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Q. After chemo treatment, I had two bouts with shingles. Knowing that this is a herpes virus, I treated myself with L-lysine as I often do for cold sores. The discomfort and rash disappeared in less than a week. My oncologist was very interested to hear this and has been successful using L-lysine for other patients with shingles.
A. Prescription antiviral drugs such as Valtrex or Famvir can be helpful against shingles. Many people say that L-lysine works for cold sores. We have never heard that this amino acid might also work against shingles.
another thing to keep in mind is to during an episode DO NOT eat: nuts, seeds, chocolate, popcorn or beans. They all seem to lengthen an episode due to an amino acid in them. ESPECIALLY, popcorn, nuts/seeds (speaking from personal experience and research)
Once I found out about lysine, I stopped taking Rx for shingles outbreaks. For about the last 8 years, whenever I feel the tingle of an upcoming outbreak, I take lysine for 3 days. That stops the outbreak. Or, if I let it go too far and actually get a couple of tiny blisters, again I take lysine for 3 days and that's the end of them.
I am 56 years old and sometimes feel cold sores coming on and am able to eliminate them with L-lysine. Several years ago I had shingles at a stressful time. I used the L-lysine and family recommended a Dr check.
He put me on the drugs and I had very little pain, the spots dried up but I continued on the L-lysine. My husband pointed out spots on my lower back last night - I have been stressed so took large amt of L-lysine. This morning the spots have nearly disappeared. I will go to the Dr but am pleased with the help from L-lysine.
I will try to share it with my MD but likely will get a brick wall. Silly isn't it when people are having all this pain and trouble and some of us find something like L-lysine that helps and the Dr refuse to even consider it!?
I also hope that Doctors will be open to what works and at least
tell patients of the possibility that a certain alternative might also work for them.
Over the past few years, I discovered that taking Lysine for a few days whenever I felt like a shingles outbreak might be starting worked to prevent it. I was amazed to learn on this site, that others had a similar experience.