my situation doesn't fit guidelines either

[99jjm]

I just read a question posted by someone that had herpes in more than one place...this can absolutely happen,  mine after three years, decided to move down the nerve to a new place on my lower back.  Though I have hsv-2 , my lesions have always been on regular skin, and no where else, and yes, this is tested, and true.  I began valtex suppressive ther 500mg 2x a day, and where before, I could feel herpes coming on ie: leg pain back pain, etc...I just found out that because of where my herpes is, on my lower back, I can indeed suffer long term nerve damage.  Now, on suppressive therapy, I can't tell if my mild symptoms are pre-cursers to what would have been an outbreak, or just the nerve pain.  I had cancer twenty years ago and do not have a spleen, but seem to fall into an immuno-compromised category that doesn't fit.  At least without the suppressive therapy, I clearly could tell when I was near an outbreak.  Now I live in fear that I have a low-grade, constant ,but very very mild almost herpes.  Just wanted to let the person with nreve pain know that there are indeed cases that can cause nerve damage long term. Was also curious if on 2x day ther and maybe mild syptoms, I could still pass this on ?


This discussion is related to can herpes cause nerve damage.

[auntiejessi]

Well, that's a personal call.  If you have a hsv- partner, just discuss it with them, and you all can see what works best for you.

If you don't have a partner, it might be worthwhile to see what happens.  Keep in mind that you might have an ob after stopping the valtrex, and that's normal.  Just take the treatment dose for that, and then you'll get a better idea of what's happening with your body.

AJ

[99jjm]

thank you...I think this forum is the most imformative yet...in regard to moving down the nerve, I just meant that it had broken out further down my back, even though I had herpes for five or six yrs, before it changed ob sites.  I am still wondering whether it is better to stay on suppressive ther. and never be certain if I have mild symptoms or just get off the valtrex on a suppressive level, which makes the pre symptoms more identifiable and treat it until its gone each time.  I am nervous that I am missing symptoms since they seem to be so mild on the valtrex 2x a day. thank you for your response.

[auntiejessi]

Herpes infects nerve groups, and the sacral ganglia is the nerve group that genital herpes infects.  Because of that, you can get outbreaks really anywhere from the waist down.  It doesn't mean that the virus has moved, really.  Its just choosing another location for obs.

Many people only get obs in one spot, others find they get them in a variety of spots.

Lots of people get signs they are about to get an outbreak.  This is called a prodrome, or warning sign.  

You said it moved down a nerve - where was it before?  

Its possible you also have post-herpetic neuralgia, as well as prodromes, or just the prodromes.  Also, some people have reported feeling more nerve symptoms while taking valtrex.  Perhaps talk to your doc about trying acyclovir.

If you have genital herpes, even while taking valtrex or acyclovir, you could still pass it on, especially if you are having symptoms.

AJ