I have no idea what this is but found this on a site for HSV http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00372/Herpes-Treatment.html As an alternative, you can try taking monolaurin, a nontoxic, antiviral supplement made from lauric acid (a fatty acid found in breast milk) and glycerin. It is used to treat infections with all strains of the herpes virus along with other viral infections including measles, and HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS.Monolaurin is believed to have the potential to permanently inactivate the fat coated viruses that cause these diseases by fluidizing the lipids (fats) and phospholipids in their envelopes, leading to the disintegration of viral particles. Monolaurin, sold under the brand name Lauricidin®, comes in the form of mini pellets. Dosage should be individualized, and Dr. Jon J. Kabara, the physician/researcher who developed monolaurin, says that the usual recommended initial dose is 1.5 grams once or twice a day for one or two weeks. The dose can be increased to 3.0 grams once or twice daily thereafter. A maintenance dose can be 3.0 grams two or three times a day. The idea is to start with a low dose and then increase it gradually until you notice a positive response. Take monolaurin only under the supervision of your physician, who can prescribe it, determine your best dosage and monitor your progress. Dr. Kabara has, however, generously offered to respond to individual questions about dosage submitted with orders via his Web site, www.lauricidin.com. here is info about it on webmd http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1149-monolaurin.aspx?activeingredientid=1149&activeingredientname=monolaurin Monolaurin is a chemical made from lauric acid, which is found in coconut milk and breast milk. Monolaurin is used for preventing and treating colds (the common cold), flu (influenza), swine flu, herpes, shingles, and other infections. It is also used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and to boost the immune system. In foods, monolaurin is used in the production of ice cream, margarine, and spaghetti. In manufacturing, monolaurin is used in making cosmetics, detergents, and insecticides. How does it work? Preliminary research suggests monolaurin might be able to fight bacteria and viruses in test tubes. It is not known if monolaurin has these effects when used by people.
If this pans out that it kills viruses, fungal infections and boosts immune systems sounds like an answer to Meniere's. I wish there were more studies done on it, I found a few and it looks promising.
I'm intrigued that it might also help my CFS, but a bit hesitant to add yet another supplement to my regime.
I just read some older posts on monolaurin... lots of people seem to feel fluish or get a flair of symptoms within a few days of starting it. I think I'll hold off for now.
It's called the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, which is normal, it's a die-off effect, pretty much your body that's having to put in extra work to get rid of all the toxins that are released from virusses being killed by the Monilaurin. Btw, you keep bringing up posts that are YEARS AND YEARS old, I don't know if you ever look at it, but it's quite annoying, first of all since there are much more recent posts about these things and second the people whwho started the topic are probably not active anymore and so you won't get a response from them. Also from what I've seen in other topics, the list of meds you are on is quite extensive, have you ever thought about their interaction with one another? You seem to be on alot of stuff to ''sedate' you or make the symptoms less severe instead of on meds/supplements that might help the get rid of what's causing everything?
Sorry to annoy you, Justsaiyan. I'm interested in the older posts - if some of the 'oldies' perhaps still get email notification of interest in their thread, my hope is I'll get more longterm experience, not just the initial response to a treatment. I guess I can try the private conversation option. I just thought others might be interested, too.
As with any concept, Jarisch-Herxheimer (J-H) can be misrepresented and misapplied, especially in the hands of the general public. If you're not an M.D. or research scientist you're more or less just echoing what is thought to be "known". Which is what we all do most of our daily lives. But let's just be aware of it and not get pompous. I give you Steven Novella. Clinical neurologist at Yale. He's writing about Lyme disease and J-H. But let's pretend he's writing about self-diagnosed viral caused Meniere's. I've paraphrased his sardonic paragraph accordingly: "When patients think their Meniere's is caused by a virus, no matter what happens as a response to viral treatment, it is considered by believers to be evidence in support of the diagnosis. If they get better, then that is evidence that the anti-virals are working. If they get worse, then that is evidence that the anti-virals are working and they are experiencing the Jarisch-Herxheimer (or “herxing” as the community calls it). If nothing happens, they just need more anti-virals. No matter what happens or doesn’t happen, it’s "viral". BTW, he doesn't deny that H-J is real. And I'm not doubting the possibility of viral Meniere's. Just pointing out how our thinking can be skewed by needful beliefs. Original piece: https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/jarisch-herxheimer-and-lyme-disease/ As for criticizing the other member for discussing older posts, that's just odd. This place is more cocktail dinner than stuffy symposium. For f**k sake man, have a drink.
I took Lauricidin over two years ago. It reduced the number of attacks ( straight away)from 2-3 a week to 1 a month/ month and a half. It helped me survive/ keep my job till the surgery. justsaiyan I do not understand why you got so annoyed. It might be an old topic for you and me but a completely unknown one for others. You do not have to respond, that’s it. Vicki and Anne if you have any more questions I am happy to answer them.
