newly diagnosed

[luckyrenee80]

I was recently diagnosed in December and have a couple questions

1. I’ve taken valtrex and had bad side effects after taking a different generic. I was hearing voices and just felt out of it. Didn’t eat at all I also took acyclovir that seemed to be fine but then I started feeling some what spaced out and would sweat a lot down below as well as not eat is there a way to build up my tolerance to either meds or is something wrong with me?

2. I recently had sex in December with a new partner and used latex which I’m sensative to. I had what seemed like a uti and vaginal irritation. I was prescribed uti meds and some cream for my vaginal irritation. I ended up going to the after hrs clinic and was visual diagnosed with hsv. I took a igg blood test and came back with neg hsv1 and 1.30 hsv 2. Is it possible this is a new infection due to the low number? It was 2 1/2 to 3 weeks from the time of sexual contact to receiving my test results.

[Terri Warren]

1. I have never heard of those side effects from Valtrex or valacyclovir. You mean that you didn’t have the problem with one kind of generic but did with another? I’m a little unclear about that. Were you taking any other medicines at that time? Hearing voice is an extreme side effect and you should definitely be talking with your health care provider before taking any more of this medicine
2. How were you diagnosed with herpes exactly? Was it only by the antibody test or did you also have a positive swab test?

Terri

[luckyrenee80]

1. I had the worst side effects with the Valtrex. Yes, I wasn’t have such sever side effects with the meds made by ranbaxy but when I got a refill it got worse. I was also in a very depressed state so I don’t know if that may have had some hand in my mind feeling crazy. I didn’t feel crazy with acyclovir but I did feel a little off. My doctor prescribed me brand name valtrex but I have yet to pick it up due to cost.

2. I was diagnosed with an igg blood test. No swab test was done she said she knew what it was by visually looking. I’m the one that requested the blood test

[Terri Warren]

Acyclovir is just as effective as valacyclovir (or Valtrex) but it needs to be taken twice per day (if you take it every day) vs once with valacyclovir. If your doctor prescribes the 200 mg tablets (2-200 mg tabs twice per day for a total of 4-200 mg tabs a day), you can get it at most large chains like Target and Walgrees for $16 per month. You might consider making this switch for cost, but it must be written exactly as I described it here.

It’s very hard to say how accurate a visual exam is. Your IGG value is definitely in the low positive range and there is an 85% chance that it is a false positive, BY ITSELF But combined with a visual exam and your symptoms, it may be more accurate. If you tested again now, a few months later and the index value (the number) is above 3.5, then it would suggest that it is a true positive. Or if you have a lesion you can could have swab tested, that would also be good. The problem right now is the amount of antiviral therapy you have taken. That can interfere with antibody development (slow it). Was your most recent partner tested for HSV 2? What were the results?

Terri

[luckyrenee80]

I dont communicate with The partner I believe I contracted the virus from. I initially let him know about my results and he claims he was clean of all std’s. My boyfriend that I’m with now has not been tested and we have not been intimate since my diagnosis. I still think he needs to get tested just in case. He was recently incarverated and said they tested him but i doubt they tested for hsv.I was with him for 10 yes we took a break I had sex with a new partner and then this happens.

I was prescribed acyclovir 2xs a day. I’ll try that again and see how it goes. Does it still have the same results when it comes to shedding like valtrex?

[Terri Warren]

Yes, acyclovir has the same results with shedding as Valtrex IF you take it as directed which is 400 mg twice per day.
Yes your current partner should be tested for HSV 2 to see where he stands. If he is negative and you used a condom for sex with the other person and it was just once, then I would recommend your diagnosis be confirmed with a herpes western blot antibody test. Your antibody test, as the value you reported, could be a false positive result

Your subscription has now run out. If you have other questions, please feel free to renew your subscription.

Terri

• This reply was modified 8 years, 7 months ago by Terri Warren.

[luckyrenee80]

I’ve paid for more questions.

I’m now on Valtrex 500mg daily suppressive therapy and have not had any of the previous issues while taking the medication. I had intercourse with a non latex condom and water based lube and had the worst irritation afterwards. My urethra was burning and throbbing and I believed to have a uti. I contacted my dr and took a urine test that came out positive but the culture came out negative. I was prescribed antibiotics that helped a little but was called back after the culture came back negative. I’m extremely sensitive in my vaginal region and I cannot use latex at all as well as most lubes and condoms. I was told to take some Benadryl for my irritation because it could be an irritation to the condom. Needless to say that worked and I started feeling better. Since Im so sensitive

1. how safe is it for my h- partner if I was on daily Valtrex and used lambskin condoms? I’ve read that it does not protect against STI infections.

[Terri Warren]

Lambskin condoms are definitely better than no condoms and since you are so sensitive about other condoms, that might be a good answer for you. If you take daily medicine and use those condoms and have sex about twice per week (that is the frequency in the studies that have been done), then his risk of acquiring HSV 2 from you is about 1-2% per year.

What did you think about my idea about confirming your low positive HSV 2 result?

Terri

[luckyrenee80]

Great.now that I know there is some protection for my partner I’ll be using them.
My doctor advised me to wait until June to be retested for everything that will be the sixth month. I’m going to email her today and ask her for a full panel as well as hormonal and vitamin testing since I stopped taking my supplements and have wanted to do nothing but sleep and have had no appetite and have lost my a bit of weight. I’m just hoping it won’t be to soon.

[Terri Warren]

Sounds like a plan. Your doctor won’t be able to order the western blot for you but hopefully, by then your index value will be a bit clearer.

Terri

[luckyrenee80]

If I have another low index number should I then take the western blot? Under what value would be considered low?

Will taking valtrex long term affect my body?

[Terri Warren]

Yes, if you have another low index value (defined as 1.1 to 3.5) a western blot should be ordered. Valtrex will not affect your body long term – at least we know of no long terms effects after being available for more than 20 years.

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Terri

• This reply was modified 8 years, 5 months ago by Terri Warren.

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