Stop Mirtazapine and enjoy less tinnitus noise perception

[DR650SE]

The general view from posts in many cases is that mirtazapine increases tinnitus noise perception

Conversely if mirtazapine is stopped does tinnitus noise perception reduce .

If so ,then I wonder what the timeline would be ?

Thanks

[Pita]

My tinnitus levels did not increase on this drug, I did however stop taking it early this year. I have since been prescribed Sertraline and this has caused a massive increase of tinnitus in both ears, I will probably think about coming off Sertraline in the new year to see if it lowers my tinnitus levels.

[DR650SE in reply to Pita]

Thanks for replying Pita

There are so many contradictory stories about M lessening the noise versus increasing the noise ,that I have come to the view point that it is very subjective

[TinnitusUKPat Partner in reply to DR650SE]

Both medications are used primarily to treat anxiety, low mood and other mild to moderate mental health issues, which have a significant impact on how tinnitus is experienced, viewed or ruminated on by those experiencing it. I would say it's difficult to disengage underlying health conditions from any discussion of tinnitus.

The contradictory stories are to be expected - tinnitus isn't a condition which affects everyone in the same way. If it were, it would be straightforward for a GP to prescribe Medication X and be confident that their patient will experience a positive outcome which resolves their problems.

I would try to take the view that these medications are never prescribed to treat tinnitus, so interactions that a patient identifies are idiopathic - they're unpredictable in clinical settings and only noticeable once a medication is in use.

[Pita in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Hi TinnitusUKPat , I do take Sertraline for C-PTSD and not for Tinnitus. I have had Tinnitus for over 25 years and wear hearing aid in one ear as I am 40% deaf, and the other ear is more or less going the same way.

[DR650SE in reply to Pita]

Sorry to hear about your issues and I am fully empathetic

In my case, I didn't realise how important ears were until 18 months ago :-((

An ear infection, my first astraZeneca vaccination ,the motorbike or a combination of all three caused my chronic mega tinnitus

I have always worn custom made earplugs on the motorbike and couldn't have done much more to protect my ears other than sit at home with a pipe and slippers

[TMotown]

Hi, I was prescribed Mirtazapine to calm my anxiety due to Tinnitus and the lack of sleep. It did help with sleep whilst I was on it but unfortunately when I decided to stop it I had horrible withdrawal symptoms and my Tinnitus went to a new level of sound, I had insomnia along with a list of other withdrawal symptoms, it’s taken months to get back to normal. With hindsight I wouldn’t have started them but they did help initially

[DR650SE in reply to TMotown]

Thanks for replying May I ask what the withdrawal symptoms were please and how did you succeed in the end of getting off it?

[TMotown in reply to DR650SE]

hi, my withdrawal symptoms were

Increased volume of Tinnitus

Insomnia

Palpitations and heart arythmia

Diharea

Dizziness

I felt quite poorly for a while, I think it’s recommended to have a slow taper from antidepressants, this reduces the withdrawal symptoms

[DR650SE in reply to TMotown]

Sorry to bother you but do you mind me asking how you tapered off please ?I am having my second attempt to get off them and suffering palpitations and insomnia

1. Was it 10% dose reduction per month starting at which dosage?

2. At what dosage did you throw the tablets away and go cold turkey

3.Did your sleep eventually normalise and how long did it take to do this ?.

My apologies for interrogating you but your experience gives me something to go on

[TMotown in reply to DR650SE]

hi, I tapered too fast under the Dr recommended instructions, I would go with a slower taper, there is a Mirtazapine support group that is very good, they give good advice on tapering. It is recommended to go at 10% per month. When I got to 7.5 I then went to alternate nights as suggested by the Dr, personally I found this too fast. It is 7 months since I had my last dose, my sleep is much better now but it did take time to settle. Hang in there, it does get better

[DR650SE in reply to TMotown]

I really appreciate you taking the time to reply to me

I can google Mirtazapine support group but if you have the specific link would you mind giving it to me if that is okay please

Thanks again

[TMotown in reply to DR650SE]

Sorry I’m struggling to share the link, this is what the group looks like 👍

Support group

[DR650SE in reply to TMotown]

Many thanks again

I can pick it up from the photo

Really appreciate you letting me know that such a group exists