Klarinet Archive - Posting 000914.txt from 1999/02

From: Martin Pergler <pergler@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Cold Sores
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 23:24:55 -0500

Kevin (and others):

I also have cold sores on the lip sometimes, and a sympathetic
amateur-musician doctor who realizes that what can be a minor
irritation for most people is more major for a (serious amateur)
clarinetist. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean he's solved the
problem :)

So, I also take acyclovir orally when necessary. We've tried topical
acyclovir ointment (apparently absorbtion of swallowed acyclovir is
miserable), but it did not seem to work as well for me and was
messy.

On his suggestion, I've also tried taking supplements of l-lysine,
an amino acid I think. Some people claim it helps/prevents, though I
gather it is "not proven". I've found that for me cold-sores are
much more stress-related than diet-related, and I am much more prone
to them when I have had less than enough sleep or when my math
research is not going well. In fact, now when I am feeling stressed,
I start taking 1000mg of lysine daily preventively when I remember.
I *think* I have fewer cold sore problems than before, and it is
much cheaper than acyclovir. When it does strike and is a problem,
acyclovir generally makes it go away within 8 hours of first
tingling, and even while playing at this early stage it is no more
than an annoyance *for me*.

Some natural-health types suggest some form of red marine algae or
something, but I've never tried it. If I knew what it really was
called and at least vaguely why it was supposed to help, I might.

I've tried to be good about finishing off the 3-day cycle
of acyclovir when I start, but I sometimes forget. I've never asked
if this is s problem. Anyone know? Is it like antibiotics?

When

--
Martin Pergler pergler@-----.edu
Grad student, Mathematics http://www.math.uchicago.edu/~pergler
Univ. of Chicago

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