I couldn't discern from reviewing different posts if anyone has combined the elements of John of Ohio's regimen while also being on initial 3 weeks of antivirals (using Valtrex 1 taken 3 times daily) -- has anyone done this? I can't see contraindications using web tools to look for issues of mixing these, but thought it best to also check with readers of this forum to see if anyone has done this and what the results were for them (know this will likely be very individual as is everything it seems MM related). My husband was diagnosed in May 2003. He did not have debilitating issues until around November 2012 and bounced back some from a siege with the vertigo/vomiting. However, he was not in as good of shape as he had been for the prior 9 years. In the last few months, he has flared up significantly and we are working to get him managed as best as possible. He has tolerance for the tinnitus and aural fullness, but as everyone who has struggled with this knows, the sudden onset vertigo/vomiting is very difficult to deal with. He is in week two of Valtrex, 1 three times daily and we have just ordered all of the items with the exception of the last item (I believe it was Vertigroot or similar) and are considering introducing, in the order JOH suggests, the items identified in JOH's regimen). I have also just seen the post about something that begins with "PYN...." from something grown in the south of France that has provided relief. Looking to hear comments on that also. Thanks so much.
There is no conflict between the elements in my regimen and any of the antiherpetic drugs, such as Valtrex. They complement each other, working to suppress herpes viruses and Meniere's symptoms in separate ways. And feel free to add Pycnogenol, another supplement that just today has a report (elsewhere on this board) of efficacy. Be sure to follow the latest version of my regimen, here: http://www.zoominternet.net/~kcshop/JOH.pdf Keep us posted on your husband's progress. --John of Ohio
John, thank you for your prompt reply. Your input is appreciated. Our lemon bioflavonoid will be here tomorrow from your suggested retail site; all of the other supplements recommended by you from Vitamin Shoppe arrived yesterday (with exception of the specially compounded Vertigroot). My husband is adhering to his Valtrex regimen and has added in Valpocetin today, along with Ginko Biloba (which he had been taking and then stopped when he started using Claritin last December, which initially gave him good manageability for a number of months, but then positive effects began to erode in May of this year). When I had researched loratidine (Claritin) daily use with Ginko Biloba, it had indicated some possible contraindications. Now that he is not taking Claritin (other than using it occasionally if he is feeling particularly woozy/dizzy/poorly), he is back to using the Ginko Biloba for its impact on inner ear blood flow. My biggest concern about the supplements identified in your regimen in combination with the Valtrex were really to do with the L-Lysine since both are indicated to work on herpes and I was trying to identify if a high dose of Valtrex like he is currently taking (3 per day, comparable to 2400 mg of acyclovir per day) had any contraindications with L-Lysine taken at dosage of 6 per day -- so thanks for your information. Again, John, thank you, and I will keep updates. Also, am planning to ask general community about reactions of users to Valtrex.....again, recognizing that it may vary significantly one individual to the next (among those who have tested positively for herpes virus), much less those who haven't tested positively.
And, John, one other comment, I suspect you, like my husband, really prefer a naturopathic/homeopathic approach to managing MM. We are hoping that once he gets through a period of time using the antivirals that he can manage going forward using your regimen and move away from the antivirals -- but we will do what we need to do to work towards effective management for him. Thus far, his physiological response to the antivirals (he is on day 11) has been mixed; he can breathe nasally better than he has for years; but he continues to have a lot of aural fullness, tinnitus, and wobbly-ness. His left ear is nearly devoid of hearing and he has had much more involvement of right ear in recent past. So we will see what works most effectively for him.
My preferences for Meniere's treatments are those that a) provide actual symptomatic relief, and b) have few or no side effects. I care not a whit the nature of the treatment, so long as I get relief without difficulties. I'd be delighted to take some new pharmaceutical prescribed by an ENT that would do this. If saying some Hindu poem gave safe results, I'd do that, too. Because your husband has been on prescription antivirals for less then two weeks, it's way too early to assess their success. It can take several weeks to several months to gain control over the target herpes viruses. Persist --- and keep us posted. --John of Ohio
John, again thank you. And, I appreciate your link to the June 2014 update of your "white paper." I had been referring to the January 2010 version. I see in your latest version where you clearly outline the antiherpetic therapy combined with your regimen being complementary. We will persist....lately each day has been an adventure, a common theme among those with MM. Have a great weekend, John.
Hi all, I am a "newbie" and have so many ?'s I don't know where to start. I'll try from the beginning... I'm 47, very fit and currently in a relationship with a 47 year old, very fit, man with Meniere's. He was just diagnosed this past month though he's been struggling with the symptoms for over 6 years. We both have herpes 2 and have been taking acyclovir for some time. I have been followed by an infectious disease MD and he has seen numerous ENT's, neurologists and now a GP he likes and a new ENT (he doesn't like him). He (the ENT) doesn't agree with the non-traditional methods and when asked about the relationship of herpes to menieres, he sees no connection, as well as the supplements John of Ohio suggests. Once I observed the attacks, I immediately began researching and recently I had a recurrence of a near viral meningitis attack that almost killed me when I was in my 20's. During my ER visit, a nurse mentioned she has menieres and explained the connection and recommended we both be followed by the same MD, an infectious disease MD. I know I'm all over the place but I guess my main concern now is if this MD isn't supporting the supplements, do we find a new MD? Do you recommend allergy tests? How common are pet allergies to cause problems? Do you have any suggestions for a Floridian traveling to Denver Colorado? Anything we should do prior to flying out there? I want to start with the lemon bioflavanoids and the Lysine and see what happens. Right now he takes a diuretic daily, acyclovir and as needed a migraine and anti-vert med. I'm just so glad to be able to read and comment. I think he gets depressed so I don't mention too much about these sites because I know it must be difficult for him. I can't help but think a % of this is mental and that it can be controlled if you manage your thoughts. I bought Randy Crane's book and read it often. Thank you for your time. Tracy
Perhaps read up here on use of antivirals (famvir, acyclovir etc) and work with the gp to give it a try. The amount you take for herpes 2 may not be sufficient to work for Menieres so check out the dosage carefully. Good luck.
the starting dose for acyclovir for Meniere's is 2400 mg a day for 3 weeks if vertigo is controlled then reduce it to 1600 mg a day for 3 weeks, If it is not controlled, stay on the 2400 mg a bit longer until it is then reduce to 1600 mg. Then if it is still controlled reduce down to 800 mg a day for a maintenance dose.