Valtrex or wait for remission?

[Qmn567]

Hello! Back in 2007, I started noticing symptoms of possible HSV2 that presented as a paper cut at the opening of my vagina after rough sex. I’ve always had hidradenitis(cysts of the groin folds) and issues with dermatitis since childhood so I was very much in denial. My OBgyn did an exam and tried to swab it although as she said “it looked to be in the healing phase” and diagnosed it as hsv2. I was pregnant at the time so I took the Valtrex for a few weeks and then stopped. What added to my denial for so many years was the fact that I pretty much never got an ob. I gave birth to healthy children and never had any issues with it at all. That lasted 6 years. All of a sudden, BOOM! In 2016, I started getting them about every month, always in my butt crack, right in the center. Still in denial. Around that time, I was diagnosed with a pilonidal cyst where the symptoms sort of mimic herpes near that area. Had that surgically removed. Again adding to my denial. 2017, I had obs every other week and that continued into 2018 where halfway through the year, it dropped down to about once monthly. Now I’m back to biweekly obs and constant, daily prodrome sensations of pressure, tingling and burning in the buttocks during, between and after obs.
My question is this: should I go on Valtrex or assume that it will go back into “remission” on its own like it had for 6 years? I’m afraid of my body becoming dependent on the medication and if for some reason, I have to discontinue treatment, I’ll experience a surge in painful obs. I’m so anxious and afraid to talk to any other doctors about this. That last obgyn made me feel awful because her bedside manner was not the best and this is already very sensitive and embarrassing for me. Please offer any and all advice you may have on this. I’ve been spending a fortune on monolaurin to no avail but I’m so afraid of suffering more shame and embarrassment when going to get prescriptions. Please help. I feel so alone and depressed.

• This topic was modified 3 years, 10 months ago by Qmn567.

[Terri Warren]

Have you ever had a laboratory diagnosis that says you have HSV 2 or simply someone looking at it and telling you it was herpes?
If you really do have herpes (and I’m not sure about that from your post) taking daily Valtrex would likely be very helpful and your body will not become dependent upon it.

Terri

[Qmn567]

Thank you for your reply. I did eventually get a specific blood test and tested positive (recently). The numeric value (to my recollection) read this way <10 for HSV2 so, I’m assuming that’s considered high. Is there any reason, why the outbreaks will all of a sudden become so frequent, when they were previously so sporadic? I just wish I understood better how my body is managing this and what the frequent obs could be an indication of. My sores have never scabbed over and they present very different most times. Sometimes a 1 inch slit, a red sore or a red sore with a white center. Then it will suddenly just close up. The frequency is still every two weeks.

I feel so physically sick and depressed when I get an ob. Migraines, fatigue and just a deep sense of dread and uncontrolled anxiety. I pretty much can’t think about anything else. I have other health issues that I’m on medication for so I’m a regular at the doctor’s office. I don’t want this stamped all across my medical records. I want treatment for the hsv but I’m afraid of telling my regular doctors that I’m on it and afraid of it not working for me.

I feel like my life is over and any happy moments I ever get to experience seem to always be interrupted and marred by prodromal sensations, outbreaks and that general sick feeling. I feel so dirty and depressed and deep down I really want to die. I’m just trying hard to hold on to my will to live because my children need me. I’m so sorry to throw all of this on you but I needed to express what this is doing to me. I appreciate your help and guidance.

[Terri Warren]

It isn’t possible to know if everything that you are describing are actually outbreaks – I don’t think so as the frequency is way way abnormal. I know you don’t want this on your medical records BUT you need to get tough and just do it. Have these swab tested to sort out what is an outbreak and what isn’t OR just start daily antiviral medicine and see if that stops the symptoms. There are many online services that will prescribe herpes medication to you if you want to do it that way, without seeing your own doctor but if the medicine doesn’t stop the symptoms, THEN you need to get them swab tested.

Terri

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