The Serotonin Connection

I am convinced there is a relationship between my tinnitus and serotonin. I have had to quit 2 SSRIs due to adverse side effects I couldn't tolerate (severe muscle pain and weakness). Both Lexapro and most recently Celexa, would often give me 2-3 days of no tinnitus in a row. Celexa was the better of the two. Without it, the buzzing in my head is constant. Pristiq and Cymbalta often made it worse. We are now trying low dose Effexor.

I don't know if anyone else has experienced this but would be curious to know.

 

Flyfish I definitely think there is a serotonin connection with T and antid's. Looking back, I think my T is louder overall after using lexapro for 4.5 months / now on zoloft for 1 month due to headaches on lexapro. Prior to meds, I don't remember my T being as loud or annoying and I was in the very early months of onset. I used to get accupunture and my T was never loud enough that it would bother me in a room with soft, soothing music playing in the background. Now, forget it, I'd hear my T loud and clear if I was in that same environment. Also, during every dose increase on both medications, my T always spikes for a few days. The meds saved me life and am thankful for it....unfortunately louder T is the price I have to pay at this point for my sanity. Hopefully meds are only a temporary thing...time will tell and until that time, my T will keep on blaring away!

 

Seems logical. Have you tried melatonin, HTP-5 or L-trytpofan, which are all natural ingredients in the body's chain of serotonin production? L-tryptofan seems to help me sleep a bit better.

 

Looking at the cymbalta pills i'm taking now, adds more to the confusion I'm in - what SSRI's to take.

 

On a related note: I've seen several reports, both anecdotally and in published studies, that mirtazapine (Remeron), which is a slightly different class (NaSSA), often leads to a lower T in those taking it. Works on both serotonin and norepinephrine receptors. The studies I've seen seem to suggest that there's been no or limited reports of T increase on this drug.

 

Do not be so sure, that your T will lower if you Stop SSRI. My T rests severe after withdrawing SSRI (two years now)

 

Hey Mike. I'd love to see these studies as my doc has recently given me remeron.

 

be careful with the remeron,i was only on it 3 weeks and it made mine louder so tapered of and its blown both my ears ,its way way worse now,for 3 weeks of sleep its ruined my life,its that bad.

 

I was on remeron early when I got my tinnitus, It helped my cope with the sound very well and noticed no increase (more of a decrease but that was because my overall mood got better)

However I had to discontinue it after some months because I could not stop eating, and already being overweight that was impossible to handle.

It was still the best AD I tried after tinnitus, except for the fact that I slept for 2 weeks straight when I started using it and could only get up to get a snack or pee.

I guess we never know what works for every individual :/
I tried citalopram and fluoxetine back in 2012 as well and neither spiked my tinnitus (maybe first week with citalopram, then got back after that), also shorter durations of usage though, 1 month with citalopram (quit because horrible sideeffects like brainzaps, muscle cramps etc)
Fluoxetin after few months, worst sideffect I got from it back then was sexual and a bit numb to feelings.

But as some said here, anything can change If I try an AD again, might go worse or better this time.

However remeron saved my life, because I was ready to end my life due to tinnitus.
Depression is a bitch.