How toxic is L-Lysine taken daily?

[sweetpoison]

I have Herpes, my breakout is only one area at the top of buttocks.  I have been taking Zovira 400mg daily (1 per day as suppresive measure) for at least 10 years.  I have had very few breakouts with it and none in the last couple of years.  I am looking to stop taking this since I have read much info about its long term possible side effects...... that it could effect liver levels, kidney, and possible hair loss (which I have).  I have heard a great deal about the use of L-Lysine in the natural treatment to suppress herpes and was wondering if this taken daily could build up and cause any serious side effects or does the body just flush what it does not need?  I have been searching on the internet and all I can find is that is has been shown to be helpful but nothing about the possible side effects.  Please help, I am attempting to get off all meds that are not necessary, I am almost 53 yrs. old and figure the body does not need prescription drugs that could cause other harm to organs.
Please advise me!!!

Vicki

[fullmergavin]

Hi, Vicki. I'm sorry to hear about your trouble.

I'm not a medical doc or professional, Vicki, but if you are interested in amino acid therapy, one of the better books you can find out there on this topic, in my opinion, anyway, is called the "Healing Nutrients Within" (Braverman). The latest copy was published only three years ago, so the information is fairly up to date.

The reason I like this book, Vicki, is because it was written by an actual MD, so I always feel safer with that being the case.  

I'm a big fan of nutritional therapy, but there are plenty of dangers and precautions that come with taking anything out of the norm, you know, not to mention the threat that one can develop different dependancies to several vitamins and herbs.

Amino acid therapy tends to be even more complex. Braverman does an excellent job in his text explaining how these nutrients not only work together but what they do on their own, etc. The reading is a little more difficult to get through than most other texts designed for us regular folk~, but you can do it, and there's an entire chapter devoted to Lysine and Herpes, too, so you might find some help with it.

When it comes to Lysine's role in treating Herpes, the complicated issue seems to focus around why those with Herpes tend to be a little bit lower in Lysine (Based on the studies alledging that connection between Lysine and Herpes 1, which I'm guessing would be the type that you have. I've never heard of the STD Herpes 2 infecting the buttocks region before).

Braverman and others alledge that Lysine is the body's major "Stress fighter." So in the case of of a viral infection like Herpes, what's the real problem, you know-Does the Herpes infection deplete the body's reservoirs of Lysine in some manor that is not understood as of yet, thereby causing additional physical and emotional stress? Or might it be that high levels of stress itself depletes the body of Lysine, thereby allowing for a viral infection like Herpes to take form. There are more mysteries in medicine that I think we'll never truly understand, as humans anyway.

There are a number of different theories and concerns relating to amino acid supplementation, certainly any of those that might call for taking individual amino acids. They've flooded the market today, we know that much, so there are plenty of people taking them. Whether or not it's helping or hurting people, I have no idea.

I have spoken with three different experts about this issue.

One doesn't see much of a problem with them, so long as the L form is used and the dose of any given amino being taken does not exceed 500 mg's daily (Braverman has treated people with massive quantities of different aminos-I would definitely hold off on that one if I were you unless an actual medical doctor approves such therapy-that's uncharted territory. I've got more about this down below).

The 2nd gentleman I spoke with said that they're nonsense, plain and simple. Protein is protein, taking individual aminos is a joke. That was the core of his opinion, anyway.

The third gentleman told me that a person should "Never, ever take amino acids in supplement form." It was a fairly stern warning. Therefore, I've held off on taking any of them for my own medical condition.

Back in the 60's, there was a scientist that was convinced that medical illnesses could be cured by "Amino loading." He felt that certain people required several more grams per day of certain, individual amino acids. The theory burned out as the years went by, though it wasn't necessarily ever given its fair due either when it comes to applicable research.

Good luck with everything, Vicki. Take care.

[anon619]

I am not sure what "experts" fullergavin has spoken to (note, no areas of "expertise" were mentioned, but I'd bet a day's pay that they are employed by pharmaceutical companies) but if you Google "lysine" and "herpes" you will find references to many studies where the severity and duration of herpes 1 and 2 outbreaks have been diminished by 1000 mg of l-lysine 3x per day.  The only mention of side effects is at doses of over 30 mg a day (10 times the therapeutic does) or something like that.  I also have the type of herpes that appear on the buttocks/backside and l-lysine helps A LOT!  Basically, I never get an outbreak while I am taking it, and then I think I am cures, so I stop and . . . another outbreak.  I think you should ask your doctor about the toxicity of l-lysine, at that dose, because ti may help you get off of Zovira.  But, your doctor may not believe in alternatives to drugs (which I can never understand, because drugs have so many side-effects, you would think they would want to try something less poisonous) so you may just have to experiment, BTU I have been taking l-lysine on and off for about 20 years and I am fine, except for the herpes when I go off the l-lysine.  Anyway, here is a link to an article that describes one of the studies.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes_simplex_virus.  Good luck.

[surprized]

Have you noticed any other side effects besides hair loss?  How long after taking it before you had hair loss?  Are you saying that even with suppressive therapy you still had outbreaks?  I have not been feeling well since I started the medication and hoped that after a few months it would get better.  Also have an awful taste in my mouth.  Please tell me it will not always be like this.

[Shariq408]

L-Lysine is an essential amino acid, which means your body cannot manufacture it. It must be obtained through the diet or by supplementation. Lysine is one of the most well known amino acids and is an essential component of all proteins.

