I switched to gsk Valtrex from Famciclovir despite doing well on the Fam. I thought it might lower the tinnitus. Went to work in vietnam and only brought the valtrex. Had 1 terrible month there got very dizzy a couple times in public. Wasnt sure i could make it thru the airport to come home. Switched back to Famciclovir and got well in just 8 days for the most part. Cut down to 250mg 3 x per day yaesterday which actually seems to help. Feeling good. I imagine that gacek would say 500 per day is the maint dose but actual patient comments are best advice. I saw 1 poster on here said 250mg 3x for two years already. Anyone else? Yeah I take lots of lysine too.
I'm glad you found the right antiviral! I do not know enough about Famvir to help you with the dosage.
I was taking Famvir for a couple of years (House Clinic in LA) -There was a startup dose of 250mg 3x per day. Long term, I was taking 250mg 2x per day. During that time I was also getting allergy shots (House as well) and they seemed to have the bigger impact in my situation. Still taking the injections -currently at 3-week intervals. Good luck.
So Beeskerdog, you took the famvir for two years and it kept you away from most menieres symptoms during that time? Did the famvir fail at some point? Did you ever go back to it? You are not taking any now i presume? Thank you
The famvir made a real difference for me the first 6 months I was taking it. It then became clear that I was also suffering from allergies - I found this out by going to an orchid show in Santa Barbara. Within minutes of entering the exhibition, everything was starting to spin -. I moved out into the fresh air and set still for probably 45 minutes to an hour. I just could not move really -afraid of starting full blown vertigo. I related this story to Dr. Brackmann (at House) and he referred me to Dr. Derebery (also at House but an allergy specialist). She continued with the famvir and put me on allergy shots (dust, mold, pollen - basically anything you can breath affects me). Funny, before Menieres, I never had any allergies that I was aware of. Anyhow, I've been doing the shots (self administered, once a week -> then every 2-weeks -> now every three weeks) for about 5 years. Since starting the allergy shots, I've not had even the slightest hint of vertigo or any sort of dizziness. I still have tinnitus in my right ear and occasional aural fullness. My hearing tests show -50dB in the right ear and pretty normal on the left. Overall, I feel pretty lucky be be vertigo free. Good luck, John
Continued - The last famvir rx I had was from back in 2013. I've never felt the need to go back on it. I have to admit that I was more than a little nervous when Dr. D and I decided it was time to stop taking it. -Turned out to be a non-event. John