Benzodiazepines (for Life) as Treatment of Tinnitus? Is It Sustainable?

[light rain]

I don't have anything technical or scientific to add to the thread however I avoid these meds now as much as possible. I had horrible discontinuation syndrome from Zoloft. I find it interesting you mentioned 3days in a post on here because I could go 3 days without taking it and then have to take one. No amount of tapering worked after months of that I had to just deal with it going cold turkey. Lost my appetite completely and too much weight. I am extremely sensitive to meds though. A quarter of a .25 xanax and I could feel that. Same with neurontin. I dumped much of the lowest dose xaosue out and it knocked me out. Although I admit I felt fantastic when I woke up and had a great day. I ended up interacting with a med in the ER for a different condition and started flopping around like a fish. They had to give me iv benedryl to stop it. After that I have decided to just try and deal with these issues. Its not perfect but neither are the meds. A major concern though is if a doctor retires and then you might not have another to fill the script. Also benzos and sleeping pills are being suspected of long term doing more physical harm than mental good. Hard desicions though. I was told before I was flying without a net when I stopped all the meds. I don't believe that.

 

[Pleasure_Paulie]

Can you go into detail of the effects of this drug? My brother takes it for restless leg syndrome and it works for him in that regard. Thinking about inquiring about it with my doctor.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...onist-pramipexole-in-presbycusis-patients.84/

 

[Sen]

I've considered staying on benzodiazepines for the rest of my life. They reduce many of my symptoms and even eliminate a couple. I have a very similar experience to @grate_biff and @linearb in terms of how they help and also dealing with protracted withdrawal.

I've been taking them steadily for 3 years, but over the past 10 months I've reduced my dose by about 4/5ths (cross taper from 1.5mg ativan daily -> 15mg diazepam daily ------slow taper-----> 3mg diazepam daily).

In a month or two I am going to attempt to taper the rest, as I've been holding my current dose since February and it's about time to continue.

After I'm off benzos, I'll have eliminated all drugs from my life apart from caffeine. I want to try living that way for a while (a year or two maybe?) and see if I can manage it before I resort to surrendering.

 

[fhs]

From what I understand your body begins to develop tolerance to benzos. I don't think they were approved by the FDA for long term use.

 

[Makrohn]

@grate_biff

I would really like to get in touch with you.
Being from Norway with near exact same issues as you I find your knowledge and experience very interesting.
Please send me a pm or something... I tried send you one, but perhaps you have blocked that option as I was not "allowed" sending you a pm.

 

[william adams]

I was prescribed one .5 valium at night for neck pain and been on it 1 1/2 years and have no urge to up the dosage. It relaxes all your muscles and sleep much better than without it. I have high pitched T from hearing loss, neck problems and God knows what else my jaw cracks when I chew. If im addicted I dont really care but I will not up the dosage...

 

[JasonP]

I have been a member of this board for over 2 years and this is the first tread I am starting!
This is mostly about me and my situation and what I have come to, but I am sure many can relate.
I really feel that I need some input on this.

After two and a half years of living with this painfully piercing, high pitch grating noise in my right ear(brain) along with debilitating H, it has come down to this! Kill myself, to end the suffering, or start a regime of continuing use of benzo, as to me it is kind of a miracle drug in fighting T and to an extent H.
Still both options scare me.

I´ve tried to avoid it coming down to this by trying hearing aids, noise generators, CBT, meditation/mindfulness, acoustic -neuro -modulation, acupuncture, physical therapy, chiro, and many different drugs including AD´s, glutamate antagonists, dopamine agonists, beta-blockers, anti-histamines, anti psychotics, CBD- oil and just trying to stay busy and involve my mind with different tasks. Everything to no avail, I get no breaks and habituation seems impossible.

Like many other on this forum I have also been researching anti-epileptic drugs as well, I have tons of Keppra and Trobalt next to my bed, but never dared to try it after reading many horror stories regarding their side- effects. I finally landed on Lamotrigine as a possible helpful drug and
I´m currently on it, sadly with no positive effect so far.

The only thing that will alleviate, in fact, at times totally quiet my T and to some extent ease the pain of my H, is benzodiazepines. In my case Diazepam. Only 10 mg will make it livable for 2-5 days. Often the positive effect won´t emerge until the third day after taking it which is surprising and has made me ponder if it is the muscle-relaxant properties of the drug being the reason.
Anybody else experienced this?

So, why is this still a difficult decision?

