Acyclovir caused my 2 month long Chronic Tension Headache

[Jasper592]

After partying to hard (only drinking & smoking cig) one weekend this past summer, I developed a case of Shingles on the side of my chest. I'm mid 20s in age. Additionally, my Dermatologist prescribed Acyclovir 800mg x5 Daily for 1 week.

When I began taking the medication is when things got a little weird.

The first 48 hours, I felt amazing !very happy infact, experienced no depression(i usually have mild), a lot of energy, extreme mental clarity (I take Adderall for ADHD & this Acyclovir was 10 fold better than any dose over Adderall I've ever taken) basically I felt a lot smarter. I'm a college student and I struggled with learning Calculus over the summer but had zero trouble learning and doing homework within those first 48 hours. Everything felt very natural and I felt at peace with my body, which I haven't felt that way in a long long time.

But sadly after the first two days of taking the medication the old symptoms slowly started to creep back into my life and once again I felt like my usual zombie depressed self. which *****. I generally feel mentally slow, it feels like its a struggle to grasp concepts and intense cognition its exhausting.

After that one week of taking Acyclovir, 24 hours later I developed this tension type headache, ranging from mild-moderate in pain. It becomes worse when lying down and pain is located at the back of the neck and on the top of head.

I have had this headache for every second of every day since i stopped taking Acyclovir. I never feel like doing anything because this is headache. I'd rather sleep than be awake and deal with the this.

The shingles cleared up just fine.

Medicated tried:
NSAIDs Tylenol, Motrin, Ibuprofen. etc - doesn't help
Naproxen - doesn't help
Esgic - doesn't help
Imitex(for migraine) - doesn't help
Prednisone - doesn't help
(side-effect: pressure in ear canal and awesome healthy looking skin)

Laboratory testing:
MRI of head - clean
STDs - clean (haven't been sexually active in over a year)
Complete Blood Count - clean
Lumbar Puncture - clean

I'm clueless as to what is causing this headache. I think CEBV or CMV but my bloodwork says its not. :/ Any ideas? I need more information to question the Neurologist

[kelsifyer]

Hi Jasper,

I have had the same issue after taking acyclovir.  I tested negative, did your head pressure resolve? Thanks

[Jasper592]

thanks for the response sporque,

you are probably correct in regards to the side effect of depression/anxiety causing the persistent headache.

Although, last week I was tested for EBV and CMV, and my blood-work came back positive for IgG and IgM in the EBV test. As a result, I do have a reactivation of the Epstein Barr Virus, which initially I had back in 2003. My next appointment is tomorrow with an Infectious Disease Doc and hopefully the treatment he recommends will be effective against this virus.. The crazy thing is Ive had this reactivation of the EBV for almost a year now and this past year has been the worst year of my life.

While I always knew something was wrong with me but my blood-work always came back within the normal range. This was until last week when I told my doctor to test for EBV and CMV. thank god for google !!

I will update with treatment outcome

[sporque]

probably just after effects of the shingles.  There's no way Acyclovir is the culprit. Also the fact you felt really good from the medication was a coincidence.  Headaches can be a side effect of depression/anxiety.  Treat that and you treat the headache.