I go back to the initial 3000 dose because the 2000 is not enough to get me back to "normal" or what I consider "my normal". When I have a relapse, it's like starting over and for me, it's the right move to start at the high dosage until things subside and I can start to taper down again. I've been through this several times and rather than prolong things, this is how I have learned to deal with it. This time I am going to go on 1.5 for maintenance with a side of lysine and see if that keeps things at bay for longer.
I am fortunate that the Valtrex helped me on it's own. I do not need to take any of JOH regime at this time.
I take 1200 mg Acyclovir plus 3000 mg Lysine (JOH) a day. Still get some dizzy days but nothing like I had before starting this treatment. I seem to need the higher doses and when I try to reduce the vertigo starts again.
I am doing both acyclovir and JOH (minus MSM which I will introduce in a few weeks). But I am a specific case, I have no symptoms (beside right-ear tinnitus) in between imbalance/vertigo episodes, and I have had "only" 10 episodes in close to six years. My remissions were as long as 15 months and as short as 8 days. I don't know if acyclovir alone is enough for me, since I do not know whether I am just in a remission or not at the moment (my last episode happened in mid-March this year). Thus, I take both acyclovir and JOH. I do not care if I take redundant pills or not, my imperative is to be vertigo-free. My plan is to pursue this way for two years, and then start to gradually eliminate some of the pills. Best luck to all you people, this forum is such a Godsend. I would have never known about neither antiviral therapy nor JOH without it.
WoW!! Lots of good results in this post/thread. Congratulations to all who are receiving good results. I hope this encourages more people to try to find something that can help. There is always hope. This year has been sooooo much better than last year for me. I agree Vicki - an edit button would be very nice. Not complaining, just saying. Thank you Ray!! Good Health to All
I take 1,000 MG of Valtrex with a Lysine chaser everyday. It has worked phenomenally for me. *knocking wood*. I also cut out almonds, which I had been eating almost daily. I'm going to add more of JOH vitamins in hopes that I can wean off the Valtrex. But if I relapse, at least I know that the Valtrex does the trick. I was going bi-lateral and the Valtrex stopped the MD from taking up residence in my left ear. It has made the roar in my right ear manageable. I'm very thankful my doctor is open to anti-virals.
Why wean off the valtrex? It's very safe to take long term. People with shingles take it for life without any serious side effects? I would personally rather take valtrex long term than all those "vitamins" with unknown contraindications and sketchy ingredients.
Experience has shown that to suppress the herpes viruses that cause Meniere's symptoms at least 3000 mg of lysine must be taken each day; 1000mg each in the morning, afternoon, and at bedtime. The lysine must not become digested with a meal, as it then has no effect against the herpes virus. Take each dose at least 20 minutes before a meal, or 2 hrs after a meal. Lots of info here: http://www.zoominternet.net/~kcshop/JOH.pdf --John of Ohio
Another reason why I like valtrex. One pill, once per day, any time, with or without food. No hassles.
It's been 5 months since vertigo, but I find that I have to take 1,000 grams twice per day. My hearing has not improved since February. It does fluctuate from fair to good and back to fair. I'm wondering if I was to take 5,000 mgs per day or more would my hearing improve. I'm Guessing nobody knows that answer. Just wondering.....
ok Santa, I'll give it a go. Nobody knows the answer, Because nobody has tried 5,000 mgs per day. There has only been studies for taking 3,000 mgs per day. Curious you brought this up. I know you've been vertigo free for 6 months now. You were giving most credit to Valtrex and OPC. But, now, you haven't taken OPC for over a week and no vertigo and hearing about the same. You are also still taking 1,000 mg of lysine every day. You have been one of those people that say, "if a little is good for you then a lot would be better." Alright, alright. That's true I am one of those people. But, I learned the hard way with Niacin. Dont ever take too much Niacin. The reason I'm asking is some days, for whatever reason my hearing is not as good as it has been. So, I take another valacyclovir and within an hour my hearing is so much better. Is anybody else besides me and myself curious about what would happen if we increased to 5,000 or 10,000 or whTever it takes. I do believe we have proof that taking valtrex has helped many people on this forum. It's side effects are nil. I'm considering increasing...... Am I nuts......ok - yeah, I know I am. But should I try?
Thanks Nicmger, your response made me look up the possible side effects of Valtrex. Whew!! I don't think I have experienced any, but the list is long. I guess I will wait and let someone else be the guinea pig.
I haven't had to try any of the anti-virals yet... ( not that I would be opposed to it).... But so far I haven't had a vertigo episode in 5 months - I did have 3 decadron shots - take valium as needed when I start to feel dizzy -Lipoflavanoids and B-12 for vitamins - strict low sodium diet - and I have a minette device..... so I am going to stick with it as long as it works.... I almost called my Dr for another shot a few weeks ago because I was really dizzy and the aural fullness and brain fog was bad for a few days - but I waited it out and I think it was the weather / barometric pressure because we had a bad thunderstorm and then the next two weeks I was fine... Now the last two days - again - super dizzy and lightheaded and the ringing is louder- and again we have a high pressure system sitting over us - its super hot and muggy .... so I am going to wait for the storm to come sometime this weekend and see if I feel better after... trying to keep track of weather patterns and if it affects me....
Hi Nickyschick I used to think the weather patterns affected me, but for the last 6 months when the Valtrex kicked in weather has no affect on my condition. I have never had any shots and I have a bottle of Valium, but I don't like it and I never have to use it. I used it a couple of times about 8-10 months ago, but I haven't had much change in my condition since Feb. 23. I say go with the Valtrex ( valacyclovir)