Well, I´m very sceptic to its sustainability. One will get tolerant to the drug, and it will take up-dosing to sustain its effect over time. The most scary thing is of course the withdrawal symptoms if one has to/tries to renounce. This is nothing new to me though as I´ve been more or less in protracted benzo withdrawal since 2012, thus I´m taking it very sparingly indeed. I´ve been suffering with general anxiety for most of my life and my typical encounter with doctors can best be depicted like this:


Never took it every day though and never at high doses. But over an extended period of time, 18 years.

When it comes to benzo and suppressing T, I think one will have take keep a regular and stable regime in order to keep the GABA levels constantly elevated in order to sustain neural inhibition within the brain.
The mechanism of action is described in this video, I find it very interesting, indeed(many may have seen it already though):


There is a member on this forum that have pursued such a treatment successfully for many years. He/she is supplementing benzo with two different glutamate blockers/modulators because of the brains natural reaction of wanting to counteract inhibitory GABA- with excitatory Glutamate- neurotransmitters. This because the brain wants balance. This mechanism is also what generates T too isn´t it? Filling in the gaps and balancing out for the lack of input. With no regards for its host. Stupid brain

Anyway, the doctor prescribing this is a psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of all disorders of addiction. He should know what he is doing, right? Still this goes against common medical practice. The shortage of research in long term benzo use in treating T is also very limited.

Metaphorically, one needs to activate the brakes and ease off of the gas at the same time, thus suppressing T, in my case, effectively. In theory, this sounds ingenious to me, still I´m questionable to it´s sustainability and long term overall uncertainty.

But considering the other option, the choice should be an easy one!

Maybe me and my doctor simply are not brave enough to pursue this, even though I think he is ready to comply as he sees how I suffer, he is advising against it.

So, in summary, my life is torture where sounds have become my biggest enemy, both T and H wise. And I just can´t go on any longer like this.

If I thought this was purely a phycological problem I wouldn´t have written this. I don´t believe I am a catastrophic thinker. Im quite rational about all of this, I have just been living with severe unbearable pain for so long as many others on this and other forums have. You read about it every day!

I am, of course, aware of all the research going on now that can one day help us all. And this is mainly the reason for hanging on. I just can´t wait for any research to be fruitful. And the waiting game, the if´s and the when´s is in itself troublesome. I´ve reached a point of total physical and mental exhaustion.

Thank you for reading this! It´s not a "happy" tread, but maybe something fruitful can emerge. I know there are a a lot of smart and investigative members on this forum that may add something to this and the kind of treatment I am proposing.

I suggest this tread to be where we can discuss this, share our experiences, comprising what kind of benzo works for you/or not, what dosage will it take to find relief, what kind of relief are you experiencing and for how long etc..
All inputs and sharing of own or anecdotal experiences with benzo as a treatment is appreciated.

My feeling right now is I´m damn if I do, and damned if I don`t, regarding both options, really!
I find it extremely difficult and it is all I have been thinking about the last few months.
I just had to let it out!
Thanks again!

Quick question: Have you tried Neurontin or Gabitril? Also, did you try Depakote? If so, what happened?

 

[grate_biff]

Tried Gabapentin, yes. But very half-harted. Researched it for months and found out is was not worth it.
Also tried Lamotrigine. Titrated up to 200 mg and stayed there for about a week. Did nothing but give me slurred eye-sight, so I weaned off quite quickly.

Benzo withdrawal is such a strong force. It will put your nervous system in high gear and nothing but waiting it out seems to help except for Remeron. Remeron made me relax and enabled me to sleep, but in many ways that kind of scared me thinking it has gabaeric properties, so I am currently weaning off of that now.

I feel a bit better these days, Im happy to say, but I fear everything can turn on its head every moment still, as it has before. But there are signs of recovery for me and my tirade of symptoms.

Actually, today I am suspecting Remeron could have played a part in my T and H, but I am not sure at all.
So many factors at play with me for the last three years and all my symptoms are most likely linked to severe protracted benzo withdrawal.(3-5) years.

If I heal to the extent that I can start live my life again, I´ll be sure to tell my whole story in detail on this forum.

My life still alternates between three different beds in my fathers house, so I´m not there yet!

Probably more info in this reply than you expected, right? Lol!

 

[3ri0w]

Tried Gabapentin, yes. But very half-harted. Researched it for month and found out is was not worth it.
Also tried Lamotrigine. Titrated up to 200 mg and stayed there for about a week. Did nothing but give me slurred eye-sight, so I weaned off quite quickly.

