Ativan (Lorazepam) Is Saving Me Right Now (It Makes My Tinnitus 80-90% Better), and Tapering It Scares Me

[ChrisZ]

Hey all,

I've been trying to start discussions in Facebook groups about this, but it seems like this is where all the cool tinnitus kids hang out, lol!

I developed tinnitus in my left ear sometime in October 2024 following surgery, likely due to one of the medications they prescribed. They had me on beta blockers to aid in my recovery. Initially, it was manageable, but it ramped up over the course of the month. It got so bad that I ended up in the ER on suicide watch. It was just so loud!

The cardiology team decided to take me off the beta blockers, and I agreed it was probably time to stop them anyway. Since there is no real treatment for tinnitus, they conducted a mental health evaluation and sent me home with a prescription for Ativan. Their hope was that reducing my anxiety might help me cope with the tinnitus.

I took my first dose before bed and woke up the next morning with almost no ringing, about a 90 percent reduction from what I had been experiencing. I was instructed to take 1 mg doses "as needed," but within a few weeks, I settled into a self-prescribed schedule: one dose upon waking, one midday, and one before bed, for a total of 3 mg daily.

The Ativan is not a perfect solution, but it has consistently made my tinnitus about 80 to 90 percent better. Stress definitely seems to make it worse, but on great days, it is like the tinnitus is not even there at all.

[UR='][URL]https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10672175/#:~:text=Benzodiazepines%20potentiate%20the%20inhibition%20caused,%2Dmediated%20inhibition%20%5B6%5D']Here's[/URL] my problem[/URL].

Ultimately, the ER doctor, likely in an effort to get me to calm down and leave, stumbled upon what seems to be a "fix" for my tinnitus. This only works for certain types of tinnitus where GABA levels are the primary cause of the overactivity that leads to the ringing. Given how effective Ativan has been for me, it is likely that this is what is happening in my case.

That said, as the article above points out, there are significant issues with using this as a "treatment":

• Reduced neuroplasticity, which is necessary for the brain to habituate to tinnitus, potentially delaying habituation
• Dependence (I just passed the four-week mark, but honestly, I have no intention of tapering yet)
• The eventual need to taper, which might cause new or worse tinnitus

And, of course, there are other risks as well.

My psychiatrist tried to put my mind at ease, saying something along the lines of, "Look, you're not abusing them, and I've known people who have taken these for their entire lives for various conditions. As long as you keep the dosage small, the effectiveness shouldn't decrease, and you should be fine taking them for as long as you need to."

Anyway, I just wanted to hear from others who have been on Ativan or similar benzodiazepines specifically for tinnitus. How long were you on them? Are you still taking them? If you tapered, how did that process go?

 

[delta784]

@ChrisZ, let me know when you find the answer.

 

[Nick47]

@ChrisZ, It's good to hear you've found some relief. GABA acts as a brake and can help disrupt the tinnitus signals. Medications like clonazepam, alprazolam, and oxazepam can also have this effect, though diazepam doesn't seem to work as well.

As you mentioned, there can be issues with these medications, and the dose you're on is moderately high.

Some people do well on these medications for many years, while others don't. It's a mixed bag.

You might consider splitting the dose and taking it twice a day.

 

[BuzzyBee]

My psychiatrist tried to put my mind at ease, saying something along the lines of, "Look, you're not abusing them, and I've known people who have taken these for their entire lives for various conditions. As long as you keep the dosage small, the effectiveness shouldn't decrease, and you should be fine taking them for as long as you need to."

Anyway, I just wanted to hear from others who have been on Ativan or similar benzodiazepines specifically for tinnitus. How long were you on them? Are you still taking them? If you tapered, how did that process go?

That's great! We really need to let go of the stigma surrounding benzodiazepines because they can be lifesaving for people with tinnitus. While we're all hoping for future medications that don't carry the same risk of addiction, for now, this is what we have.

You should be able to manage with very low doses. Many people take them for decades safely and responsibly.

Anyway, I'm just glad you've found some relief.

 

[wes045]

@ChrisZ and @BuzzyBee, hi to both of you,

I'm currently on Alprazolam and have been for about five years now, on and off. The "on and off" part is mostly because I worry about the government cracking down on benzodiazepines, similar to what has happened with opioids. I understand why, since they were being handed out like movie tickets for a while, but it still concerns me. As a result, I deal with withdrawal symptoms when I take breaks.

I tend to take it for two weeks and then stop for two weeks, which leads to terrible insomnia during the off weeks. Or maybe it is the tinnitus causing the insomnia? Or both? Thinking about it, I already had insomnia long before starting Alprazolam, so it is hard to say.

I do not know. I have never been someone who would self-harm, but after almost 16 years of this, I can understand how much more of it could push someone over the edge. That seems to be a recurring sentiment in this forum.

Apologies for jumping into your discussion. It is 3 AM, and I am wide awake, trying earbuds and pink noise, but it is not helping much.

 

[BuzzyBee]

@ChrisZ and @BuzzyBee, hi to both of you,

I'm currently on Alprazolam and have been for about five years now, on and off. The "on and off" part is mostly because I worry about the government cracking down on benzodiazepines, similar to what has happened with opioids. I understand why, since they were being handed out like movie tickets for a while, but it still concerns me. As a result, I deal with withdrawal symptoms when I take breaks.

I tend to take it for two weeks and then stop for two weeks, which leads to terrible insomnia during the off weeks. Or maybe it is the tinnitus causing the insomnia? Or both? Thinking about it, I already had insomnia long before starting Alprazolam, so it is hard to say.

I do not know. I have never been someone who would self-harm, but after almost 16 years of this, I can understand how much more of it could push someone over the edge. That seems to be a recurring sentiment in this forum.

