Member@Cmspgran, I'm thinking of following suit. My concern is that if I take it at night, I might start to feel agitated by the afternoon. Since I tend to suffer more during the day, it seems like a better option to take it then. Could @linearb chime in and explain why they decided to take it during the day?
Clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril)
- Thread starter erik
- Start date
I switched to this approach because I was tired of the high-to-low depression swings caused by sporadic use. The sedative effects have long since worn off for me, as documented in the literature, so it's no longer an issue.
Often, I wake up at 5 a.m., and if that happens, I'll take it then and go back to sleep for a few more hours. I liked and respected @linearb, even though I never interacted with him. I appreciated his attitude of "take the medication to cope, because life must go on as best it can." That's how I try to approach things as well.
RunningMan
Member
- May 8, 2023
- 631
- Tinnitus Since
- HiFrq ~2000, Increased 2022, LoFrq ~2020
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Loud noise - clubs, stereos, cycles, headphones, engines,etc
That's what I usually do when I take Ativan, but I don't normally take it more than once per week. I'll wake up around 5 AM and take 0.5 mg along with a piece of a Zolpidem tablet (1 to 1.5 mg) hoping I'll get another 2 hours of sleep. This way, Ativan is still working when I get up, but I have a chance of the benefit of additional sleep as well, which I typically don't get enough of.
Thank you for the interesting discussion.
I'm not typically an anxious person, but a severe tinnitus spike can definitely make me anxious. I've experienced so many spikes that now I mostly just:
I'm not typically an anxious person, but a severe tinnitus spike can definitely make me anxious. I've experienced so many spikes that now I mostly just:
- Suppress it with Clonazepam.
- Ride it out.
- Hope for the best, since there's not much else to do.
RunningMan
Member
- May 8, 2023
- 631
- Tinnitus Since
- HiFrq ~2000, Increased 2022, LoFrq ~2020
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Loud noise - clubs, stereos, cycles, headphones, engines,etc
I use a pill cutter. Starting with a 10 mg tablet, I aim to cut it into 8 pieces, though I often end up with 7. The pieces aren't all exactly the same size, but I get them as close as possible. Usually, after taking one piece sublingually, I can fall back asleep fairly quickly. However, I might wake up again within an hour.
Do you take Clonazepam regularly? Does it actually help with tinnitus?
I've considered it as well, although doctors in our country are very reluctant to prescribe it.
Doctors are correct to be cautious with Clonazepam; the problem is, no one fully understands tinnitus or is eager to treat it. I found myself in a critical situation with my career in a different city when I experienced a severe spike in symptoms and went days without sleep. Fortunately, I knew someone who could vouch for the fact that I am not a drug addict, so I described my urgent situation, and he prescribed Clonazepam over the phone without an in-person visit. He instructed me not to take it until I returned to my apartment, but I was getting absolutely no sleep, which was not sustainable. Just like air, food, and water, you need sleep. So, I took 1 mg, and the next thing I knew, I had slept four hours. My first thought was, "Oh, I slept," and my second was, "Where did the tinnitus go?"
After a few weeks, I started sleeping too much, which is also not good, so I decided to stop. Being in a university town, I visited an ENT clinic, but the ENT specialist was unhelpful, even suggesting a shot of whiskey would be just as effective. As if I would risk showing up to work hungover. Fortunately, Dr. Farnell, one of the city's top family doctors, was far more supportive.
Now, I reserve Clonazepam for managing severe spikes. Once, I had shingles and was prescribed some 5 mg Morphine tablets. Morphine is rarely prescribed, so I guard it closely and only use it sparingly, maybe two tablets a year. The challenge with Clonazepam is building tolerance, but if I have a spike, I need to suppress it, even if it means spending a couple of days in bed. Some people experience migraines and need similar rest. I have not found many doctors as competent and supportive as Dr. Farnell was for me. That was ten years ago, and now I am on 0.5 mg, which I try to taper down slowly. I am probably somewhat dependent on it.
My doctor is cautious about prescribing Clonazepam because it is a controlled substance, but I am fortunate to have a 1.5 mg prescription. I save what I do not take so that if I need 2 mg to manage a spike, I can take it for a short period, around three to four days, and then quickly taper back down. My job requires clear thinking, and if I drive impaired, it is a criminal offense that could cost me my career. Clonazepam is incredibly useful, but nothing can completely make this condition disappear. When I am sleep-deprived, my tinnitus intensifies, and I cannot function.
