MemberNot always, if you have overwhelming anxiety on top of your tinnitus and you don't respond to antidepressants they can be very helpful even in the long run.
Clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril)
- Thread starter erik
- Start date
Possibly. In my opinion you will have to learn to deal with anxiety and not mask it with drugs.
At some point you will have to stop and then what?
At some point you will have to stop and then what?
It can calm your nervous system until you can cope better with your tinnitus or your other problems and taper, or you keep taking them depending on your age, everyone has to decide for himself.
For me taking prednisolone was the worst decision after my initial onset , I couldn't walk for a week due to pain in my joints and slept maybe 1 hour a night.
The Xanax I tried in the beginning quieted my tinnitus to a 1/10 so I guess everyone is different.
- Jan 25, 2013
- 3,576
- Tinnitus Since
- 2008
- Cause of Tinnitus
- TMJ disorder, airplane barotrauma, noise exposure.
Yeah, everyone might react a little different, even though we are all humans. I don't react well to AD's while some people tolerate them well. Some people are smokers and others find smoking offensive, especially the smell. So it's hard to judge another person's reactions compared to your own.
- Jan 25, 2013
- 3,576
- Tinnitus Since
- 2008
- Cause of Tinnitus
- TMJ disorder, airplane barotrauma, noise exposure.
My noise went away one time for about 2 days after taking methylprednisolone. I have one refill left. I know it's hard on your adrenal glands.
- Aug 21, 2014
- 5,049
- Tinnitus Since
- 1999
- Cause of Tinnitus
- karma
I agree with you in general but some people take benzos for decades and decades; I've known a few of them, and I may end up being one of them if Neuromod doesn't figure their shit out
- May 7, 2015
- 1,050
- Tinnitus Since
- 29.09/2014
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Acoustic trauma using headphones
Will it suppress tinnitus for decades and decades though?I agree with you in general but some people take benzos for decades and decades; I've known a few of them, and I may end up being one of them if Neuromod doesn't figure their shit out
I seriously doubt it!
- Aug 21, 2014
- 5,049
- Tinnitus Since
- 1999
- Cause of Tinnitus
- karma
Good question, I'll have to get back to you on that
It worked fine for the 6 years I took it from ~1999-2005 without any loss of efficiency, and my reasons for stopping didn't have anything to do with it "not working" anymore. My sister has been on it for 15-20 years without having to increase her dose, so there's some genetic reasons to hope maybe I have decent genes for long term metabolism... but I won't know until I know, and yes that scares me.
It's nothing like a total cure. It seems to remove some of the physicality from my tinnitus, and also deals with some of my comorbid issues. I do not like being on it but am forced to admit that so far, after 6 months, inwardly and outwardly my life is a lot more focused and I am more able to fixate on my family and the things I enjoy. That was after ~3 years of PRN use where I mostly noticed that my "good, happy" days coincided almost exclusively with using a benzo -- that followed a 4 year period of total abstinence from benzos and psych drugs to see if my brain would recalibrate. It did, to some extent, but not enough...
I doubt if Klonopin would "work" for most people like it does for me; I have a long history with this drug and I think my brain warped around it. Best advice is don't start, but it seems to be a positive for me at the moment. If I have to get back off, well, I've done it twice so I know what that's like too (a crappy year and a half, more or less).
I know at least 5 people who are or have been on the benzo route for different issues, one is on them for 20 years or more without problems. The others got off them with a steady taper.Good question, I'll have to get back to you on that
It worked fine for the 6 years I took it from ~1999-2005 without any loss of efficiency, and my reasons for stopping didn't have anything to do with it "not working" anymore. My sister has been on it for 15-20 years without having to increase her dose, so there's some genetic reasons to hope maybe I have decent genes for long term metabolism... but I won't know until I know, and yes that scares me.
It's nothing like a total cure. It seems to remove some of the physicality from my tinnitus, and also deals with some of my comorbid issues. I do not like being on it but am forced to admit that so far, after 6 months, inwardly and outwardly my life is a lot more focused and I am more able to fixate on my family and the things I enjoy. That was after ~3 years of PRN use where I mostly noticed that my "good, happy" days coincided almost exclusively with using a benzo -- that followed a 4 year period of total abstinence from benzos and psych drugs to see if my brain would recalibrate. It did, to some extent, but not enough...
I doubt if Klonopin would "work" for most people like it does for me; I have a long history with this drug and I think my brain warped around it. Best advice is don't start, but it seems to be a positive for me at the moment. If I have to get back off, well, I've done it twice so I know what that's like too (a crappy year and a half, more or less).
