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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Wilna on March 6, 2008, at 5:25:04
Has anyone maybe experience "ringing in the ears" as a side effect of Wellbutrin. My doctor told me stop taking it immediately, but I would love to know whether these buzzing sounds in my head (more to the right ear) will ever go away again.
Posted by Maxime on March 6, 2008, at 11:30:08
In reply to Wellbutrin side-effects - 'ringing in the ears', posted by Wilna on March 6, 2008, at 5:25:04
Yes, it is from the dopamine most likely. I went psychotic on Wellbutrin twice and it started with a ringing in my ears. I think you should get off it as your doctor suggested.
Maxime
Posted by Wilna on March 7, 2008, at 0:29:09
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin side-effects - 'ringing in the ears', posted by Maxime on March 6, 2008, at 11:30:08
Thanks for your reply Maxime, did the 'ringing in the ears' went away later on, and how long did it take...? Or not?
Posted by dbc on March 7, 2008, at 14:29:00
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin side-effects - 'ringing in the ears', posted by Wilna on March 7, 2008, at 0:29:09
Ringing in ears is called tinnitus and tends to happen with lots of meds an in particular stimulants. Its not usually a signifier of anything but rather just an annoying side effect.
Posted by 4WD on March 7, 2008, at 15:42:59
In reply to Wellbutrin side-effects - 'ringing in the ears', posted by Wilna on March 6, 2008, at 5:25:04
Hi,
I had the same problem, except with Effexor. I went off it and the ringing went away in about two-three weeks. Then I later went back on it and then off it again and the ringing took longer to go away that time. The final time I tried it, the ringing was worse and it took almost a year for it to completely go away after I finally went off Effexor for good.
Weird, though, it didn't happen with Cymbalta (another SNRI) and it didn't happen when I was briefly on Wellbutrin.
I used a white noise machine so I could sleep at night. That was when it was most bothersome.
Marsha
> Has anyone maybe experience "ringing in the ears" as a side effect of Wellbutrin. My doctor told me stop taking it immediately, but I would love to know whether these buzzing sounds in my head (more to the right ear) will ever go away again.
Posted by 49er on March 8, 2008, at 15:16:06
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and Tinnitus, posted by dbc on March 7, 2008, at 14:29:00
> Ringing in ears is called tinnitus and tends to happen with lots of meds an in particular stimulants. Its not usually a signifier of anything but rather just an annoying side effect.
>
>Hi,
According to a an ENT, Stephen Epstein, tinnitus is a sign of ear poisoning. The poster's doctor did the right thing in taking the person off the medicine.
Here is the link to the article:
49er
Posted by maxime on March 8, 2008, at 17:43:37
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin side-effects - 'ringing in the ears', posted by Wilna on March 7, 2008, at 0:29:09
> Thanks for your reply Maxime, did the 'ringing in the ears' went away later on, and how long did it take...? Or not?
>Since it progressed to psychosis I had to go off the med. Although I am taking it now with an anti-psychotic. I have no side effect this time.
Which version are you taking?
Maxime
Posted by Wilna on March 10, 2008, at 6:26:05
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin side-effects - 'ringing in the ears » Wilna, posted by 4WD on March 7, 2008, at 15:42:59
Damn, I sincerely hope that this sound in my head, (I do not even know if it is just ringing in the ears only), it sounds like a truck idling in my head ALL the time, it drives me nuts. I feel like living in a bubble!!! I am off the medication for about 5 days now. I also have tremendous headaches, do you think the two might be related...?
Posted by Wilna on March 10, 2008, at 6:28:14
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin side-effects - 'ringing in the ears' » Wilna, posted by maxime on March 8, 2008, at 17:43:37
Maxime, I cannot even remember which version of the pill it was, I threw it all away the moment I realised that it could be the medication making me feel so sh*tty. How long did the ringing in your ears take to go away...?
Posted by 4WD on March 10, 2008, at 15:28:36
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin side-effects - 'ringing in the ears, posted by Wilna on March 10, 2008, at 6:26:05
> Damn, I sincerely hope that this sound in my head, (I do not even know if it is just ringing in the ears only), it sounds like a truck idling in my head ALL the time, it drives me nuts. I feel like living in a bubble!!! I am off the medication for about 5 days now. I also have tremendous headaches, do you think the two might be related...?
Hi Wilna,
The ringing is extremely annoying, I know. As I said, it took a couple of weeks to lessen after I went off the Effexor the first time and and maybe a month to go away completely.
I didn't have headaches when going off Effexor but everyone is different. I could be be related. Did you stop the Effexor cold turkey or did you wean at all?
Marsha
Posted by Wilna on March 11, 2008, at 1:18:52
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin side-effects - 'ringing in the ears » Wilna, posted by 4WD on March 10, 2008, at 15:28:36
No I did not stop 'cold-turkey' - replaced it with Cipralex with which I had good results previously. I also took headache pills quite often previously which contained asprin, and apparantly that could also have contributed to this "issue". I just hope it subsides soon. Thanks for your feedback.
Posted by Wilna on March 11, 2008, at 1:21:26
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and Tinnitus, posted by 49er on March 8, 2008, at 15:16:06
Thanks for the link to valuable information, 49er. I see that Ginkgo Biloba can help with this 'tinitus-thing', I suppose it is worth a try. I just remember that previously when taking that I had hectic headaches, but maybe I can find a better quality which might help. Thanks anyway.
