Severe recurrent HSV2 – Any suggestions?

[PleaseMakeItStop]

Dear Terri,
I’m a female in my 40s and have no health issues other than HSV2.

My story: After an encounter with my ex-boyfriend 11 months ago, I was diagnosed with genital HSV2 by PCR viral swab. The first outbreak was very painful, I had flue-like symptoms and a fever. I was prescribed Aciclovir which didn’t seem to have an effect. I then caught a COVID infection while I was still having HSV symptoms. The second outbreak appeared just 4 or 5 days after the first one had healed. My ob/gyn then prescribed Famciclovir and the symptoms disappeared quickly but came back after stopping the medication.

Since then, I’ve been having recurrent OBs nonstop. I’ve tried Valacycl. and Acycl. in varying doses with very limited effect. In Dec., I was put on Famciclovir (3 x 500 mg daily) which caused a short break from symptoms (maybe a week). However, although on antivirals, I keep having outbreaks at least 3x/month. In between, I suffer from severe itching (“dry” itch on the inner thighs, sometimes left, sometimes right, depending on where the last outbreak occurred; shooting nerve pain mostly on the labia near the spot where the last outbreak appeared, 3-4/10 in intensity; severe itching and folliculitis in the pubic area; radiating pain from my buttocks into left or right leg).

I’ve tried to stop/reduce the antivirals but the symptoms get worse maybe 3 to 4 days after reducing dosage or stopping it. If not on antivirals, I have several outbreaks at the same time which are very painful (!) and last longer. The shooting nerve pain gets very severe (7/10).

The following tests and examinations have been performed:
Repeated blood tests for STDs: clean
Genital examination including ultrasound: ok
Repeated genital swab tests for yeast and bacterial infections and other issues: clean
Urine test for STDs + other issues: clean
Extensive blood test for immunological issues: in range
Second PCR swab test from 2 lesions (thigh and labia): HSV2-positive

What can I do? I am desperate.

[Terri Warren]

This sounds very miserable for you and I’m so sorry.
If you were my patient, I would likely try 1 gram twice a day for a while – like a month and see how that goes. I’m glad that you pursued a second PCR swab from lesions – that tells me that what you are experiencing truly is a recurrence. Try that and see how it goes, perhaps, but talk with your provider about that option as well, please.

Terri

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