Benzo withdrawal is such a strong force. It will put your nervous system in high gear and nothing but waiting it out seemed to help except for Remeron. Remeron made me relax and enabled me to sleep, but in many ways that kind of scared me, so I am currently weaning off of that now.

I feel a bit better these days, Im happy to say, but I fear everything can turn on its head every moment still, as it has before. But there are signs of recovery for me and my tirade of symptoms.

Actually, today I am suspecting Remeron could have played a part in my T and H, but I am not sure at all.
So many factors at play with me for the last three years and all my symptoms are most likely linked to severe protracted benzo withdrawal.(3-5) years.

If I heal to the extend that I can start live my life again, I´ll be sure to tell my whole story in detail on this forum.

My life still alternates between three different beds in my fathers house, so I´m not there yet!

Probably more info in this reply than you expected, right? Lol!

Ye Remeron can cause H..weird!! I don't know many meds that can cause H

 

[grate_biff]

Ye Remeron can cause H..weird!! I don't know many meds that can cause H

How can you be so sure though?

 

[flobo]

Do you think using benzo something like one week out of 4/5 weeks is something that is doable withing long term issues ?

I mean, benzos also make my T and H disappear fully for a few hours and, so far, i'm using them to take a day off T once in a while, but no more.

 

[3ri0w]

How can you be so sure though?

http://factmed.com/study-MIRTAZAPINE-causing-HYPERACUSIS.php

 

[grate_biff]

Do you think using benzo something like one week out of 4/5 weeks is something that is doable withing long term issues ?

I mean, benzos also make my T and H disappear fully for a few hours and, so far, i'm using them to take a day off T once in a while, but no more.

It´s very hard to answer if there is any protocol to follow that would exclude becoming dependent or reach tolerance.
My advice will be, listen to your body, your relationship towards it, and do not mix benzo and alcohol.

 

[grate_biff]

http://factmed.com/study-MIRTAZAPINE-causing-HYPERACUSIS.php

"Percentage of MIRTAZAPINE patients where HYPERACUSIS is a reported side effect: 0.0854%"

This is what convinced you?

 

[3ri0w]

"Percentage of MIRTAZAPINE patients where HYPERACUSIS is a reported side effect: 0.0854%"

This is what convinced you?

Na I mean I read on different webpages about people talking about mirtazapine and H. But I thought linking them wouldn't have been Scientific enough for you lol

 

[grate_biff]

Na I mean I read on different webpages about people talking about mirtazapine and H. But I thought linking them wouldn't have been Scientific enough for you lol

Well, there certainly was´nt much science in the link you brought forth.
But I´m not refusing there could be a connection between Remeron, T and H.

 

[Pleasure_Paulie]

Just to put this conversation into perspective millions of people take Benzodiazepines on a long term basis or forever for anxiety, epilepsy (they can act as an anti-convulsant) and insomnia among other uses of these medications. If under medication supervision (to monitor for the usual concerns) and they improve your life - what is the problem?

Or to put it into context - say you take Klonopin for the rest of your life, live a rich and fulfilling life with a lovely family and a great job all up until you die.... Now did you die dependant to Benzos? Probably... but who cares..

I'll take the rich and fulfilling life, thanks.

 

[Gin]

I have been a member of this board for over 2 years and this is the first tread I am starting!
This is mostly about me and my situation and what I have come to, but I am sure many can relate.
I really feel that I need some input on this.

After two and a half years of living with this painfully piercing, high pitch grating noise in my right ear(brain) along with debilitating H, it has come down to this! Kill myself, to end the suffering, or start a regime of continuing use of benzo, as to me it is kind of a miracle drug in fighting T and to an extent H.
Still both options scare me.

I´ve tried to avoid it coming down to this by trying hearing aids, noise generators, CBT, meditation/mindfulness, acoustic -neuro -modulation, acupuncture, physical therapy, chiro, and many different drugs including AD´s, glutamate antagonists, dopamine agonists, beta-blockers, anti-histamines, anti psychotics, CBD- oil and just trying to stay busy and involve my mind with different tasks. Everything to no avail, I get no breaks and habituation seems impossible.

Like many other on this forum I have also been researching anti-epileptic drugs as well, I have tons of Keppra and Trobalt next to my bed, but never dared to try it after reading many horror stories regarding their side- effects. I finally landed on Lamotrigine as a possible helpful drug and
I´m currently on it, sadly with no positive effect so far.

