream a little bit more and most important... Never use any $#1T without asking your doctor... ok?

 

[RaZaH]

Interesting.
Obviously.


It is however used to treat schizophrenia... bit scary.

I also wonder if it still works for her.

 

[Ecip]

To date, the neurophysiological model has been used to explain the complexity of tinnitus. However from now on, the tinnitus dopaminergic pathway opens new horizons for ear noises management. Tinnitus perception takes place in prefrontal, primary temporal and temporo-parietal associative areas, as well as the limbic system. Dopaminergic neurotransmitters go through prefrontal, primary temporal, temporo-parietal associative areas and the limbic system. Tinnitus perception and dopaminergic pathway share the same cerebral structures, which control attention, stress, emotions, learning, memory and motivated behavior. Distress of tinnitus emanates from these same cerebral functions. The dopaminergic pathway can be modulated by agonists and antagonists of their receptors and can reduce the perception of tinnitus, such as sulpiride, amisulpride, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, zuclopenthixole and aripiprazole, still under investigation, that together with sound treatment as the Sequential Sound Therapy, and a personal contact with the patient, constitute a tinnitus integral treatment.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15922111

The fact that these sorts of things are published back in 2005, and in 2017 doctors STILL dont know about it (to help people with intrusive T) is... it's... what the hell?

 

[RaZaH]

The fact that these sorts of things are published back in 2005, and in 2017 doctors STILL dont know about it (to help people with intrusive T) is... it's... what the hell?

Maybe because it does not work?

 

[Ecip]

Maybe because it does not work?

Surprisingly it works for quite a few. I'm sure it depends on the T but at least there are drugs that a doctor could Rx to someone in distress.

 

[Frédéric]

I took Aripiprazole (Abilify) 5 mg 1 pill per day during the period May 2015 - June 2015 (2 months) with Sertraline 50 mg 3 pills per day and Amisulpride 100 mg 1 pill per day.
No effect on tinnitus, no side effect.

 

[Pleasure_Paulie]

This is a dopamine antagonist similar to pramipexole which I'm taking currently.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

Some may remember when the American Tinnitus Association (ATA) had a support team, people who you could call. I called one of them about six years ago and he said that Alprazolam if taken within a few months and in many cases after a few years will reduce your tinnitus by 20% within weeks. He said the reason for this is lower stress levels and that stress will keep your T very much active. Plus he mentioned certain aspects about brain functions that no other drug has. Alprazolam won't put you on overload as other drugs in the same class if you just take it for a few months. He said many other drugs are just too powerful. He also said that the reports of Alprazolam reducing by 50% are bogus. He said that he was involved with several clinical trials as an advisor.

 

[jacob21]

@Pleasure_Paulie
Do you find some relief with pramipexole ?

 

[Mic]

Alprazolam won't put you on overload as other drugs in the same class if you just take it for a few months. He said many other drugs are just too powerful. He also said that the reports of Alprazolam reducing by 50% are bogus. He said that he was involved with several clinical trials as an advisor.

This thread is not about Alprazolam (Xanax) but about Aripiprazole (Abilify). There is a huge difference in the mechanism of action between those 2 drugs!

 

[Pleasure_Paulie]

@Pleasure_Paulie
Do you find some relief with pramipexole ?

I'm on a very low dosage, and trying to increase (side effects are harsh for first week, but then nil but tapering slowly) but I think it reduces my annoyance to the tinnitus; not sure it reduces the actual volume.

Drug has some welcome side effects too!

 

[Paul10]

Good find @Mic ! I'm compiling a little list of medication while may/may not effect T, have been since I got here; I'll pick the one to go with eventually!

 

[Greg Sacramento]

It depends on what type of tinnitus that you have for best drug treatment. Would like to know what type of tinnitus and conditions Aripiprazole (Abilify) benefits.

Many who suffer T and H. have medical problems. Finding what those are is important. For example, Somatic T is often caused by dental issues. One drug may be safe and helpful for one knowing what the cause of their T is, while useless or harmful for others.

As I mentioned in my above post about trying to lower stress thru a treatment or drug is important. I went that method 6 years ago for about two months and I adjusted to a 10 level of tinnitus. I took a stress control drug for 2 months, then I stopped researching tinnitus and I had days where my T was still a 10, but I didn't think about it.

Now recently I developed somatic T and H from some dental problems. I have a very high pitch 10 level T and H. The first thing that I will do is to use a tension stress drug and then go from here. I will also address my dental issues, but the cause may have been from the dental noise drill or neck positioning while in the chair. In that case, just addressing my teeth grinding and problems caused from that won't be enough.

 

[Paul10]

Now recently I developed somatic T and H from some dental problems. I have a very high pitch 10 level T and H. The first thing that I will do is to use a tension stress drug and then go from here. I will also address my dental issues, but the cause may have been from the dental noise drill or neck positioning while in the chair. In that case, just addressing my teeth grinding and problems caused from that won't be enough.

Good luck, Greg! What stress medication will you be trying?

 

[Greg Sacramento]

Thanks: We're all trying to be helpful and kind to others even as we suffer from some form of T and maybe H too. Alprazolam worked for me with unbearable subjective T and H six years ago. I hope it works again with new somatic T, along with H. I was able to go into habitation after using Alprazolam low dose. Alprazolam has side issues like addiction and withdrawal problems for some. I was told by an ATA and clinical trial researcher that lived a couple of miles from me that lowering stress first is key and must be addressed along with other medical conditions.

