Is Sertraline (Zoloft) Safe to Take with Tinnitus? (Trigger Warning: Mention of Suicidal Ideation)

[lillieg]

Hi all,

I've been away from Tinnitus Talk for a while and am back with an update—unfortunately, not a great one.

After many sleepless nights, anxiety attacks, and painful headaches, I reached my wit's end with the ringing and was ultimately planning to end my life. I won't go into the details, as I don't think it's necessary, but I ended up on a psychiatric hold and was prescribed a combination of medications.

One of them is sertraline (the generic for Zoloft), which I'm supposed to take daily until I reach 250 mg. I've also been prescribed propranolol (a beta blocker that helps prevent the body's "freak-out" response) at 100 mg per day, and Klonopin for emergencies.

My question is: is sertraline safe to take? I used it about four years ago for mental health issues—long before tinnitus—and didn't have any problems. Of course, now that tinnitus is in the mix, I'm unsure what to expect.

I'm also worried because my parents are closely monitoring my medication based on the hospital's guidance. If my tinnitus worsens, I don't know how I'd handle stopping the medication under these circumstances.

Any advice or experience with something similar would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Varda]

Is Sertraline (Zoloft) Safe to Take with Tinnitus?

Nope.

 

[delta784]

Nope.

Is there anything safe?

 

[Varda]

Is there anything safe?

Melatonin.

 

[Knietppe]

I would avoid medication, but if it's your last resort, I would take it. Before doing anything drastic, at least you'll know you tried everything.

 

[delta784]

Melatonin.

I need anything to function.

 

[Nick47]

There was a study showing that Sertraline can be beneficial. However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

The effects of sertraline on severe tinnitus suffering--a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study - PubMed

Sertraline is more effective than placebo in the treatment of severe refractory tinnitus.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[delta784]

There was a study showing that Sertraline can be beneficial. However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

The effects of sertraline on severe tinnitus suffering--a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study - PubMed

Sertraline is more effective than placebo in the treatment of severe refractory tinnitus.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

@Nick47, why does Clonazepam help so much, man? It even reduces somatic tones as well as my brain tone from visual snow.

 

[Nick47]

why does Clonazepam help so much, man? It even reduces somatic tones as well as my brain tone from visual snow.

It increases GABA and puts the brakes on cell firing. Just be grateful there's something that works for some patients.

 

[delta784]

It increases GABA and puts the brakes on cell firing. Just be grateful there's something that works for some patients.

I know, but I can't take it constantly. I get daily panic attacks, and 1 mg does the trick. Travis and @BrysonKingMe, along with several others, said it's a poison and can make your tinnitus/hyperacusis case catastrophic. I wish I could take 0.5 or 1 mg daily for the rest of my life—then I would be functional. Right now, I don't even feel alive, and I'm only 29.

 

[Nick47]

I know, but I can't take it constantly. I get daily panic attacks, and 1 mg does the trick. Travis and @BrysonKingMe, along with several others, said it's a poison and can make your tinnitus/hyperacusis case catastrophic. I wish I could take 0.5 or 1 mg daily for the rest of my life—then I would be functional. Right now, I don't even feel alive, and I'm only 29.

@delta784, I understand. It is not poisonous, though. Once or twice a week is fine. Use a low dose of Diazepam for breakthrough anxiety in between, or consider Gabapentin. Discuss this with your doctor.

 

[Varda]

I wish I could take 0.5 or 1 mg daily for the rest of my life—then I would be functional

You will build a tolerance, and it will stop working, leading you to keep increasing the dose. Eventually, even higher doses will stop working. You may develop "benzo belly," which interferes with digestion and causes IBS and other gastrointestinal issues. When you try (or are forced) to come off it, you will experience catastrophic pain and panic, exponentially worse than what you are going through now. Additionally, withdrawing from a regular high dose of benzos often worsens tinnitus permanently.

Never take benzos more than once or twice a week, as @Nick47 mentioned.

Consider Melatonin and chelated Magnesium Bisglycinate. Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine that makes me quite sleepy. I had no issues with it and haven't found many negative reports about it online.

An audiologist once recommended Sulpiride to me, which is a mild antipsychotic.

As a tinnitus sufferer, I personally avoid SSRIs, as it's easy to find numerous reports of them causing or worsening tinnitus.

 

[delta784]

You will build a tolerance, and it will stop working, leading you to keep increasing the dose. Eventually, even higher doses will stop working. You may develop "benzo belly," which interferes with digestion and causes IBS and other gastrointestinal issues. When you try (or are forced) to come off it, you will experience catastrophic pain and panic, exponentially worse than what you are going through now. Additionally, withdrawing from a regular high dose of benzos often worsens tinnitus permanently.

Never take benzos more than once or twice a week, as @Nick47 mentioned.

Consider Melatonin and chelated Magnesium Bisglycinate. Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine that makes me quite sleepy. I had no issues with it and haven't found many negative reports about it online.

An audiologist once recommended Sulpiride to me, which is a mild antipsychotic.

As a tinnitus sufferer, I personally avoid SSRIs, as it's easy to find numerous reports of them causing or worsening tinnitus.

But I'm on the verge of giving up. I'm too young—only 29—and I've never done anything loud. I damaged my auditory system with Methylprednisolone injections for my mild hyperacusis and mild tinnitus, which I had for years. I cannot forgive myself. Please help.

I also have visual snow along with possible mild noxacusis. What am I going to do?

I tried Magnesium glycinate, but it doesn't do anything. I have OCD and generalized anxiety disorder related to tinnitus and ear issues.

 

[Varda]

But I'm on the verge of giving up. I'm too young—only 29—and I've never done anything loud. I damaged my auditory system with Methylprednisolone injections for my mild hyperacusis and mild tinnitus, which I had for years. I cannot forgive myself. Please help.

I also have visual snow along with possible mild noxacusis. What am I going to do?

I tried Magnesium glycinate, but it doesn't do anything. I have OCD and generalized anxiety disorder related to tinnitus and ear issues.

@delta784, if I'm reading your history correctly, this issue started for you around November 2024.

Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do except push through the first year. It should get a bit better over time, and you'll gradually adjust.

If you seek professional treatment, be cautious—many doctors may only make things worse with harmful tests, scans, procedures, or medications.

As @Nick47 mentioned, it can be helpful to keep benzodiazepines on hand for severe panic attacks, but avoid taking them regularly.

One thing that helped me relax was massage therapy, including craniosacral therapy.

 

[vilebubbles]

You will build a tolerance, and it will stop working, leading you to keep increasing the dose. Eventually, even higher doses will stop working. You may develop "benzo belly," which interferes with digestion and causes IBS and other gastrointestinal issues. When you try (or are forced) to come off it, you will experience catastrophic pain and panic, exponentially worse than what you are going through now. Additionally, withdrawing from a regular high dose of benzos often worsens tinnitus permanently.

Never take benzos more than once or twice a week, as @Nick47 mentioned.

Consider Melatonin and chelated Magnesium Bisglycinate. Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine that makes me quite sleepy. I had no issues with it and haven't found many negative reports about it online.

An audiologist once recommended Sulpiride to me, which is a mild antipsychotic.

As a tinnitus sufferer, I personally avoid SSRIs, as it's easy to find numerous reports of them causing or worsening tinnitus.

This is exactly what is happening to me. As I taper off benzodiazepines, my symptoms keep getting worse. I'm very scared.

 

[delta784]

This is exactly what is happening to me. As I taper off benzodiazepines, my symptoms keep getting worse. I'm very scared.

Why don't you keep taking it?