Apologies for jumping into your discussion. It is 3 AM, and I am wide awake, trying earbuds and pink noise, but it is not helping much.

Sorry for the slow response, Wes. I'm just seeing this now. I hope you are having some better days now. Just curious: do you find your tinnitus worse after a night of insomnia? For some reason, mine doesn't seem to be affected by sleep. I can have a terrible night and a great day or a great night's sleep followed by a horrible spike day (like today).

Also, I'm sorry for posting a quote and then a separate post. I'm still trying to get used to the new format here.

 

[RocketJSquirrel]

do you find your tinnitus worse after a night of insomnia? For some reason, mine doesn't seem to be affected by sleep. I can have a terrible night and a great day or a great night's sleep followed by a horrible spike day (like today).

My tinnitus is unaffected by sleep. It is constant—no great days or spike days, regardless of how much sleep I get. It is just always there. I am a lifelong insomniac, but I do occasionally have nights of good sleep.

 

[ChrisZ]

That's great! We really need to let go of the stigma surrounding benzodiazepines because they can be lifesaving for people with tinnitus. While we're all hoping for future medications that don't carry the same risk of addiction, for now, this is what we have.

You should be able to manage with very low doses. Many people take them for decades safely and responsibly.

Anyway, I'm just glad you've found some relief.

Thanks, me too. I'm absolutely terrified they might take this relief away from me before I'm ready. I'm so frustrated right now. I'm trying not to think about it, but that just makes me think about it even more. Lol.

@ChrisZ and @BuzzyBee, hi to both of you,

I'm currently on Alprazolam and have been for about five years now, on and off. The "on and off" part is mostly because I worry about the government cracking down on benzodiazepines, similar to what has happened with opioids. I understand why, since they were being handed out like movie tickets for a while, but it still concerns me. As a result, I deal with withdrawal symptoms when I take breaks.

I tend to take it for two weeks and then stop for two weeks, which leads to terrible insomnia during the off weeks. Or maybe it is the tinnitus causing the insomnia? Or both? Thinking about it, I already had insomnia long before starting Alprazolam, so it is hard to say.

I do not know. I have never been someone who would self-harm, but after almost 16 years of this, I can understand how much more of it could push someone over the edge. That seems to be a recurring sentiment in this forum.

Apologies for jumping into your discussion. It is 3 AM, and I am wide awake, trying earbuds and pink noise, but it is not helping much.

Your input in this discussion is very much appreciated. I'm trying to put together a plan that allows me to stay on the benzodiazepines for now while we work on finding better solutions. The "break" idea you're trying might be something my doctors would consider. I'm definitely not ready for the long dirt nap just yet.

 

[delta784]

Thanks, me too. I'm absolutely terrified they might take this relief away from me before I'm ready. I'm so frustrated right now. I'm trying not to think about it, but that just makes me think about it even more. Lol.

Your input in this discussion is very much appreciated. I'm trying to put together a plan that allows me to stay on the benzodiazepines for now while we work on finding better solutions. The "break" idea you're trying might be something my doctors would consider. I'm definitely not ready for the long dirt nap just yet.

How long have you been using it, and what's the dosage?

 

[CJH]

I am really interested in this topic too. I developed tinnitus three years ago, and mine is very piercing and high-pitched, like grinding glass or screeching train wheels. It feels like it chisels through my brain, similar to cicadas on overdrive. I can feel it as well as hear it, and it is excruciating. I find it incredibly difficult to cope or concentrate on anything. I have a house full of books, but I cannot read a single one anymore. I might have to give up my job soon because it requires reading, concentration, and quick decision-making. Most days, when it is this bad, I just cannot manage any of that without an enormous struggle.

From the beginning, I have been on a mix of Benzodiazepines because I had terrible panic attacks during the first few months. If only I had known back then how mild it was compared to now (though I am glad I did not). Initially, Lorazepam was incredibly effective at calming both the noise and my anxiety, as well as helping me sleep. Honestly, I think it saved my life. I still take it, but I try not to use it every day so it retains some effectiveness. Unfortunately, I have built a tolerance to it, and now it takes double the dose it used to. I started on 1 mg, but now I need 2 or 3 mg to achieve the same effect. I suppose that is to be expected.

My GP has been very understanding, so I have been allowed to alternate between medications to avoid developing tolerance too quickly. For sleep, I rotate between Zopiclone, Clonazepam, Lorazepam, Temazepam, and Triazolam. To clarify, I do not take them all at once. The idea is that by switching between them, I will not become tolerant to any one of them as quickly. I realize this might shock some people. Occasionally, I also use Antihistamines, such as Unisom or Promethazine, about once a week for sleep. I have tried THC oil, but it no longer seems to have any effect.

For me, Lorazepam has been the most effective at calming the noise, while Triazolam has been the best for sleep. Unfortunately, Triazolam has been discontinued in the country where I live, and my supply will soon run out. I am seriously upset about this, but there is nothing I can do. Zopiclone, I am starting to believe, actually makes my tinnitus worse, and I only get about four hours of sleep from it.

In response to your question, I plan to stick with Lorazepam for as long as it works and as long as my GP allows it. It is possible that Benzodiazepines have made my tinnitus worse—I am not sure—but on the other hand, I would have gotten no sleep without them. Both my GP and the psychotherapist I see agree that if the drugs help with this awful condition, it is better to get sleep than to try to push through without it. After all, there is only so long anyone can go without sleep.

For now, I am continuing with the medications and hoping they remain effective for as long as possible. I am aware that I am dependent on them, but I simply cannot function without sleep, and I need some kind of escape from this atrocious sound.

Wishing you all the very best. Feel free to ask me anything if it helps.