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Valtrex questions and statistics

› Forums › Herpes Questions › Valtrex questions and statistics

  • This topic has 8 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 2 months ago by Terri Warren.
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    • April 17, 2015 at 3:59 pm #6169
      WorriedMom
      Participant

      Hi Terri,

      I paid for another round of questions. I really appreciate your taking the time to let all of us pick your brain! Even though my husband is 100% supportive, he could really care less about my having herpes, but, he’s the only one I can talk to. Here, you are a fount of correct information and provide for me a comfortable place to ease my fears.
      I seem to have mild and rather infrequent outbreaks. When I do have ob’s, it feels as though my urethra is involved. I get “itching” inside my body and when I urinate it doesn’t hurt, but feels like it is swollen or irritated- like a UTI is coming on, but no burning or pain. My question here is, can herpes cause irritation or lesions INSIDE the urethra? I thought it landed on “skin” only. In addition to the mildly itchy urethra, I get one itchy spot usually on either side of the inside of my labia majora right next to my vagina. It never seems to crust, or really hurt, just a deep itchy feeling. I can’t really see blisters, even with my reading glasses and a magnifying mirror, but it is red. Here’s my Valtrex question; as soon as I feel any twinge of itch or symptom I take 500 mg of Valtrex 2x a day. Should I take more? And as I’m taking the Valtrex, will more ob’s come up during the present one? And, how long after my symptoms subside should I take the medicine?

      Also, can herpes become systemic and overtake your body? If I my ob’s tend to be the same every time, can I expect them to generally stay the same, even as I grow old? Example, I’m not going to have to be hospitalized due to an outbreak if I’m otherwise healthy, am I?

      Finally, just some questions that I have pondered since reading your book; If 1 in 4 women have herpes, why don’t OB/GYNs add the blood test to their routine testing of pregnant women? My OB?GYN didn’t and that could have put my daughter at risk.
      And, if 1 in 4 people have HSV 2, but 80-90% don’t know it, how is that information collected? How do they get the 1 in 4 if new cases aren’t being diagnosed?

      Thank you for taking the time to answer. You made me feel so much better on my last post answering the question about my daughter. Now if I could put these last few questions to rest, I think I can deal with this easier and not let the shame, guilt, and fear rule my life. You are so right when you say that people with herpes often feel “one down”. That is how I felt and still feel now. Hopefully with time, acceptance, and guidance from helpful people like you and my wonderful psychologist, I can finally regain my self-worth.

      Thank you so much, Nurse Warren, you are a true blessing!

    • April 17, 2015 at 4:40 pm #6171
      Terri Warren
      Keymaster

      Yes, herpes lesions can be inside the urethra. In fact, sometimes herpes and urinary tract infections are mixed up.
      You could probably take more of a dose of Valtrex when you feel an outbreak coming – up to 4 grams in a day – to see if you can abort the outbreak. Run this by your provider who prescribes it but the dose for an oral outbreaks is 2 grams, then 12 hours later 2 grams again. It’s best to do that burst and then, if necessary, continue dosing for the normal three days.

      No, herpes will not take over your body as you age.

      Your question about why OB doctors don’t test for herpes is an excellent one. I don’t know the answer.

      They know about these statistics by doing antibody testing on large segments of the population and asking beforehand “do you have genital herpes?”

      I’m so glad that you find the forum helpful and that you have such a wonderful husband.

      Terri

    • April 17, 2015 at 5:06 pm #6173
      WorriedMom
      Participant

      Thank you so much for your answer! It helps me so much!

    • April 17, 2015 at 5:34 pm #6179
      Terri Warren
      Keymaster

      You are most welcome.

      Terri

    • April 19, 2015 at 5:29 pm #6243
      WorriedMom
      Participant

      Hi Terri,

      I have another question. I’m not sure if I still have “room” to ask it or if I have to re-up my subscription. If I need to do that, I will.

      Like I said in my earlier post, I just had an outbreak and took Valtrex 500mg 2x a day (one day I took it 3 times) and now that outbreak seems to be gone. But yesterday my right nipple was really itchy (deep down) and had some red spots and it looked like one could be a small blister. This happens frequently. Is this herpes? If it is, could my daughter have contracted it while nursing as a baby? She’s almost 13 now, healthy, and has never had a cold sore (knock on wood). I’m sorry to be bothersome about my worry with her, but I would feel lower than dirt if I gave this to her.
      Thank you,
      Just let me know if I need to re-subscribe. With all my questions, I feel I should just have my husband’s paycheck direct deposited to you! : )

    • April 20, 2015 at 3:15 pm #6248
      Terri Warren
      Keymaster

      It’s difficult to say what might be on your nipple but if it is a blister, you should have it swab tested for herpes right away. Nipple herpes does happen and it is caused by someone with oral cold sore virus (with or without symptoms) sucking on the nipples of another person.

      If she had gotten this from nursing, you would almost certainly have known it be now.

      I know you love your daughter very much and you are concerned about her but really, I believe she is fine and will stay fine.

      And direct deposit will be fine, thanks! LOL

      Terri

      • This reply was modified 7 years, 2 months ago by Terri Warren.
    • April 20, 2015 at 3:40 pm #6251
      WorriedMom
      Participant

      I just renewed my subscription. Here’s my next question. Since I have been on Valtrex for a week now to help with my genital outbreak, wouldn’t that have kept my nipple from getting an outbreak if that is what it is? Or could it be eczema? I guess my question is, wouldn’t the Valtrex 500mg a day 2x and 3x on a couple of days have kept me from getting another outbreak? My nipple is always itchy, just sometimes more than other times. But generally always itchy. I also have large cysts in that breast too that seem to itch.

      I’m concerned because I’m scheduled for a hysterectomy this Wednesday and I’m taking 500 mg of Valtrex to stave off any outbreaks so I won’t have to contend with that while healing. Thanks so much for answering!

    • April 20, 2015 at 3:43 pm #6255
      WorriedMom
      Participant

      Also, you said above that it could have been from someone with “oral cold sore virus” you mean HSV 1?

    • April 21, 2015 at 3:38 am #6262
      Terri Warren
      Keymaster

      I think it is likely that the Valtrex would have worked on nipple herpes as well, but we also know that when people have, for example, a genital outbreak, they may also have oral outbreaks or shedding as well.

      And yes, I mean HSV 1.

      I don’t think the surgery will have any impact on your herpes since you are taking suppression. If you actually have a blister, you need to have it swab tested but you might just have a bump?

      Terri

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