Posted by 4WD on March 11, 2008, at 16:27:05
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin side-effects - 'ringing in the ears, posted by Wilna on March 11, 2008, at 1:18:52
> No I did not stop 'cold-turkey' - replaced it with Cipralex with which I had good results previously. I also took headache pills quite often previously which contained asprin, and apparantly that could also have contributed to this "issue". I just hope it subsides soon. Thanks for your feedback.
Aspirin definitely made the ringing worse. I couldn't take aspirin for a year or more after coming off the Effexor. Too much aspirin can cause ringing in the ears all by itself.
Marsha
Posted by 49er on March 14, 2008, at 20:38:45
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and Tinnitus, posted by Wilna on March 11, 2008, at 1:21:26
Hi,
You're very welcome.
Good luck in resolving the issue. I wouldn't wish this on anybody.
49er
Posted by Brew Crew on March 25, 2008, at 12:57:12
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and Tinnitus » Wilna, posted by 49er on March 14, 2008, at 19:38:45
I started Wellbutrin SR ten days ago and am taking 150mg twice a day. I've experienced quite a few side effects; however, most have gone away. The tinnitus/ringing in the ears has not gone away, though it seems to have diminished somewhat. It's annoying, but it seems like most of the research says that it isn't physically harmful. I have been on several SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, and Celexa) and didn't have tinnitus. So far, Wellbutrin has given me so much more energy and motivation, even in the short amount of time I've taken it. That in itself is enough for me to tolerate the ringing in ears. I'll continue with this drug unless it proves dangerous to my health. I find that as long as there isn't complete silence, I am fine and barely notice it. It sure is a weird side effect though. I can see why it would drive some people crazy.
Posted by 4WD on March 25, 2008, at 13:55:01
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and Tinnitus, posted by Brew Crew on March 25, 2008, at 12:57:12
When I had tinnitus from Effexor I found I was mostly okay if there was noise around. it was the silence that drove me nuts too. Get a white noise machine for sleeping at nights. It really helped a lot.
Marsha
> I started Wellbutrin SR ten days ago and am taking 150mg twice a day. I've experienced quite a few side effects; however, most have gone away. The tinnitus/ringing in the ears has not gone away, though it seems to have diminished somewhat. It's annoying, but it seems like most of the research says that it isn't physically harmful. I have been on several SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, and Celexa) and didn't have tinnitus. So far, Wellbutrin has given me so much more energy and motivation, even in the short amount of time I've taken it. That in itself is enough for me to tolerate the ringing in ears. I'll continue with this drug unless it proves dangerous to my health. I find that as long as there isn't complete silence, I am fine and barely notice it. It sure is a weird side effect though. I can see why it would drive some people crazy.
Posted by Brew Crew on March 25, 2008, at 14:50:53
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and Tinnitus » Brew Crew, posted by 4WD on March 25, 2008, at 13:55:01
I don't have a white noise machine, but I use a fan at night. I also keep the fan on when I'm reading or doing other things in a quiet environment. I'd like to invest in a white noise machine eventually, but for now a fan works just fine.
Posted by 49er on March 30, 2008, at 6:49:44
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and Tinnitus, posted by Brew Crew on March 25, 2008, at 13:57:12
Brew Crew,
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but tinnitus is a sign of ear poisoning.
Here is url I previously posted which leads to an article by Stephen Epstein, an ENT
49er
Posted by Brew Crew on March 31, 2008, at 8:16:22
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and Tinnitus, posted by 49er on March 30, 2008, at 6:49:44
I had read that article before, but thanks anyway.
Posted by Dopamine123 on March 31, 2008, at 21:04:25
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and Tinnitus, posted by 49er on March 30, 2008, at 6:49:44
Wikipedia has some interesting information about tinnitus, including some potential treatments. It seems like the tinnitus induced by the wellbutrin might be caused by increased blood flow to the ear.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinnitus
>Pulsatile tinnitus is usually objective in nature, resulting from altered blood flow or increased blood turbulence near the ear (such as from atherosclerosis or venous hum[10]), but it can also arise as a subjective phenomenon from an increased awareness of blood flow in the ear.[
>"There are many treatments for objective tinnitus that have been claimed, with varying degrees of statistical reliability:
Objective tinnitus:
Gamma knife radiosurgery (glomus jugulare)[18]
Shielding of cochlea by teflon implant[19]
Botulinum toxin (palatal tremor)[20]
Propranolol and clonazepam (arterial anatomic variation)[21]"
Posted by Dopamine123 on March 31, 2008, at 21:20:42
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and Tinnitus, posted by Dopamine123 on March 31, 2008, at 21:04:25
Propanolol is a beta blocker, it blocks excess norepinephrine and might be useful. I would imagine the wellbutrin increases norepinephrine leading to increased blood pressure. So a drug that decreases blood pressure might improve your symptoms.
Posted by Brew Crew on April 1, 2008, at 7:53:55
In reply to Propranolol, posted by Dopamine123 on March 31, 2008, at 21:20:42
That's really interesting, I'm seeing my doctor next week and I plan to address the tinnitus...I'm hoping it will just go away on it's own, but it doesn't look like that is likely. I'll post more after my appointment if we discuss anything of importance.
This is the end of the thread.
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