I finally got my doctor to prescribe me valacyclovir on the dosage that Dr. Gacek had been prescribing. 3 g daily for 3 weeks, then 2 then 1. I only started 3 days ago, but Im curious, though I'm sure everyone is different, but how long did it take to start seeing some results? The fullness, tinnitus and dizziness is driving me nuts.
I was able to see results in the prescribed time frame. However, there are several people here who took much longer, and at least one person who took 6-8 months at the max dose. Therefore, you have to consider that when thinking about giving up if it doesn't work after 3 weeks. You may experience a worsening of symptoms before it gets better. Many people have reported this. JOH has a good explanation of why this is the case. What brand of val are you using? I ask because some folks, including myself, have had bad results with some generics. I personally had to switch to name brand Valtrex for this reason.
The brand is Mylan. Is this a bad one? I had read about Northstar being the preferred manufacturer but my Doctor wasn't sure on how to request such a thing and seemed to glaze over it.
I started feeling "better" within the first 3 weeks but not perfect. I asked (and was given) permission to stay at the 3g/day dose for an extra 3 weeks before tapering down. Then I was good. However, when I had a refill 6 month or so in and it was filled with Milan immediately I had issues (within 24-48 hrs). Happened another time as well. So for me, the Milan product is worthless. I did not need to have the dr write it for Northstar. My local Costco pharmacy agreed to order it in for me - so that is how I get my scripts refilled with the product that works best for me. Good luck.
So being that my doctor just had me fill a prescription for about 100 pills, but they are Mylan, what advice would you recommend? Stick with it for the possibility the Mylan could work? Or consider them worthless, and see if I can have the doctor rerescribe specifying Northstar? (Not sure how this will go over with insurance, I wish I could just exchange though I know pharmacies won't take prescriptions back.)
I started feeling effects very quickly. Within a couple days my tinnitus got very strange, but soon after it got quieter and stayed that way (other than an experience with a generic brand that didn't work so well for me--that was Cadista, but it's working great for someone else). After a while, maybe a month, my hearing starting to improve. Probably in less time that that I was feeling less dizzies and getting my energy back. That is unfortunate about the Mylan. That is the generic brand people have been the most negative about. You could do some searching here to see if anyone has anything positive to say about it. If so, I'd give it a try. If not, I'd call your doctor and explain the situation.
I was able to exchange a few untouched bottles for Tavor which the pharmacist says he has found works well for people who Mylan doesn't work for. I started with the Tavor today. Hoping for the best!
Wow, even the pharmacist knows that Mylan doesn't work for a lot of people? The FDA should really investigate them.
How long? How long til the first discernable improvement or how long til all symptoms are gone completely and forever? My first glimmer of improvement came in about a week. My max level of improvement took months.
I want to try anti-virals and am wondering if those who have tried them have any idea if they only help Meniere's when a certain virus is involved? I've never had shingles or cold sores, but I have had mono, chicken pox and HPV. I'm hoping that they work if you've had any type of virus at all!
All those you mentioned are herpes viruses. No one knows whether it is only one virus or multiple ones that can affect the ear. Even if they did know, you probably would not know which viruses you have had. It is common for people to have these viruses as children without any obvious symptoms. The easiest approach is to try them and see if they help you, just as they do with diuretics, prednisone and countless other medicines.
It is certainly worth a try, as more and more posters are coming forward with good news about taking antivirals. There have been some people who say it failed them, but it is not clear what brand they took or for how long. The ones i know about took a generic brand for a few weeks. People don't tend to think these things through too much as they have moved on. I know of nobody to this point who has taken brand named Valtrex for 6 months at max dose and failed to have some benefits. But it certainly is likely that there are some folks like that. Either way, it's a safe (very rare side effects can be easily prevented with regular blood tests) way to take a stab at this disease.
Thanks Scott Tom. I'm so desperate and miserable and depressed and anxious......etc. I'm sure you have all been there! I'll let you know how it goes. I've been going to the upper cervical chiropractor with no success so far so I'm truly at the end of my rope! Thanks for letting me vent!
So my doctor agreed today to let me try anti-viral for three months and wrote a prescription for Valtrex. My insurance will only cover generic (otherwise it's over $500). Has anyone had good luck with the generic versus the branded. I used to be in pharmacy sales and I'm hesitant!! She also told me I could try betahistine. Anyone have luck with that? Thanks
If your doctor scripts it as medically necessary, then your insurance should cover the name brand. But if not, try to avoid Mylan.
I have had success with the generic valtrex by Northstar. The Mylan did not work at all for me - might for you.