The only thing that will alleviate, in fact, at times totally quiet my T and to some extent ease the pain of my H, is benzodiazepines. In my case Diazepam. Only 10 mg will make it livable for 2-5 days. Often the positive effect won´t emerge until the third day after taking it which is surprising and has made me ponder if it is the muscle-relaxant properties of the drug being the reason.
Anybody else experienced this?

So, why is this still a difficult decision?

Well, I´m very sceptic to its sustainability. One will get tolerant to the drug, and it will take up-dosing to sustain its effect over time. The most scary thing is of course the withdrawal symptoms if one has to/tries to renounce. This is nothing new to me though as I´ve been more or less in protracted benzo withdrawal since 2012, thus I´m taking it very sparingly indeed. I´ve been suffering with general anxiety for most of my life and my typical encounter with doctors can best be depicted like this:


Never took it every day though and never at high doses. But over an extended period of time, 18 years.

When it comes to benzo and suppressing T, I think one will have take keep a regular and stable regime in order to keep the GABA levels constantly elevated in order to sustain neural inhibition within the brain.
The mechanism of action is described in this video, I find it very interesting, indeed(many may have seen it already though):


There is a member on this forum that have pursued such a treatment successfully for many years. He/she is supplementing benzo with two different glutamate blockers/modulators because of the brains natural reaction of wanting to counteract inhibitory GABA- with excitatory Glutamate- neurotransmitters. This because the brain wants balance. This mechanism is also what generates T too isn´t it? Filling in the gaps and balancing out for the lack of input. With no regards for its host. Stupid brain

Anyway, the doctor prescribing this is a psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of all disorders of addiction. He should know what he is doing, right? Still this goes against common medical practice. The shortage of research in long term benzo use in treating T is also very limited.

Metaphorically, one needs to activate the brakes and ease off of the gas at the same time, thus suppressing T, in my case, effectively. In theory, this sounds ingenious to me, still I´m questionable to it´s sustainability and long term overall uncertainty.

But considering the other option, the choice should be an easy one!

Maybe me and my doctor simply are not brave enough to pursue this, even though I think he is ready to comply as he sees how I suffer, he is advising against it.

So, in summary, my life is torture where sounds have become my biggest enemy, both T and H wise. And I just can´t go on any longer like this.

If I thought this was purely a phycological problem I wouldn´t have written this. I don´t believe I am a catastrophic thinker. Im quite rational about all of this, I have just been living with severe unbearable pain for so long as many others on this and other forums have. You read about it every day!

I am, of course, aware of all the research going on now that can one day help us all. And this is mainly the reason for hanging on. I just can´t wait for any research to be fruitful. And the waiting game, the if´s and the when´s is in itself troublesome. I´ve reached a point of total physical and mental exhaustion.

Thank you for reading this! It´s not a "happy" tread, but maybe something fruitful can emerge. I know there are a a lot of smart and investigative members on this forum that may add something to this and the kind of treatment I am proposing.

I suggest this tread to be where we can discuss this, share our experiences, comprising what kind of benzo works for you/or not, what dosage will it take to find relief, what kind of relief are you experiencing and for how long etc..
All inputs and sharing of own or anecdotal experiences with benzo as a treatment is appreciated.

My feeling right now is I´m damn if I do, and damned if I don`t, regarding both options, really!
I find it extremely difficult and it is all I have been thinking about the last few months.
I just had to let it out!
Thanks again!

I feel the same way. I have meniere's. And have found that valium or xanax helps. Years ago, I took benzos for anxiety for about 8 years. Getting off of them took forever. And I am scared to start using them again to control my episodes. But dramamine and xanax really knocks my attacks out. I voiced my concerns to my neurologist and he tried to reassure me that I should not feel guilty about having to take them. Especially since it works. Still I have concerns. Don't feel alone in this. I am sure many of us having these concerns. Take care and know you aren't alone

 

[grate_biff]

I've considered staying on benzodiazepines for the rest of my life. They reduce many of my symptoms and even eliminate a couple. I have a very similar experience to @grate_biff and @linearb in terms of how they help and also dealing with protracted withdrawal.

I've been taking them steadily for 3 years, but over the past 10 months I've reduced my dose by about 4/5ths (cross taper from 1.5mg ativan daily -> 15mg diazepam daily ------slow taper-----> 3mg diazepam daily).

In a month or two I am going to attempt to taper the rest, as I've been holding my current dose since February and it's about time to continue.

After I'm off benzos, I'll have eliminated all drugs from my life apart from caffeine. I want to try living that way for a while (a year or two maybe?) and see if I can manage it before I resort to surrendering.

How do you feel now...?