I don't think it has to do with genetics, most people do just fine on benzos, they are just not on here or anywhere else on a board because, well, because their med is working.
Since I've been struggling with tinnitus I've been to doctors a lot, this one finally prescribed me Clonazepam and I have to say it relieved my tinnitus quite a bit... It has been almost a year since I've taken it because I ran out and I cannot get it again, no doctors where I live now will prescribe it to me, but I think I was gaining up tolerance or my tinnitus just got so loud that it was barely having any effect anymore but still, if you are like I was, desperate, the relief of Clonazepam can be a Godsend.
I don't understand the people that try to scare others from trying Clonazepam.
That is because it is no candy. Quite addictive and tapering off seems to be hard. At least that is what I have heard. I have it at home but not tried it yet.
Yeah I understand that and I myself was reluctant to start it.
It was only after my family talked to me that I decided to, and I don't regret it...
I came off it quite easily... My tinnitus has been becoming worse but I can't say it was ever linked to the tapering off Clonazepam...
I didn't feel addicted. It felt great when I took it because I knew I'd get some tinnitus relief. When I decided not to take it, I didn't get tinnitus relief...
Some days I still wish I had access to it... maybe I wouldn't be down such a depressing path, most days I'm just lost not knowing what to do, this permanent torment is just awful... I do not wish tinnitus this loud to anyone, not even my enemies.
Elliott.S
Member
- Jan 9, 2017
- 94
- Tinnitus Since
- 2006
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Music practice - Attending loud concerts
@Emanuel Lourenco
I'm with you. Tinnitus has become extremely intrusive and sound reactive. I have 4 different frequencies and two of them I can't mask them at all.
Yet, I'm pretty confident the upcoming years will bring us new forms of relief (Lenire, etc.)
Regarding Rivotril/Clonazepam, it definitely can bring relief to the loudest tinnitus. It DOES work.
I don't even want to talk about how "hard" it may be to quit it on the long run, because when you're suffering so much that nothing can bring relief, you don't give a damn about how hard it may be to quit the only thing that help you survive.
I'm using Rivotril myself. I've been on 0.3 everyday for 2 years and now, it doesn't have much effect anymore because my tinnitus has become louder and my body is used to the molecule. So some days, I use 0.6 to 0.7 and I certainly can hear the difference. The relief may not last, but the 2 hours of calm in my head, I take them.
I'm with you. Tinnitus has become extremely intrusive and sound reactive. I have 4 different frequencies and two of them I can't mask them at all.
Yet, I'm pretty confident the upcoming years will bring us new forms of relief (Lenire, etc.)
Regarding Rivotril/Clonazepam, it definitely can bring relief to the loudest tinnitus. It DOES work.
I don't even want to talk about how "hard" it may be to quit it on the long run, because when you're suffering so much that nothing can bring relief, you don't give a damn about how hard it may be to quit the only thing that help you survive.
I'm using Rivotril myself. I've been on 0.3 everyday for 2 years and now, it doesn't have much effect anymore because my tinnitus has become louder and my body is used to the molecule. So some days, I use 0.6 to 0.7 and I certainly can hear the difference. The relief may not last, but the 2 hours of calm in my head, I take them.
I don't know where you live but why don't you go to a psychiatrist and explain your situation and let him prescribe you clonazepam to take as needed, or are benzos illegal in your country?
I'm not sure, I have been to GPs multiple times begging for it because I am really struggling but they refuse to give it to me saying it's a "very dangerous" drug that doesn't even help with tinnitus, but the thing is I know it does because I have used it before...
I think that's why you should ask a psychiatrist I think but I don't know the rules in your country. Over here it is the opposite, 1 in 5 is on benzos and after the age of 75 it's even 1 in 3 people.
Tinnitus since 1981. It's pure hell but I used to take Clonazepam a lot to try to relieve the tinnitus. It can be addictive of course. My doctor said if I take it, you will more than likely need to take it for the rest of your life. Hard to get off it and be normal. So I take it only occasionally when the tinnitus is super loud.
GLJ
Member
- Mar 16, 2019
- 14
- Tinnitus Since
- 01/1983
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Hearing Loss fr Head injury/T in the 10,000hz-12000hz range
Hi Dan - I totally understand and sorry your feeling frustrated!
Hope you get some relief as I have from clonazepam.
