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uppityperson

(116,022 posts)

17. Avoid chocolate, nuts, tomatoes as they are high in the amino acid lysine which can help the virus

Wed Jan 15, 2014, 12:15 AM

Jan 2014

thrive.

Amino acids come in pairs with foods having more of one, less of the other. Lysine/arginine is one such pair. The first encourages herpes viruses to thrive, the second to not. However, there have not been studies on the type herpes that causes chickenpox/shingles. However, outbreaks of chickenpox are common after christmas (could be due to travel too) and easter. Chocolate and nuts anyone?

Google arginine/lysine shingles and you will come up with a bunch of hits.

Chosen at random, this one says "The major risk of consuming high lysine/low arginine foods is that it will have no effect" though they also say do not avoid your regular health care provider. It also has lists of foods high in each of those amino acids.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/280245-shingles-and-lysinearginine-foods/

Cool bath with a bit of baking soda or powdered oatmeal helps some feel better for a bit.

Anti-virals asap can help.

Good luck.

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I just came back from the Doctors... [View all] Auntie Bush Jan 2014 OP

Good luck, Auntie Bush! NYC_SKP Jan 2014 #1

They might be able to give you some anti-virals that might prevent the potential post nerve pain lostincalifornia Jan 2014 #2

Eeek! Hate that for you. Lasher Jan 2014 #3

I read that is only effective 50 percent of the time in blocking an outbreak Samantha Jan 2014 #9

I would take it and hope you are in the good 50%. DURHAM D Jan 2014 #11

I think it's true. Lasher Jan 2014 #21

My heartfelt sympathies and I know how awful it it. Cleita Jan 2014 #4

So sorry, Auntie.. I have two close Cha Jan 2014 #5

Ohhh, I'm so sorry to hear that. I had them years ago, followed the nerve path RKP5637 Jan 2014 #6

Dang, Auntie Bush! Lars39 Jan 2014 #7

Ooohhh, That sounds painful. Beacool Jan 2014 #8

Anti-virals. Immediately. Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #10

I take lysine supplements to keep my herpes simplex I (cold sores) kestrel91316 Jan 2014 #12

Ow! madamesilverspurs Jan 2014 #13

I just wrote a post about Gabapentin below. My riversedge Jan 2014 #20

Valtrex! Yo_Mama Jan 2014 #14

shingles is a nerve disease WhiteTara Jan 2014 #15

I'm so sorry. ananda Jan 2014 #16

Avoid chocolate, nuts, tomatoes as they are high in the amino acid lysine which can help the virus uppityperson Jan 2014 #17

Been a victim of that particular pain in the ass twice....it will get better, especially if you Rowdyboy Jan 2014 #18

Gabapentin is very effective for nerve riversedge Jan 2014 #19

I hope you got something to help you sleep, and something for the itching. Silver Swan Jan 2014 #22

So sorry you have to through this. It is indeed painful. I thought someone rubbed shards of glass adirondacker Jan 2014 #23

Thanks everyone for your useful suggestions and help. Auntie Bush Jan 2014 #24