Currently, I am experimenting with CBD, CBDV, CBG, and THCV, which are novel cannabinoids. THC used to help, but it no longer does, and accessing these newer cannabinoids is not easy. Thankfully, laws are improving, and prices and availability are becoming more favorable. Still, nothing compares to Clonazepam for suppressing a spike. I also take Seroquel, Mirtazapine, and Lyrica. Lyrica is also a controlled substance. My pharmacist, who knows I am not a drug seeker, is sharp and understanding. In the end, it is about finding the right balance of treatments that work for you.
@object16, do you take 0.5 mg of Clonazepam daily and use a higher dose during a spike? Also, do you take Carbamazepine as well?
I had a private conversation with Brian Fargo, who described Clonazepam as a "game changer," although he mentioned it doesn't work for everyone.
In the UK, I'm having a hard time getting a GP to prescribe Nortriptyline.
I'm currently on Clonazepam 0.5 mg, and my plan is to taper it slowly: first to 0.375 mg, then 0.25 mg, and finally to 0.125 mg. I hope to do this over about two weeks. Ten days ago, I had a spike and temporarily increased the dose to 2.0 mg, so getting back down to 0.5 mg feels like progress.
For Carbamazepine, I take 200 mg at bedtime, but I usually wake up around 2 a.m. and take another 200 mg then. My doctor has measured my Carbamazepine levels first thing in the morning, and they fall below the therapeutic range, likely because this medication induces hepatic enzymes that speed up its metabolism. Since Carbamazepine is used for chronic pain and I have a chronic pain condition, it's reasonable to stay on it, especially as it also helps me sleep. Some medications are more stable with dosing, but I prefer to keep Clonazepam in reserve for spikes.
It's currently 9:30 p.m. as I'm typing this, and my tinnitus is fairly manageable, likely because of my nighttime medication dose. Right now, I actually feel cautiously optimistic. I got plenty of rest today, had a full day at work, and the tinnitus wasn't too bothersome. In the middle of the night, I also took CBG 75 mg, CBD 75 mg, and a CBD/CBDV mix of 75 mg, all in a sublingual propylene glycol preparation. It's possible that's starting to take effect. These novel cannabinoids could promote neural plasticity, so I'm hopeful.
I'm also taking whole-food, probiotic-cultured black chickpea sprouts, which, according to research, are high in isoflavones. I use anything with a reasonable chance of promoting neural plasticity. Isoflavones are known to help prevent Alzheimer's and Parkinson's; they act like beta-estradiol and reach the cell nucleus, so this isn't just a trend for me—it has real potential. That said, I haven't noticed any dramatic effects so far.
Back in 2015, Dr. Farnell in Kingston prescribed Clonazepam 1.5 mg during a spike, and it was a game-changer. As I mentioned before, I now use it mainly to control spikes, though ideally, I aim to avoid them entirely.
Nortriptyline is a strong anticholinergic, and habituation is a known issue with it. Initially, everything works well, but then habituation sets in, so it's crucial to use sound immersion therapy alongside the medication. Medication is useful, but I also play music in my office during the day and in the bedroom at night at around 60 dB. This level is low enough to still hear the tinnitus but is slightly below its intensity, aligning with Tinnitus Retraining Therapy recommendations. It's also a safe volume for the hair cells.
@Alberte, Clonazepam reduces tinnitus in 66% of patients. For most, it takes 12–24 hours to lower the volume when taken occasionally.
It also helps reduce anxiety, typically within about 2 hours.
See my ancient post.
To be more precise: I had been taking 8 drops of Clonazepam for over a year, following the advice of my oto-neurologist, without any noticeable effect. So, with my oto-neurologist's approval, I decided to gradually increase the dosage. At 21 drops, I began to experience slight pain in my trunk area (chest and abdomen) but still noticed no effect on the volume of my tinnitus.
With further approval, I continued increasing the dosage up to the maximum allowed, 30 drops. At this point, I did feel a slight improvement in my tinnitus volume, but the trunk pain became unbearable. I then tapered down slowly, but the improvement in my tinnitus disappeared before the pain subsided.
In conclusion, taking Clonazepam was not worth it.
Note: In France, Clonazepam is administered in drops, but I am unsure of the exact mg per drop.
You can't get Clonazepam in France anymore. It's now prescribed exclusively for epilepsy, and only neurologists are authorized to prescribe it to patients.
I have a prescription for Ativan, but I find it does nothing for my tinnitus. Is there a possibility that Clonazepam could have an effect? I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, so I can ask my doctor about it then.
I live in the UK. My ENT doctor prescribed me Clonazepam in 2011. I still take it when my tinnitus is severe. If your tinnitus is severe and you are having difficulty managing it, then talk to your ENT consultant.
