Is there a problem with continuing to take the 3000mg of L-Lysine every day for the long haul rather than reducing it after the symptoms subside?
Lysine is an amino acid, a constituent of virtually all proteins. Proteins, when digested, can be broken down into their constituent amino acids. So, no, there no problems with up to 3000mg per day. --John of Ohio
John or anyone, please give your input. I appreciate any advice. I had ever only had 1 bad vertigo episode (Previous mild dizziness episodes weren't diagnosed as Meniere's). That was in Oct '22, Covid-19 and a cold sore, which are rare for me, followed a week later. In March '23 I woke with extremely loud tinnitus in my right ear, which had already been diagnosed with hearing loss. This is when I was diagnosed with MD and diuretics did nothing, but I found Betahistine and it brought my tinnitus down to a more tolerable level in May '23 and I thought it was helping against vertigo episodes. April, 6 months ago, I started daily: - Lysine 3000mg - Vinpocetine 30mg - Lemon Bioflavonoid 1000mg - Vitamin D 1000mg - Ginkgo biloba 60-120mg (about 2 months, it creates acid in my stomach). Prior to starting I only had only had that one bad traveling vertigo episode. So, nothing for over a year and a half. 3 months into the protocol, June, I had the most horrible episode ever, which lasted hours and on & off for over a week. I had traveled to in-laws without a problem and stuck to my low-sodium diet, no caffeine, nuts, chocolate or alcohol. I felt a little off the morning of the wedding, took a Dramamine a little late before the 1 hour drive, but was horribly sick! I spent the whole time in a bedroom. Since then I've had short vertigo attacks regularly. The last couple of weeks I have daily eye twitching and crossing causing vertigo everyday. I also don't feel a significant change in the daily pressure, sound sensitivity or tinnitus (both ears, but the right is definitely worse and has more hearing loss). It is always there and has always varied in degree. My hearing tests have been consistent with medium loss in the right and no additional loss for a year and a half. Could this be a sign that the protocol is working or should I be seeing more improvement by now? When do I know to move on from the protocol? I am really frustrated and sad. It's getting worse and the thought of traveling to see family is now really scary.
Users of the regimen have reported that at its start, for a few weeks or months, Meniere's symptoms can actually got worse. It appears that when the herpes virus begins to be disabled by the lysine, for a time, it actually increases it inflammatory activities. But, when this happens, the lysine almost always prevails; the herpes viruses can no longer replicate and cause the inflammation that causes Meniere's symptoms. But obviously the regimen, presently, is providing no useful therapeutic outcomes. Symptoms are not being suppressed. The first thing to check --- very important --- is when you are taking the lysine. If taken in the presence of food it fails to be fully available to disable the enzyme that replicates the herpes virus. It is essential to make certain that the lysine is taken at least 20 minutes before eating anything, or at least 2 hours after eating anything. And, take 1000mg of lysine at three, separate times each day; not 3000mg all at once. 1000mg at morning, mid-afternoon, then before bed. Try taking the lysine on that timing routine for two or three weeks and see if there is any symptomatic suppression. If so, continue. But if proper timing of lysine intake (away from food) doesn't provide any improvement, the regimen will no longer be effective for you and should be abandoned. After recording the results of over 100 people taking the regimen, it appears that it is successful for about 85%. But for about 15%, the cause of the Meniere's symptoms is not the presence of replicating herpes viruses. You will have to consult with an otolaryngologist to see what else might be at play. --John of Ohio
Originally I was having difficulty finding empty stomach 3x a day, because my stomach condition requires food. So, I take one in the middle of the night and the other 2 about an hour apart first thing in the morning. I'll try spreading the morning 2 more, but it sounds like I'm not going to be successful. I've seen an otolaryngologist early on, but he didn't even schedule any tests. He, nor my ENT, offered anything but the diuretic. At least my ENT was willing to prescribe Betahistine, but doctors are really no help with MD. Thanks John, was really hoping your regimen was going to help me.
Hello, I'm over a year into the regime and continue to have significant success. All my symptoms have essentially disappeared, with some very minor fluctuating tinnitus and minor hearing loss remaining. I haven't had a vertigo attack for over a year now. The biggest thing - I don't get anxiety anymore when out in public for fear of a sudden attack. That has been life changing for me. I'm starting to come around to really believing the regimen has suppressed my symptoms. I know the Meniere's can come and go, but I had pretty regular monthly to quarterly attacks for years, and that has stopped since taking the regimen. I did have a spike of symptoms when first starting the regimen (daily dizziness, worsening ear symptoms) but that stopped a few weeks into it. I'll continue to stick to the regimen and will update further down the road. Hoping success continues. If you've been diagnosed with Meniere's, and haven't tried this Regimen, give it a shot. And to JOH - thank you.
This time last year I was really struggling with Ménière’s disease. I had experienced attacks in November and December of 2023 and then had 2 more attacks in January and February of 2024. I felt despondent and was trying to work out how I could possibly continue my job if I didn’t know if I was going to be stood upright that day! I found your regimen at the start of February and it has worked! I have not had an attack since February 2024 and my symptoms of brain fog and tinnitus have decreased significantly. I’m in the UK so I have been prescribed Betahistine too, but I take everything you suggest in your original regimen. I’m tempted to make up that I am “cured” now but will heed your warning and keep taking the tablets (some of which I have to import from the USA as they are not available in the UK). THANKYOU! Thank you for your research and diligence in putting this regimen together and most of all for sharing it with the world. You’ve dug me out of a very dark hole!
I have been using the JOH regimen since 2017 and it has been a huge help to me as well. I also am taking 24mg of betahistine every 8 hours. I also have found it helpful to stay away from anything fermented like pickled, sourdough bread and Kim-chew. All the best
Serc from Boots. If you are in the US you can order Serc online from Canada with a prescription. It’s good stuff and affordable.
Hi John, MANY THANKS for all you have done and shared - two quick questions: 1. Do you NOT recommend Lemon Bioflavonoid tablets, “Lindbergh Bioflavonoid Complex” - these are the one's you recommended previously. I understand that you feel it's hard to get "true" lemon BFs, but would this brand still work for us? I ask because it used to be the primary recommendation in your regiment. 2. The Beta 1,3 Glucans are also off the list - any color on this? Cheers.
Hi John, MANY THANKS for all you have done and shared - two quick questions: 1. Do you NOT recommend Lemon Bioflavonoid tablets, “Lindbergh Bioflavonoid Complex” - these are the one's you recommended previously. I understand that you feel it's hard to get "true" lemon BFs, but would this brand still work for us? I ask because it used to be the primary recommendation in your regiment. 2. The Beta 1,3 Glucans are also off the list - any color on this? Cheers.
The lemon bioflavonoid was deleted because it was difficult to purchase, and it seems to have been different in later years. Importantly, its deletion hasn't reduced the efficacy of the rest of the regimen; primarily the use of the lysine. Same with the beta-glucans. --John of Ohio
Hi John, I want to ask you, how important is the vitamin E in your regimen. I just found some informations, that it might cause higher risk of getting prostate cancer in dose of 400 IU and higher. Because of that I’m already 60 years old it might be more dangerous. So, I would like to determine the benefit vs risk. Thank you in advance for your support René