I just started get the vertigo episodes again after being free of them for probably 2-3 months . It seems every time that have my episodes I will get 3-4 months where I get them frequently then will go 2-3 months without them. Does anyone else have episodes like this? I was diagnosed about 3- 3 1/2 years ago and this is usually how it goes for me. Once or twice I would have either longer breaks between episode periods or the periods of episodes would be longer.
Yes, this clustering of episodes is quite common, an indication that a herpes virus is probably the cause of your symptoms. For periods, the virus is inactive, with no episodes. Then, the virus resumes activity and episodes recur. How are you treating your Meniere's? Using any of the antiviral approaches? (Mine: http://www.zoominternet.net/~kcshop/JOH.pdf , Prescription Antiherpetics: http://menieres.org/talk/index.php?topic=557.0 ) --John of Ohio
While there is still debate on the cause of Menieres, cluster episodes are definitely consistent with viral attacks, as John points out. Given that antivirals have worked for many people, and have very few, and rare, side effects, it's worth taking the Gacek papers to your doctor and discussing that protocol. Best wishes on your recovery.
John or anyone. Is it common for viruses to become inactive? What cause the activation or inactivation of the virus?
It is quite common for them to become inactive, even for years as they go into remission. There are people who caught herpes 50 years ago in Vietnam and just now show genital sores. People with shingles also frequently have remission periods and cluster episodes when they occur. My personal doctor has shingles and has taken Valtrex for 8 years. Many people with both shingles and herpes experience precursor signals up to 48 hours before an outbreak. This pattern fits Meniere's as well for many of us. Of course, not everyone experiences relief with antivirals, and there's no way to prove the theory at this point, but it's sure worth a try.
One factor that might (might, not exclusively the only factor) reactivate a dormant herpes population is a period of elevated arginine in the diet. Arginine is the opposite of lysine. Elevated lysine binds to essential replication enzymes in the virus and halts replication. Arginine promotes herpes replication and activity. Some have found increasing symptoms after periods of food with high arginine levels. --John of Ohio