Hello, I'm new here. I'm 48 yrs old and have Meniere's for about 5 year. After 2 years of very minor symptoms I had a relapse. I had a bad bike crash in which I completely separated my clavicle and had surgery to repair the shoulder. The surgery was successful and I was totally symptoms free. About 9 days after the surgery we discovered that I developed a blood clot in my arm provoke by a bad arm/ shoulder brace that had been choking my main arm arteries. I was put on blood thinner and about a week after that my ear started making noise and eventually the dizziness return at times super bad. It got bad enough that I missed worked a few days because it was bad. I also had a few vertigo attacks. I went to my ENT at the University of Miami Hospital who I have been going to for 3 years. He gave me some oral steroids which in the past worked but this time it was like I was taking nothing. I also had several injections which they work great in the past but again this time they did nothing to help. Finally my blood clot is gone and I'm off the blood thinner for about 10 days now. I feel much better but not 100%. My ear gets full and there's some low noise in there. I'm a bit dizzy especially after my meals which are very low sodium. I don't drink caffeine, haven't had any alcohol in over a month, and in general my diet is very strict. I spoke with my general doctor. He's a good friend of mine and a fellow rider. I showed him all the research done by doctor Gacek. I told him about the great success stories in this forum. He has prescribed Acyclovir just like Gacek recommends. I will start them tomorrow. I have a feeling that the blood thinners made the Meniere's come back and while on them nothing was helping. Now I have to find a way to shut it down again. I have a few questions: 1. I still take betahistine 3x daily and just started lemon bioflavonoids. Is it ok to continue together with the antivirals? 2. I will see my ENT in 2 weeks and I'm scheduled for an injection which I really like to get. Will it be ok to get the injection during the time I'm using the antivirals? I'm back to riding my bike now that my arm is better. If the dizziness is mild I don't noticed it when i'm moving on my bike. The doctors think that the balancing on the bike helps me. Thanks, Karina
I can't give you advice on the other drug interactions or whether or not you should take the injection, but i can say the following: 1) Be sure that you are not getting Mylan brand generics. It's best to use Valtrex name brand if you can get it. Valacyclovir generics work better than acyclovir if you can get it. 2) Don't be afraid to take the max dose for more than 3 weeks if you don't get relief that quickly. 3) Be sure to get liver and kidney tests to make sure you're not one of the extremely rare side effects. 4) Don't panic if the symptoms get worse for a bit before they get better. This is common. Good luck!
Whilst I would personally continue with all of the medications, I would be far more persuaded and interested in the advice of your ENT and GP than the responses from random proles (like myself) on the internet. Keep pedalling. It is one of the known cures for MD.....
On the article from doctor Gacek he specifically for Acyclovir. That's what my insurance gives me. Why do you not like Acyclovir?
I don't have a problem with it, and it works for most. By valacyclovir is more effective. Gacek mentions that as well, but used acyclovir bc it was cheaper, etc.
ok thank you. I will see if my insurance will cover most likely a higher copay but that ok. I will have my doctor change it.
Please can someone help me to identify if this is the correct dosage for Valacyclovir: 1g 3x daily for 3 weeks 1g 2x daily for 3 weeks, 1g 1x daily for a year of more ??? I'm asking for a new script and need to know the correct dosage. Thanks, Karina
at first i took betaserc 3x daily @24mg as prescribed by my doctor. i also took lemon bioflavonoid, vinpocetine, and l-lysine. since taking acyclovir, i reduced betaserc to 2x daily but still taking the supplements. i have no issue taking it together except some acne problem.
On the top of p. 104 Dr. Gacek explains his reasoning for his emphasis on Acyclovir in the article even though Valacyclovir is more bioavailable. The reason has to do with costs and insurance. I wonder if that has changed since the article was published. I have been in contact with Dr. Gacek, and he says that he puts all his patients on Valacyclovir currently. Our conversation here suggest that people tend to do best with Northstar brand generic Valacyclovir or the brand name Valtrex. I have personally had experience with the effectiveness of the Valacyclovir changing depending on the manufacturer. Complicated business! But so worth pursuing. Good wishes!
On page 14 of 17 he also states; “If valacyclovir is selected (in those who fail to respond to acyclovir)”. "Examination at the 3-week period will determine the sensitivity of the particular NT virus to the antiviral. If there is no relief of vertigo with acyclovir or valacyclovir, treatment is followed by vestibular tests (videonystagmography and vestibular-evoked myogenic potential) to determine the responsible ear. If these results are abnormal chemical labyrinthotomy is offered. The patient is offered a choice between dexamethasone (12 mg/ml) or gentamycin (80 mg/2 ml), considering the risk of hearing loss (dexamethasone 0%; gentamycin usually negligible if used in a single small dose)." So it seems that you get a second bite at the cherry if ACV fails to work after 3 weeks. However, he does have a clear cut off point at 3 weeks (which if you tried ACV first might be construed therefore as 3+3=6 weeks). Or maybe he is now offering different advice from the report which he submitted in 2012?