Valtrex

[mufasa6821]

Hi Terry i have become positive for hsv 2 6 months ago.I had one minor ob and nothing since, diagnosed by the newer accurate blood tests.My doc refuses to let me take valtrex unless i have an ob even though my research says it is only harmful if dehydrated or have pre existing kidney issues.My question is if i want to take valtrex to reduce giving hsv 2 to my partner do i have other options?You seem well educated on the subject, is anyone in your clinic willing to prescribe?If not where could i go?I’d prefer to not randomly talk to a new gynecologist without reasons my outcome would be different.I just don’t want to have to talk to 10 gynos before i get an approval its kind of draining.I’m also aware there are kidney tests that can be done to monitor usage.I’m really frustrated that an fda approved safe and effective drug can’t be taken by its target audience yet people abuse addictive substances by docs constantly.I am aware of condoms but would like to add another layer of protection and i don’t think most people would want to use them for life.

[Terri Warren]

First of all, there are no newer accurate blood tests. They all have problems when compared to the gold standard herpes western blot done only at the University of Washington. What was your index value? Was the outbreak swabbed and are certain it was a herpes outbreak?
You are correct in your understanding of the safety of Valtrex. If you don’t live in Oregon, we cannot prescribe for you.
Has your current partner been tested? If not, he should be.
Valtrex reduces the risk of transmission by almost 50% so it is an incredibly valuable tool.
There are online prescribers that you could use.
The CDC recommends the use of Valtrex to reduce the risk of transmission – I’m so sorry your doc is out of touch. Here is what the CDC says about suppressive therapy:

Suppressive Therapy for Recurrent Genital Herpes

Suppressive therapy reduces the frequency of genital herpes recurrences by 70%–80% in patients who have frequent recurrences (345-348); many persons receiving such therapy report having experienced no symptomatic outbreaks. Treatment also is effective in patients with less frequent recurrences. Safety and efficacy have been documented among patients receiving daily therapy with acyclovir for as long as 6 years and with valacyclovir or famciclovir for 1 year (350,351). Quality of life is improved in many patients with frequent recurrences who receive suppressive therapy rather than episodic treatment (352).

The frequency of genital herpes recurrences diminishes over time in many persons, potentially resulting in psychological adjustment to the disease. Therefore, periodically during suppressive treatment (e.g., once a year), providers should discuss the need to continue therapy. However, neither treatment discontinuation nor laboratory monitoring in a healthy person is necessary.

Treatment with valacyclovir 500 mg daily decreases the rate of HSV-2 transmission in discordant, heterosexual couples in which the source partner has a history of genital HSV-2 infection (349). Such couples should be encouraged to consider suppressive antiviral therapy as part of a strategy to prevent transmission, in addition to consistent condom use and avoidance of sexual activity during recurrences. Suppressive antiviral therapy also is likely to reduce transmission when used by persons who have multiple partners (including MSM) and by those who are HSV-2 seropositive without a history of genital herpes.

You are on the right track. Work on this until you get a script.

Terri

[mufasa6821]

Hi and thanks for getting back to me.The blood test was elisa igg-I asked for numbers and was told its done by machine which is true and that its by color change so no numerical value.My igg for hsv1 was negative and i took the blood test twice.I was actually diagnoses by blood test first i was tested for every std (chlamydia,trich, gonorrhea, hiv, syhpillis, hep c) after finding out a partner had more partners then i thought and hadn’t been fully tested basically ever.Worst mistake of my life.Herpes was accidentally done with hiv, syphilis and hep c test (doc forgot to uncheck the box).I got an outbreak after same partner fingered me (unwilling to go further) and i was dry due to the news.Ob was not cultured because of blood test but was visually inspected and i had it for about 5 days before i went to doc (thinking it might go away and working in the evening) after valtex was prescribed it went away in a few days.It would not reduce at all prior to valtrex.So with two positive blood tests, visually confirmed ob, responsiveness to valtrex i know i have it I also get tingling and such from time to time.I have not recently had chickenpox or hsv1 which could throw off an elisa.In terms of online providers-where would that be?Can you specifically point me in the direction of a specialist who would be willing to prescribe? (i live in mn).I really really do not want to keep going to gynecologists who don’t understand risk factors.

[mufasa6821]

past partner has completely refused to get tested.

[Terri Warren]

Well,I don’t see any point in pursuing this further in terms of diagnosis, you seem convinced. If it was an ELISA the there is an index value, only the immunoblot does not give an index value. Whether it was reported out is another question. I personally would never settle for what you have so far but each to their own.

I don’t know a specific site to find an online doc to prescribe for you but I would just Google it if I were you.

Terri

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