Wellbutrin Gave Me Tinnitus

Hello all,

Thank you for letting join the group. As best doctors can tell, Wellbutrin gave me tinnitus about 3 weeks ago. I’ve been reading on Tinnitus Talk about other people who developed tinnitus after taking Wellbutrin.

The ENTs I’ve seen are a joke. Two of three offered no treatment at all, despite ear pain, pressure and, of course, the new onset of tinnitus. They just said come back in a year. It’s been only an urgent care clinic that has offered good care. I’ll be taking a CT scan of my sinuses, since they seem to be making things worse, next week after seeing a new ENT this week.

I hate the fact I ever sought psychiatric treatment. It’s just not worth the cost. What’s worse, I was never told of the risks. Never, ever did I think medicines could cause tinnitus. The ATA says 300 medications can cause hearing loss, and a psychiatrist I saw this week said all psychotropic drugs can. Wellbutrin certainly seems like the worst. From what I ended up learning, 6% incidence! SIX percent of people on 300 mg. I think it’s reckless and dangerous doctors don’t mention this as a possibility. They barely go over the list of any side effects. It’s all just let’s try… Never never have I nor friends heard of hearing loss or tinnitus as a possible side effect of psychiatric meds. Psychiatrists will go on about the evils of coffee before they ever mention tinnitus side effects of medications, which in my experience is never. The system seems to have priorities that are frankly cruel in their disregard.

I was thriving in the pandemic. Keeping to myself, trying to improve myself. Such are the rewards.

 

Sorry to hear you're battling at the moment. Three weeks is still very early. Doctors could certainly do a better job of explaining side effects. My impression is that they are either unaware or don't bother - potential side effects are numerous unfortunately. As for Wellbutrin, I've read many, many stories of this drug causing tinnitus. After a certain incidence threshold there really should be greater caution and emphasis placed on tinnitus as a potential side effect.

It is most likely that the tinnitus will either go away or become a lot more quiet (to the point where you can only hear it in quiet rooms). This process can take some time though - anything from a few months to 2 years. Best of luck.

 

My tinnitus started a month ago because of Wellbutrin. I stopped taking it and have seen many doctors since. I think it's going away. Didn't seem so in the beginning, but this last week, major improvements. The main question I had for doctors, particularly the one I saw Friday, was, when the tinnitus is low, how can you keep it low?

I reported the side effect to GSK and my doctor has reached out to them for more information about what people who develop tinnitus from Wellbutrin can do to improve their chances of it going away? I don't expect them to respond. GSK had to pay billions because of fraud relating to Wellbutrin from what I've read. When these cases are settled the companies should be forced to set up information banks for patients. Money is not enough.

The specialist I saw Friday said he HAS seen medication-induced tinnitus go away. He came recommended by the ATA. By the way, I spoke with the ATA after becoming a member and shared my frustration in finding good medical support. The ENTs I've seen are a joke. The first one didn't even offer ANY treatment. None. Just said come back in a year. The person I spoke from ATA with said ENTs are often too broad in their practice. She recommended I seek out an otologist. So that's a tip I have. In fact, the otologist I saw Friday is so specialised in the ear that he really couldn't answer some specific questions about sinuses I had. I asked him what I could do to keep my tinnitus low when it was low. He said, not much except keep doing what I'm doing.

I have made several lifestyle changes. I have started exercising. I pretty much stopped drinking. Maybe 1 drink in last two weeks. And I've focused a lot on relaxation and masking. The ATA person recommended the app Relax Melodies and it's amazing, unlike any app I've seen. Not just music or white noise. It has wonderful, calming stories. Honestly, amazing.

But I wanted to ask the community, what do you do to keep the tinnitus low when it is low?

 

I think this will depend somewhat on the tinnitus cause. Keeping away from loud noises is the obvious big one for noise induced tinnitus, but this is likely to apply less in your case. Next would likely be getting good sleep, managing your stress and exercising. Avoiding certain foods, supplements or meds if you know they’ll set off the tinnitus. Basically, looking after yourself and giving your auditory system the time it needs to settle.

I think it’s a very good sign you’ve had material improvements in a relatively short time frame. Keep on looking after yourself and you could reach silence again.

 

Thank you for that. I appreciate it.

 

Things are falling apart. At this rate, I will lose my job in a couple of months. I need to get a professional certificate in order to keep my new job. But I can’t study for the test because of the tinnitus. Boss keeps asking about the certificate. I used to be the best student, honestly top honors. Now quieting my mind to study seems to make the tinnitus worse. I don’t know if it actually does, but spikes during study terrify me.

 

Hey mate. Sorry to hear you’re struggling. Are there any sounds you can tolerate while studying? I would recommend trying to play some music in the background or leaving the TV on. I also use the ReSound app. I think for most people the tinnitus grows progressively in quiet rooms. Are there any coffee shops you could try for studying? Perhaps a combination of the above. Worth a shot.

I know it’s not easy. There will be ups and downs. Has there been any reduction in volume for you? I hope things start to get better.

 

Desvenlafaxine caused mine. I took Pristiq for 24 days 50 mg. Developed tinnitus while taking the terrible drug and now 8 months off the drug I still have tinnitus.

Doctors don't think the drug damaged my auditory system, but how the heck can I take a drug for 3 weeks and then have loud high pitched tinnitus for 8 months after. I think the doctors have no idea what they are talking about, and I also regret seeking psychiatric help, because I told my doctor I didn't want an SSRI, so the idiot prescribed me SNRI, even more dangerous. I am so angry because I have always been against antidepressants but I unfortunately was fooled to think it would help.

After 8 months I know this is permanent. I have never read a story that the tinnitus has resolved after months. People with antidepressant induced tinnitus tell me they still have it after 15 years, so this is a life long of torture and misery. That's why if I am still alive in 2 years and have successfully not impulsively killed myself because of how badly tinnitus is making me miserable, I'll definitely kill myself. Good luck with this terrible condition caused by drugs that are supposed to help the other conditions that this condition causes. What a fun little miserable cycle of depression, tinnitus, more depression. HAHAHA. Kill me.

 

Yeah, I went to a new psychiatrist, told her about how Wellbutrin caused my tinnitus, her suggestion was to suggest a different drug without knowing whether tinnitus was a possible side effect! And get this, it was an SNRI. I didn’t know they were more dangerous. I’m a high functioning, happy person. I don’t need more medications. I regret seek psychiatric help. I just want to treat my tinnitus and that’s it.
Very sorry to hear what you’re going through. I relate.

 

If I control the spikes, then it does get better. The trick is addressing the spikes.

 

@Guest9207 & @PeanutButter, if you haven't yet, please read my thread:

Bupropion Induced Tinnitus — Reduced by 70%!

@Guest9207, please list what your dose was and for how long? Were/are you on any other meds now? When you say "spike," is your tinnitus constant?

Try the Art of Zen Tinnitus on YouTube and myNoise.net for masking.

Best of luck.