<a href="http://www.herbmark.com/l-lysine/l-lysine.html" style="text-decoration:none; color:#000000">L-Lysine</a> is an essential amino acid that is necessary for the building blocks of all proteins. Lysine has been suggested to inhibit virus infections and is recommended for herpes simplex, canker and cold sores, proper nitrogen balance, enzymes, collagen and tissue repair, after surgery and sports injuries.

[pandoraxsage]

Individuals with herpes 2 can have outbreaks on the buttocks region.

[WarrenFoster]

Hey Vicki,

My ordeal with Herpes type 1 began about 6 years ago. I have no idea how I got it, but I suspect it has something to do with a tanning bed burn at the top of my buttocks. The first outbreak was about 2 weeks after the burn healed, and I have suffered with it since. It is concentrated around at the base of my spine and travels slightly down each buttock, creating a triangular shaped area and has not spread beyond that (Keeping my fingers crossed). The first doctor I saw about it diagnosed it as a pilonidal cyst and wanted t\me to have surgery to have it removed! Thank God I had a follow up with a dermatologist. She prescribed Valtrex,  which is very expensive and did not help me at all. A physician I recently saw prescribed Famciclovir, which is much less expensive and works much better. Knowing that I would have to take this for the rest of my life, I was worried that it would be dangerous with long term used and searched for something other than medication. On the Web, I discovered L-Lysine. I have been taking it for about 2 months and have not had an outbreak. I do not know if it is dangerous or not, but I take 1000 mg 1 time a day. I have not had any noticeable side effects, but like you I am concerened. Please continue this discussion and keep updates coming. Everyone reading this is in it together forever and need to stay informed and supportive of each other.

All the best,

Warren

[Michele7425]

I began taking 1000mg of L-lysine supplements 4 days ago. I began to notice I was nauseous at various times of the day. I am on a lot of medications for Parinson's disease. Is anyone aware of drug interactions with L-lysine? Today I broke out in a cold sweat with nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, dizziness and heachache. I am still nauseous and this happened several hours ago. Thanks for any advise. Michele

[sapphires]

Yes, herpes can appear on the buttocks.  Anywhere around the anorectal or genital region, I've had it there.  It can even go up into the groin area.   However, my episodes are not usually breakouts, but flu-like symptoms after extreme stress, or too much sun exposure.  I also used to get the symptoms after using tanning beds years ago, but never really connected everything until later on.  The same as if you had the flu; feverish, tired, generalized, debilitating malaise without actually being "sick".  

That being said, I used to take lysine as well, I believe it was 1000 mg a day, along with 1000 mg of vitamin C.  I do have a Valtrex prescription for backup, but rarely have to use it.  I haven't used anything (needed to) for a long time,  knock on wood.

I've had sun exposure recenty and am not feeling well, so I decided to update my knowledge; research the amount of lysine I needed to take, etc, and found this site.  

I'm lucky enough to not have breakouts very often, but the flu-like symptoms can be quite disabling as well.  I even went to an infectious disease specialist years ago and discussed this, as my primary care doctor didn't really think much of it, and I was sick so often it was causing problems at work.  He said everything I told him made sense and yes, this was herpes and my symptoms were such as a virus would cause, and we know HSV is a virus.

Anyone wanting to take supplements, I would consult a reliable source first; a homeopathic practitioner or anyone who has studied this extensively.  Don't just go buying random supplements off the shelf without research or advice.   We have a very good natural pharmacy in town who has knowledgeable people.  Don't just to to GNC or such in the mall and ask them.

[calady]

Will Lysine help with shingles? I used it for Meniere's disease as is helps with drying up the water in my ears. However, I did get dry mouth at night? Anyone else have that problem?

[123jkl]

I suffered with HSV-1 all over the place, inside my vagina, my outer labia, clitoris, on my tongue, lips, roof of mouth, between my teeth, and on my inner butt just outside of my anus.  
My lessons learned about what works and what does not work:

1.  Valtrex  is an epic failure and should be taken off the market
2.  hydrogen peroxide VERY painful, but in the spots I repeatedly applied it until the bubbling stopped--which is HARD b/c of the pain, I haven't had a recurrence.  I'm now down to a few spots on my tongue and the roof of my mouth...I think b/c they reinfect each other and b/c I haven't been as diligent with the hydrogen peroxide as I was with the other areas.  It is VERY VERY painful, but effective.  Do your research...the idiot Dr. at the women's clinic told me NOT to use it but recommended the Valtrex.  Valtrex cost me $160 and was ineffective.  I buy the hydrogen peroxide at Wal-Mart for $1.28/bottle.
3.  For lips, use the hydrogen peroxide AND caramex (in the tin and apply it w/ a q-tip)  For whatever reason, this is the combo that made them go into remission.  The caramex turns white for a little while when it mixes with the hydrogen peroxide.  It absorbs into your lips within 20 minutes or so.  Reapply the caramex with out the hydrogen peroxide if you care, but using the hydrogen peroxide more often will help you in the long run.  I know it hurts, but mine disappeared in the areas I was diligent and have only recurred in the areas I have been more lax in.
3.  L-Lysine works wonders.  I take several 500mg throughout the day during an outbreak and it starts healing in a few days (to put it in perspective, prior to using the L-Lysine, I had perpetual outbreaks for 3 months.)