I recently added gabapentin in hopes to lower my tinnitus - it was great for a month or so for sleep (didn't lower the tinnitus but then I started getting dizzy spells and brain fog and there was no way I was going to up the dose after only a month - so this past week I have been off gabapentin since Tuesday and there is no withdraws BUT my tinnitus is off the charts!!!! and clonazepam is not helping at all! I won't increase that one either! Been taking 0.5mg for 14 years and I can stop it for days with out much trouble.
So all this is to say that I have recently found Taurine to be a great relief and makes my tinnitus calmer - doesn't last very long - a few hours but tinnitus that is a little lower/calmer can feel like GREAT, even if only for a few hours!
Hope you get some relief as I have from clonazepam.
I recently added gabapentin in hopes to lower my tinnitus - it was great for a month or so for sleep (didn't lower the tinnitus but then I started getting dizzy spells and brain fog and there was no way I was going to up the dose after only a month - so this past week I have been off gabapentin since Tuesday and there is no withdraws BUT my tinnitus is off the charts!!!! and clonazepam is not helping at all! I won't increase that one either! Been taking 0.5mg for 14 years and I can stop it for days with out much trouble.
So all this is to say that I have recently found Taurine to be a great relief and makes my tinnitus calmer - doesn't last very long - a few hours but tinnitus that is a little lower/calmer can feel like GREAT, even if only for a few hours!
I have never taken taurine. I have read a lo about different supplements/vitamins and all that jazz but MOST don't do anything. I have been prescribed gabapentin by a neurotologist a long time ago, I took it and got the same results you did. I have even taken 3 Tylenol at times when I can't sleep and it calms me down and sometimes i sleep better. Sometimes I don't. Lately my tinnitus has been very bad. Very loud and say 3 or 4 different sounds at once and I have a very loud kid (4 years old) who makes a lot of noise! Not easy to tell him to quiet down. I move to a different room and just put a masking (water, air, etc.) CD in my CD player but that doesn't help much either. I wish to God they find something to quiet these damn noises!! Really!! I might be dead before they find a cure. All this money they get from donors from the government etc and no results after 35+ years!!
- Jun 26, 2014
- 2,264
- Tinnitus Since
- 11/2013
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Drugs barotrauma
I think I need to go get some drugs, I've now lost my mind. I've had tinnitus for almost 6 years. I learned to sleep with it no problem up until last year when I had to have a MRI, lousy hearing protection and 120 dB banging for 30 minutes has now made my tinnitus completely unbearable. I thought I hit rock bottom 5 years ago and was learning to function with my previous tinnitus, this is a new low. I can't get control of my heart, getting palpitations, severe bouts of anxiety with many nights only 10 min at a time sleep, my head is blasting to the point that I'm in disbelief and I'm starting to loose my mind, I barely making it though the days. I've fought harder than I have ever fought in my life and It's wearing on me, I can't do this forever. I've tried working out to the point of pure exhaustion, sometimes 90 minute cardio sessions in a attempt to burn the stress off, long walks, trying to meditate like I did the first time I had tinnitus, none of it works. I can be outside walking my dog through beautiful areas and I'm freaking out inside, having a nervous breakdown- head pressurized, screeching noises blasting all over my brain.
I was on benzos and ADs after the first tinnitus to come off them and start to get my life in order, only to step into that MRI machine and now endure never ending hell 24/7. I'm experiencing severe PTSD, nightmares of that machine, sweating, feeling like I'm having a heart attack in and off all day and night. Sleep for 10 minutes, wake to screaming in my brain with massive jolts of adrenaline, I do this repeatedly all night. It's not the no sleep, it's the no sleep laying there tortured with screaming so loud in my brain that it's painful, I get to a point where I can't take it and then the nervous breakdowns, lying there begging God or whoever is listening to help sleep and escape or kill me. I can't believe this is all happening. I was such a normal person prior to tinnitus, never had anxiety, great career, amazing girlfriend etc etc. I'm not me anymore, I'm so lost it's unreal, can't work, put on so much weight, look like shit.
I hate drugs, I hate doctors, but have no choice but to take their poison, I'm so desperate, I wish there were some real solutions.
Any suggestions? I was on Effexor last time, maybe I'll skip this, seemed to amp me up, I need to sleep. Please let me know what you think. Thanks.
Also, I'm worried that the drugging effect wears off and I just take it so I don't withdrawal. Any way to keep the effect, or everything poops out after a couple of weeks?
