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?

 

[Sydnears]

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

7.5 mg. It messed with my brain as well. I was not a fan, to be honest!

 

[Annina]

It has been 18 days since I stopped taking the medication. Why is my tinnitus getting worse every day? It keeps getting louder and constantly changes. It is also much more reactive. Why has it not stabilized?

Is it possible that the crackling and clicking in the Eustachian tubes, caused by Eustachian tube dysfunction, could lead to hearing damage and worsen tinnitus? These crackling sounds are quite loud. I have noticed, almost since my tinnitus began, that eating and swallowing make it worse. It is not usually a temporary spike.

According to AI and my ENT, it should not be possible for it to make such loud sounds, but I have noticed that my tinnitus reacts to it. Either the sound itself or the pressure fluctuations in the Eustachian tube seem to trigger this reaction.

 

[MindOverMatter]

Is it possible that the crackling and clicking in the Eustachian tubes, caused by Eustachian tube dysfunction, could lead to hearing damage and worsen tinnitus? These crackling sounds are quite loud. I have noticed, almost since my tinnitus began, that eating and swallowing make it worse.

To my personal knowledge, no.

It's actually very common for many people with bothersome tinnitus to experience the sensations you describe, along with Eustachian tube dysfunction. I've had this too during several periods.

It's much better these days.

 

[Annina]

To my personal knowledge, no.

It's actually very common for many people with bothersome tinnitus to experience the sensations you describe, along with Eustachian tube dysfunction. I've had this too during several periods.

It's much better these days.

Thanks for the reply. I didn't make it clear that my tinnitus gets significantly worse after eating. It has also been getting worse continuously since the beginning, and it even reacts to the sound of swallowing. I haven't been able to eat normally for months because of this. I wonder if I'm just imagining it or if this is really possible.

I haven't been able to treat this ETD with nasal sprays or any other treatments.