Seeking Advice on Antidepressants (Venlafaxine and Escitalopram) and Their Impact on Tinnitus

[Doobz]

Hi, everyone.

I am struggling with anxiety and depression, and my doctor wants me to take antidepressants. I have had tinnitus for many years, but I am worried it could get worse. I don't think I could cope with that on top of everything else.

Initially, they wanted me to take Venlafaxine, but the patient leaflet said that one in ten people may experience tinnitus, so I decided against it. Now, my doctor wants me to start on Escitalopram, which has a lower reported risk—one in one hundred.

Is anyone currently taking this? Or has anyone taken it before? How did it affect your tinnitus, both while using it and when tapering off?

Thanks.

 

[Varda]

I would recommend stopping visits to a psychiatrist and seeing a counselor instead.

All psychiatric medications carry the risk of permanently worsening tinnitus, and they generally do not provide a long-term solution for anxiety and depression.

 

[dreamer16]

My condition has worsened. I wish I had never taken it. I didn't even need it. I will keep regretting that mistake.

There are other options you can try instead of seeing a psychiatrist.

 

[delta784]

My condition has worsened. I wish I had never taken it. I didn't even need it. I will keep regretting that mistake.

There are other options you can try instead of seeing a psychiatrist.

What other options?

 

[dreamer16]

What other options?

Like the person above me mentioned, consider seeing a counselor or therapist. To be honest, I am not sure either. I feel lost myself. Perhaps more people can share their advice.

 

[Regis]

Hi!

I have had tinnitus for 1.5 years. I became deeply depressed, and I have managed to keep going only because of antidepressants. Currently, I am taking Brintellix 15 mg. This dose does not negatively affect my tinnitus but helps me a lot with my mood and anxiety. I mention "this dose" because I also tried 20 mg, but it turned out to be too much and increased my tinnitus.

At the very beginning, I took Effexor (75 mg), but it significantly worsened my tinnitus, so I stopped it after 12 days. After that, I switched to Citalopram (30 mg) for about six months. It did not affect my tinnitus, but it also did not help with my mood or anxiety.

Finally, I settled on Brintellix 15 mg, and things have improved. My tinnitus has not changed, but I am coping with it better.

Based on my experience, it seems that finding the right combination of a drug and dosage is unique to each person. The effectiveness of the medication and its impact on tinnitus can vary significantly.

Take care!

PS: My tinnitus returned to "normal" after I discontinued Effexor or reduced Brintellix from 20 mg to 15 mg.

 

[Trespath]

I'm using Low Dose Naltrexone off-label as an antidepressant, and it has helped me more than any SSRI ever did. I've been taking it for about three years now. It hasn't had any effect on my severe tinnitus, but I'm less prone to suicidal thoughts when my hyperacusis becomes overwhelming.

I would say my depression is mostly in remission. I still have some bad days, but even then I can function. Thanks to LDN, I might live long enough to receive Dr. Shore's treatment—assuming it doesn't take another five years to reach the market.

 

[annV]

I'm using Low Dose Naltrexone off-label as an antidepressant, and it has helped me more than any SSRI ever did. I've been taking it for about three years now. It hasn't had any effect on my severe tinnitus, but I'm less prone to suicidal thoughts when my hyperacusis becomes overwhelming.

I would say my depression is mostly in remission. I still have some bad days, but even then I can function. Thanks to LDN, I might live long enough to receive Dr. Shore's treatment—assuming it doesn't take another five years to reach the market.

How did you convince your doctor to try LDN?

 

[delta784]

I'm using Low Dose Naltrexone off-label as an antidepressant, and it has helped me more than any SSRI ever did. I've been taking it for about three years now. It hasn't had any effect on my severe tinnitus, but I'm less prone to suicidal thoughts when my hyperacusis becomes overwhelming.

I would say my depression is mostly in remission. I still have some bad days, but even then I can function. Thanks to LDN, I might live long enough to receive Dr. Shore's treatment—assuming it doesn't take another five years to reach the market.

How old are you?

 

[Trespath]

How did you convince your doctor to try LDN?

I went to an online doctor because none of the local doctors I visited even knew what LDN is. My original reason for trying it was to potentially reduce tinnitus, but it did not help with that. However, within a month or two of taking 4.5 mg nightly, my mood improved. It has remained significantly better for almost the entire time I've been using LDN—about three years—aside from a recent setback.

A few months ago, my tinnitus intensified and my hyperacusis worsened. I can no longer tolerate any sustained tones, which means that any kind of music, at any volume, is basically out of the question. I've been having a hard time, but I will manage.

I have a history of trying SSRIs, but they caused severe insomnia, so I had to stop. Naltrexone just makes me feel like my old self, before I ever experienced depression.

 

[Trespath]

How old are you?

I will be 59 in a couple of weeks. I first experienced mild tinnitus in 1994, and it has gradually evolved over time.