How to Not Worsen Tinnitus When Taking Antidepressants?

I will be starting on Amanti-depressants (Effexor XR) soon for non-tinnitus issues.

Any recommendations or things to note (apart from abrupt withdrawals) when taking anti-depressants in order not to worsen tinnitus?

Thanks

 

My T suddenly became much worse in December 2017 after an increased dose of Sertraline. It’s been horrendous and led to clinical depression. Do be really sure that you need ADs as it’s not listed in the side effects. If you look online, quite a few people have had T caused that way.

 

@Dizzyhead888 ,
Effexor can cause insomnia and one of the worse antidepressants for causing tinnitus and increasing it.
Its one of the worst in hard to get off (venlafaxine)
I would make sure the one you go on helps-
Sleep
Anxiety
Depression
Better for ears
Love glynis

 

How much did you increase at once?

I need Effexor for Migraines, but keen to take very small dosages

 

Hi. My GP doubled the dose to 100mg. The next day, took it at night, I had noise in the other ear. Wind whistling and a humming, cue despair. Apparently this is supposed to be a therapeutic dose! Some people take 200mg to lift their mood. It’s caused me so much agony, it’s hard to explain to someone who doesn’t have T. It’s part of the unlisted side effects for some people. Unlucky for me. Could you take a different med for your migraines? Eve

 

I do have tinnitus, it was mild in the beginning, then got worse through noise exposure which made me lose my mind. now still bad but i feel a bit better.
I am really cautious this time. In your case, I think it was likely to the sudden increase in the dose.
Though I have not tried anti-depressants yet, from my readings so far, I think they should be taken/build up very very gradually (except if you belong to the lucky group or can handle antidepressants well with minimal side effects). The reason there aren't much dosage options on the market is for cost reasons. So people ought to increases doses quickly, unfortunately.

 

Thanks Glynis,
What dose were you on? how fast did you get on this dose?

 

My GP didn’t even understand about side effects. I think you may be right but I’ve stopped that dose now. Clinical depression and T are horrible and encourage each other! Best wishes in your own trying to manage. Eve

 

If I was in your shoes I would not be able to take Effexor, or any anti-depression med, because those drugs make my Tinnitus roar for hours. NSAID's and aspirin do me in as well. I have tried every drug there is for T, 99.999% of those drugs are sold to you by the company knowing they don't do jack for Tinnitus.
4+ years of demons living in my head. Oh boy.

Our government cares more for rich people getting huge tax returns, than they do about finding a cure for Tinnitus. Or maybe find a pill to relieve the hissing!!!!

 

It's a gamble as all AD's are ototoxic to some degree.
Make sure that you have exhausted every natural avenue before going down that road.
I would first at least try St John's Worth, Valerian, CBD or THC.

I tried 10mg of Elavil when I was at my worst, but as soon as I somewhat stabilized, I stopped taking it.
In my case it was pretty easy, but once you start the high dosages it will take time for you to get off these AD poison pills....so better not go there in the first place, unless you feel that your life literally depends on it...
At the time I was desperate to get some sleep, so I do understand your motivations.

 

@Dizzyhead888
Hey Dizzy did you end up using the Effexor?

 

Are you still taking Effexor???

 

I took Cipralex (Lexapro)... Tinnitus improved by 2, i.e. from 7/10 to 5/10. Went off Lexapro, tinnitus came back to 7 and 8.
Taking now Effexor low dose. No change... but Effexor has difficult withdrawals.

My tinnitus is back to bad now, to its original state, even a bit worse.

 

Mine is bad too! Could not tolerate side effects of Effexor...