Worsening Tinnitus and Withdrawal Symptoms After Quitting Mirtazapine

[Annina]

Hello,

I have had tinnitus for almost five months. Two months ago, I tried Mirtazapine 3.75 mg to help me sleep. At first, I used it occasionally, about five to seven times in total. (Now I know this should not be done under any circumstances, but I was gaslighted by both doctors and other people.)

After that, I used the medicine for a week straight. One night I forgot to take it, and the tinnitus was worse the next day. In the second week, I started reducing the dose because I wanted to stop. The tinnitus got worse, and I developed other symptoms, but at the time I did not realize this was due to reducing the medicine. Then I had to decide whether to continue using it or stop before becoming more dependent. I chose to stop, and it has now been eight days. Every day since, the tinnitus has only become louder and more chaotic. The other withdrawal symptoms are also quite severe.

In total, I had been using the medicine continuously for about two and a half weeks. I know that you are not supposed to stop a medication cold turkey, but if I had continued, I felt I would have become even more dependent. I am not sure if the medication itself made the tinnitus worse or if this is purely from withdrawal.

Now I am wondering if I should try reinstating the medication and then tapering off it very slowly later. Would that calm the tinnitus? I know the risks, but I am afraid this will not get better otherwise.

I did a lot of background research on this drug, but unfortunately, I did not find all the necessary information in time to avoid this situation. I may have developed dependence on it through occasional use, but I only noticed symptoms afterwards.

 

[henkess]

Quit that. That medicine is bad. The doctors also told me to taper off slowly.

 

[Sydnears]

This happened to me as well. I was on it for a week and then stopped.

When I first started, my tinnitus felt much calmer, and I was thrilled. Then I began experiencing brain zaps, which scared me, so I stopped. After that, my tinnitus increased, but it calmed down again after a few weeks.

I am not sure if my baseline is now louder. I kind of think it is, but I try not to dwell on that. For now, I try to avoid all medications.

 

[Annina]

This happened to me as well. I was on it for a week and then stopped.

When I first started, my tinnitus felt much calmer, and I was thrilled. Then I began experiencing brain zaps, which scared me, so I stopped. After that, my tinnitus increased, but it calmed down again after a few weeks.

I am not sure if my baseline is now louder. I kind of think it is, but I try not to dwell on that. For now, I try to avoid all medications.

I'm so sorry this happened to you as well. What dosage did you take?