 

[Paul10]

Thanks: We're all trying to be helpful and kind to others even as we suffer from some form of T and maybe H too. Alprazolam worked for me with unbearable subjective T and H six years ago. I hope it works again with new somatic T, along with H. I was able to go into habitation after using Alprazolam low dose. Alprazolam has side issues like addiction and withdrawal problems for some. I was told by an ATA and clinical trial researcher that lived a couple of miles from me that lowering stress first is key and must be addressed along with other medical conditions.

Hope it works again! I have stress issues also and some medication helps me but I try to take it only when I really need it. Long-term stress reduction seems to be the best goal right now!

 

[Greg Sacramento]

I know that I'm getting off the tread again, but this someone relates. This American Tinnitus Association researcher also had clinical trial sponsorship from the ATA. He said that no one is allowed to take part in a clinical trial if they have lots of stress. Because participants don't have stress the positive score values are often too high, meaning that how much improvement the participants really had is often lower. With some trials much lower. He said that no tinnitus article will ready tell this, unless it's a government study. However he said, clinical trials for drugs like Alprazolam for tinnitus welcome stress participants and p scores are more accurate. Even more so, those that use a stress drug independent of other drugs on their own do really often show a 20% to 25% improvement in the way that they accept their tinnitus.

 

[Pleasure_Paulie]

I know that I'm getting off the tread again

There is quite a few threads that discuss Xanax. https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/alprazolam-xanax-is-proven-effective-any-feedback.18959 for example. I would post your info there as it makes it easier for new suffers coming to our forums seeking help with all the information together

 

[Quiet please]

How can one suffer from T and not have stress?

I do modified yoga & deep breathing exercises, but in the end, only Xanax really helps me. I try to keep the dose at a minimum, but its not easy.

 

[Michael Leigh]

How can one suffer from T and not have stress?

It is possible to suffer with tinnitus and not have stress @Quiet please although you do have a point. It all depends on how intrusive the tinnitus is. When one habituates to tinnitus they might hear it and not be bothered by it and do everything that they want to where as before they found the tinnitus to be very debilitating.
Michael.

 

[Quiet please]

@Michael Leigh. Yes, I was speaking just for myself. My personal T story is most definitely related to my stress & cortisol levels. When I feel even the tiniest anxious about anything, the T explodes. When I get the anxiety down, it subsides. It doesn't cause it, just exacerbates it in my case.

 

[Fernando81]

I suffer from T related to anxiety and stress.

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Michael Leigh. Yes, I was speaking just for myself. My personal T story is most definitely related to my stress & cortisol levels. When I feel even the tiniest anxious about anything, the T explodes. When I get the anxiety down, it subsides. It doesn't cause it, just exacerbates it in my case.

I agree with you @Quiet please, considering what you've been through It would be surprising if you didn't feel some stress. However, you're still hanging in there and hopefully this will improve with time and I feel you'll be stronger because of it.
All the best
Michael

 

[Quiet please]

Thank you very much Michael. I'm hanging in there as best as I can. I do see a T specialist in July, & hope he can help.
Best!
Anne

 

[Phil-O]

@Michael Leigh. Yes, I was speaking just for myself. My personal T story is most definitely related to my stress & cortisol levels. When I feel even the tiniest anxious about anything, the T explodes. When I get the anxiety down, it subsides. It doesn't cause it, just exacerbates it in my case.

Hi @Quiet please. Saw this comment the other day somewhere, could have been on here :-
Stress is the main thing that affects tinnitus. Tinnitus is generated in the part of the brain called the Limbic system. The Limbic system controls our emotions: love, hate, fear etc and these all involve STRESS. Stress feeds tinnitus and tinnitus feeds stress. The more stressed we become the louder and more intrusive the tinnitus is. The louder the tinnitus becomes the more stressed we are. It can become a vicious circle.

This is the reason counseling (talk therapy) is so important when some people have loud intrusive tinnitus. Many Hearing Therapists/Audiologists, that counsel tinnitus patients also have tinnitus. They understand how debilitating tinnitus can be and are able to empathize with what a patient is going through. Through counseling a Tinnitus Therapist is able to "take away and demystify" the negative thinking that a patient has about their tinnitus, and thus this lowers their stress and the perception of the tinnitus over time" Best wishes Phil

 

[Ambassador]

Thank you very much Michael. I'm hanging in there as best as I can. I do see a T specialist in July, & hope he can help.
Best!
Anne

Anne,

I see you're in Westchester, I'm in Clifton, northern NJ. I would be interested in who you have found as a tinnitus specialist. I have not had much luck in my area finding a good ENT who really understands tinnitus.

 

[Quiet please]

Ambassador,
When I got my concussion from the car accident, the neurologist recommended this ENT/Tinnitus specialist here in Westchester. She said he is very good. Since I haven't seen him yet , I can't recommend him in good faith. He works for Northern Westchester Hospital @ their Chappaqua Crossings office in Chappaqua,NY. 914 458-8700. Good luck!!

 

[Quiet please]

Hi Phil,
I thank you for your comments and recommendations. Yes, anxiety & the Limbic system are most certainly linked. I realized a long time ago that I needed to bring my automatic stress response levels down. I react immediately and fully to any stressful situation in the worst way.

I have tried talk therapy. Unfortunately, it was with 2 therapists that really didn't understand what I was talking about. They were both sympathetic though. One insisted that drugs were the answer, which made the spiking much worse. The other said I needed the "Mindfulness" approach. Well, that didn't work for me either. I like the idea of finding an audiologist that has T. The one I use has no idea what's it like to suffer with this condition. Maybe when I see this new ENT/T specialist, he will have a recommendation.

 

[Ambassador]

Please let us know how your visit with the ENT goes. Good ones are hard to find.

 

[TuneOut]

Be aware that drugs of this nature, even newer generation ones like Abilify, can potentially cause tardive dyskinesias. These can be permanent.