Clonazepam

[Jimmuck]

I currently take 10mg of Amitrip daily as prescribed by the NHS hearing consultant I saw. While they certainly help me sleep, I read the other day that some research on clonazepam, indicated this drug might be more effective in helping reduce tinnitus noise levels. Has anyone found this to be the case as I have a doctors appointment tomorrow and I was thinking about asking if I could maybe try it. Today has been horrendous with T raging on both sides and shows no sign of backing off.

[Hidden]

Hi Jimmuck

Clonazepam can be very effective in treating tinnitus for some people. I was prescribed it back in 2010 when I had very severe tinnitus. My tinnitus naturally fluctuates from complete silence, mild, moderate and severe. It no longer reaches extreme severe levels lasting days. I was advised by my ENT consultant, to only take it when my tinnitus is severe. It does reduce my tinnitus to complete silence. The dose I take is: 2x 0.5mg tablets.

Clonazepam also known as Rivotril, shouldn't be taken too often as addiction can set in. If it is taken regularly the body quickly habituates to it and it no longer has any effect. This is when larger dosage of the drug is need to get relief and that's when addiction can set in. It can also have unpleasant side effects. It belongs to the benzodiazepines family of drugs. These are strong medications. I take clonazepam about once or twice a month now and usually for just two days and only if my tinnitus reaches severe levels lasting for more that 2 or 3 days.

Some doctors will not easily prescribe clonazepam for the reasons I've explained above. When they do prescribe it, it is usually on a temporary, to help someone get over a rough patch with their tinnitus. I still get the medication but my GP monitors the amount I'm given.

Hope this helps

Michael

[Jimmuck in reply to Hidden]

Hi Michael.Thank you very much for your extremely informative response which is greatly appreciated. I hate having to take daily meds as the side effects can be very dangerous as I know to my cost, so taking clonazepam only on a need to basis appeals to me. I am delighted that it really works well for you and I just hope and pray that it will also have the same effect on me if I am fortunate enough to have it prescribed. Many thanks again for your advice.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the useful info Michael. I'm surprised at the use of anti-depressants for Tinnitus but it seems to be if not common at least not unusual. In my own case I can't imagine taking anything like this but I understand how people will take anything if they suffer badly. Keep trying to analyse the triggers but it still eludes me. Today my ears are quiet so I'm listening to the world differently for a while.

[Jimmuck]

I attended my doctors appointment this afternoon, hoping I would come home with a prescription for clonazepam, however, it didn't quite pan out that way. I explained to my GP the difficulties I was having with tinnitus and that according to other sufferers who used the drug, it had proved beneficial in reducing the volume. I was told that due to it's addictive nature, the practice ruling was not to prescribe it. She examined my ears again as a previous infection had flared up and discovered some dark wax on the left side, so I am having it syringed again in a few weeks time. I just hope it does't have an adverse effect on my T as I am already struggling with these high volume spikes. So disappointed.

[Curlew]

Hello J, My go gave me amitrip 10mg in the beginning, but I am very wary of taking medication, it is the correct thing for T though, or so I believe.

I only take one on very rare occasions if I have had a very bad day to make sure I sleep. I have had 1 packet for 8 months though and still not finished it so how they would help long term I couldn't say.

Hope you find something that suits you though and keep us posted if you do. 👍

Take care, C

[Jimmuck in reply to Curlew]

Hi Curlew,

Like you, I don't like taking medication as my long suffering wife will testify, but I am now on my second course of 10mg Amitrip and I take one at night just before bedtime. I was never a great sleeper at the best of times and 4-5 hours was the norm for me but since I have been on the Amitrip, I am getting a full 8 hours almost every night. A good night's sleep means I have more energy during the day to keep active and do things that take my mind off this damned tinnitus and that in itself is a very positive step for me. I am going to try and stay on them for as long as the doctor will allow me and hopefully I will be habituated by then, although that day seems an awfully long way away sometimes. If you're not sleeping well, I would give them another go as they certainly have been beneficial for me, in calming my mind down a bit. Every little helps as they say!

[Lindaann55]

I take it at night ... it helps me sleep but does nothing to help my raging tinnitus...