Another viral denier. What say you pupper to Dr. Gacek's research which was replicated in the east showing 80% of meniere's patients getting significant relief or going into full remission after starting an antiviral? (now conventional wisdom among non pharma meniere's doctors). and the thousands upon thousands of patients now on antivirals that are without episodes that were not before? and the genetic research?
Clearing, by calling people names such as "viral denier", you make this forum a lot less pleasant for us all. This is a place to share your personal experience and ideas; not to proselytize or push your ways onto others.
Trying very hard to turn tables on an obvious case of pupper prosletyzing. I cited research and asked for a reaction. I could ask the same of you...any opinions on Dr Gaceks research also replicated which paved the way for so many to get relief? And viral denier is not an offensive term and it is accurate for that post which quoted someone denying all claims of a viral connection and declaring anyone who does so a 'believer'. But I am not offended because facts matter and opinions matter less. Your attempt to take offense does nothing to the questions I asked. If you really feel prosletyzing is so egregious then should you not be offended by puppers post? distractions distractions. By the way you do not speak for all of us in this forum. Many were enjoying talking about monolaurin et al and keeping an open mind til you and pupper showed up with your proseltyzing and PC offense taking. Easy does it Clare as we might think you to wear the same label as pupper.
Clearing, --I've don't deny and have never denied the possible viral factor. I think the solution via anti-viral medication is overstated. --The essay I linked to wasn't about antivirals. Prof. Novella was discussing how physical reactions like Jarisch-Herxheimer can be misunderstood and misapplied by patients. i.e. how faulty thinking can mess with self-diagnosis. --As for "what say Pupper' about Gacek's professed success with anti-virals. Pupper no expert. So Pupper would go to experts to read what they say about his results AND his testing protocol. That's what we, the general public have to do. Experts, in this case, being well-known and respected institutions, doctors, researchers, and journals. Have they backed up his findings? I haven't seen it. I hope Gacek's on to something. --One such well-known expert is Dr. Timothy Hain from Northwestern University and the Chicago Dizziness & Balance Clinic, who remarks about Gacek's results: "Antivirals. Gacek (2015) reported that 12 of 31 patients had "complete control of vertigo" when treated with acyclovir or valacyclovir in large doses. This was an uncontrolled study that needs to be redone with a placebo control." And elsewhere on the topic of antivirals: "Treatment studies using antivirals have rarely shown a positive effect, and we are dubious about the ones that report a response (e.g. Gacek, 2008). Our take on this is that these findings are interesting, somewhat puzzling in that there is some controversy, and need more investigation." --As I've noted many times here, Hain's "bias" is toward gentamicin injections. So make of his opinion what you will. I'm uncomfortable with his use of the word "rarely", as more than a few sufferers seem to do well with anti-virals. I've emailed him before, asking him to change (or at least modify) one of his statements on another subject, and he actually did. Hah, I peer-reviewed him up the wazoo and won. (Or he let me win. He's awesome, skeptical, and I trust him more than anyone). --I'm not going to do battle here on anti-virals. If one is into that, I bet Reddit has great big beautiful flame wars going on about it right now as we speak.
Hi all, I’m new to this site. Does anyone know how to get antivirals when multiple GPs have refused me? Ironically I happened to be on anti virals for CFS about 5 years ago for only a week but I thought i felt a slight ease in symptoms in my ear. I then scared myself off of them by reading the side effects (hair loss etc) and I didn’t ask for more as my GP said there was no way it would help Menieres and that I had been tested for Epstein Barr and didn’t have it. Now I am aware it may genuinely help me but my GP will not give it to me. I have approached other GPs now too but no one will give me a prescription. What can I do? Many thanks
[QUOTE="Qunk, post: 78399, member: 2207 I am close to the London area in the UK.[/QUOTE] Hi Qunk I live in London and I have never ever been able to get antivirals form a GP. Mission impossible!
Hi Marta, I don’t know if you noticed from another post I wrote in but I managed to get some acyclovir recently from my GP after all these years! Not at the dose I wanted but it’s a start. I actually got it as I saw a specialist for CFS which I also have (I’m convinced it’s all linked but the specialists and doctors somehow refuse to believe it’s possible). That CFS specialist said it may help my chronic fatigue. My GP was reluctant but agreed to put me on a trial period. If it helps I am unsure whether to tell her that it is helping my Menieres or to just continue down the ‘CFS’ route. I think i will print off the studies and info from this site to give to her in the hope she’s continue me on it and even increase it! Anyway, I don’t know what your full symptoms are but it might be worth going down the CFS route too which might lead to some antivirals?
Qunk I must have missed the info regarding your antivirals. I am glad you got them. I had EDB surgery two and a half years ago and I have been well ever since. I was the first patient to undergo it in England. I keep my fingers crossed for you!
Endolymphatic duct blockage: a randomized controlled trial of a novel surgical technique for Ménière's disease treatment. - PubMed - NCBI