Clonazepam shouldn't be taken too often as it will lose its effectiveness in treating tinnitus. Fortunately, I haven't had any adverse effects taking it. Clonazepam will not reduce tinnitus for everyone, but I have found it very helpful.
You shouldn't ask your ENT doctor to prescribe you Clonazepam. Explain you are having difficulty coping with the tinnitus when it's severe.
Clonazepam can help to calm a person down and also reduce tinnitus to complete silence for some people. It reduces my tinnitus to complete silence over 6 to 12 hours. This can last for 2 to 3 days.
@Michael Leigh, I have found Clonazepam to be vital. However, it sometimes takes up to 24 hours to reduce the intensity, and I find the effect lasts for about another 24 hours. The effect seems even more pronounced when I combine it with Deanxit.
@Nick47, as you know, we are all different, which also means no two people will experience tinnitus the same. Clonazepam affects people differently. For some people, Clonazepam has no effect, while others find it helpful.
Last year, in February, my tinnitus changed dramatically, and I have no idea what caused it. I have been through a lot of difficulties, which cannot be explained in this brief post. I can only say that I've been to hell and back, and at times, the tinnitus sapped all my strength and resolve. The reason is that it has changed from bilateral to unilateral tinnitus, where it's only experienced in my right ear. The severity has been nothing like what I experienced in the 28 years that I've had tinnitus. If it wasn't for Clonazepam, I don't know what would have happened to me.
The doctors at my GP practice have been brilliant. They are so understanding and caring. I had an MRI, which showed some build-up of fluid in the mastoid bone behind my right ear. I am not out of the woods by a long chalk. I have an appointment at ENT in April and again in July. They were going to see me in November/December last year. However, due to the snow and icy roads, driving on the motorway from Brighton to London was not something I wanted to do.
The hospital in London have been seeing me as an out-patient for 28 years, so my doctors thought it's best I go there for treatment.
All the best,
Michael
That would probably depend on your doctor. I am over here in the Colonies, and Gabapentin is very easy to get prescribed. Clonazepam, unless I am mistaken, belongs to a different class of pharmaceuticals.
Most of us end up seeing several doctors to get what we need. Gabapentin can actually make my tinnitus worse if I take too much for too long. When that happens, I either stop taking it or reduce my dose by half until I feel balanced again.
Doctors just do not understand that we want these medications to get our lives back, not to get high.
Wouter De Blaere
Member
For me, it is the same. Taking 0.5 mg of Clonazepam seems to help by reducing the hyperactive neurons in the auditory cortex. However, it makes me feel extremely tired, almost like a zombie.
I have been trying 0.25 mg for almost four weeks now, but the hyperactivity has come back strongly. Honestly, it feels like my brain hurts, even though I know that is not possible. It is just stress or pain signals being sent by the brain.
I am going to continue tapering off because benzodiazepines are not good for long-term use. I have been on them for 18 months now. I have also been looking for a possible replacement, if needed, maybe Aripiprazole.
I have been trying 0.25 mg for almost four weeks now, but the hyperactivity has come back strongly. Honestly, it feels like my brain hurts, even though I know that is not possible. It is just stress or pain signals being sent by the brain.
I am going to continue tapering off because benzodiazepines are not good for long-term use. I have been on them for 18 months now. I have also been looking for a possible replacement, if needed, maybe Aripiprazole.
I am surprised Clonazepam has any effect. When I tried taking it at 0.25 mg, I did not feel any different. Maybe it is because I stopped after two days since I saw no benefit. I did not take it to reduce tinnitus. I was using it to calm anxiety at the onset of tinnitus and for sleep assistance.
Zopiclone strangely seemed to affect the noise in a positive way, but I do not take it consistently since I know it is somewhat habit forming despite not being a benzodiazepine.
Are you taking Clonazepam exclusively, or do you or anyone else also use supplements?
Wouter De Blaere
Member
Clonazepam only has an effect on me at 0.5 mg. At 0.25 mg, nothing. No, I do not take anything else.
Did Carbapampazone help your tinnitus? I've heard it's really bad for the ears. I have severe tinnitus with multiple tones.Carbamazepine reduces the plasma concentration of Mirtazapine by 70-80% due to its strong induction of the CYP3A4 enzyme. Carbamazepine is unique in that it's an auto-inducer, meaning it actually reduces its own effectiveness over time. Still, it's the best drug I've ever tried for tinnitus and noxacusis!
I'm currently on 60 mg of Mirtazapine, and I think it's interfering with my benzo recovery.
