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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 33. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by RickF on May 22, 2006, at 20:17:49
I started effexor mid march 2006 for major depression. After about 4 weeks started to have tinnitus. Dr said it would go away (sure). Went from 37.5 to 187 mg, couldn't handle the side effects (see below). went back to 150 for about 2 months. Had a physical in Dec and everything was fine on the EKG. When on the Effexor an EKG showed an irregular fast heartbeat. Dr said I should ignore it (sure)! I'm in good shape, worked out in gym for past 30 years with weights & cardio, weight 210 with 34 inch waist.
(By the way, workouts suffered when on effexor - fatigued and weak, muscles did not seem to respond.)
Also when on the Effexor my normal blood pressure zoomed from, 125/80 to 190/85 and pulse went from 72 to 99! But worst of all on May 14th 2006 I experienced a major hearing loss upon waking from bed. An ENT said it due to anxiety (sure). I never had tinnitus before and its not just a loud ringing but also a popping and rumbling noise, and also a pressure achy feeling in the ears. Also have hypersensitivity to sound. Dr. is taking me off the Effexor, so I went from 150 to 112 to 75 to 37.5 in about a week (how does one get off effexor fast?) Been off for 2 days now. Waiting for terrible withdrawl to kick in. Still have horrible tinnitus. Hearing seems to be getting worse. I have a meeting with an Otologist (ear specialist) in a few weeks. Anyone else have tinnitus or hearing loss on Effexor? My sister has been on Effexor for 9 years now & it works for her. For me it has been poison especially to my ears. Does anyone know if Effexor is listed as having ototoxic effects? I have not been exposed to any chemicals or load noises that could have caused the hearing loss. Only on the effexor that caused loud tinnitus. Tinnitus is a sign that the ears are in distress. Anyone experiencing tinnitus should get off efexor as fast as possible. I have read on a web site that withdrawl side affects can include hearing loss. I hope not. 'scared in Cleveland' !
Posted by Caedmon on May 22, 2006, at 22:33:05
In reply to EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by RickF on May 22, 2006, at 20:17:49
Both ears or just one? What are you hearing? Good call going to the ENT, you may want to go back btw if you haven't recently.
I experienced unilateral tinnitus on Effexor XR, 150mg. I withdrew. It has only recently subsided, and it's been sort of on-off (I still will occasionally get a "rushing" sound in my right ear). It's been a month. I suspect the tinnitus could have something to do with the way venlafaxine increases blood pressure.
Many drugs are ototoxic, but venlafaxine isn't known to be one. From my knowledge anyway. I did a literature search but came up with nothing other than anecdotes. (One entry, probably a letter/case report. Pubmed ID 7762476) Good luck.
- Chris
Posted by blueberry on May 23, 2006, at 5:03:56
In reply to EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by RickF on May 22, 2006, at 20:17:49
Tinnitus is very complicated and not enough is known about it. Though most people think of it as being an ear disorder, in my own experience with it I believe it is more a brain thing.
What little is known is that sounds travel through the same dopamine pathways of the brain that are involved with mood, memory, and cognition. The final pathways are dopamine and glutamate. Somehow effexor must have rearranged your brain chemistry in a not so good way.
I can make my tinnitus go completely away in one day by taking tyrosine supplements or dlpa supplements (flooding the brain with dopamine). Unfortunately they also worsen my depression a lot after first getting a nice 3 hour antidepressant effect.
Hopefully yours will mellow out with time. If it doesn't, some meds that can quiet it and reduce the hypersensitivity are dopamine antagonists such as zyprexa. 76% of tinnitus sufferers who take xanax for 3 monthss experience relief. Though high dose herbal ginkgo biloba has shown some promise in a few clinical trials at high doses (240-480mg a day), one trial at lower doses showed no benefit.
Tinnitus is lousy. Maybe the effexor damaged your ears and maybe not. Don't know. My gut instinct tells me it had more to do with changing brain chemistry in a way that wasn't good for you.
Posted by RickF on May 23, 2006, at 19:10:00
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by blueberry on May 23, 2006, at 5:03:56
Thanks for the feedback. I know if I get stressed out the tinnitus gets worse. I'm at a loss of where to go here. I am off of the effexor now 2 days & waiting for the hammer to fall. Tinnitus started when on the effexor, so I want off. But have no replacement. So I will be going through withdrawal along with the returned depression. I'll need your prayers .
