[ozmaverick72]

I have been taking Effexor for more than 10 years. Two years ago I thought it was no longer being effective for me so I tried to taper down and stop taking the mediation. Over a period of weeks I dropped down from 150 mg to 37.5 mg. I could not drop from 37.5 mg - I experienced complete insomnia and terrible anxiety and I started to experience tinnitus. I went back to see a psychiatrist who initially didnt believe that everything I was experiencing was due to withdrawal - I had to fill one of my old scripts and prescribe myself my original dose of Effexor to get back to some semblance of normality. My anxiety and sleep levels returned to normal but although the tinnitus lessened its still there today. I worked with my doctor and eventually decided to increase the Effexor dose and it has helped greatly with my anxiety and depression. Apparently there arent many people who have reported tinnitus as an Effexor sessation side-effect. My doctor says it must just be coincidence - anyone else experience the same thing ? Just a word of caution to anyone thinking of stopping their medication - do it slowly and with the support of a doctor. I thought I knew what I was doing but I probably reduced my dosage too quickly and maybe this ringing in my ears is the price I pay.

[coolthrowaway]

I experienced tinnitus when I started either Celexa or Lexapro. It started on the second day. It was pretty bad and I quit it the next day. My doctor said that she had never heard of that happening.