Been really struggling for a few weeks and given in and started with antidepressants to get me through this rough patch with really bad tinnitus.
I've only been on the Setralin four nights. I already felt like it took the edge off my mood. Unfortunately last night I had a massive spike in both ears, very scary indeed. And today my left ear is left with that very, very loud noise. It was like no spike I've had before so I suspect it to be to setralin. I've been told to continue with it for another week or so, but not sure I can handle it if it does it again tonight, it's super loud as I type.
I feel truly awful. Should I give it a chance, and hope it settles? My mood needs an antidepressant for sure, but not if it's going to be like this obviously.
I wondered if anyone else has had similar with setralin?
Any other similar antidepressants?
Thank you.
Written by
Karlos
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
As with other medications, responses to Sertraline amongst T sufferers seems to vary widely. My own experience is that, after 15 years of moderate T, it became much worse 7 years ago. This led to a period (more than a year), on Sertraline, starting with a high dose and gradually tapering to zero. In my case the Sertraline did help with my mood / depression, but I do not believe that it had any effect at all on my T, for good or ill, which continued (and continues) to go its own sweet way, getting worse.
Others will probably reply with their own, different, experiences.
I wouldn't continue if I were you - unless you really need to. It's not worth the risk. Whoever told you to continue may not understand loud T and the effect it can have on someone. Doctors rarely do. All the best.
Karlos, i sympathize with you . I had similar terrible experience with tinnitus which started around 40 years sgo, they put me on antidepressants too, this didnt help and possibly made the tinnitus worse, i eventually took myself off the drugs, that wasnt easy because you become reliant on them with no up side. The good news is that over the years i learned to manage the anxiety and panic created by tinnitus and eventually it my tinnitus decreased to zero, it comes back for brief periods occasionally but with stress management it always goes away
Hi Zolapet, it was good to read that you have bought yourself off anti depressants and you are coping well. I have been on and off them for 7 years now ever since I developed tinnitus.I’ve had some really tough times when I haven’t taken them and now take CBD drops…..but they don’t do anything. I admire your strength to manage your stress levels . I hopefully one day be the same 🌞
Similar to perlcoder , it's help me as part of my coping strategy. That is the most important part for me. However, I'm currently undergoing further investigation into symptom that may or may not be side-effects from the medication. A few months ago I increased my dosage of Sertraline from 200mg to 150mg, the 100mg and I found myself back to 150mg which seems optimal (at least for me). Unfortunately, it's all part of the journey. Keep speaking to your doctor. Other ADs may be more suitable for you.
Though this article from New Scientist sheds some interesting light on ADs (I haven't read the full article)
Hi Carlos.. I have found with this tablet & other anti depressants that it can take upwards of a Month or More before you feel the benefits of it working, the doctors i have been seeing for over 34 years start you on a low dose and work the dosage up over 2-3 months...
Hi Karlos. I’ve been on off sertraline for my mood since starting with severe T. My own view is because I expected the drugs to make my T worse, I over “monitored” for my T, heard it more clearly/ loudly at all times, mental feedback loop that the sertraline is making it worse, repeat. Now I’m in a much better place with my T and mood, I can look back and understand that actually, my T has fluctuated in perceived volume whether I’ve been on sertraline or not. I feel maybe there was an ever so slight increase as soon as I started taking the drug but actually the improvement on my depression/ mood was so much more beneficial than the slight increase in the T that for me it was definitely worthwhile. It can take several weeks for your body to get used to started antidepressants but for me I’ve found them very valuable and have got me out of a very very dark hole. Good luck to you.
I decided to come off the Sertraline, I simply couldn't face another night of it making it that bad again. I am weening of it by taking half the dose I was on. I was going to do that for four nights, as I've only been on it for four nights.
I am going to start with Mirtizapine, which doesn't have tinnitus listed in the side effects, but who knows, we shall see! I definitely need some help atm. I've no idea why my T has rocketed in a few weeks. I've had T since 2007 and this is the first time I've needed something to help. 8 weeks feels like a lifetime of suffering and I'm losing hope. But trying my best to keep positive.
Yes, stay positive. Your post has got me thinking about reducing my Sertraline (and take my own advice that this is part of the journey) to find and respond to my situation. So thank you.
Just like you, I was prescribed Sertraline and after a couple of days my tinnitus was definitely worse. I went back to my GP and was fortunate to see a locum who had spent 9 years in ENT. He immediately pointed out that one of the possible side effects of Sertraline is tinnitus and prescribed Mirtazapine. I have now been taking Mirtazapine for 9 weeks. Not sure it has improved my tinnitus, but it certainly hasn’t made it any worse, and it is definitely helping me sleep and my reaction to the tinnitus has got much better.
That is great to hear that the Mirtazapine is helping. I am only on day 2 of 15mg. I have slept more than normal I think. But mood still low, I hope it lifts my mood soon. Thank you.
Hi, I can only comment on my own experience, but it took around four weeks before I started to feel my mood lift, so hang in there! I am on the same dose as you by the way. My GP did say that I could double it, but I haven’t felt the need so far.
I have been on mirtizipine now for about 2yrs primarily for help with sleep. My GP said these were suitable as they shouldn’t worsen the tinnitus & in my personal experience they haven’t made it any worse. Definitely helped me. I’m now down to 15mg & hope to be off them soon. Worth trying if the setralin don’t suit you.
This is what I’m on too (Mirtazapine). I took sertraline and it didn’t work out well for me (serotonin syndrome). I came off that in 2017ish. My tinnitus didn’t start until 2021. For me I don’t have a link between the drugs. Though I think this is the point isn’t it, it’s being able to see what works for us and ask for further support / try other things. Mirtazapine is definitely right for me and helps with sleep and even though I have tinnitus while taking this for I don’t think there’s a direct correlation and I’ve taken a lot of antidepressants over the years!
