In the past I have written about betaserc and how it is used mostly in other countries besides the United States. Recently I received an email from one of my readers about her experiences with the drug betaserc. She has had a positive response to the drug which is terrific. She makes a very good point in that most countries accept betaserc so why doesn’t the USA?
I was so glad that Natalie shared her experiences with Betaserc.
Here is the email.
I was recently diagnosed with MD in Europe (Portugal). It's the first drug they use there (also encouraging low-sugar and low-sodium diets, obviously).
I was hesitant to take it b/c I was moving back to the US soon and knew it was not FDA approved. However, eager for relief, I decided to give it a go. 24mg's two times daily. I was encouraged to stay on it for a min. of six months before seeing full effects of the drug.
The doctor explained that this drug is best used in patients with very EARLY MD. It seems to be less helpful in patients with more advanced disease (In me recent experience, now back in the us, doctors give the drug to patients only after diet has not helped, etc. In my opinion, this drug and diet should be the FIRST things doctors should have their patients do). My European doctor explained that catching MD early, and administering this drug at high doses, can be very effective in preventing the severity and frequency of attacks and, therefore, helping prevent more advanced MD.
He told me that I would not see immediate results. I did not. However, after three weeks, I noticed less ringing/roaring and the attacks were less severe. After one month, I stabilized. Usually, when stressed- out or ill, I get intense ear pressure and, often, a headache lasting 2-12 days. However, that’s about as bad as it gets (knock-on-wood, right!). Ringing is now down to a mild hiss or ring usually only heard when it is very quiet.
This drug, has, without a doubt, given me my life back. I pray it continues to do such a great job. Even if this drug only helps , for example, 5% of MD’s patients, I think ALL specialists owe it to their patients, especially those with early MD, to prescribe this drug at a high dose (start high and then, maybe, go lower after as deemed appropriate) along with diet changes and stress reduction/management (before I went on the drug, when I was being stubborn about it, I tried the diet changes and it did little, if anything, to help me).
There has a to be a reason that in almost all other countries, this is the first drug of choice given to patients. I’m saddened that US doctors feel so strongly that it doesn’t work. Heck, chemo doesn’t work for all patients. Everyone deserves the right to try this drug. You just never know, it may work!!
You can get Serc at compounding pharmacies here in the US and out of drug stores in Canada (online, etc.).
Once again I want to thank Natalie for this wonderful comment.
Thanks
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
4 comments:
I have used betaserc (we call it betahistine) 3x16 mg a day, for a year and a half. I think it worked for me, but about three months ago I had a period with daily attacks despite using this one and an additional dose of cinnarizine. I had to stop with the medication for a new series of tests in the hospital and found out that it didn't make a difference. Well, it dit, but the only difference was that I missed the side-effects (like being tired all the time, lack of concentration). My parents told me I was a different person, more 'present', less distracted an tired, than when I used betahistine.
So, you'll understand that at this moment I'm doing without the medication. I have to admit that life's not fun (average of one attack/day) but it was the same before I stopped with all the drugs.
So, yes Natalie, apparently the betahistine does work in an early stage, but for me no more.
On the other hand, I have heard stories from other M-patients who have used it for years and are still very much benefited by it. More than 5%, I would say. I think more than half the M-patients in my country use it and keep using it. So, give it a try!
I'm sorry to hear about your present condition, it seems with meniere's disease there just isn't any easy solutions.
I am curious about the cinnarizine, I hadn't heard about that before.
thanks
David
I too am on Betahistine (3 x 16) and have not had an attack in over a year. I was first prescribed it when I lived in Paris (where it was called Serc) and had to get represcribed when I moved back to the UK.
My doctor said that I needn't bother with the low-sodium diet as my Meniere's is measurably going away. The tinitus is diminishing and the lost hearing is coming back, slowly.
Sometimes it just goes away.
http://blog.23x.net/76/menieres-disease-the-common-rare-disease.html
It is amazing how many positive responses I have read about serc! It is puzzling that it is considered mainstream in other parts of the world but not the US.
thanks for the comment
Post a Comment