Valtrex or Lysine

[thenandnow]

I have been taking Valtrex since August when I was diagnosed with genital herpes. The Gyn and specialist said that I had contracted it from my husband who had had Herpes for 25 years. I had lost 50 lbs and immune system was down and was forturnate that I had not gotten it sooner. My husband and I knew he had something but were not sure because of all the breakouts over the years.  Stress caused him to breakout more and shed often. I know this happens sometimes and other times people never contract it from their spouse in a lifetime.  Anyway, the Vatrex was being taken by both of us and I started having side effects. Stomach pain, mood changes, and for four months still having problems down below without breakouts, just pain, front and back, vagina and anus pain, I have had several people tell me Lysine is just as helpful as Valtrex and wondered if anyone has had these problems and has ever used Lysine for genital herpes.  The gyn has taken so many test and now I'm getting really down and out with not healing and upset because of my sex life needs to improve with all the emotions my husband and I have been going through all these months. Could someone please help me.  

[gracefromHHP]

If you had bv, definitely go back and make sure it's gone. Bv can be a pain in the butt to get rid of ( if the censors let me swear I'd tell you how I really feel about bv!!!! ).  Don't underestimate what bv can do to a gal and the pain it can cause too.  I do agree that sometimes throwing a lot at you at a time can really mess things up but err on the side of caution and get your vaginal secretions checked out again to make sure that vaginitis isn't further complicating things too. Sometimes it really does su ck to be female :(  

Have you been following up on the stomach pain and such too?  Sounds like you have a heck of a lot going on in your body right now that is further complicating all of this :(

grace

[thenandnow]

Thank you for you kindness and support.  Hope you have a good day. The doctor did treat me with all sorts of meds for bv and other infections. That is why I haven't been back to him.  Sometimes too many meds can mess with a lady down below and disturb the natural flora.  I will try what you suggested and talk with hubby about acyclovir.

[gracefromHHP]

Some folks do get pain with valtrex. The only way to know if that is the case for you is to stop suppressive therapy with it for a few weeks and see if it goes away.

No reason to take the medications for X amount of time - taking them when newly diagnosed doesn't make your infection milder in the future or anything like that. It only serves to make sure you have less ob's while you are taking the medication. Since transmission isn't an issue for the 2 of you, it's up to you both as to if you feel that suppressive therapy is worthwhile or if you just want to treat ob's as they happen.  If valtrex isn't cheap on your insurance then both of you can switch to acyclovir too.

grace

[thenandnow]

The doctor recommended the Valtrex for suppressive for both so we wouldn't have to go through any breakouts.  I'm scared of any breakouts and have been just treated for yeast. I saw your post on femdophilus and thought I would try it.  My husband gets the blisters and causes less sex. I myself have had no blisters and feel afraid of breakouts because of all the pain I've already gone through.  Grace,hehe, just took a laxative today to make sure.  What about meds for just suppressive measures?  Thanks for you sooo quickly response.  The doctor's suggest that I take the meds for a least 9 months, but I also will ask about the other med you suggested.

[gracefromHHP]

Lysine is not very helpful at all for genital herpes. I don't recommend it at all.

Since both you and your husband have hsv2, no reason for both of you to be on valtrex everyday.  Why spend money and try to remember to take it if you don't have to? It's totally your choice but really no reason for it.

What testing has your gyn done? Did they test you for yeast and bacterial vaginal infections? Also are you constipated at all? ( yep - even your bowel habits aren't safe on this board...he he he )

Why not stop the valtrex completely for a few weeks and see what happens? If you start having ob's again, try acyclovir 400mg 2x/day everyday instead. It's cheaper and you might have less side effects from it.  If your other pains continue even once off the valtrex then it's time for further evaluation for those from a non-herpes standpoint.  So many nerves down there that can be effected from all sorts of other issues as well as our gi tract is very closely related to the gu system.

grace