Suicidal

Yes, my stomach is twisting and churning. This is affecting me as a whole now. I look at my children and think about the life I have lost in these last few months. I don't know what to do next. There are a few of us in this boat, but medication is worsening our cases.

 

I have to make a move! I think I will try to drop from 40 to 20 slowly. May make no difference, but at least i will have tried.

 

That's a 50% drop! I don't know the rules for prozac, but for benzos and gabapentinoids they never recommend to drop more than 10% at a time, perhaps 20% if you know you tolerate the reduction well
EDIT I saw you say slowly, then it's ok

 

I'm not going to do it quickly. Just miss 30 on one day for 4 weeks or so and then do the same on another day until im down to 20 across the board. If I had a liquid form or a tablet form it would be easier as I could cut up the tablets etc, but I have capsules.

 

I was trying to think what could have caused my tinnitus to go through the roof. First I was thinking food. Now I am pretty sure it is the WEATHER!!

Yesterday was +2. I didn't look at the forecast today and nipped outside a while back for around 20-30 mins. It was cold, but I was well wrapped up. Just looked at the forecast and it's -12.

Maybe a coincidence, but I noticed the spike as soon as I got back home pretty much. Can pressures changes or simple cold make tinnitus worse? If they can then I'm in for one long and rough ride.

Never been this bad.

 

This apparently happens with Meniere's so I'm sure it could happen for other reasons too.

 

BUT, it could be a delayed spike from what happened to me at an airport last week Thursday? Can a spike be THAT delayed?

My money is still on the weather change.

 

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Tonal

 

Where I am it goes down to -30 C. Hope to God it won't get even worse as the temperature goes down.

My dream now is to get off of fluoxetine and for a miracle cure to come out ASAP. Wish me luck!!

 

My tinnitus has also been driving to my wits' end. It is so loud and disturbing I can't even think straight. Lately, I have had a hard time getting through the day without having really bad thoughts. I can't even have a conversation with anyone most of the time because my tinnitus is so loud I can make out what they are saying. My tinnitus might be caused by 25 years of taking 4mg of Xanax a day for my anxiety, then having to stop about two years ago because doctors didn't want to prescribe it anymore as it became a liability. Then I was put on Gabapentin and Depakote, which I think might be a contributing factor, so I go off and on them. My tinnitus does fluctuate from day to day (from bad to worse), and I feel like I am on roller coaster, but I can't get off the ride! I am really freaked out!

 

Mine is always bad. 10/10 70 dB multi tones. How do you describe them when the tempo is super fast?

The only times there seems to be a slight reduction or calming down of it is when I wake up and on some occasions early evening. It seems I lose some tones momentarily and perhaps a volume reduction. It doesn't last long. Regardless of when it happens, it's only brief. Maybe 30 minutes or less. 10/10 to 9/10 or 8/10 isn't much of a relief change and it doesn't last long when it happens. It eventually returns to the insanely loud tinnitus.

 

As you answered yes to Question 1 and tonal to Q3, the Lenire device should actually work with you but the problem you are having is that the device is not set correctly. You need to be able to set the volume to even as low as zero, because in this case you will be able to control it and set it to a level which you only need, because every day the volume level you need to hear the treatment is different and any tone louder than necessary will spike your tinnitus and make it mad.

When you went back to Neuromod for the first review appointment, did they set it up for you and set the volume down and gave you the ability to set it down to even zero?

 

I think you're dropping your dose too much too soon as well. Please take your time weaning yourself off something like Prozac. No doubt you're aware of AD withdrawal syndromes that cause all sorts of complications, like brain zaps, restless leg syndrome as well as tinnitus as a byproduct.

I'm no expert in this regard, but I would do it over many months to a year or even more. Don't risk aggravating your tinnitus. AD withdrawal is a serious issue that's only being recognised in recent years.

Pharmacists sell dummy capsules that you can open and fill with a portion of the powder from a broken open Prozac capsule. It's fiddly and not precise but doable. You can then potion control your dose in ever reducing amounts and stretch it out over a long period of time. It might be a safer way to go.

 

The plan was to go from 40 mg to 20 mg over 6 months. However, if I decide to come off of Prozac completely I would go from 20 mg to 0 mg over a number of years. It's the last bit that takes forever.

Not sure what to do yet.

 

It will not be easy for you but a man just recently wrote about his journey coming off Gabapentin on BenzoBuddies he said it was just as bad as coming off the benzo.

He went through a horrendous time too, but is doing ok now. He contacted me and said he still has minor tinnitus from these drugs and he is years out now. However, he is living a full life now, he said his tinnitus has calmed down to a very low level and all the other symptoms have left him.

