That is interesting June. I think I would rather this approach if possible. I was able to maintain a period of one year remission without any medication and a previous stint of 8 months before that. On both occasions, antivirals have worked just as effectively as the first time. Can I ask, how long would you stay on antivirals to achieve relief before stoping them?
The first time i took them for months, dont remember exactly how many, 6 or 9? After that on several occasions i took famvir for about six weeks at a time. My setbacks were hearing related, not as clearcut as vertigo. My hearing issues were ot episodes at started and ended abruptly. So it was hard for me to say with certainty whether it was the famvir that corrected them or if they would have self-corrected without it. All that said, had i known i could ask for it and receive it(my dr was out of town so it was harder to touch base) i would have taken it more in the early days when i had more setbacks.
I just started taking Valacyclovir from my family doc for herpes suppression (since my ENT wouldn't give it to me for Meniere's). She only put me on 500mg a day. From reading this thread I suspect that is too low. What dose is reccommended for MD patients and how long on that dose?
Joy Which brand of valtrex? Everyone here says to avoid the mylan generic. I coughed up a huge wad of cash for brand name valtrex and am seeing improvements over these first few weeks! Valtrex 1000 mg three times a day for at least 3 weeks (some here stayed on that for months).. Then two times a day. Then daily. But it seems like a lot of people find twice a day is their maintenance dose.
Joy, I am doing the same. My GP prescribed Valacyclovir, but only gives me 12 500 MG tabs at a time. Twice a day, (1000 mg.), is only 6 days worth. I was only using them for herpes suppression. Now that I am reading these comments on this wonderful forum, I see there are several people who are relating their Meniere's with the possibility of herpes being one of the reasons. I am very interested in this conversation and hearing more information about the possibility of using this anti viral as a way to suppress the Meniere's symptoms. I was diagnosed about 18 or 19 years ago. Severe vertigo, fullness, tinnitus, and vomiting. I lost 60lbs because I was sick all the time. ENT put me on low sodium diet, hydroclorothiazide, along with taking Meclizine when I had vertigo. ON my own, I started taking L-Lysine because I had read it might help with cold sores. I also found a really good chiropractor that I feel helped with adjustments. (I have a really bad neck). For approximately 15 or 16 years I have had no vertigo. The fullness and tinnitus never left, although it wasn't quite as bad. Hearing loss in Meniere's ear, except loud noises actually hurt. Balance not so good. Lately, the fullness has gotten way worse, and feeling very unsteady. Had a few episodes of vertigo that only lasted a few seconds. Night before last, I started feeling pretty bad and very unsteady, so I took two meclizine, and again last night I tool one. I don't like taking them unless I have to because I have asthma. So, I am interested in learning more about the anti viral approach to this disease. I am scheduled to go on a two week cruise leaving this Saturday. Booked it when I wasn't presenting vertigo symptoms. Now, I am considering cancelling. Although on a different feed on this same forum, there have been people with encouraging words about the cruise maybe being so relaxing that my symptoms will ease up.
Don't sweat it, and go on the cruise. There was a big drop in temperature with snow, and i had light vertigo, and fog yesterday also. The Meclizine helped but i had to take two instead of one, i slept, and feel a little better today. Maybe the weather changed where you are also. If i were you i would stay on the diet folks here talk about, and take my Meclizine with me. It makes no difference to the ear if you went or stayed home like a fellow member said, you may even enjoy it a little.
Yea, we have been experiencing weather changes, and my chiropractor mentioned drop in pressure. If that's what's doing it, it's the first time in over 15 years that I have had a flair up like this, and our weather here in the far North of California, (next to Oregon border), changes with each season. But, maybe it's in the mix of things!! I'm seeing my chiropractor today, and again Thurs. So, if I can feel good enough to go on the cruise, I am hoping the relaxed atmosphere, being at sea level, etc., will ease the symptoms so I can enjoy God's beauty of Hawaii and the Pacific. Thank you for your response.