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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lorelai on September 11, 2002, at 8:53:32
My pdoc started me on Wellbutrin a while back. At first things seemed to go well. I lost some weight I'd gained on other meds and had a few weird side effects (agitation that resulted in a brief return to some OCD behaviors for one), but the side effects seemed short-lived and I figured I could handle them. I'd had a brief bout with tinnitus and it went away. Now it's back with a vengeance. For about 4 days now I've gone through agony with this extremely high-pitched squeal going on in my head. It never lets up. I saw my pdoc yesterday and complained and she wrote it down and said to lower my Wellbutrin dose. Well, a lot of good that does me. I want to just stop taking it altogether. Right now! And see if that helps. Has anyone else experienced ringing in the ears with Wellbutrin? If so, did it go away when you stopped taking it? I'm really climbing the walls!
Thanks,
Lorelai
Posted by Anyuser on September 11, 2002, at 12:04:39
In reply to Wellbutrin and tinnitus: I'm going to scream!, posted by Lorelai on September 11, 2002, at 8:53:32
I developed tinnitus when I took WB, I'm pretty sure. It's pretty subtle, and maybe I had it before but wasn't aware of it. It's as if I took too much aspirin. Anyhow, it didn't go away when I stopped WB.
Posted by Lorelai on September 11, 2002, at 12:22:26
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and tinnitus » Lorelai, posted by Anyuser on September 11, 2002, at 12:04:39
> I developed tinnitus when I took WB, I'm pretty sure. It's pretty subtle, and maybe I had it before but wasn't aware of it. It's as if I took too much aspirin. Anyhow, it didn't go away when I stopped WB.
**Did you have to stop taking the Wellbutrin gradually? I want to stop it cold turkey, but worry about any additional side effects. I'm sorry to hear your tinnitus hasn't gone away. Mine isn't subtle at all. It's extremely loud. It really sucks!**
Posted by SusanG on September 11, 2002, at 12:39:00
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and tinnitus » Lorelai, posted by Anyuser on September 11, 2002, at 12:04:39
I, too, have tinnitus that I think is exaserbated by Wellbutrin. I had some tinnitus prior to starting Wellbutrin, but it increased significantly when I increased my dosage. I notice it particularly at night when I'm trying to fall asleep; it's much like the ringing in my ears after attending a loud concert. I'm hoping it goes away but it's been a few weeks and no change so far.
Posted by Anyuser on September 11, 2002, at 13:40:14
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and tinnitus » Anyuser, posted by Lorelai on September 11, 2002, at 12:22:26
My pdoc tells me, and it has been my experience, that you can stop WB cold turkey. You should not expect the kind of problems people experience when they stop an SSRI or effexor abruptly.
Posted by Lorelai on September 12, 2002, at 8:49:09
In reply to Stopping WB » Lorelai, posted by Anyuser on September 11, 2002, at 13:40:14
SusanG and Anyuser:
Thanks for the comments! I was beginning to feel like smashing my head in with a sledgehammer. That's how loud the ringing was. I'd never experienced anything like it before (at least not such a persistent ringing). First time it started happening I ran around the house shutting things off. The computer, the TV, the fans, etc. Then I realized it was in my head. Anyway, I stopped taking the Wellbutrin. I still have some tinnitus, but woke up this morning to almost total silence. I'm hearing a steady ringing now, but its intensity has lessened. I'm hoping that as the WB gets out of my system, the ringing will fade more. As it is now, at least the reduced volume is a huge relief.
Best,
Lorelai
This is the end of the thread.
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