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

[shoeshine970]

Hi there, I totally understand wanting to get off all the unnecessary medications. I spent a year and a half getting off a lot of meds. The herpes antiviral is so harsh. I have liver damage from all the meds and this one does a number on me. I started going to community acupuncture and seeing a Chinese doctor as well as a north american herbalist. I have endometriosis and this year horrible herpes outbreaks that have spread into my cervix. The Chinese medicines and acupuncture are pretty effective but can be pricey depending on where you go. The tincture form the American herbalist is called Lemon Balm. I'ts mix in medicinal form with alcohol and put under the tongue twice a day. I think you can maybe buy it online? It works well. Hope that helps!

[airnairm]

I just started taking lysine a week ago and have noticed my joints having some aching. My left wrist and left ankle have a dull pain. I'm not saying it's 100% due to lysine as it might be from injury (carpal tunnel?) or twisted ankle. Will update later.

[nina2018]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and feedback!!! Over 15 years ago, I thought I hit a brick wall after being diagnosed with herpes and was partially paralyzed from having to take an overload of acyclovir. That med worked for a while, but the virus was vigorously attacking all the time. At first, the virus attacked my central nervous system causing unspeakable pain everywhere that caused me to go to the ER.

Then after a long time, with God's help, I calmed down, realized that I have to change my life, and with his help, he washed my spirit clean. The virus seemed to go into remission with only minor occurrences for years. With high stress, it comes back and has a lot recently.

I too found that Valtrex isn't working like it used to and I just don't like the thought of having to take it for life. I have been changing my diet and removing arginine rich foods, just started L-Lysine, about 1,000 total mg a day.

After two days, I experienced bleeding and spotting so I stopped because it is not time for my mens. cycle and the supplement was the only new thing to my diet. I saw a few comments on other boards asking the same thing about bleeding. Has anyone experienced this? I appreciate any feedback on this you can give. I will see my gyn this week, and consider finding an ND for guidance.

Thanks & God Bless, Nina

[polaristar]

I was just reading up on Lysine today and read this: A study led by Miro Smriga and published in the December 23, 2003, edition of the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" found that L-lysine acts like a partial serotonin receptor antagonist, regulating some aspects of mood related to anxiety.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/257563-l-lysine-deficiency-serotonin/#ixzz20KwVXvrb

Now my question after reading this was... I've been taking Lysine 500mg to 1000+mg almost daily for over 25 years... has this practice disrupted my Serotonin level to the point that if I stop taking the Lysine the Serotonin will not be sufficient to do it's job properly? I have been diagnosed as chronic depressive and have bouts of anxiety and PTSD... anti-depressants that have been given to me in the past did nothing except make me feel worse... so, I'm wondering if this is damage caused by the Lysine OR damage done by having too little Serotonin... anyone care to venture a guess? Thanks...

[crazychickenlady]

Yes there is a link!
I am one of those people that get herpes closer to my hip. I went through a period where I was stressed out and having outbreaks all the time and the Acyclovir alone didn't seem to work, so I went crazy with researching the causes. Guess what.There is a diet link to outbreaks and it is high Argenine foods of which I was eating a lot. Most diets and weight loss fads promote diets high in Argenine and I was all over it.
I finally learned about "Lysine VS Argenine"which is how you should do your web search. I have changed the way I eat. Unfortunately it is  counter intuitive to todays ideas about health.
For example I was crazy about hummus dip and garbanzo beans. Not any more. You have to do your own research but its kind of like this.
No seed's, nuts, or beans grown above the ground. Beans grown underground are good (pintos, white beans, kidneys, etc) All grains are on the boarder but I am limiting. Veggies are tricky too. Kale good, Broccoli bad.
All meat, cheese and eggs good. This whole thing is almost like the Atkins diet and it would be almost impossible to be Vegan which is where I was heading before I figured this out so good luck and hopefully you can find some good info.
I bought a book called LYSINE VS ARGENINE a food value comparison and unfortunately the food list (the foods I like to eat) is not as comprehensive as I would have liked but it gave me some guidelines. ( the fact that I can eat Squirrel, Muskrat and Beaver is not the info I was after).
I am still looking for a really, really comprehensive food list so if anyone reads this and knows of one, let me know.
By the way I have gotten it under control but I also supplement with L Lysine capsules daily so I dont get so nervous about what I eat throughout the day. If I were to eat chocolate for example, I may pop an extra capsule which is the form I prefer over tablet form.

[samanthaloughton]

Hiya, i am also suffering from genital herpes HSV-2 and can someone tell me what to do with oil of oregano ? and what exactly is lemon balm and what do you do with it

thanks everyone