Hello everyone,
after tests in January returned elevated EBV Early-antibodies, I started Valacyclovir treatment according to the protokoll suggested by Dr. Lerner. I'm 95 kg so I used the higher recommended dose of 1,500mg four times a day.
In the beginning, I had the Herxheimer reaction Dr Lerner warns about, but after 3 months, several of my symptoms improved markedly (e.g., joint pain).
I was monitored by a physician during the whole period, and we performed all tests recommended by Dr Lerner (blood counts, liver and kidney tests, urinalysis). All were normal in the first 3 months. I always drank more than six 8-ounce glasses of water per day as recommended.
While some symptoms stayed improved, my overall state deteriorated sharply in the 4th months of treatment. In particular, I developed neurological symptoms (dizziness, extreme sleepiness) and fatigue worsened dramatically and I felt very sick.
The following blood test showed borderline ALT/AST and an impaired kidney function with elevated creatinine of 1.4 (norm: 0.8-1.2) and a GFR of 65 (normal: >90). Urinalysis was normal (no protein or Hb in the sample).
I was then diagnosed with Valacyclovir-induced kidney injury with concomitant neurotoxic symptoms and was advised to stop Valacyclovir completely until the kidneys improve, which I did.
Two weeks later, another blood test showed that all values had recovered. Creatinine, GFR, AST and ALT all returned to normal. Urinalysis was also normal.
I then thought I could restart Valacyclovir starting at a lower dose of 500mg four times a day. But when I tried yesterday, even with the much lower dose, within a few hours, I had pain in the kidney region, nausea, general malaise, back pain and the neurological symptoms also returned (a bit weaker though). I immediately stopped taking the drug.
My question is:
Does that mean that I shouldn't restart Valacyclovir again and have to switch to Famciclovir (which is much more expensive)?
Or were the two weeks not enough for the kidneys to recover completely (despite good blood tests)?
Is there a chance I can restart Valacyclovir in 1 month perhaps, or 3 months or is it generally too dangerous?
Would be great to hear your opinions and if anyone made similar experiences!
after tests in January returned elevated EBV Early-antibodies, I started Valacyclovir treatment according to the protokoll suggested by Dr. Lerner. I'm 95 kg so I used the higher recommended dose of 1,500mg four times a day.
In the beginning, I had the Herxheimer reaction Dr Lerner warns about, but after 3 months, several of my symptoms improved markedly (e.g., joint pain).
I was monitored by a physician during the whole period, and we performed all tests recommended by Dr Lerner (blood counts, liver and kidney tests, urinalysis). All were normal in the first 3 months. I always drank more than six 8-ounce glasses of water per day as recommended.
While some symptoms stayed improved, my overall state deteriorated sharply in the 4th months of treatment. In particular, I developed neurological symptoms (dizziness, extreme sleepiness) and fatigue worsened dramatically and I felt very sick.
The following blood test showed borderline ALT/AST and an impaired kidney function with elevated creatinine of 1.4 (norm: 0.8-1.2) and a GFR of 65 (normal: >90). Urinalysis was normal (no protein or Hb in the sample).
I was then diagnosed with Valacyclovir-induced kidney injury with concomitant neurotoxic symptoms and was advised to stop Valacyclovir completely until the kidneys improve, which I did.
Two weeks later, another blood test showed that all values had recovered. Creatinine, GFR, AST and ALT all returned to normal. Urinalysis was also normal.
I then thought I could restart Valacyclovir starting at a lower dose of 500mg four times a day. But when I tried yesterday, even with the much lower dose, within a few hours, I had pain in the kidney region, nausea, general malaise, back pain and the neurological symptoms also returned (a bit weaker though). I immediately stopped taking the drug.
My question is:
Does that mean that I shouldn't restart Valacyclovir again and have to switch to Famciclovir (which is much more expensive)?
Or were the two weeks not enough for the kidneys to recover completely (despite good blood tests)?
Is there a chance I can restart Valacyclovir in 1 month perhaps, or 3 months or is it generally too dangerous?
Would be great to hear your opinions and if anyone made similar experiences!