Hi All I've been in denial about having Menieres for years I think, always thinking that my problems were something a bit more mundane and "curable" so I've been through 3 operations now in the last few years. But nothings changed, I still go dizzy and now can't make out speech with my left ear. So I'm going to give John of Ohio's regime a try and I'll let you all know in a few months when it's all better. Vince
Yes I did a year ago but I tried them for 2 or 3 months, then went deaf / dizzy again and gave up. Really, I was looking for the "cure" before and gave up when that didn't seem to be the case. But now I think I'll try them again in conjunction with the John O regime to see if generally over time this approach improves quality of life even if it isn't a magic bullet. Talking of antivirals though wasn't there talk a year or so back of a much more effective antiviral coming to market? Since then I haven't heard anything more about it. Vince
Valacyclovir is the best anti-viral for mm that's out there. It's not a cure all, but it does make things better.
Be sure to use the latest, most effective version of the regimen, here: http://www.zoominternet.net/~kcshop/JOH.pdf Older, less effective versions still appear on the internet. And yes, antivirals can be a solution. It's not inappropriate to use both therapies at the same time, my regimen and antinherpetics. Read the following for info on that: http://menieres.org/talk/index.php?topic=557.0 Keep us posted on your progress. Don't expect things to turn around quickly or completetly at the start. Relief with either therapy can take many weeks or months. Persist, and keep us posted. --John of Ohio
Hi Scott I was using Valtrex at 1500mg a day for around 2 to 3 months I think it was. It was when the symptoms came back exactly the same as before I gave up. Vince
Hi Vince Gacek recommends 3000 mg per day to start, which is twice as much as you were taking. I would try it again following that regimen for at least 6 months before giving up. Many drugs simply do not work at all unless you find the right dosage. Too many people have found life-saving success with this to give up so quickly.
Yes, proper dosings, for lengthy dosage periods, are essential. There's nothing quick or easy for effective Meniere's treatment. With my regimen, the same problems occurred. Initially, I recommended a mere 1500 mg of lysine each day. For some (not enough), this worked. Presently, I now recommend 3000 mg of lysine, in three 1000 mg doses during the day. Results (which I record and tabulate) are significantly better. But even then, many fail to notice any improvements in the first two or three months, and they give up. A number of people tell that this happened --- no results in that period. But because they already had the inexpensive lysine, they decided to continue to take it anyway. And in most cases welcome results finally appeared. Then, it appears that for some even 3000 mg is not enough for relief. It can take as much as 4500 mg. This dosage was discovered among those who take lysine to combat herpes-caused cold and genital sores, where the higher dose gave control that the 3000 mg didn't. It appears that the same dosage and duration problems occur with the prescription antiherpetics. Go strong and long. --John of Ohio
I know it's only been just over a month since I started so I don't expect miracles, and it has been a tough month with lots of dizzyness. But about a week ago I had 3 days where the hearing in my left ear came back and I felt great. I did, just for a while, think this was the tablets kicking in but it was probably more a case of before my hearing used to go, then come back and this just happens less and less, but still happens. (I think it's almost a year since I could last hear properly in that ear.) I'm only on the L-Lysine and Ginko Biloba at the moment as the Vinpocetine and Lemon Bioflavenoids are impossible to find here in Spain and you can't import them so I can't buy them on the internet. I'll start working on friends / family in the UK to send them over and John did mention to stagger the introduction of the different tablets so you can pinpoint the cause of any adverse reactions. Anyway, I'll keep you informed on how things are going.
BEANZMEANZ, I order all the JOH components from the USA via Spain. My brother works in Spain and he gets all the stuff through post (including Vinpocetine and Bioflavonoids) without any problem. Then he brings the pills to Serbia when he comes to visit. It is not that I cannot import pills to Serbia, but it is simply too much hassle with the customs that is frequently absolutely ignorant and it takes a lot of time and energy and money to get goods through. I order from VitaCost
Thank you so much Serbian! I've made the order no problem at all and I can't understand now why I had problems before. The company that said there were export restrictions was vitaminshoppe.com but I can't understand why I didn't order from visacost as that was one of John's suggested sites. Anyway, sorted now and thanks so much for your help. Vince
Hi John, if you're around I had a look at that link and can't find anything about not using anti herpetics and your regimen. I was just wondering as I'm thinking of adding valacyclovir to the list to kind of attack this thing from all angles. Many thanks, Vince.
Vince, Many, many dozens of people have successfully used my regimen, without any prescribed antiherpetics. But if you can persuade a physician to write you a prescription for an antiherpetic, go both treatment routes at the same time. They can be used together, with no conflicts. Gives an even greater chance of success. --John of Ohio
I have done the best when I am doing both anti-virals and JOH. I have not been able to get below 2500 mg/day with the anti-virals and sustain the positive effect. But the positive effect has been very positive, as I just wrote in your other thread I got some of my hearing back which has made a big difference. My tinnitus, stuffiness, and dizziness are much more manageable, and I have better energy. I am not all the way better, but I am much more able to function in my life.
I thought I'd give an update about six / eight weeks or so after starting the JOH regime. (That is, I'm on the L-Lysine and Ginko Biloba but still waiting for delivery of the rest.) Anyway, I guess I started as things were getting worse so things haven't been good and I'm not sure if that was to do with the JOH or just as I was entering a bad patch anyway. I've been dizzy almost daily but most of them haven't been full on throwing up sessions, more like get dizzy - sleep 3 or 4 hours - get on with the day type. But just the last couple of days I feel like I'm coming out of this a bit. Yesterday I started to get dizzy, thought "here we go again" but it just didn't develop and today I just feel like I've got a dizzy free day coming. Saying that I do feel up to my eyeballs in virus and I think John does say that things get worse before they get better, and that there is a feeling of the virus kind of fighting with the treatment and that is just how I feel now. I hear about the 60db mark in my left ear for a long while now so my ENT put me on DEFLAZACORT and after a full round of treatment, as it had no effect told me to start again. I'm also suspicious that this hasn't helped at all as reading about it, it is known to suppress the immune system so if it isn't actually helping it's going to actually harm the situation. Anyway, I'm looking forward to better days and will post the next update shortly when that happens. Vince