Bythebay - I've always taken the JOH regime including Lysine 3x a day on an empty stomach. When I went to Europe, I was still doing the max dose of Valtrex and Dr. Gacek said I may have developed a tolerance which is why he suggested I switch and try the Famvir. Even after being on the max dose of that, I got a little better, but nothing like before the vacation. I honestly don't know if my 5 months of relief were just a remission that happened to coincide with taking the Valtrex, or if that was actually what helped. Its so frustrating when you do everything the same and have such drastically different results! For those five months, it was if I didn't have Menieres at all!!
Regardless of the viral or other trigger, take a load off the immune system anywhere you can. Get lots of sleep, treat allergies, eat right but moderately, moderate salt, eliminate caffeine. These things add up and take a toll on the immune system whether there is a cirus in the mix or not.
TLB, I also had a brief but oh so pleasant respite from my symptoms after about 5 months on the VAL and JOH. It didnt last long (only about 6wks), but it was enough to make me yearn to return to that relaxed, free feeling. That was two months ago and I'm still struggling to just have moments of relief. Verdict is still out on if the FAM will help now that I've switched. I'm still hopeful that "something" will start to work and too am going to look into the TMJ association. At least I want to hear what that kind specialist has to say. We ALL are so anxious to feel "normal" again. So for me, I'll try just about anything.
I heard back from Dr. G. He suggested that since I am already on antivirals I could start with 500mg 2x/day and then go to 1x/day after a few weeks. He did say the max dose is 3x/day. Since I've had trouble getting my dose down on Valtrex, I'm inclined to start with the max dose, but I will talk with my doctor about that in a phone appointment I made for next week. I have an ENT who is very open to and supportive of antiviral treatment though newer to it.
forevergrateful - it sounds like you and I have very similar experiences. I'm on Famvir, JOH, weekly allergy shots, Allegra, a diuretic, go the PT for my TMJ and to an upper cervical chiropractor and recently have just started to test hearing aids for not only hearing loss, but for tinnitus and hyperacusis. I also go to a Functional Medical Doctor who tested EVERYTHING and am on other vitamins, antifungals, etc with her. I now have an appointment for a consultation with a different TMJ doctor to talk about a splint for my jaw. After that, I'm completely out of things to try. Literally - I think I have tried everything anyone has ever suggested except for surgery (and right now, knock on wood, my vertigo isn't happening often enough for me to consider that). The pressure, hyperacusis and tinnitus is what make me feel like I'm losing my mind on a regular basis. Let me know how you do with the Famvir. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you - this disease is so brutal!
TLB. Besides the FAM and JOH, I take a daily diuretic plus I recently started Betahistine and am now up to 32mg 3x daily and due to up it to 48mg 3x daily tomorrow. I have had a profound headache for the last week, but I cant tell if it's due to the "overdose" of FAM I was on for 15days or the Betahistine....or just some other undisclosed source. I saw a Dr a Hopkins last year, who was convinced I had MAV (but I'll add that Migraines are Hopkins "thing"). However, after 6months on that very strict diet I saw no relief from the MM symptoms, so I relaxed the diet to a more moderate one. I still avoid or severely limit most of the possible triggers listed on the diet, so I truly believe that migraines do not cause my MM symptoms. I havent done the cerivical adjustment intervention, though who knows.....that may be next if I locate a TMJD specialist doesnt work out. AND SO THE SAGA CONTINUES. Please keep me posted on your progress with your recovery back to "good". I'm interested in hearing it.
I got the okay from my ENT to try the switch to Famvir, and she's called in the prescription. I'm nervous about it. Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, and Valtrex have been a miracle for me in so many ways. But I have a supply of Valtrex, so I can always go back if the Famvir doesn't work. And hopefully it will work even better, and I'll be able to get down to a lower maintenance dose.
i also was skeptical about the switch...but it's been ok. I've been on the FAM for about three weeks. I feel better, but still feel I have a way to go before I say really good. It took me awhile to get the dosage straightened, so I"m allowing some recoup time from that. Keep me posted on your progress.
I just picked up the Famvir pills. Now I'm debating whether to make the switch now, or wait until after an all-day conference I've signed up and paid to go to on Saturday. I'm doing well on Valtrex (full dose) now. I like that they don't have artificial coloring and are smaller than the Valtrex pills. I hope this works!
I am taking generics. I have also spoken to Dr.Gacek and he recommended famvir, although after trying to get the script filled it was $1600.00 without insurance. Slightly out of reach for a monthly expense.
I was only looking at name brand. I was under the impression generic was the problem so that is why I was making the switch from acyclovir. I am going to ask the the pharmacy about the generic.
So far, the only problems with generics have been with acyclovir and valacyclovir. No one has yet reported issues with generic Famvir.
I have always used generics of acyclovir and famvir, never took valtrex of any kind. They worked for me. I do not know the brand names I used.