Posted by FredPotter on May 23, 2006, at 20:10:06
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by blueberry on May 23, 2006, at 5:03:56
I've had tinnitus for years but I've been taking antidepressants for years too, mostly SSRIs, presently Effexor. I was told it was nerve damage and nothing could be done. In what way does Xanax help? By making one notice the tinnitus less?
Posted by RickF on May 24, 2006, at 14:01:36
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by FredPotter on May 23, 2006, at 20:10:06
> I've had tinnitus for years but I've been taking antidepressants for years too, mostly SSRIs, presently Effexor. I was told it was nerve damage and nothing could be done. In what way does Xanax help? By making one notice the tinnitus less? >
Can you remember if your tinittus start when you were on the Effexor, or before.
Don't do Xanax. Its very addictive. The longer you take it the more you need. Its effects wear off & you need even more to contunue its use.
Posted by RickF on May 24, 2006, at 14:19:01
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by Caedmon on May 22, 2006, at 22:33:05
< Both ears or just one? >
Both ears.
< What are you hearing? >
Started out with high pitch, but then went to rumbling & popping, and ears hypersensitive to noise
< Good call going to the ENT, you may want to go back btw if you haven't recently.>
I went to the ENT right after this started & he blew me off saying it was normal hearing loss.
Tinnitus started March 15th 3 weeks after starting Effexor. (coincidence?). Then on May 14th when I got out of bed I notice a sharp decrease in hearing in my right ear, and a slight decrease in left ear. Ears were popping and rumbling. Reason I noticed this is that I recently fixed some floor speakers ( no I don't play them loud , I'm a little older & like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, & DooWop music) that have wonderful supertweeters that provide excellent high pitch sound. I've used them up to the time of the hear loss problem, and now I cannot hear high pitch sound as before.
> Many drugs are ototoxic, but venlafaxine isn't known to be one. >
That's what my ENT said. But why would tinnitus/ hear loss happen after being on Effexor for 10 weeks? (coincidence?). Also along with the hearing loss came achy pressure feeling in right ear. When I would touch the skull area near the right ear it would hurt. (coincidence). ENT said no infection, etc. It was normal hearing loss. But normal hearing loss shouldn't include continued hypersensitivity to sound, achy pressure feeling in both ears. (coincidence?).
I am trying to get off of the effexor. When I take a small does of effexor in the morning it seems to exacerbate the tinnitus problem during the day.- - - Thanks Chris :o)
<From my knowledge anyway. I did a literature search but came up with nothing other than anecdotes. (One entry, probably a letter/case report. Pubmed ID 7762476) Good luck. >
>
> - Chris
Posted by RickF on May 24, 2006, at 14:24:52
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by blueberry on May 23, 2006, at 5:03:56
> Tinnitus is very complicated and not enough is known about it. Though most people think of it as being an ear disorder, in my own experience with it I believe it is more a brain thing.
>
> What little is known is that sounds travel through the same dopamine pathways of the brain that are involved with mood, memory, and cognition. The final pathways are dopamine and glutamate. Somehow effexor must have rearranged your brain chemistry in a not so good way.
>
> I can make my tinnitus go completely away in one day by taking tyrosine supplements or dlpa supplements (flooding the brain with dopamine). Unfortunately they also worsen my depression a lot after first getting a nice 3 hour antidepressant effect.
>
> Hopefully yours will mellow out with time. If it doesn't, some meds that can quiet it and reduce the hypersensitivity are dopamine antagonists such as zyprexa. 76% of tinnitus sufferers who take xanax for 3 monthss experience relief. Though high dose herbal ginkgo biloba has shown some promise in a few clinical trials at high doses (240-480mg a day), one trial at lower doses showed no benefit.
>
> Tinnitus is lousy. Maybe the effexor damaged your ears and maybe not. Don't know. My gut instinct tells me it had more to do with changing brain chemistry in a way that wasn't good for you.< Maybe the effexor damaged your ears and maybe not. Don't know. >
What bothers me is that no tinnitus/hear loss before taking Effexor. After taking effexor, tinnitus started then hear loss. After hear loss may 14th also experienced hypersensitive to noise, achy pressure feeling in ears, popping and rumbling sounds. These still continus but seem to be geting better. I don't know if normal hear loss is accompanied by hypersensitivity, achy pressure feeling, and popping rumbling noise?
