Paxil for Tinnitus?

[kaycee]

So I went into the hospital again so I can get my prescription.

The prescription I got was Ambien to help sleep but to take it only for 4 days and then to start Paxil. I was prescribed this by my primary care doctor. Not a psychiatrist. I'm lacking sleep. I've lost 12-17 pounds in 3 weeks... I had 2 hours of sleep Tuesday night.

I need advice. How are all of you able to cope with tinnitus without taking prescribed meds? Please help. I am in dire need as this is the beginning and I'm so scared. Thank you.

 

[mmacabre]

I would recommend NOT starting Paxil, as that is unlikely to help you sleep better, in fact it is likely that it would make you more anxious. If you're going to take an SSRI, don't choose Paxil. Don't take psychiatric drugs unless prescribed by a psychiatrist.

 

[valeri]

I was prescribed Paxil by a psychiatrist but simply didn't have guts to take it.
It is one of the most potent ADs on the market and withdrawal can be quite nasty.
I'm too scared as is and just couldn't risk t getting worse or putting up with some bad side effects.

I took Zoloft instead but didn't really help.

It's not an easy choice to make

 

[Andy9214]

My doctor prescribed Paxil to help reduce anxiety, and hopefully also lowering the ringing in my ears. Has anyone tried this before? Is it a good idea, or can it make symptoms worse?

Thanks all.

 

[Mathieulh]

My doctor prescribed Paxil to help reduce anxiety, and hopefully also lowering the ringing in my ears. Has anyone tried this before? Is it a good idea, or can it make symptoms worse?

Thanks all.

I would be very careful when using any SSRI and only do so sparingly, if possible, I would avoid the use at all.

 

[Tinniger]

I also doubt that SSRIs are a good idea if tinnitus is to be treated.
They only make sense if tinnitus is a consequence of depression - and not its trigger...

 

[Lane]

Is it a good idea, or can it make symptoms worse?

Hi @Andy9214 -- My take is that it's not a good idea, and could very well worsen your tinnitus. I just ran across the following from this THIS ARTICLE:

Aminoglycosides aren't the only drugs that can cause serious hearing problems. Here are some others that have the potential to harm your hearing, especially if you take them in high doses for a long period:

Other antibiotics including Cipro (ciprofloxacin) and Levaquin (levofloxacin). Both of these are prescribed for a wide variety of bacterial infections, and both can cause hearing loss and tinnitus.

Antidepressants, including Prozac, Elavil, Paxil, Zoloft and Celexa. Linked to ringing in the ears, or tinnitus. (Paradoxically, they are also often prescribed to relieve the psychological burden of tinnitus.)

Loop diuretics: A specific group, including furosemide (Lasix), prescribed for heart or kidney problems. They can cause hearing loss if taken in large doses for long periods, although the effect may be reversible once the drug is stopped.

Chemotherapy drugs, including Cisplatin and Carboplatin. These are extremely damaging. If you already have hearing loss, or if you have a family history of it, oncologists may suggest substituting other chemotherapy drugs, if possible. But if it's a case of your life or your hearing, most people will feel there's no choice.

Quinine (for treatment of malaria). Like loop diuretics, it can affect hearing if long-term use at large doses is required, but the effect may be reversible.

Drug combos. Taking multiple prescription drugs, or an over-the-counter pain reliever along with a prescription drug, can sometimes exacerbate hearing problems. For example, aminoglycoside antibiotics, like those mentioned above, are even more lethal to the inner ear's hair cells when combined with drugs like vancomycin, which can cause tinnitus, or a loop diuretic like furosemide.

Over-the-counter pain relief, including frequent high doses of aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Naproxen (Aleve), can increase the risk of hearing loss, studies show.

If the new drug is successful, it will be the first medication to receive FDA approval to protect the inner ear from damage caused by these antibiotics. Such a drug would be invaluable in allowing more latitude in treating serious disease.

For now, the bottom line is not to take any drugs in larger doses or for longer periods than you absolutely need them.

 

[Tinniger]

On the other hand, it is of course completely uncertain how often tinnitus is caused by ototoxically damaged hair cells. Or by noise-damaged hair cells.
Tinnitus without serious hearing loss does not indicate that its cause is to be found in the "hearing system".

 

[Andy9214]

That contradicts what my primary doctor told me! So confusing. She told me that taking Paxil will with time ease my anxiety and reduce the ringing in my ears. II've never been diagnosed with depression, so even my pharmacist was a bit confused why she's try this. Not sure if I want to try the medication because I'm nervous that it'll make it worse....

Thanks for the info.