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

[Carson09]

how many mg of lysine are you taking a day? I keep having what my doctors call contact dermatitis and I am not sue if it is herpes or not so i started to  take lysine. I got a culture done and it came back negative so I don't know because it keeps happening and I take 1000 a day and this is still happening I just am scared. Their seems to be no clear cut symptoms I don't have and aches or fever but I have one blister and I have had it for 2 weeks I got it while taking lysine so maybe I take to much or its not that at all. I am going to go get a blood test but Ia m not sure what kind to ask for.

[grateful_st]

David, when someone loves you, they LOVE YOU. Like you, I was devastated when I was diagnosed with genital herpes nine years ago. But I have had several serious relationships since then. It was not easy to tell them about it but I did (there is no other way - do them the favor of telling them the truth), and because they loved me, they accepted it. Only one potential partner decided that he wasn't willing to take the risk, but we had only dated a couple weeks and clearly that relationship was not meant to be. Having herpes has changed my behavior towards casual sex, but that seems to be for the best. Please know that you're not alone! This IS very stressful, but it mellows out over time. If you and your girlfriend are truly in love, take the risk, have the talk, and I think you'll be surprised by the support that she'll give you. Your sex life might be different than before but it is FAR from over!!!

[grateful_st]

No insurance, no problem! STD treatment is covered by public health. You can go to your local Health Department STD clinic for free, talk to a professional, and get medicine for free or very low cost (mine was $5/bottle of acyclovir).

I realize it's now 2 years since you've posted this but this is info that anyone can use, anytime! I'm so glad that there's a forum like this to communicate honestly and anonymously about this sensitive issue!

[healthwanted]

Hi Molly,
i had a small scratch on my cheek that only mildly worried me at the time untill it spread across my whole face .... it looked like small pimples.

i went to the dr when it first started and looked like a scratch and was told it was skin infection and given antibiotics... anyway it got worse very quickly and within weeks it heavily spread across my whole face.
After several visits to the dr and then onto the dermotologist it was diagnosed as herpes :-(
i now have valtrex on hand incase of outbreaks. i have had several small breakouts on my cheek since. herpes more easily infects broken skin so any one with eczema is at risk. I really cant afford the $150 price tag of valtrex so going to try lysine. Its so embarrassing to have it all over my face! so i can sympathise with you!

[bodhilight]

This is a wonderful forum, thank you everyone for sharing your experiences.  I have had self-diagnosed genital herpes for over 25 years. About 12 years ago a new lesion or sore appeared, from a sauna or hot tub possibly at a resort, on my upper right butt cheek.  At that time I consulted a doctor over the phone and he thought it might be ring worm, but it wasn't, as I later realized.  I think I discovered L-Lysine supplements about 5 or 6 years ago and it definitely works for me. I recently, however, stopped to see how long it would take to flare up because I'd read that you should take a break - but never have found definitive times regarding how long to stay on and how long to stay off.  What I did notice is that I have lost weight - particularly in the abdominal area, so I am glad to hear that probably is caused by lysine.  The last few days I've felt flu-ish so I took 1500 mg this morning on an empty stomach, just in case I'm getting a flare up.  I was taking 1500 a day for several months before this break and that's when I started to notice the tummy gain. After reading everyone's comments I think I'll step back to 500 a day.  

I also wanted to add that I have a nightshade food intolerance and it has almost the same symptoms.  Those foods are all peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and potatoes.  Tobacco is also a nightshade and I smoked for years until 2007, so may have created an intolerance over the years.  I stay away from all those foods ALWAYS.  Even a little paprika, which is in a lot of pre-made store-bought foods.  Just thought I'd mention it for those of you who have sensitivities or other medical problems.  I am also gluten intolerant : (.  but now with so many non-gluten products on the market I'm a happy cook again.  I used to have severe pain and strange outbreaks of postules on my hands from nightshade before I knew what it was.  Dermatologists were useless and so were chiropractors (although I use chiropractic help when I have strained or pulled something).

I also try very hard to avoid the high argenine foods like chocolat and almonds. Here's a good site for nutritional advice for herpes: http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/diet_and_nutrition_with_herpes.htm

Thank God for the internet!

[TBanks10131]

Hi! I've had herpes since I was 16. I am now 31. I am happy to announce that lysine has been a blessing with no side effects. When I felt "the tingle" I would simply take a couple 500 mg tabs and that seemed to prevent the virus from progressing any further than a tingle. I am now in a committed relationship and I simply take 500mg a day to suppress it. I recently read that if one's uninfected partner also takes 500 mg of lysine it can strengthen their resistance to contracting it! How wonderful is that? Don't give up hope :) I'm generally very sensitive to synthetic meds. I have more problems with doctor prescribed meds than I ever did with supplements. Side effects of lysine are minimal. One should not combine lysine with certain antibiotics however. Drug interactions are dangerous. You can always call the poison control center and tell them of the meds you are taking. They will gladly tell you of any reported problems of the drug interactions. The poison control center is MUCH more reliable than asking a doctor or pharmacist, in my opinion. The pharmacists usually catch a doctors mistake of prescribing bad drug combinations, but not always. The poison control center has a large data base at their disposal and are just a phone call away. They are the most reliable source of accurate, unbiased, up-to- date information in my opinion :) hope this helps! Good luck to all of you : )