tingling

[tommyboy622]

I have tingling in my fingers after taking a Valtrex (500 mg).  I also experience tingling in the genital area where my ob happened. I noticed that someone else mentioned this.  I had vaginal rejuvenation over a year ago and that took a long time for the numbness to go away. My nerves seems to be sensitive.
My first OB with HSV-2 was in August.
Can you help.  
Been afraid of going off Valtrex, been researching alternative supplements, vitamins
such as Garlic, Vit. C, good multi-vitamin, Vit. E, Zinc, Vita A, olive leaf,, probiotics, coconut oil, turmaric, fishoil or evening primrose, L-lysine, lactoferrin, Beta 1,3, glucan.  Been taking everything except lactoferrin, just haven't ordered it yet.  Going to see a dermatalogist today because the GYN said he thought the redness, irritation was not herpes.  I know I have herpes 2, this thing just doesn't go away.  Only relief is after sleep with no underwear.
Would you suggest I try not taking Valtrex for a few days, but stay on these alternative methods.

[gracefromHHP]

no, famvir isn't an issue for your kidneys. it's safe to take long term.

[tommyboy622]

Dear Grace,
Thank you for your reply.  Your experience is greatly appreciated. I did look up vulvodynia. It spoke about cronic pain, by pain came only after getting herpes.  They did advertise a cream, going to hold off and see if the dermatologist recommendations work before trying something else, but all information is helpful.

I had thought about switching to acyclovir or famviclor.  Took famviclor
as a one day treatment twice a day when I thought I was having an outbreak and seemed to work really well which surprised me since it has lactose in it and I am lactose intolerant. Hear famviclor is harder on the kidneys, do you know anything about that.

Can you describe the problems you had with Valtrex.  

I am seeing a new GYN who is female soon and will ask to be put on acyclovir.  You are taking daily 2 pills, what are the milligrams of each pill?

I read Valtrex goes into the bloodstream faster, but maybe acyclovir is less harmful.  I am looking for the least medicated way to control this thing, so I was hoping that supplements as mentioned would help, but you are right, just wasting my time and done so much research and time in health food stores.  

I appreciate your reply as I know you are so busy.
Found a female dermatolgist I like now hoping this new femal GYN will help. If not, will look into driving to Daytona Beach to the Westover Heights clinic.  Was hoping to find a doctor near me first.  

[tommyboy622]

Seems to be gone in the morning, but feel something going on there in the evening about the time I should take Valtrex.  Feel tingling or something.

Grace recommended since I am having tingling to try acyclovir or famivicor
instead.

Seeing a new GYN soon and will be asking if I can take one of those.  I know acyclovir has been around a long time. Took famivicor when I thought I was having an outbreak for one day, twice a day and it seemed to really help. Then went back to Valtrex daily (500 mg).  Lysine unsure of the effectiveness of this, read 1,200 mg was good daily, but maybe not for HSV-2.

[tommyboy622]

Thank you for asking.  Can't find the results even though the PA said she took a culture.  Having a blood test done on Mond.  pretty sure I have HSV-2 though, had initial outbreak and guy texted me he tested positive.

But this question has been asked by two professionals in the last week, so definitely having blood test.

Grace has answered my question about tingling and suggested going off Valtrex and trying acyclovir or famiclovir instead, but give my body a break for about a month.  Nervous about an outbreak by going off, she is a female with HSV-2 so I trust her.
Seeing a new GYN, was not completely satisfied and seeing a female GYN in 2 weeks.  

[gracefromHHP]

herpes doesn't "never go away" . even though you have hsv2, that doesn't mean that everything going on genitally is due to herpes. following up with the dermatologist if your gyn is stumped is a good idea. Many skin sensitivities that can occur and having the 2 of them work together, is often very helpful. Have you ever googled vulvodynia?

how were you diagnosed as having hsv2? did you have a lesion culture done?

all the supplements you mentioned aren't helpful for herpes. don't waste your time and money on them. you have to be really careful when reading online about supplements for herpes. Most of them are just traditionally used for viral infections and aren't specifically shown to help with herpes. Others of them show promise in the test tube but when you test them on animals or humans, makes no difference in their recurrences.  

try switching to acyclovir or famvir instead to see if either of them have less side effects for you. I myself had all sorts of issues on valtrex, even though I had take acyclovir regularly for years. I don't have the same issues while on acyclovir so I stick to that and it's 2x/day dosing for suppressive therapy.   I really recommend stopping the valtrex for a month now, letting your body get a break and then trying one of the other antivirals.

grace

[stephl81]

I have HSV2 and take Valtrex daily. I think when you feel tingling but dont actually experience an outbreak, that means the virus is "active" in your body and you could possibly be shedding.  

As far as the alternatives, the only one I have read that isnt effective is Lysine.

[bobrope45]

First: how were you diagnosed as having HSV2? Swab, blood test?

Grace will give her input soon I suppose, so you can start by answering the above question to save us time. I believe there's some connection between Valtrex and tingling but I'm sure Grace will tell you about it.