I’d like to know about the effectiveness of betahistine for Ménière’s disease patients

[Stonebridge73]

I’d like to know about the effectiveness of betahistine for Ménière’s disease patients

[PABLR]

I have been diagnosed with Ménière’s disease and take Betahistine. I have decreased the dose over time from 48 mg a day to 16 because for me it seems to make no difference. To be fair it was prescribed to help with the hearing loss component. That fluctuated wildly for a year or so recently, but is now much more stable. My understanding is that what it is really effective for is vertigo. I had that for two years but was living overseas and didn’t get the Ménière’s diagnosis until years later and we’ll after the vertigo stopped. In your case I would want more information. Are they suggesting you take it long term? For hearing? For vertigo. The good news is that it does seem to be something you can take long term without any I’ll effects.

[Spurdog1 in reply to PABLR]

I can only speak from personal experience, I am not medically qualified.I had menieres 20 years ago due to stress. I still have it.

I was put on sertraline for 6 months, then as with all medication I was eased off it by slow reduction. As far as menderes is concerned I have typical symptoms. No dizziness. But constant tinnitus in that ear. You could say I lead a normal life, hearing in that ear is recorded at 5%.

Hope this helps.

[Stonebridge73 in reply to Spurdog1]

Thank you

[Spurdog1 in reply to Stonebridge73]

Incidentally with menieres you should notify the dvla (in the uk). Technically you are at risk of dizziness, however this is only a paperwork operation as it is signed off. You can be signed as safe by your doctor. You also sign off with car insurance, no diff to the fee, but they are alerted." Dvla-aware"

[Spurdog1 in reply to Spurdog1]

Please also not that giving where you live tells us more how we can respond. You may eg be in Australia (ref dvla). My comments apply to the uk.

[Stonebridge73 in reply to Spurdog1]

Thank you

[Stonebridge73 in reply to PABLR]

Thank you

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi Stonebridge73

I can't claim to be any kind of expert on Meniere's and balance disorders - when it comes to this topic, I would defer to the UK-based charity The Meniere's Society or the US-based non-profit, Veda:

menieres.org.uk/

vestibular.org/

[Stonebridge73 in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Thank you

[Hidden]

I was prescribed it in April and take 3 daily. But can take more if needed. It hasn't stopped the tinnitus but the positional vertigo has almost gone. I was also getting a really bad attack of hearing loss and vertigo every few months which meant I had to lie down for hours. I'm still waiting for diagnosis of menieres though.

[Stonebridge73 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[Tanney]

I have had bilateral Meniere's Disease for almost 40 years. I've taken Betahistine for the past 10 years. Betahistine has been very effective in eliminating my virtigo and has helped immensely in reducing ear fullness and tinnitus. Here is what I've found:1. To avoid side effects of Betahistine start at 4mg twice/day for about 3 weeks (8mg/day total), then slowly titrate up to 8mg (16mg total/day) for a couple weeks, then 12mg (24mg total/day) for a couple weeks, then 16mg three times/day (48 mg/day). My maintenance dose is 16mg four times/day (64mg/day). It took me about 12 weeks to reach maintenance dosage.

2. Since Betahistine is a histamine do NOT take any oral (by mouth) antihistamines. If you do you will neutralize the good effects of betahistine. You may use nasal spray antihistamines because they do not enter your blood stream.

3. Meniere's Disease is often caused and symptoms worsened by nasal allergies. If you have allergies it is vital that you manage them closely. My routine is to flush my sinus twice/day with salt water and then use a nasal spray antihistimine. If you want specific names of commercial nasal flushes or antihistamine sprays let me know.

4. You probably already know that diet is important to controlling MD symptoms. Avoid salt, liqueur, and caffeine

5. Manage your stress level because stress will worsen all MD symptoms. I use Ativan 0.5mg when stress is unavoidable.

Good luck!

[Stonebridge73 in reply to Tanney]

Thanks so much for your detailed response and Info. I appreciate your time and effort.

[Hidden]

Interesting...I have also given coffee up completely now ( I don't like tea) and in home cooking I don't use salt.

[Stonebridge73 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you