Olanzapine, GAD, Betahistine, Labyrinthitis and Migraines

Hi everybody,

PS. Feel free to move if this is in the wrong section. It's a cross thread of anxiety vs medications vs dizziness issues that may or may not be anxiety related. (I personally think the anxiety came after the dizzies).

My story:
8 Years ago diagnosed with depression and GAD. I take Diazepam when things get bad, but generally have good control over my anxiety (meditation, float tanks, yoga, exercise, music), until recently.

I have recently been diagnosed with uncompensated, (probably viral) labyrinthitis. I've been dealing with that for 9+ years, it just came on suddenly and plateaued and I learned to deal with it (off balance, SSD, tinnitus). Also just diagnosed with migraines (the headache part isn't intense for me, just the sound sensitivity, brain fog, visual disturbances, anxiety, general disequilibrium has kept me out of work for the last 12 months).
My neurologist put me on Betahistine 16mg 3x daily for 3 months until he ruled out Meniere's disease and other issues (MRI, Lumbar Puncture, bloods all good - labyrinthine enhancement on MRI. Also vestibular and audiologist testing). Started VRT for the labyrinthitis. Then he told me to stop the Betshistine and start on Effexor XR (37.5mg).

Both bad ideas in hindsight.
I had a bad reaction to the Effexor after one dose, had my first full-scale panic attack 2 days later and ended up with a mild psychosis (or hypomanic - they never decided which - all I know is that some part of my brain feels overactive), which is now being treated with Olanzapine 5mg daily. Seems to be helping a little, but I still have the ongoing issues keeping me in a constant anxiety.

A couple of days after stopping, I curiously added the Betahistine back in, as I was concerned that a sudden discontinuation could have contributed to these issues. Felt a little better almost immediately. I want to stop taking it. Since taking this in January, I am getting some Eustachian tube popping and crackling that the hospital doctor said could be caused by taking Betahistine, plus the neuro said to stop taking it, I'm trying to wean off it. Even though there isn't much evidence that says that it even does anything. I really notice it when I don't take it. I am in a perpetual heightened state of anxiety (especially in the mornings once it's worn off) and I guess the best way to describe it is, everytime my eyes move and focus on something else, my body goes into a little shock while it adjusts to the new stimuli. This is especially frustrating while walking or doing anything really.
I should add that I don't really get vertigo (spinning) unless I am stressed, even then it is quite tame compared to some of your stories here.
I am now on half that dose 8mg x3.

Is anyone aware of these kinds of effects with Betahistine? Is it something about the receptors that it works on, have they done some sort of damage/dependence over almost 4 months of use??

Also, it would be great if anyone could shed some light on my overall condition. I noticed significant reduction in all my symptoms after starting on Olanzapine 2.5mg, but not as much after the increase (been on it 10 days now). I'm also not convinced this is the drug for me, even though it is helping. They were going to order more scans (EEG, new MRI, even see a neuro-psych) but never happened. I see the psych again next week. I don't want to be on this drug long term.

My neurologist's next line of defence is Sandomigran (Pizotifen), Valpro or Endep (Amitrip), but just waiting for the Psych's report before he starts me on any of these.


Thanks in advance!

Olanzapine IMO is the most evil drug ever created.

It got me stuck between the proverbial rock and a hardplace.

Rock- Anhedoinia , that drug destroyed my ability to feel pleasure from anything in life

Hardplace- After a short time taking it If I did not take it I got withdrawals, nausea insomnia and panic attacks worse then ever.


I hope the forum gets to see this. That drug is BAD news.

Copy_Cat wrote:Rock- Anhedoinia , that drug destroyed my ability to feel pleasure from anything in life

Hardplace- After a short time taking it If I did not take it I got withdrawals, nausea insomnia and panic attacks worse then ever.

Hi Copy_Cat.

Thanks for the response, and I agree.
My psych got me off Olanz after 2 weeks @ 5mg, but I am back on it (2.5mg) after a 2 week break (just for a few days until I see her again hopefully).
I still get the panic and anxiety creeping through while I am taking it.
What's your definition of "short time taking it'?
I seriously hope I don't have a dependence already