Worried

Hi been having dizzy spells for 3 weeks probably about 4 a day they only last about 20 seconds I'm on 16mg 3 times a day doctor can't increase dosage so have to wait till I see consultant, yes have 50% hearing loss in affected ear and no not infection went to doctor again today to double check, not on diuretics not heard of that what are they water tablets? And yes no caffeine all decaf reduce salt where possible and hardly drink and not touched a drop since this flared up again

Hi not not full blown but as you said dizziness and lightheaded , I'm in the UK and never been told by doctor or ENT consultant to go on water tablets but it does make sense, yes had the test done yrs ago to confirm MD, thanks so much for advice I shall be straight round to doctor to get pesctibed the water tablets, should they be taken all of the time or just when you feel an attack in imminent 

Hi, 

I was diagnosed two years ago & take 16mg x 3 of Betahistine daily and wouldn't try to come off them. I also take 3mg Amitriptyline at night to deal with nerve pains in my head. UK based like yourself and have never been offered diuretics and not felt the need either . I watch salt, only have the occasional small glass of wine or beer, eat regular, drink water/juice regularly, gave up fizzy drinks, still enjoy a latte. Above all I don't stress & avoid situations with crowds. I also have a great ENT. Still get the odd woo woo feeling like bending down the other night to take me dog out its carrier, got dog out ok but leant to the side to fasten box & room spun for a second but ok then. My own fault as I know that my balance is not brilliant & on a bad day you might think I had a drink or two. Speech can be difficult sometimes as brain fog causes memory loss & I know what I want to say but it doesn't always come out. Don't like using hearing aid on bad ear as hate the noise amplified. Still work & a hundred times better than when first diagnosed & thought I was heading for an early grave. 

glad to hear that your three-week episodes are more of the dizziness/lightheadedness type than full blown vertigo attacks.  Yes, these brief lightheaded moments can occur frequently.  That unfortunately can happen to some MD sufferers.  This does sound like you have fluid imbalance  in the inner ear. Diuretics should help with that.  Diuretics are to be taken every day for the rest of your life...similar to Betahistine and diet management.  Diuretics can be taken along with Betahistine.  Also, as I've mentioned in previous posts on this forum, if you also take an antihistamine for allergies or non-allergic rhinitis and you use Betahistine you will need to use the NASAL SPRAY form of antihistamine (Flonase, Azelastine HCI, etc.).....do NOT use the ORAL form (tablet, capsule, etc) because it will neutralize the effect of Betahistine.  This is important for Betahistine users to know.  The nasal spray form does NOT neutralize Betahistine because it stays in the nasal area only and does not circulate through the blood system like the oral antihistamine and Betahistine do.

Good luck....and let us know how you are progressing, Dadlew.  We are concerned.

Thanks for all that info really helps because I was takin the oral version of antihistamine earlier this year but luckily stopped around the time I started the betahistine but would never have know until you said, I shall get to my doctor on Monday and get those prescribed then, is it also true the betahistine take about a month to kick in as I've been taking the just over 3 weeks now?  This attack is different from any previous because the fullness in my ear has virtually cleared which normally indicates it has passed but not this time and the tinnitus is still very loud and still suffering dizzy spells, that's probably what worried me most that it just isn't going away this time, I shall indeed keep you posted on my progress but many thanks again for your time and concern

Yes, Betahistine can take a month or more to "kick in".  Betahistine is often prescribed in higher doses than 16mg three times/day.  If after 5 or 6 weeks on 16mg  you still do not notice improvement then you might want to see about increasing the dose.  As said earlier, you can take Betahistine + diuretics at the same time....just be aware of your blood pressure.  Diuretics will reduce BP and in some folks Betahistine will also reduce BP (it did in me).

Yes it takes a month for Betahistine to kick in. I take one immediately on waking up just before getting out of bed & a paracetamol which seems to soften the edges. The weather with high/low pressure sometimes makes my ear feel full I don't know if anyone else feels this.