Hello everyone, my name is Megan, and I've recently started suffering from tinnitus.
I've always had anxiety, and on December 7, 2016, I experienced the worst panic attack of my life. I was prescribed Vistaril, which seemed to help me manage my anxiety.
On January 8, I visited my doctor, who prescribed me Lexapro at a low dose of just 5 mg. At that point, my anxiety was under control, and I wasn't sure if the Lexapro was necessary, but my doctor advised me to take it anyway. Then, on January 31, at around 3 a.m., I suddenly experienced a horrible ringing in my ears. I had no idea what it could be. I googled "ear ringing due to Lexapro" and found that I am not the only one who has experienced tinnitus from this medication. I immediately stopped taking Lexapro. I was only on it for three weeks, and I haven't experienced any withdrawal symptoms since the dose was so low.
However, I am still hearing the ringing in my ears, and it's literally driving me insane. It hasn't helped my anxiety at all—in fact, it's made it worse. I cry over it every night and long for the days when silence wasn't unbearable. I feel so helpless and lost. I fear that this is permanent. I called the doctor who prescribed me Lexapro, but she doesn't think the tinnitus is from the medication. I have never had any hearing problems before this. I just turned 27 a few days ago, and I can't imagine living with this noise for the rest of my life.
I am scheduled to see my doctor on Tuesday to discuss new medications, but I'm terrified that any new meds will make my tinnitus worse. Just typing this is scaring me to death. On Wednesday, I have an appointment with an ENT, and I'm hoping they can help me. Maybe there's something wrong with my ears that is just now coming to light, but it feels like too much of a coincidence, given that I had just started Lexapro.
If I had known this was a side effect, I would have NEVER started Lexapro.
Going out in public is really difficult for me right now because the ringing interferes with outside sounds and makes me dizzy. I just want this to go away. Will it ever? How can 5 mg of a pill taken for only three weeks do this to me? I am desperately hoping this is temporary.
I asked my boyfriend about it, and he told me he's always had ringing in his ears. He suggested trying to pretend it's not there, but it's just not that simple for me.
I need some kind words and maybe some success stories to help me get through this. I am so sick of feeling constantly overwhelmed, and when I finally try to get help with meds… this happens.
I've always been against taking any medication or drugs. This is my first ever prescription for anything.
Since the ringing began, I've been constantly worrying about it, googling it, and trying to find remedies. So far, I've tried Ring Relief, Lipo-Flavonoids, and cleaning my ears with a witch hazel and peroxide solution. Nothing has helped.
I'm grateful to have found Tinnitus Talk, and I appreciate everyone's responses in advance.
I've always had anxiety, and on December 7, 2016, I experienced the worst panic attack of my life. I was prescribed Vistaril, which seemed to help me manage my anxiety.
On January 8, I visited my doctor, who prescribed me Lexapro at a low dose of just 5 mg. At that point, my anxiety was under control, and I wasn't sure if the Lexapro was necessary, but my doctor advised me to take it anyway. Then, on January 31, at around 3 a.m., I suddenly experienced a horrible ringing in my ears. I had no idea what it could be. I googled "ear ringing due to Lexapro" and found that I am not the only one who has experienced tinnitus from this medication. I immediately stopped taking Lexapro. I was only on it for three weeks, and I haven't experienced any withdrawal symptoms since the dose was so low.
However, I am still hearing the ringing in my ears, and it's literally driving me insane. It hasn't helped my anxiety at all—in fact, it's made it worse. I cry over it every night and long for the days when silence wasn't unbearable. I feel so helpless and lost. I fear that this is permanent. I called the doctor who prescribed me Lexapro, but she doesn't think the tinnitus is from the medication. I have never had any hearing problems before this. I just turned 27 a few days ago, and I can't imagine living with this noise for the rest of my life.
I am scheduled to see my doctor on Tuesday to discuss new medications, but I'm terrified that any new meds will make my tinnitus worse. Just typing this is scaring me to death. On Wednesday, I have an appointment with an ENT, and I'm hoping they can help me. Maybe there's something wrong with my ears that is just now coming to light, but it feels like too much of a coincidence, given that I had just started Lexapro.
If I had known this was a side effect, I would have NEVER started Lexapro.
Going out in public is really difficult for me right now because the ringing interferes with outside sounds and makes me dizzy. I just want this to go away. Will it ever? How can 5 mg of a pill taken for only three weeks do this to me? I am desperately hoping this is temporary.
I asked my boyfriend about it, and he told me he's always had ringing in his ears. He suggested trying to pretend it's not there, but it's just not that simple for me.
I need some kind words and maybe some success stories to help me get through this. I am so sick of feeling constantly overwhelmed, and when I finally try to get help with meds… this happens.
I've always been against taking any medication or drugs. This is my first ever prescription for anything.
Since the ringing began, I've been constantly worrying about it, googling it, and trying to find remedies. So far, I've tried Ring Relief, Lipo-Flavonoids, and cleaning my ears with a witch hazel and peroxide solution. Nothing has helped.
I'm grateful to have found Tinnitus Talk, and I appreciate everyone's responses in advance.
Member
the ENT just told me that it happens to some people, but im not honestly satisfied with that answer...