Yes definitely it’s finding what works for you. I read comments from people saying do it without the drugs but I say if it helps get you through , then why not. I have lowered my dose to 15mg & I have noticed my T has got lower, whether this is with reducing them, I don’t know but I’m relishing in the bit of peace I’m getting for now!
Hi there, I was on citalopram after a breakdown and after a month of starting it, I didn't even realise I'd had tinnitus before that but once it got into my system it spiked dreadfully which made me even more anxious, so I came off them and it did go down again. I also suffer from blocked eustachian tubes and have been clearing them with plantago drops which also have really helped. Got it quite quiet and I know this won't apply to you but recently started HRT and it's gone up a bit, but it's helping my anxiety and as a trade off I'm trying to learn to habituate to the increase in noise again. Though to be fare it's got even worse this week as I've caught COVID. If your looking to swap your ad sounds like one of the other replies you had has a good suggestion, perhaps ask to change to that one and see how you go. Anxiety is hard to live with and I would be tempted to try the other ad recommended before coming off them, I had HRT as an alternative and not sure where I'd be without that. Wish you the best x
Thank you for your reply and sharing your story. Plantago drops, interesting, please do elaborate. My Eustachian tubes seem to do some very odd things, re pressure etc and ears feeling 'full' - but when checked they say they're ok.
Yes I get a full and pressure kind of feeling in mine, I can only say that since I started using plantago every day they feel clearer. After a while you can feel fluid moving and odd clicking noises. Think of a sink full of water and your slowly letting water through by lifting the plug very slightly, no idea why it works but it just does x
I am deaf since I was 12 and I am 38 now. My tinnitus is extreme to me and I struggle to deal with moments without my hearing aids on such as sleeping and anytime they are not on my ears.
I have done my own research for years as doctors don't know any solutions and or how we feel. Easiest thing for them is giving you drugs to manage it! This is not an answer and when discussing vitamins and herbs they do not have an interest in this, I am talking from my experience in trying to manage this horrendous problem for years.
We all need to understand that only you know what you are going through with this and no one else will. This is a problem with our brain neurotransmission to the cochlea.
I have been taking many vitamins every evening before bed, 8 different vitamins to be précised, NO DRUGS. I believe putting plasters over this problem is not a way to go.
These vitamins I have paid over what you would normally pay in Holland and Barretts or amazon and exported in natural form into tablets.
After doing this, one week later my right ear started leaking profusely, clear and no infection or pain, after this ear started popping then I got my hearing back from my right ear and my tinnitus has gone.
I still have the severe tinnitus on my left side but now cut the problem by 50%!
I have discussed this with my audiologist and ENT but the response is ''it could be many things'', don't you think this can be said about anything? I seems like a deter to my experiment as I am discussing potential natural cures. (This does'nt help the pharmaceutical industry)
I believe there's soo much we don't know and are not told that true effort in your own research and experiment is key to finding a solution for your problems.
hi Karlos, (nice name by the way). I was on sertraline over 20 years. When I came off them I developed chronic tinnitus. I possibly tapered off too quickly and developed ssri withdrawal syndrome. I’ve tried going back on them but they spiked my tinnitus massively so won’t touch them angain. Only thing I take now is l-theanine and magnesium glycinate. This helps with anxiety and calms me which in turn helps with the tinnitus. Good luck.
Hi Karlos - I’m sorry you’re feeling like this right now. It’s tough, it really is. I think it might be a good idea to speak to someone - I’m not going to say whether continuing with meds is the best idea or not, only you know yourself and your GP advice. What I will say is I take anti depressants, which can take a while to really get the benefit from. I’ve not been able to link them to worsening tinnitus. Though I do know what does make it worse is lack of sleep, stress and anxiety. Are those any factors for you right now?
I’ve recently referred myself in to CBT with a counsellor because having lived with depression and anxiety my whole life and now tinnitus I know medication PLUS therapy really has the most impact for me.
Have you or would you consider that type of support? I’ve also recently discovered an app called Oto which is CBT based and is a great self help tool, which has helped me through particularly distressing periods living with tinnitus.
I just wanted to say that no matter how bad it feels now, that feeling will pass. I won’t lie it may come back at different points in your life but what’s important is finding your strategies for coping and resilience.
It sounds like you’ve already made a great step in accessing support through your medication. Remember, that like with any medication it can be trial and error in finding what works best for you and your needs. Also in reaching out on this forum…
Other than the medication.
What other strategies do you use now? What’s worked worked well for you in the past?
What’s the one thing you could do today or tomorrow that would be a benefit to your well-being and mindset?
Thank you for your in depth reply, it is very much appreciated.
I've had T since 2007. It hit me hard for the first couple of years but I have habituated and very often don't notice it. I think it has probably got worse since about 2020. But again I've been lucky enough for it not to bother me all the time. Although since 2020, I have had 2 or 3 occasions that have made me VERY low, but these have passed after 2-3 weeks thankfully. This is the worst it's ever been, it's about 8 weeks now where I haven't been able to tune it out, three different noises. I was crying every day so figured it's definitely time for antidepressants. I would just like this awful period to pass.
I have many strategies, I get out into nature as much as I can, I exercise a lot, meditation, you name it. Thank you again and best wishes.
Sertraline had the same effect on me as did some of the other drugs but when i went on mirtazapine it had no effect on the T and it also helped me sleep. i hope it works for you, good luck
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Momentary variations of hearing and pitch of tinnitus
Itching Ears post Microsuction 
I can’t take my tinnitus no more..
tinnitus from a kiss 
Tinnitus and swimming
