Another sad story of a doctor not knowing what he's doing. I would find a different doctor who is willing to look at all options.
Just to record my results I am reporting that I saw an ENT who tested me for BPPV. My symptoms don't match (eyes are stable). Also went to a chiropractor here in Japan that specializes in neck. It may have been helpful.
Bill, please keep us informed on your progress with the upper cervical path. Hiro put forth a very interesting paper under the recent "Depression" post. I'm going to make an appointment with a Quantum Spinal Mechanics (QSM) chiropractic next week and I will try to update everyone on my experience.
Hello all. I received Valtrex which I ordered online. My doctor here in Japan (remote area) did not want to prescribe it to me so I had to resort to online. My symptoms come and go during the day. Sometimes I am free for a day or two or three. I don't get the spinning type of vertigo. I get pressure in my head, tinnitus, some form of dizziness, and about 15% or the time accompanied by some nausea. I have been doing JOH and it probably helps but not completely. When I feel worse I also take the medicine that my ENT prescribed (but I have not been taking that regularly) and sometimes I take Rize (Clotiazepam). I have been trying kava tea as well and will try kava pills. If I get frustrated my symptoms become significantly worse. I am a little worried to start the valtrex on my own but I will go ahead with it. I also went to a neck chiropractor and I thought it was good but they are more than 2 hours from here by train so I can't go enough I think to make it work. Thanks for the help to all!
Valtrex has very few side effects, but you do want to take a baseline test for kidney and liver functions before starting. Then test again about once a year. It is very rare, but sometimes there can be effects on those organs.
Thank you. I don't really have the backing of my physician so I can't really get that. I guess I just have to wing it.
Hello all. I started Valtrex about 72 hours ago. The first day I thought it may be working but in the 2nd two days it seems not to be working. I am taking 3 grams per day. I stopped doing JOH but perhaps I should restart that in addition. How long does it to work?
Hi Bill, you cannot expect results in a few days. It takes at least 3 weeks at the max dose, and up to 6 months for some folks. Just be patient and expect ups and downs. I'd also get back on lysine from JOH. Take 1000 mg 3 times a day on an empty stomach.
I also agree with Scott Tom. I have been on Valacyclovir 3g a day for 11weeks now, along with the JOH approach for about 10wks. I know I am getting better and better, though I'm not 100% yet. My plan is to stay on this dosage for at least another month or two, maybe even three to see I can really get this thing under control. More than one of my physicians has agreed that the high dosage is still very benign as far as possible side effects. I too am not the most patient person, but I try to remind myself that I'm moving in the right direction, even if I have occasional "set backs". The first month was a true roller coaster as far as good and bad days...the second month was mostly good days (some were even great days) with one big bad day (which could have been from switching manufacturers). Into the third month, I'm happy to say I've not had any horrible days, though a s several "off" days. Needless to say I believe in this approach. Hang in there. You have a way to go before you decide whether it is working for you or not.
Thanks to Tom and forevergrateful for your feedback. Actually it seems that I am worse than before I started the Valtrex. Maybe that is because I stopped the JOH. I think I will go back to JOH but it seems that taking the lysine may be too much in addition to Valtrex. Is that true? I thought they serve similar purposes. I have some side effects from the Valtrex like slight headache and possibly depression but these two wouldn't stop me from continuing.
For me the combination of JOH and my antiviral made sense. AND as I said, it seems that for a lot of us it gets worse before it gets better....so I hope you stick with it and work through what could be a few bad days. I found HOPE with this approach and I'm committed to it. If for some reason I find it doesnt work (after the six month), then I'll continue my search for some other help.
Like i said in my last post, there will be ups and downs. It is quite common to get worse before you get better. It's the virus fighting back. Depression is not a side effect commonly associated with Valtrex. Dr. Gacek has scripted to thousands of patients and he said the only side effect he's seen is a few cases of gastritis, that went away after reducing the dosage. It's probably coming from your high level of anxiety and worry. Try to be patient and give it time to kick in.
Thanks. I am also experiencing a little discomfort in I guess which might be called the lower urinary area (the very lower part of the torso). I am thinking that I need to do it under medical supervision and may just do JOH until or if I can find a doctor in Japan.