My Tinnitus Was Drug-Induced — Desperate for Relief

[Nicholas Watkins]

Hey there,

About 2 months ago I was prescribed Modafinil to help my mood and concentration levels.

Unfortunately, I've now developed chronic tinnitus and it is not going away. Well, I've had very mild tinnitus since childhood, so mild it did not bother me. But now it is very loud and it is constant.

I was stunned to learn the only clinically proven ways to treat tinnitus are with CBT/talk therapy bascially...

I don't want to find ways to 'manage' this awful noise in my head. I just want it to stop.

As we all do...

 

[JohnK]

I wonder if this is the sort of drug that causes it by messing with the brain or physical damage to the cochlea?

 

[Nicholas Watkins]

Well, it's a mild stimulant. It certainly affected by mood.

I found about 2-3 other people online who also experienced tinnitus when taking the same drug, but, lucky for them. They're tinnitus recovered after they stopped using the drug.

I read it affects neurotransmitters involving GABA and Glutamine(or Glutamate) so, I can try to buy some GABAGluta supplements.

I just took some Klonopin. I feel calmer but no change in my T.

 

[glynis]

How long have you been on the medication ? ....lots of love glynis

 

[Nicholas Watkins]

Only a couple months Glynis.

 

[glynis]

It could settle over time or maybe change to another but would then have side effects .
See how you go on with them....lots of love glynis

 

[Kane Moffat]

@Nicholas Watkins . Hey, my tinnitus is also modafinil induced and its chronic. We are a very specific case . I also wonder what has acctually caused our tinnitus, could it be chemical i dont know. Do you have any hyperacusis or hearing loss?

 

[erniej]

Careful with the klonopin. I started out with Xanax. Ended up on 8MGs daily. Trying to taper and the tinnitus is horrible. benzos are great for tinnitus relief, after prolonged use harder to get off than heroin.

 

[Alue]

Did you have any auditory insults while on the medication (loud noise exposure)?

I have begun to suspect certain mind altering medications like modafinil, wellbutrin, etc. can alter the way the brain responds to a loss of auditory input or hearing insult. In a way that, while they are not directly ototoxic, they can make it much more likely for someone to develop tinnitus.
Maybe it just made your hyperactive mind latch on to your mild tinnitus sound? Did it change in tone or quality or just get louder?

 

[Kane Moffat]

I think it causes auditory nerve damage. Or it makes you more vulnerable to damage if you are exposed to noise thats what happened to me.

 

[Lesly]

Hi @Nicholas Watkins did your tinnitus go away?