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Posted by Mary Holmes Dague
In Reply to: Xanax and Tinnitus posted by rojo
Welcome! I've noticed a number of people on this board take Xanax at night.
There is another protocol whereby you take Xanax at low levels 4 times a
day...this takes the edge off tinnitus all day and allows you to settle in
at night. The protocol was developed at the Oregon Health Sciences
University Tinnitus Clinic. I'm sure you can get the published paper from
ATA or OHSU. This protocol works for me (although I have severe tinnitus
and working with my physician and a tinnitus specialist, my dosage is a
little higher than in the published paper). In fact, maybe one of our docs
here will just write it down for you here--I don't have a copy at this time.
You have to build up slowly to tolerate the Xanax, and if you ever go off,
you must taper off very, very slowly.
Most doctors will tell you Xanax is habit forming but not addictive--I agree
with you, I don't crave it or feel any problems if I miss a tablet.
I'm confused about why you use earplugs at night (or at all, except for
extreme loud sound, like lawnmowing). Earplugs won't cover your tinnitus.
In fact, using earplugs probably makes sleep even harder. Your tinnitus has
a chance of being alleviated with background sound: let it in, softly. It
would be better to find a very low level of music on the radio. Many people
use CDs with sounds of waterfalls, rain, etc., and some use indoor
waterfalls. (You have to negotiate with your husband! He might like the
sounds too.)
Remember not to go bed until you are tired and ready to sleep. And DON'T
listen to your tinnitus...put your mind elsewhere, best done with a smile
and positive thoughts. (I'm deaf, cannot hear any background sound to help
me sleep, so I can say this works for me, anyway.)
Hope this helps a little.
--Mary
