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which anti depressant is safest? 
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| having been to my gp this morning because i am not coping with things she wants me to up my dose of dothiepin/dosulepin from 75 to 150mg per night. just to give you a little history - my T of 16 years increased in my right ear following a holiday where i took anti malarial meds in december. it was accompanied by feelings of fullness, pain and 'creeping' i was treated by my gp for ear wax ,-then infection initially, before being referred to ENT. ENT say i have sensorial loss in the right ear but not in the right so have referred me for an MRI to check for a tumour. (which i have tomorrow) In the meantime my depression , which i have suffered in the past has come back with a vengance because of all of this, but, my g.p just wants to throw more at me and while i understand that i have to treat the depression i cannot help but panic that i have ears that have been damaged by a drug and now she wants me to take even more! i have read older posts on this forum that indicate that this drug can cause the T to increase as it wears off throughout the day which would explain why mine gets louder as the day goes on. i have also been having a lot of 'spiking' which terrifies me! can anone tell me about this drug and long term effects on T or, if ther is a safer drug to use here in the U.K ? thanks. | debs | 04 Mar 2010 16:35 |
| Hi Debs my tinnitus went up in volume like yours after 12 years of quite t noise induced jan o9 my t increased and also so did my hypercusis i was in deep shock that it was back and bothersome why it increased cant pinpoint it i had amri done very loud for me so bring some good earplugs wishing you well e | 04 Mar 2010 18:22 | |
| Hi debs, Iv never heard of dothiepin causing tinnitus, however anti-malarial such as quinine can have ototoxic effects (toxic to the ear). Part of prescribing anti-depressants is to break the tinnitus cycle (www.healthyhearing.com/management/uploa ... r21703.gif), where negative association is broken down. As far as other anti-depressants go none of them are strictly in a red flag category but some can cause tinnitus, in particular Clomipramine, Amitriptyline, Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa and Luvox. These may worsen tinnitus, and i stress may. I would consult an ENT doctor if you want more information as this is not an area i know in depth. | Student Audiologist | 04 Mar 2010 21:53 |
| Clonazepam has worked well for me Debs. Best of luck. | 04 Mar 2010 21:57 | |
| many, many thanks. | debs | 05 Mar 2010 07:58 |
| Hi Debs. I avoided anti-depressents as long as I could; I had exactly the concerns that you have expressed above. However, I couldn't cope and eventually started taking Clonazepam. It hasn't helped in terms of depression. I still feel low 99% of the time. However, it does put me to sleep fairly quickly and so I don't spend ages trying to sleep whilst listening to my intrusive and unmaskable tinnitus. Best of luck debs. | Suffering Without Silence | 05 Mar 2010 09:15 |
| Debs, just to say that I was on Dosulepin for five years with no trouble, and then after cutting my dosage back, I upped it again and tinnitus started (very quietly). Keep an eye out. I'm in the same boat as you, very depressed and yet really unwilling to take more meds (though I think I may have to). I've heard Remeron (Zispin in the UK) doesnt have T as a side effect. Anyone else heard different? | Izzy | 08 Mar 2010 14:01 |
| Another name in the US for Zoloft is Sertraline, and yes it does cause T as a side effect. I was taking this before the onset of T. I am very very fed up with doctors who don't discuss side effects. It borders on criminal. And then there have been these reports that anti depressants are really placebos... | Philippa | 08 Mar 2010 15:12 |
| On the other hand, and maybe Mr Microbiologist can answer this, if one stops taking the Zoloft or whatever, will the T diminish over time? | Philippa | 08 Mar 2010 15:14 |
| i have been taking the 150mg dose for two nights now and today my T is very loud and even my 'good' left ear is joining in. i have made an appt with g.p tomorrow to discuss weaning off of this drug but i don't know where that will leave me with regaurds to the depression. it is a vicious circle! i have read that dosulepin can cause bilateral hearing loss, and have the effect of inducing tinnitus as you wean off! my g.p is very unhelpful and last week told me that i was a nuisance to her a nusiance to my husband and a nusiance to my children. heaven knows what she is going to say when i go in tomorrow and tell her that i want off these !! | debs | 08 Mar 2010 15:51 |
| i would be interested also in Mr Microbiologist's opinion. (or anybody 'in the know') as to any other ways of treating depression without affecting T. I am aware that i have to treat the depression but i feel that i am trapped in a vicious circle and can see no way out. does anybody know if diazepam is bad on T? i have taken a few doses when i have been in a panic over the last few weeks and they do not seem to affect it - at least just taking the odd dose anyway. | debs | 08 Mar 2010 16:10 |
| Hi Debs. I strongly recommend you take St Johns Wort. I took it for depression a few years ago and it really does work. No Chemicals and no side effects. Buy the 300 mg, 0.30% hypericin. It will cost you £22 for three months supply but will be worth it. | Steve | 10 Mar 2010 18:19 |
| thanks Steve. i really want to try the st johns wort once i get off of these dr u g s. how long do they take to work and is there definatly no side effects on the tinnitus? i just cannot seem to find an anti depressant that is safe for tinnitus! | debs | 31 Mar 2010 12:51 |
| Hi Debs, Your GP is there to listen to your needs and give you the best help possible. Making comments such as the one she did is unprofessional and counter productive. I've had similar experiences with many GP's the latest incidence being when I was completely distraught about a week after getting T and the Registrar drew a little picture of how the ear gets damaged with loud noise all the while smiling at me. I hope you persevere and find something that works for you. | Bec | 31 Mar 2010 14:22 |
| Debs, have you considered changing GP? This one sounds very unsympathetic by calling you a nuisance. I think you might find another one more helpful. It isn't easy understanding if you've never had it I guess but she should at least be trying.......please don't let her just keep prescribing you various anti-depressants. She needs to be looking at your medical history and doing some research. I really hope you get some answers soon Debs. It isn't easy. I'm fresh into this and can relate to how hard you're finding it. Hang on in there. Jules | Jules | 31 Mar 2010 14:25 |
| thanks guys, i have not seen that gp since she was so unsympathetic. i ma now seeing a different gp within the practice and she has been totally supportive. i am slowly weaning off of dothiepin. and then she is happy to support me trying herbal remedies or whatever else i wish, she ishappy for me to take the reins and support me. what a difference! | debs | 31 Mar 2010 21:56 |
| debs, the attitude of your first GP was outrageous. If you are interested in exploring non-pharmaceutical approaches to dealing with tinnitus, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) are the way to go. Henry & Wilson's book on the former is available from the ATA website and is called 'Tinnitus: A Self-Management Guide for the Ringing in Your Ears' . Just google for info. on the latter therapy and the widely available book that goes with it. I also suggest you read this: http://stringplayer.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2964711 (external link, opens new browser window) | Urusai | 01 Apr 2010 05:37 |