Thanks !
Posted by FredPotter on May 24, 2006, at 20:38:29
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by RickF on May 24, 2006, at 14:01:36
> Don't do Xanax. Its very addictive. The longer you take it the more you need. Its effects wear off & you need even more to contunue its use.
>
>It started before Effexor. I don't DO Xanax. I've been on benzos for 42 years and strongly disagree with your statements regarding tolerance
Posted by RickF on May 25, 2006, at 17:09:22
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by FredPotter on May 24, 2006, at 20:38:29
>
> It started before Effexor. I don't DO Xanax. I've been on benzos for 42 years and strongly disagree with your statements regarding toleranceHi Fred,
I have taken Xanax XR (extended release) .5 mg and it last about 20 hours in your system. Its great stuff but highly addictive. I use it for sleep when on the antidepressants. You said your on the benzos for 42 yrs. Which ones have you used & for how long. Glad they helped you.
I was just trying to find out if anyone else had experienced hearing loss with Effexor & or Xanax. It could be coincidental it happened while on these drugs, but I don't know whay it was so abrupt. Seems I went to bed one night OK then next day hearing down 40%. Also not sure why ears are now hypersensitive to sound, ache, and presssure feeling all day.
Thanks for your comments, no ill will meant by any of my posts, we all agreed that we can disagree & that also helps me understand from another perspective. I appreciate your taking the time to post.
Posted by AnneT on October 5, 2008, at 19:27:30
In reply to EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by RickF on May 22, 2006, at 20:17:49
YES!! I have been on Effexor for a few years. Last year, I would get occasional bilateral tinnitus (buzzing in both ears). A few months ago, I developed right ear sense of fullness, tinnitus (much louder) and low frequency hearing loss (documented by Audiology). I am still waiting to see the ENT. I am currently reducing my Effexor (now at about 11 mg twice a day), but had to add Prozac to prevent debilitating vertigo, vomiting and loss of balance.
Hearing loss is listed as a possible side effect of Effexor, but under the very long list of conditions that may have happened unrelated to the Effexor. I had assumed that my hearing loss and tinnitus were NOT related to Effexor, because it's only on one side. But seeing these posts makes me wonder...
If anyone else has had this happen, please keep posting. I want to know. (I also happen to be a Family Physician. Maybe Dr. Bob and I can co-write an article.)
Cheers, AnneT
Posted by Lou Pilder on October 5, 2008, at 20:09:37
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by AnneT on October 5, 2008, at 19:27:30
> YES!! I have been on Effexor for a few years. Last year, I would get occasional bilateral tinnitus (buzzing in both ears). A few months ago, I developed right ear sense of fullness, tinnitus (much louder) and low frequency hearing loss (documented by Audiology). I am still waiting to see the ENT. I am currently reducing my Effexor (now at about 11 mg twice a day), but had to add Prozac to prevent debilitating vertigo, vomiting and loss of balance.
>
> Hearing loss is listed as a possible side effect of Effexor, but under the very long list of conditions that may have happened unrelated to the Effexor. I had assumed that my hearing loss and tinnitus were NOT related to Effexor, because it's only on one side. But seeing these posts makes me wonder...
>
> If anyone else has had this happen, please keep posting. I want to know. (I also happen to be a Family Physician. Maybe Dr. Bob and I can co-write an article.)
>
> Cheers, AnneTHi AnnaT,
You wrote,[...buzzing in both ears...assumed NOT related to...If anyone else...keep posting...]
I may be one of the most knowlegable people in regards to what you are posting about. In my research I have found that;
A. Psychotropic drugs can cause hearing issues
B. This can manifest itself into;
1. noises called tinnitus
2. formed music called musical hallucinations
3. memory issues
4. hearing loss
5. other issues
What I have found out IMO is that psychotropic drugs can cause something to "spark" in the temporal lobe and give rise to releasing memory into the auditory nerve. If the location is in the area of the brain where music and math are located, then music can be heard. I believe that Ludwig von Beethoven ate some bread that had an ergot in it that induced his music that he heard and then composed.