He is under groovejuice on BenzoBuddies, look at success stories, he sent me a message by pm detailing his story more. He never had tinnitus until using these drugs.

Maybe if you do get off everything you will eventually improve too... I really feel for you, it would not be an easy decision.

I hope someone can help you if you do decide to withdraw. I am always here to help you if I can

 

I wish I had taken a sugar pill, anything but the real deal, I wouldn't be in the mess I am in either... safe benzo I was told, wtf.

I always advocated for my patients but I failed on myself big time.

 

I have failed myself big time, too. Hate myself for it and always will.

I was looking at an FDA access data file of a report by Eli Lilly on prozac which says these were observed in clinical trials: "Special Senses — Frequent: ear pain, taste perversion, tinnitus;" https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drug...7/018936s081s082,020101s037,021235s009lbl.pdf

 

It's still possible that your tinnitus could ease once you've reduced or stopped taking Prozac. And if you do need to take an AD, perhaps another type may be gentler on the ears.

 

If I came off an AD now I would never go onto another one. I would have to find other strategies to 'cope'.

How I hate the word 'cope'!!!

 

I want to do it in the next day or two.

I want to choose helium but I don't have money to buy it. I don't have money to buy a rope.

I don't need money to jump off a building. If it's high enough, I should die from the fall.

 

Please Pete, hang in there. I know it’s hard. Believe me, I have severe reactive T and horrible sound distortion in all outside and most internal environments. My only reprieve is a quiet room with music, but essentially I am for all intents and purposes bedbound. I’m trying to get out on my balcony little by little, and try to listen for the birds through the white noise and whistling distortion of the far off traffic but it’s devastating all the same.

But each day we crawl closer to a cure. I know that we will see that, or at the very least effective treatments in our lifetime. Please, please just keep going. I know you use this thread as a cathartic release for all of your pain, but many of us understand at a visceral level what you are going through and you are not alone in your suffering.

Have you messaged linerab about that book? I’m convinced that your ear pain is treatable with the right regiment.

 

I don't want to "hang in there."

You don't understand. I have severe ear pain right now. Out of nowhere and the tinnitus is loud. I am holding my hand to my left ear as I type this. The pain is inhumane.

I want to die. I tried joining a suicide site. I am willing to jump off a building. I have to decide which one.

Also fighting with a sibling about money. I don't want to endure this anymore. The only thing stopping me is fear of being crippled or a brain injury. I think if I go up enough stories I might succeed but I wanted a less risky method but I need money for those.

 

I will simply kill myself if this does not improve. I don't care anymore, I just accepted my destiny. This is what life wanted to happen to me. I don’t know why but I am living what I am living. It doesn’t matter. I will never have a joyful youth. It doesn’t matter. I just accepted this is what happened to me. This is what is happening. It has been a short life but no problem. I have accepted it. I will end my own suffering when the time comes. I will try to end this with all my strength. I think the most effective thing will be to jump over a bridge near here. I know what bridge, many people commited suicide there in the past. I already went to take a look. You have to have courage, who will win? The stupid survival instinct or the need to stop suffering and the desire to turn off the tinnitus forever?

 

My family member can inherit my car.

I wish I could have arranged for someone to take my dog. But, I can't wait any longer.

 

I so wish sufferers like us could find peace.
I keep losing to the survival instinct and suffer immeasurably for it.
May I ask, how is your sleep, as I am suffering near total insomnia.

 

My ear bone and the muscle there(?) is in so much pain. Just immediately under the ear. Why can't anyone figure it out? Why do I have to live in this agony? This is is inhumane. Euthanasia should be allowed for this. Even assisted suicide. I think there is a place in Switzerland? Why only one country? This is cruel.

 

I take near two pills in order to put me sleep. But I wake up 4 hours later in the middle of the night. It’s awful. I'm a fucking sleepless junkie and I couldn't care less.

I’m so sorry for your suffering...

 

Pills for sleeping.. that's a bad idea. Try exercise, infusions, stuff like that… natural things.

 

Actually, EVERYTHING is a bad idea if you have tinnitus

 

How long have you had tinnitus? Do you use a fan or white/pink noise machine? Or an app on your phone?

Aps don't help me anymore and my fan doesn't help but it's a noise in the background besides the tinnitus.

I wish I didn't have to use it but my tinnitus is too loud. I get crappy sleep but I think your sleep will improve. I talk from experience. I get crappy sleep and crappy sleep but yours should improve from 4 hrs. The other guy is correct. If you are able to exercise like jogging or running, try? I wish I could.

I am sometimes up til 4am. The worst part about this is the poor quality of sleep. Besides duration, quality of sleep is also important.