I was on benzos and ADs after the first tinnitus to come off them and start to get my life in order, only to step into that MRI machine and now endure never ending hell 24/7. I'm experiencing severe PTSD, nightmares of that machine, sweating, feeling like I'm having a heart attack in and off all day and night. Sleep for 10 minutes, wake to screaming in my brain with massive jolts of adrenaline, I do this repeatedly all night. It's not the no sleep, it's the no sleep laying there tortured with screaming so loud in my brain that it's painful, I get to a point where I can't take it and then the nervous breakdowns, lying there begging God or whoever is listening to help sleep and escape or kill me. I can't believe this is all happening. I was such a normal person prior to tinnitus, never had anxiety, great career, amazing girlfriend etc etc. I'm not me anymore, I'm so lost it's unreal, can't work, put on so much weight, look like shit.
I hate drugs, I hate doctors, but have no choice but to take their poison, I'm so desperate, I wish there were some real solutions.
Any suggestions? I was on Effexor last time, maybe I'll skip this, seemed to amp me up, I need to sleep. Please let me know what you think. Thanks.
Also, I'm worried that the drugging effect wears off and I just take it so I don't withdrawal. Any way to keep the effect, or everything poops out after a couple of weeks?
Telis, I'm sorry you're still really struggling. I think where you are, cannabis is legal? I have no idea if this would help with sleep so maybe others like @linearb who seem to be one of the more knowledgeable members on this could share input? There's so many strains and such, that it's overwhelming to even know where to start, plus if you have one to three bad experience it turns people off to try again, especially with waste and cost of ineffective products. Have you tried this route?
I tried to PM you the other day to talk, but it's blocked. I'd appreciate it. Thx
GLJ
Member
- Mar 16, 2019
- 14
- Tinnitus Since
- 01/1983
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Hearing Loss fr Head injury/T in the 10,000hz-12000hz range
I agree sakrt!
Telis, Try CBD oil - it helps me sleep
and try to stay away from the drugs to handle the T - it doesn't help long term at all and 9 times out of 10 makes it louder, more piercing and worse!
Telis, Try CBD oil - it helps me sleep
and try to stay away from the drugs to handle the T - it doesn't help long term at all and 9 times out of 10 makes it louder, more piercing and worse!
- Aug 21, 2014
- 5,049
- Tinnitus Since
- 1999
- Cause of Tinnitus
- karma
I personally find CBD has very little utility for me on its own.
Maintaining a high tolerance to THC makes sleep a non issue (and that, combined with Klonopin, do something useful to my ears) -- and at a high enough, consistent intake you don't really get intoxicated. I probably consume ~300mg of THC/day on top of 30-300mg of CBD.
Maintaining a high tolerance to THC makes sleep a non issue (and that, combined with Klonopin, do something useful to my ears) -- and at a high enough, consistent intake you don't really get intoxicated. I probably consume ~300mg of THC/day on top of 30-300mg of CBD.
@Telis
Man I'm sorry to hear about your Tee getting worse. I had an MRI and it was not a pleasant experience at all. I came away from there in pure shock ...I was lucky that my spike came down. I hope yours will to.
@Telis I have been on Klonopin for 5 years it's been a life saver for me.
Man I hope this is just a long spike and it goes back to our baseline
Hang in there bro
Man I'm sorry to hear about your Tee getting worse. I had an MRI and it was not a pleasant experience at all. I came away from there in pure shock ...I was lucky that my spike came down. I hope yours will to.
@Telis I have been on Klonopin for 5 years it's been a life saver for me.
Man I hope this is just a long spike and it goes back to our baseline
Hang in there bro
@linearb, @Telis: What do you suggest as best THC to start with, that may also help tinnitus? Is there a specific brand name to try? Unfamiliar with Klonopin (benzo), but wouldn't that be too much along with THC? When you already have brainfog from tinnitus/hyperacusis, wouldn't the combo make this even worse? Last thing we need is dementia.
I've tried CBD oil; "Plant of Life CBD+oil drops", "Enhancer CBD power drops" and really, it does nothing for my tinnitus/hyperacusis. Should it be rubbed on ears and neck? Shampoo? or just continue ingesting it? A slight headache was the outcome and that was it. Zip. Nada. Nothing.
Liam_Cairns
Member
- Jan 10, 2018
- 181
- Tinnitus Since
- 2008
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Originally loud Music and was worsened by Micro-suction
Hey Telis, I don't know about the legality of this, but what about something like Ketamine?
Also have you ever tried oral Prednisone to stop the constant worsening? Have you tried wearing masking devices, I've started doing it and it has helped a little bit with me learning to just cope with this fucking bullshit.
I really hope you find something.