The psychotropic drugs that people take where they have issues with hearing could IMO be the same as an ergot, like LSD in the particular circumstances which are that the person may have musical training or just listened to music. How this happens on the molecular level I do not know yet, but in my study of insecticides, I think I am close to a solution.
The people without extensive musical backgrounds may have tinnitus induced instead of music being heard. That buzzing or clicking could subside in the cases that I have studied, but the ones with formed music are not likely to have the music go away permanatly. Some of the tinnitus people that I have studied also have had no remission. There are cases of extreamly loud music or tinniitus as in a correlation to the amount of stress that the person is under, that is that the noise or music gets louder under that condition.
The cessation from psychotropic drugs in many cases can eliminate the noise in tinnitus, but not in hearing music in most cases that I have studied.
There is much more...you could email me if you like.
Lou
lpilder_1188@fuse.net
Posted by AnneT on October 5, 2008, at 21:30:03
In reply to Lou's reply to AnnaT- » AnneT, posted by Lou Pilder on October 5, 2008, at 20:09:37
Thanks, Lou. Very interesting. I have sometimes thought the radio was on, usually when I lie down for a nap. I can hear muffled voices and musical patterns, but not vividly. Do you think there is any relation between my hearing loss/tinnitus and the fact that I get severe vertigo and loss of balance and vomiting when I go too low or too fast in my Effexor reductions?
AnneT
Posted by Lou Pilder on October 5, 2008, at 22:15:21
In reply to Re: Lou's reply to AnnaT-, posted by AnneT on October 5, 2008, at 21:30:03
> Thanks, Lou. Very interesting. I have sometimes thought the radio was on, usually when I lie down for a nap. I can hear muffled voices and musical patterns, but not vividly. Do you think there is any relation between my hearing loss/tinnitus and the fact that I get severe vertigo and loss of balance and vomiting when I go too low or too fast in my Effexor reductions?
> AnneTAnnaT,
You wrote,[...the radio was on...muffled voices...musical patterns...hearing loss related to vertigo and loss of balance and vomiting in relation to dosage of Effexor durring discontinuation?..]?
This is shocking to me as to what you just posted! I have to adjust to what you wrote and then answer. I will forward this to a researcher that I am in touch with at USC.
You see, what you said fits into what I know concerning withdrawal from psychotropic drugs which is another aspect of this that I would like to explain in relation to how to withdrawal from them. And also, the part about the radio is astonishing to me because of what I will post later here. In the cases that I have studied, there were no voices heard, just music, except in two cases that I studied where choral music (vocal) and patriotic songs (vocal) were heard.
Have you ever heard vocal renditions of choral or patriotic songs?
Lou
Posted by AnneT on October 5, 2008, at 22:28:58
In reply to Lou's reply to AnnaT's reply to Lou » AnneT, posted by Lou Pilder on October 5, 2008, at 22:15:21
No, Lou, it's not really specific. It's just...well, you know if you have a radio on in another room? You just know that either someone is talking, or that it's music, but it's not loud enough to make out the words or the tune, just the rhythm of the speech or music. I am glad to hear that someone is investigating this. I happen to be a Family Physician (Canada) and studied a lot of neurosciences in undergrad (McGill). I've tried to find out which neurotransmitters are involved in hearing, vertigo/balance, etc so find your posts very interesting. I am willing to answer more questions if that is helpful to you.
AnneT
Posted by Lou Pilder on October 5, 2008, at 22:33:57
In reply to Re: Lou's reply to AnnaT's reply to Lou, posted by AnneT on October 5, 2008, at 22:28:58
> No, Lou, it's not really specific. It's just...well, you know if you have a radio on in another room? You just know that either someone is talking, or that it's music, but it's not loud enough to make out the words or the tune, just the rhythm of the speech or music. I am glad to hear that someone is investigating this. I happen to be a Family Physician (Canada) and studied a lot of neurosciences in undergrad (McGill). I've tried to find out which neurotransmitters are involved in hearing, vertigo/balance, etc so find your posts very interesting. I am willing to answer more questions if that is helpful to you.
> AnneTAnnaT,
You wrote,[...the rhythm...]
Did you ever take theoretical math courses?
Lou
Posted by AnneT on October 6, 2008, at 9:54:39
In reply to Lou's reply to AnnaT's reply to Lou-2 » AnneT, posted by Lou Pilder on October 5, 2008, at 22:33:57
Hi Lou,
Yes, I went as far as Calculus III - "4D space" did me in. I also played flute since I was 8, and played professionally with the Naval Reserves.
