Betahistine

Posted , 9 users are following.

Anyone who is on Betahistine do you get it in the USA?

I fell so depressed and down is this a normal feeling with Menieres Disease?

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    My wife suffers from Menieres. You name it we have tried it. The only thing we have found that definitely helps her is the Betahistine. We order it out of Canada. Her doctor wrote the script for us and it really hasnt been a problem with getting it. I Stress it helps it has not cured. She has become deaf in her affected right ear and lately have been worried about it transing to her her left. Yes it can make you very depressed. You do need to make sure you have someone that can help you. Someone who totally understands this terrible disease. Most people dont. Try everything you possibly can out there. What works for one doesnt always work for others. Dont let it control you. I Pray everyday for a cure.

    • Posted

      Hi. Your comment on the disease is spot on. That's why I'm in this forum. It's great to chat with others who relate to your plight. It helps to know that you're not alone in dealing with this awful disease.

  • Posted

    Hi. I live in the US. I obtained serc betahistine through Canada Pharmacy with a prescription. Very reasonably priced.

  • Posted

    You can get betahistine in USA. Take your prescription to any compounding pharmacy. Cost for 300 16mg capsules should be about $120.00. 300 quantity is usually a better price than smaller amounts. I always request that doctor write script for 300 with multiple refills. Note: you can get Serc (brand name for betahistine) through Canada but beware of two things:

    1. Serc contains lactose whereas compounding the drug will not. If you are lactose intolerant this could present a problem.
    2. Be careful of the Canadian pharmacy used. I've found that many of the pharmacies selling Serc get their inventory from questionable locations in Europe. If you are going to use a Canadian pharmacy get names from folks on this forum who have good experience with a particular pharmacy there.

    All MD patients suffer from anxiety and stress. It's vital that you try to manage this either with therapy or some type of behavior modification before it becomes habitual.

    Good luck!

    • Posted

      I know i have chatted with you before. I dont remember if you said you had any of the surgeries for Menieres. Have you? My doctor is pushing me to cut the balance nerve but im fighting it I dont want it. Any suggestions?

    • Posted

      before you consent to invasive surgery such as cutting the balance nerve please try the following:

      1. very low sodium diet, no caffeine, no alcohol + use diuretics up to 50mg. If this does not manage the vertigo then
      2. start on betahistine. New users usually start at 4mg/3x day and then increase dose until at least 16mg. Many MD patients require even higher doses. Once you reach the right dose for YOU, you will notice improvement. There is however a segment of MD patients that do not receive relief from betahistine even at high doses. If you still have vertigo, then consider
      3. Gentamicin injections. This will eliminate the vertigo in about 90% of MD patients. Gentamicin does have potential side effects that you should discuss with your neurotologiest, such as additional hearing loss and temporary unbalance. I had this procedure 40 years ago when it was relatively new in USA. I fortunately had no side effects and the procedure completely eliminated vertigo.
      4. If after all of the above prove ineffective in eliminating your vertigo then you should consider the more invasive procedure....but please do not have that done before you give the above time to work.

        Good luck!!

  • Posted

    hi MARIE!

    i have been diagnosed with Vestibular Migraines which share similar symptons with MENIERES. I also got depression when i first started on Betahistine, apparently its the norm/side effects. After a while though it gets better. Like someone mentioned, try and surround yourself with positive people who try their best to understand what you're going through. You will feel down most times, but just try to not let anxiety and stress get to you (they are big triggers) it would only turn into a vicious cycle.

  • Posted

    Hi,

    I have not tried the betahistine route, but have tried just about everything else. For what it is worth I've been seeing an upper cervical chiropractic specialist which I believe has helped a great deal with the vertigo. My ENT also has me on calcium blockers (it's experimental) and I've not had any dizziness or fullness that I've dealt with for over 20 yrs. I still have hearing loss and tinnitus, but no vertigo. And yes, depression is a big part of dealing with MD. These forums help, but also seek out a therapist or someone to talk to. I've been on prozac to deal with the anxiety and depression, seems to help a bit. Good luck!

  • Posted

    im in canada i am prescribed betahistine, diaretics and anti anxiety.

    its been 5 months since a spell

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