Sertraline

[Seefor1]

Has anyone been prescribed Sertraline to help with anxiety caused by tinnitus? Husband now been on them over 3 weeks still has horrendous anxiety and his T is off the scale keeps getting told by doctors it 'should' get better can take 4 - 6 weeks for full effect to take place...study online linking Sertraline causing T....any thoughts.....many thanks.

[ShakeelaBTA]

Hello and welcome to the British Tinnitus Association forum.

Do feel free to ask any questions, I hope that you find this a helpful and supportive place to help you manage your tinnitus.

We have some resources that you might like to check out in addition to our home here:

tinnitus.org.uk (information and support details)

takeontinnitus.co.uk (free tinnitus management programme)

Helpline 0800 018 0527 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) (outside the UK you can call [phone])

Kind regards

Shakeela

[BRISOC]

Hi there, I used to take sertraline for almost 8 month and it didn't do me any good at all. I was feeling like a zombie and would not be able to fall asleep. I have now switched to escitalopram, which is much better but it does not help my T.

[Woodentop99]

I don’t really think sertraline helps anxiety, certainly not in my case,if your husbands anxiety is severe I would advise something like diazepam or lorazepam, ok, they can be addictive but taken correctly they are definitely helpful at this time, my wife controlled mine so I did not abuse them,,my anxiety in a word was GRIPPING, totally took control of me,I am still on sertaline have been now for around beginning of December I don’t feel it’s helped me however I am much more with it compared to the “ dark place” I was in, we all respond differently to medication but as regards it helping T I personally have my doubts, but that’s just my opinion, in conclusion when I had severe anxiety it actually was worse than my T which was unbearable, the tablets did help my anxiety ( benzodiazepines) along with hearing aids/ maskers which I got from audiology dept I was lucky as my guy specializes in T,, fingers x for your hubby.

[Lindsay6]

Hi. My thoughts are with you both . Over the 6 and a half years of my tinnitus , I have been prescribed just about every anti depressant , not necessarily for anxiety or depression , but because the doctors , though caring , don't know what else to do - and like to send us on our way with a script. I have a few including setraline but all have ramped up the tinnitus - and its never gone down. despite me saying this , I have still been given more / different scrips - I have a collection of 8 unused ones to date !

[Seefor1]

Thanks to all who've replied, he's been taken off them now (another doc thought he should be feeling a little bit better by now, other side effects he had could have been quite serious) gave him another brand to try BUT he's going to try with no AD to see how he copes. Has got some very low dose Diazepam which we're hoping will be enough. Wish him luck... 2 holidays booked in June ... so no pressure! x

[ejm1]

Hi I have taken sertraline 2 years with great results , it just helps me cope a bit better . I take a diazepam if really bad and can’t sleep . Best thing for him is to go on the holidays ! Sometimes a break away really helps ! The days my T bad I like to keep busy and distracted . If sit in house it’s louder ! You know what has really helped me recently was walking while listening to podcasts ! I enjoy listening and get fresh air ! So when I feel T driving me crazy I pop on the big headphones and listen ! Hope your hubby adapts quickly as we all know how tough first few years can be ❤️

[jmallordturner51]

The worst thing about tinnitus is that anxiety about it makes it worse. I would say stick with it. The only drugs you really have to worry abut are ototoxic ones. Give him plenty of hugs it is the best medicine there is.

[jmallordturner51]

I agree fresh air and outside sounds while walking is a great relief for me.