Tinnitus: What does all that noise mean?

[Altostrata]

@NovaSouls see above and post questions about your particular situation in your new Introductions topic.

 

Please use search in Symptoms before starting new topics about symptoms. Thank you.

[Josh]

So I came off my antidepressants, semi cold turkey two months ago.

 

I have been taking 20mg prozac for about four years. I started taking the same dose less and less, taking it once every week / week and a half until I stopped taking it. 

 

I did this for a long time - hence why I am describing this as "semi cold turkey"

 

I did go through some small bouts of suicidal thoughts etc, but I'm pretty stable. 

 

The only symptom I started noticing was jaw problems, numbness around my chin, tingling sensations all around my jaw and a lot of pressure, especially while I was talking to people.

 

These symptoms have gone down slightly, nothing too intense but still present, I can feel pressure around my jaw under my ears and occasionally the pressure goes up all around my jaw.

 

However, I have just started getting really sharp, constant tinnitus, which is making me freak out  - it hasn’t gone away in 5 days and it is very stressful and making me very panicky. 
 

Everything that I’m reading on here about tinnitus as a symptom related to withdrawals from SSRI’s doesn’t look good, and It doesn't seem temporary which is making me worries.

So if someone could offer me some insights or professional advice I would appreciate it.
 

is this permanent damage I’m going to have to endure now with no relief?
 

will this be a permanent symptom or can it get gradually better over time?

 

can tinnitus go away if I reinstate my antidepressants? I have tried to research this, but can only find articles talking about antidepressants / antidepressant withdrawal causing tinnitus, nothing about reinstating antidepressants to stop it as a symptom from withdrawal.

 

I honestly just want this to go away.

 

I am also looking into ENT doctors to help - any other suggestions of treatment or avenues to look at will be appreciated.

 

if anyone has anything they can share how I can calm myself down I would appreciate it. 

what should I do, because if I need to go back into my medication to relieve this symptom I will, if that is the best course of action 

 

thanks for listening 

[KenA]

Please see this link for more information about Tinnitus

 

Tinnitus -- What does all that noise mean?

 

Moving your post to that topic

[Viinncceennt]

Dear all

 

For those of you who have used SSRI and especially Lexapro for many years, have you developped extreme noise sensitivity while on it ? If so, did tapering and quitting reduce it ?

 

I have been on Lexapro for 8 years and I started developping tinnitus after a couple of years, then misophonia and recently (last 2 years), I have developped more and more sensitivity to noise, sounds.

 

It is now unbearable and painful : I wear cancelling noise headphones to sleep, earplugs to eat and talk with my parents... Every noise is disturbing, even the softest of noises : putting a pen on a table, crumple paper...

 

It feels like it saturates my earing and I feel electricty, almost pain, in my ear, my head, my backbone.

 

I don't understand how it appeared : I have developped many weird symptoms throughough the years, and I only made the link with Lexapro in the last months/weeks. But I wonder if it couldn't have been AB uses as well...

 

Thanks !

 

 

[Vonnegutjunky]

I’ve had tinnitus for almost 10 years now since my adverse reaction- I’m just wondering if anyone else has had this experience for this long? And if you did, did it ever go away? It’s pretty intense and I thought as I tapered it would get better but it hasn’t - 

[jon1]

An interesting observation I made today.

 

Like a lot of people here, my tinnitus tends to start before I get up in the morning. Not this morning though, I experienced nothing - until about 45 minutes after getting out of bed - then it came on full blast.

 

The reason? The clocks changed last night, so my body is an hour behind until it readjusts.

 

It does seem to add credence to the idea that the cause could be a reaction to the release of certain hormones at certain times of day.

[Tweed9674]

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/04/15/1244501055/tinnitus-hearing-loss-ringing-ear-noise

I just read that article. I don't know if this could help anyone in our situation.

Any opinions?

[jon1]

9 hours ago, Tweed9674 said:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/04/15/1244501055/tinnitus-hearing-loss-ringing-ear-noise

I just read that article. I don't know if this could help anyone in our situation.

Any opinions?

I guess as it’s non-pharmacological, and non-intrusive, it may be worth a shot.

 

My only reservation is that we’re still not sure what causes withdrawal tinnitus, and if it’s the same as ‘normal’ tinnitus.

 

I’m a musician, and had mild tinnitus before I took SSRIs, and still do. The tinnitus I have from withdrawal is very different in sound and behaviour. So I’m not sure if the mechanisms that cause it are the same.