AnneT
Posted by Lou Pilder on October 6, 2008, at 16:48:51
In reply to Re: Lou's reply to AnnaT's reply to Lou-2, posted by AnneT on October 6, 2008, at 9:54:39
> Hi Lou,
> Yes, I went as far as Calculus III - "4D space" did me in. I also played flute since I was 8, and played professionally with the Naval Reserves.
> AnneTAnnaT,
What you have stated is remarkable. My study is focused on the effect of psychotropic drugs in relation to the aspect of music and math as in the memory.
I discussed your situation in regards to Effexor with the researcher at The University of California, (not USC) Dianna Deutsch. She would be delighted to hear from you at;
ddeutsch@ucsd.edu
Lou
Posted by AnneT on January 16, 2009, at 12:56:16
In reply to EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by RickF on May 22, 2006, at 20:17:49
Hey - "Marri" who posts on homeopathy.com also has hearing loss while on Effexor.
An update for me - I am down to 3.75 mg per day of Effexor, and have had no change in my hearing. I anxiously await the result of an MRI.
AnneT
Posted by Jules331 on April 27, 2009, at 22:19:02
In reply to EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by RickF on May 22, 2006, at 20:17:49
Anne T -- I just got news from an ENT today that I have significant hearing loss in both ears. Not typical, I'm 49. Doc said he's only seen this in "men that shoot guns". I've been on .75 mg of Effexor for almost 4 years, exact time I've noticed hearing loss. Wish I'd figured the connection earlier. Have you found any links to others with loss?
Posted by AnneT on April 28, 2009, at 19:01:51
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! ! » RickF, posted by Jules331 on April 27, 2009, at 22:19:02
Rick,
Just odds and ends. One lady posting on homeopathy.com with similar symptoms to mine. My MRI was normal, so it is definitely not due to acoustic neuroma.
I've been off Effexor for about 2 weeks - no difference in the ear symptoms, but I am still on Prozac (to prevent the horrid vertigo and puking Discontinuation Syndrome. Blargh. Now have gained weight - my Prozac pouch.)
Posted by Jules331 on April 28, 2009, at 22:34:43
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by AnneT on April 28, 2009, at 19:01:51
> Rick,
> Just odds and ends. One lady posting on homeopathy.com with similar symptoms to mine. My MRI was normal, so it is definitely not due to acoustic neuroma.
> I've been off Effexor for about 2 weeks - no difference in the ear symptoms, but I am still on Prozac (to prevent the horrid vertigo and puking Discontinuation Syndrome. Blargh. Now have gained weight - my Prozac pouch.)I've got a call in to the doc to get off of it. I'm worried about the side effects. I searched the Effexor website and found nothing about hearing loss. If I had known there was a correlation, I would have gotten off years ago. I figure I'll be sportin' a Prozac pouch soon - and we're going on vacation to the beach next week. Great timing! ~Julie
Posted by MarkL on October 3, 2009, at 4:34:12
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by AnneT on April 28, 2009, at 19:01:51
Hi
I have been on Effexor for 4 years and I am interested in inner ear implications of long-term use as I am getting more and more vertigo and loss of balance episodes.
AnneT I am also Canadian I would like to communicate with you if possible.
Best regards
Posted by rickf on October 3, 2009, at 18:27:15
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by MarkL on October 3, 2009, at 4:34:12
Continued:
After being on remeron for 4 years & not happy with where I was at, I tried Lexapro. After 4 weeks I once again experienced an abrupt hearing loss. I am almost deaf in my right ear now with substantial hearing loss in the left ear. Each episode started with bad tinnitus.
At leastr my psychiatrist agrees with me that I (my ears) cannot tolerate any ssri's. The ENT's
Posted by rickf on October 3, 2009, at 18:31:18
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR HEARING LOSS ! ! !, posted by rickf on October 3, 2009, at 18:27:15
Continued :
The ENT's say the antidepressants didn't cause the hearing loss. I strongly disagree. After the 1st hearing loss 4 years ago I was off of ssri's. Then 4 years later I go back on ssri & get the hearing loss again. That IS NO COINCIDENCE !
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