The internist I saw had no problems prescribing acyclovir for me! He is interested to see how it will work, so today I start it 800 mg tid, he even asked how I wanted him to write the script since I told him some people have had to take it tid longer than 3 weeks at first, so here I go! Took my first dose at noon today! Now time to get busy and read more posts in the database, so much good stuff in there! Wish I had more than one day off from work! Hopefully my fatigue will get better too! I am excited, still waiting for the supplements from JOH regime to arrive in the mail, should be here by tomorrow, I did receive the monolaurin yesterday but thought I will introduce it one at a time, so haven't started it yet. Woo hoo, so excited! Thank you to all who have shared what you have found out about MM and everything else, you are all a Godsend to me and to others! I hope I can help people someday too! (Although, I will have to confess, I am not always that savvy about computers!
I've been on Acyclovir for about a year. When I first started at 2400 mg a day I had a little headache for about three days but that's the only side affect I've had. I haven't gotten the great results others on this site have but it has certainly helped more than anything else. Plus I've learned from reading the information here that I may have MAV as well which explains why I don't get total relief from the antivirals. So, good luck, I hope this is your answer. There are some really great people on this site who can help answer any questions you have.
Good luck! Linda and keep us posted and just so you are aware, some people get worse before better, which means the virus and the AV are battling it out.
Thanks Sharon and Vicki! I am going to give it a good try! I am beginning to think I may have MAV too after reading about the symptoms, but I have to take it one step at a time and any step is better than no steps. The OTO who prescribed the Meniett device is the one that told me about Meniere's web sites, also the Meniett device information is where I found the site Menieres.org, and this forum, I don't know why the OTO didn't mention the anti virals, but be that as it may, the device is expensive and is not guaranteed to work, but they will refund money if it doesn't work, but I am not going to even think about getting one unless the anti-virals or JOH regime don't' work for me. It is so good to hear good reports of the people that these regimes do help.
I take valtrex vs acyclovir. By the end of the first 3 weeks I felt there was improvement but not "quite there", so dr agreed that I should/could stay at the initial loading dose for an additional 3 weeks. Then I tapered to 2x day; then one. I have been on maintenance dose for a little over a year. Aside from a few "off days" where I take an extra dose, I have been doing very well since starting the valtrex. For me it has helped immensely. Good luck! Congrats on not having to battle your doctor too!
For me it helped with anything. Controlling the vertigo is the main goal (from a medical standpoint I believe) but blessedly it FINALLY helped the 24/7 ear pressure, ringing and fatigue. I don't walk around absently rubbing/pulling on my bad ear any longer. It has given me such improvement.
I'm on day 3 of acyclovir to rule out the herpes cause. Taking 800 tid of acyclovir. So far still feel like bobbing up and down, however recently it's got a bit worse. If this doesn't work then I will try all the MAV and antifungal stuff. I seem to have a sinus infection at the moment too.
Understand that no antiherpetic agent, whether lysine; acyclovir, or any of the other prescription antiherpetic drugs can work quickly. They can take three weeks to three months to begin to adequately suppress herpes replication and allow healing to begin. There is no fast-acting "aspirin" for Meniere's. With patience, persist. --John of Ohio
bobbing up and down sounds like MAV, but you could have both MM and MAV so stick with the AV for at least 2-3 months, but I would recommend avoiding MM and MAV food triggers as well
Third day on Acyclovir for me, yesterday, I had a "clear Moment", no light headed feeling, it was wonderful, I hope that there is more to come, I did have some dizziness or wobbly off and on, nothing I couldn't handle yesterday and today, I had to take one Ativan both days, and tinnitus is still bad, ear fullness still there, but it is still way early in the program. If everything improves by 50% I will be happy! (But am hoping for more). I have noticed more intermittent ear pain, and also some sinus issues, I think of it as the Acyclovir fighting off the virus inside my ears! And I had to come home from work early today and took a two hour nap, but like I said it is just the beginning!
I don't understand, Dr. gacek' study was for only 3 weeks with 90% improvement to patients on acyclovir 800mg tid. But you and JOH are saying 2-3 months? I also got an HSV IGG blood test, came negative.
everyone is different and Dr Gacek's regime is a guideline and not written in stone. Some can decrease after 3 weeks w/o symptoms returning some cant and need to stay on longer before they can decrease w/o symptoms returning. But if av's do not help you really should consider MAV treatments. Check out my post about the difference between MM and MAV.
5 days after starting acyclovir, I am more off balance than dizzy, seem to have a lot more energy but still have to rest between activities, even just house work, but hey at least I have the energy to do housework, I didn't before starting the antiviral, ears are acting up because of storms moving through, but it is still early in the treatment! Dear God I pray that this works, AMEN I plan to start JOH regime slowly beginning on Wed. (one week after starting anti-viral)
Hi Linda, I am happy to hear you are seeing some improvements so quickly. Fingers crossed and keep us posted!
I would give the acyclovir a chance to work before starting anything else. Why spend extra money if it works? And if you mix the two, you'll never know which is doing the job.