I am new to joining this forum but have been following it for the last few months. I also private messaged Vicki regarding this subject; but then thought I should post this subject as it may help others. Before I begin, thank you all that respond to these threads. You are such wonderful people to help us all through this difficult disease. Congratulations to those who are symptom free! It gives me so much hope! My symptoms for meniere's started to really hit about 2 years ago. Before that I had slow decreasing of hearing in my right ear and vertigo attacks about once per year. Several weeks ago, I tried Valcyclovir for 5 days, 500 mg, 3X per day. It really helped clear my aural fullness and helped subside my vertigo. I started to feel better. On the 5th day, I had extreme abdominal cramps. I could not move. It felt like the pain in my abdomen was in my ligaments, bones, muscles. My doctor ran CAT scans and ultrasounds and ruled out other causes. She then felt it was a reaction to the Valcyclovir.....a possible side effect of the drug but not usually that severe. Of course, I immediately stopped taking the Valcyclovir. It has taken more than 3 weeks for the cramps to completely subside. I was so bummed out because I thought it was helping. I am not sure if I should try it again at a real low dose and work my way up if possible. Those abdominal cramps really scared me away from trying it again. My doctor and I decided to try Acyclovir....starting at a low dose 400 mg, 2X per day. By the 2nd day, my head felt it was about to explode. I felt so much pressure in my whole head not just my bad meniere's ear. I panicked and stopped taking it. I know that I am super sensitive to medicine and supplements as I have had reactions to other medications in the past. Has anyone one else experienced this? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
I go extremely drugged feeling from val but I am ok on acyclovir. My pharmacist told me its a common complaint about val..to feel drugged. But I do and did not get your reactions. You can try famvir or try 3000 mg of lysine. I got a weird reaction from lysine very lightheaded which I also found out is not an uncommon adverse effect but I am extremely medication sensitive.
Thanks, Vicki. I think I will try the famvir in hope that it works as well as the valcyclovir did for those 5 days. If not, I will try the lysine. How did you do on the 3,000 mg dosge of lysine per day? Thanks so much!
I didn't I took 1 pill of lysine and got so light headed for about 15 minutes I was afraid to take it again, so never did it again. I only take acyclovir for MM and its working fantastic for me so far