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Diuretic and grommets

Posted , 5 users are following.

Dadlew
Dadlew

Hi been to see my consultant today after having on going attack for nearly two months my dose of betahistine was upped couple of weeks ago to 32mg x 3 so hoping that dose starts to kick in soon I've also been put on diuretics for two months to see how they work that failing I will be having a grommet fitted has anyone tried either would be great to get some feedback to see if either has worked for them

0 likes, 16 replies

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  • louise98846
    louise98846 Dadlew

    Posted

    Hi,  I am also on 96 mg Betahistine daily, although my dose is 48 mg twice a day.  It took a few weeks to get used to the higher dose.  I was on 24 mg twice a day previously, so it's been doubled. It has made a big difference!  No attacks since the higher dose.  Very happy, to say the least.  Give it a few weeks, you may have an adjustment period, as I did.  My Dr. says, it may be Menieres just improving on its own.  But I really think it's the medication, as I haven't felt this good in a very long time.  Everyone is different, I sincerely hope you can get some improvement and relief from this awful condition.  I do not take a diuretic.  Let us know how things go.  Sorry you endured such a difficult time!  I also have a vent tube (grommet), since last year.  I tried the Meniett device, but didn't do anything for me.  Saw 3 ENT over the course of 10 years and the one I have now is great.  Take care.    

    • Dadlew
      Dadlew louise98846

      Posted

      Yes I've had a few consultants over the years but the one I have now seems very good, I'm only on a low dose of diuretic to start with as can effect blood pressure so I've got to have that checked in two weeks to make sure that's ok, hoping the higher dose of betahistine does work been on it couple of weeks now so hopefully improvement soon will keep you posted on how get on with the diuretic 

  • tanney
    tanney Dadlew

    Posted

    what is the dose of diuretic you are on?  If less than 75mg/day you might want to wait until you can reach that dose before taking the next step of having a grommet.  I take 75mg and my MD is under control....no vertigo, no ear fullness, decreased tinnitus.
    • Dadlew
      Dadlew tanney

      Posted

      I've been started on 2.5mg one a day for two months, they are  bendroflumethiazide, so it seems I'm on a very low dose compared to yourself are you based in the states as diuretic isn't normally the first medicine given in the uk

    • tanney
      tanney Dadlew

      Posted

      I'm in USA.  2.5mg is extremely low....are you sure it is not 25mg?  Conservative treatment is always preferred over surgical.  Personally, I would like to see you on a much higher dose of diuretics before you have grommet.  In USA diuretic is first med prescribed for MD and it is usually 25mg to start and then increased up to 75 mg over 4 months or so or until relief is achieved.  Once fluid is pulled from the inner ear at the higher dose you could revert back to a lower dose diuretic as a maintenance amount.  The combination of Betahistine + diuretic should be effective in controlling vertigo, eliminating ear fullness and lowering tinnitus....you just need to find right dose combo.  GOOD LUCK

    • Dadlew
      Dadlew tanney

      Posted

      Yes definitely 2.5mg I did say to my consultant that someone had put on this forum they were on 25mg but she said that seems high and was worried it would affect my blood pressure to much, I suppose I will just have to see how I go on them until my next appointment 
    • tanney
      tanney Dadlew

      Posted

      Dadlow...is your consultant an ENT doctor?  What is his/her credentials?  What is you blood pressure now?  Diuretics are very effective in controlling MD symptoms and should not be simply dismissed because they can lower BP.  25mg diuretics might lower BP 10 or 15 points, so if your normal BP is 125/80 it may drop to 110/65 or so....that will not cause problems and is actually better for your heart. 50 mg of diuretics would lower BP by about 25 points total which may or may not be a problem depending on where you are now.  And once the inner ear fluid is removed by the diuretics you can then go back to a lower dose as a maintenance dose.  You might want to discuss this further with your ENT doctor.  Good luck
    • Dadlew
      Dadlew tanney

      Posted

      Yes she is an ent consultant, I think the problem is is that diuretic isn't normally prescribed for menieres in U.K. so they are reluctant to try it it seems, my blood pressure is good so have no problems with that, I must admit I did think 2.5mg was very low but I've been told to trial it for two months before my next appointment so I guess I'll just have to go with it until then, thanks so much for all your input really is a big help

  • angela79369
    angela79369 Dadlew

    Posted

    I bet that combination will help you now, the higher dose betahistine and the diuretic. That exact combination has worked for me (UK). 3 years vertigo free. I had a grommet and this was great, it worked its way out of my ear by itself, it was in for 2 years (out of the 3 vertigo free years), so I am 1 year without it. Actually, noise activity, popping, sensitivity etc in the ear has lessened post grommet. But that could just be the ups n downs of menieres! I reckon your increased betahistine and bendroflumethiazide will stabilise you and if it doesn't, ask for the grommet as well, then you are attacking it 3 ways. They put a steroid dexamethasone in at same time and you can get a further dose injected in at a later date. Good luck. Keep us posted on your progress?

    • Dadlew
      Dadlew angela79369

      Posted

      Thanks for your input it's good to hear other experiences what dose diuretic are you on as they've started me on low dose of 2.5mg a day, I have got to go back consultant in two months so the grommet will be an option then, roughly a two month waiting list for that and yes I will keep you posted on my progress thanks

    • angela79369
      angela79369 Dadlew

      Posted

      I'm on same low dose diuretic as you. We have to keep up our potassium intake being on it though, doctor suggested a banana a day. I hope within your two month wait for your appointment you will have stabilised being on this drug combination. Best of everything. Looking forward to hearing your progress.

    • Dadlew
      Dadlew angela79369

      Posted

      So this dose has worked for you then perfectly well I'm glad to hear that gives me more hope as from what I'm hearing 25mg is standard dose in the US which is obviously much higher, good tip about the banana I shall do that thanks and will keep you updated as to how I go, sorry but how long did the diuretic take to kick in to make a difference to you?

    • Dadlew
      Dadlew angela79369

      Posted

      Hi Angela just a quick question how long did it take for the diuretic to take effect for you, just that been taking them a week now been feeling fine but the today have had couple of dizzy spells and tinnitus noise has increased again, thanks for your time
    • angela79369
      angela79369 Dadlew

      Posted

      I honestly can't remember exactly, was 2014. I think the good spells just got longer and the day to day symptoms improved. Stick with the combination, it has worked for me for 3 years, no vertigo. Keep us posted.

    • Dadlew
      Dadlew angela79369

      Posted

      Thanks will do and yea will stick with it it's still early days I suppose it's like everything you try you hope its going to be a miracle cure just very deflating when you seem to go back to square one

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