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Valtrex not working?
Hi,
I caught HSV 1 two months ago. My partner transmitted his oral herpes to my genitals and also, my chin (no idea how that happened). Anyways, within two days I felt a cut sensation on my genitalia. I then went to the doctor who did a visual diagnostic and a swab. She gave me Valtrex while we waited for results. The single blister that was on my genitalia went away within like, three days of being on the medicine and the chin looked just like a pimple or a mark that lasted for what seemed like weeks. So for an initial outbreak, it was very mild. Not bad at all.
Last week, in the same mark where I had had my first chin cold sore, a LARGE cold sore erupted. I immediately took Valtrex. On day 7 of my course of Valtrex, the sore was still there, and still, clearly active and I began to feel tingling on the side of my mouth, around my mouth, inside it. I have not felt this tingling sensation before but I hear it indicates that more cold sores are going to erupt. My doctor gave me another course of Valtrex. So now I am on day 8 of Valtrex and applying Abreeva to my mouth and I worry that I am going to break out again, but on the mouth. But my first outbreak was just my chin and my genitalia. I have nothing on my genitals and only one cold sore on my chin. Why would the mouth suddenly erupt, 7 days later, when I had never caught it there anyways.
Is it possible that the Valtrex is not working? Why is this outbreak so intense when the first one is supposed to be the worst? Can Abreeva be simulating a tingling sensation that I feel? I can't quite understand how Valtrex, which is made for HSV 2 and shingles can't combat one lone cold sore after 8 days. Can the cold sore spread to other areas like my lips even though I didn't catch it there? I'm confused.
I caught HSV 1 two months ago. My partner transmitted his oral herpes to my genitals and also, my chin (no idea how that happened). Anyways, within two days I felt a cut sensation on my genitalia. I then went to the doctor who did a visual diagnostic and a swab. She gave me Valtrex while we waited for results. The single blister that was on my genitalia went away within like, three days of being on the medicine and the chin looked just like a pimple or a mark that lasted for what seemed like weeks. So for an initial outbreak, it was very mild. Not bad at all.
Last week, in the same mark where I had had my first chin cold sore, a LARGE cold sore erupted. I immediately took Valtrex. On day 7 of my course of Valtrex, the sore was still there, and still, clearly active and I began to feel tingling on the side of my mouth, around my mouth, inside it. I have not felt this tingling sensation before but I hear it indicates that more cold sores are going to erupt. My doctor gave me another course of Valtrex. So now I am on day 8 of Valtrex and applying Abreeva to my mouth and I worry that I am going to break out again, but on the mouth. But my first outbreak was just my chin and my genitalia. I have nothing on my genitals and only one cold sore on my chin. Why would the mouth suddenly erupt, 7 days later, when I had never caught it there anyways.
Is it possible that the Valtrex is not working? Why is this outbreak so intense when the first one is supposed to be the worst? Can Abreeva be simulating a tingling sensation that I feel? I can't quite understand how Valtrex, which is made for HSV 2 and shingles can't combat one lone cold sore after 8 days. Can the cold sore spread to other areas like my lips even though I didn't catch it there? I'm confused.
I caught herpes from my partners lips 20 years ago. I was 45 then. I went in right away when I saw a blister on my vulva. The doctor told me it was now called genital herpes type 2 complex even though I caught herpes type 1 simplex. I have taken acyclovir 400 mg. twice a day for over 20 years and it seemed to work. Now I break out constantly while on the acyclovir. I am so frustrated. I am going back to my doctor.
1 Comments
So we've learned a lot in 20 years, or at least I hope your doctor has. If you got genital herpes from your partner performing oral sex on you, it's genital herpes type 1.
If you are suddenly experiencing outbreaks, make sure you don't have a secondary infection, like yeast or bacterial vaginosis. Having another infection can cause herpes to go a little crazy.
You might also talk about trying Valtrex instead of acyclovir if the acyclovir has stopped working, if a secondary infection is ruled out.
Let us know how it goes.
If you are suddenly experiencing outbreaks, make sure you don't have a secondary infection, like yeast or bacterial vaginosis. Having another infection can cause herpes to go a little crazy.
You might also talk about trying Valtrex instead of acyclovir if the acyclovir has stopped working, if a secondary infection is ruled out.
Let us know how it goes.
I've also used Abreva and it does help a little bit. It's not meant to stop stops but I can tell that it reduces healing time by 1 or 2 days. It also keeps the scabs soft so they don't bleed or hurt when I go to eat something. It is pricey though!
You contracted oral herpes on your mouth area and it's just presenting on your chin. It's not spreading - that's the way the virus behaves. You have the virus in the oral area and it wouldn't be unusual at all to develop obvious cold sores on your lips at some poin and not just lesions on the chin area. It's all the same nerve group and your symptoms you are experiencing are normal.
abreva isn't very effective for oral herpes. it barely got fda approval to say it speeds the healing of oral herpes lesions. not really worth all the money they charge for that teeny tube. just a fyi for the future so you don't keep wasting money on it.
it's not too unusual to have recurrences like this in the beginning. You might want to talk to your provider about going on valtrex daily for a few months to help keep the virus under control better. I would assume the tingling feeling you are feeling is just the herpes doing what it does. You can try stopping the abreva to see if it gets better just in case it is a reaction to it but tingling in the nerves with obvious symptoms is normal.
grace
abreva isn't very effective for oral herpes. it barely got fda approval to say it speeds the healing of oral herpes lesions. not really worth all the money they charge for that teeny tube. just a fyi for the future so you don't keep wasting money on it.
it's not too unusual to have recurrences like this in the beginning. You might want to talk to your provider about going on valtrex daily for a few months to help keep the virus under control better. I would assume the tingling feeling you are feeling is just the herpes doing what it does. You can try stopping the abreva to see if it gets better just in case it is a reaction to it but tingling in the nerves with obvious symptoms is normal.
grace
1 Comments
I just spoke to my Dr about taking Vaciclovir(Valtrex) or Aciclovir. He said it is a VERY strong drug and should only be taken when necessary. According to what he told me, it is dangerous to take it daily. It is hard on the liver and may cause issues with the blood. Just repeating what my Dr said. I am currently prescribed 2g of Valtrex(Vaciclovir) twice daily for 1 day. Or I can also take Aciclovir 5 times a day for 5 days. I highly recommend speaking to a Dr before taking Valtrex daily or ask for a second opinion.
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
