My Success Story: Lexapro-Induced Tinnitus Got Better and I'm Now a Registered Nurse

Hello everyone,

It's been a long time since I have posted on Tinnitus Talk or have really even thought about my tinnitus journey. I swore to myself though that if I ever took back my life again and recovered from tinnitus that I would come back and share my experience. I remember my early days of having tinnitus and being utterly hopeless and terrified beyond my means. Would I ever hear silence again? Could I live a normal life again? Could I even have a thought that wasn't centered around the incessant ringing in my ears that plagued me day and night?

For context I will share my background. Currently I am a 26-year-old female and my first experience with tinnitus began when I was just fourteen years old. I suddenly had a ringing in my ear that would not go away. It was not brought on by anything notable, I had not gone to a concert or had been exposed to a loud noise. I simply had a ringing that would not stop. It bothered me day and night for at least a year. It seemed like it was all I could think about. I saw multiple doctors begging them for answers or something that would stop the ringing that never seemed to stop. I remember going for my MRI and hoping that it would come back with a brain tumor or something tangible that could explain this phantom ringing I experienced. But unfortunately, or fortunately I guess I was the picture of health so I had to deal with this on my own and figure out how to live my life again. Somehow I did. I guess I had eventually habituated because maybe a year later I didn't think about it so much. It felt like I had beat tinnitus and it was gone from my life forever. I remained careful of my eyes and my hearing, but I went out and lived my life. Maybe if I listened for it I could hear it, and I slept with a fan religiously every night (I still do), but for all intents and purposes it felt like it was gone.

Suddenly I was 20 years old and dealing with depression and an abusive relationship. I was prescribed Lexapro and, like any person taking a new medication for the first time, I read the long list of side effects that taking the medication entailed. I saw that tinnitus was listed and thought to myself about the journey I had in high school and how horrible it truly was. I know how isolating this can feel, like absolutely no one in your life understands the detriment that having ringing in your ears can cause you. It becomes all you can think about and it strips the enjoyment from your everyday life. I was there. It was truly hell and the worst part of my life by far. I'm not sure when it happened, but maybe a week after I started taking the Lexapro and the ringing came back. Still to this day, I'm not sure if the ringing got worse or if I just began to notice again, but my life soon became my own personal hell once again. This time I was in college studying to become a nurse. I could not bear to be plagued by this incessant ringing when I needed to spend my time studying and doing homework. I began posting on Tinnitus Talk for support and looking for answers regarding what I deemed was drug-induced tinnitus. I became extremely aware of everything I was putting into my body. I stopped taking the Lexapro and I regretted trying to get help for my unrelated mental illness. I felt like a prisoner in my own body. My mental health was deteriorating and I felt miserable every day. The only thing that brought be comfort was the fact that I had habituated once before and the people on Tinnitus Talk. I googled tinntius-safe medications and was started on Remeron (Mirtazapine). It did nothing for my depression, but at least it wouldn't make my tinnitus worse I thought to myself.

Some way and some how I managed to make it through school. I am writing this post as a Registered Nurse ready to start a new job in the Operating Room. Right now I am excited about life and all of the potential that awaits me. Again I am in a situation where I am not sure if my tinnitus went away or if I just don't notice it. Right now I just paused the music playing from my phone and I do not hear any ringing in my ears, but I'm sure if you put me in a silent room I'll be able to hear some ringing. I wanted to make this post to let people know that are in the hell of having tinnitus that it does get better. I firmly believed that I was doomed to a life of misery, but here I am having beaten the battle that was my tinnitus. I even got help for my mental health and have found a combination of medication that does not aggravate my tinnitus and keeps me more balanced. I am looking at my life in a positive light and I feel hopeful for the future. I believe I was able to habituate to my tinnitus twice in my life. I do think the volume has gone down over time, but it truly has become something that I do not even think twice about anymore. I live a normal life and when I do get sad it is not about my tinnitus. I wanted to share my story even if it just helps one person. I truly believe everyone has the ability to beat their tinnitus and habituate. I did it twice and I wouldn't wish the absolute hell I experienced on anyone. All I can say is it takes time. I think it took me a year each time and it was not easy. My advice is to be kind to yourself. Keep yourself preoccupied as much as you can, mask with fans and white noise and don't stop doing what you love even if it does not feel the same. Things will get better. Tinnitus is the hardest thing I have ever been through, but I am happier now and it doesn't affect me the same way it once did. It does not have the same hold on me it once did. There is hope out there. I am proof and I am rooting for you and your own personal journey. You are so strong. Most people don't understand what it's like to be plagued by phantom ringing, but I do. I commend you for the journey you are on. It is incredibly lonely, but there is in fact light at the end of tunnel. Don't give up hope.

All the love,
Jadebug

 

Thank you so much for your post. I am glad that things have gotten better for you and congrats on your success in becoming a RN!

I am almost 6 months into this hell, which was also caused by Lexapro. After 2 doses I woke up with blaring ringing at 3 am and it has not stopped one bit since. Doctors tell me that can't be it, but there were no other triggers that I am aware of. I have had many ups and downs and get upset as well for trying to help my anxiety with a medication and causing myself and my family problems and pain. I am also taking a low dose of Remeron to help with sleep. Each day is a struggle, but some days seem better than others, even though the sound is still there.

I know it's different for everyone, but how long did it take before you noticed any change in your tinnitus/perception? Was your tinnitus reactive?

 

What was your dosage for Mirtazapine? I know at lower dosage, it's better for sleep and less effective for depression.

Glad to hear you found something that helped. I haven't had good luck with that in 21 months since the tinnitus intensity elevated to a much higher level. Anxiety, depression, and insomnia are still a big problem.