Feedback on Valtrex Side Effect and Usage, page 33
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If you use Valtrex, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.
Subj: Birth control
Date: 5/6/2009
I have the marina birth control, can valtrex make the marina less effective?
Carrie
AskDocWeb: Valtrex does not affect the effectiveness of birth control but several women have reported menstrual problems as a side effect.
Subj: Wondering
Date: 5/12/2009
I was wondering…if I took valtrex for only ONE WEEK as my symptoms then went away…am I at ANY RISK for not “finishing the bottle”??? Noticed it said “TAKE ALL” ON said bottle. Also noticed I got kinda sick KINDA EASILY after 2 or 3 days after I’d ‘ceased’ my daily routine OF one pill a day for 30 days…after, as I’d stated, only SEVEN?
Michael
AskDocWeb: This seems to be a problem for many people and it goes something like this. They start treatment for a medical problem and when the symptoms subside they discontinue treatment rather than finishing their treatment. Let’s see if an analogy would help. Imagine you found mold growing on the inside your refrigerator. You start treating this condition by cleaning off the mold but stop after you have cleaned only the parts that were easy to see. What do you think happens to the mold that is left undisturbed in a back corner? That is right, it continues to grow and re-infects the areas you just cleaned. Remember that you paid for your doctor to prescribe a treatment and if you don’t follow that advice and instruction then you aren’t getting your money’s worth.
Subj: Severe stomach bloating
Date: 5/19/2009
I took a weeks worth of Valtrex for shingles around my midsection about 10 weeks ago. Ever since I’ve experienced very severe stomach bloating. Could the Valtrex have triggered it? Or perhaps the gabapentin my neurologist has prescribed ever since for the continuing peripheral nerve pain?
Bubba
AskDocWeb: Bloating is not listed as a side effect of Valtrex and over the past five years there has only been one report of bloating out of several thousands users.
Subj: Asymptomatic Herpes Simplex Type I (Genital)
Date: 5/20/2009
I have a question about Valtrex and it’s usage for Herpes Simplex Type I in the genital area. I have been asymptomatic for over one year and have starting dating. I have not been on any medication for suppressive therapy. My partner wants me to go on medication in the attempts of preventing shedding. I have severe multiple food allergies of which include milk, soy, corn, beets, gluten…I know that other drugs used for suppressive therapy have corn starch. My questions are these: 1. Has there been recent research using Valtrex and Herpes Simplex I suppression because on the Valtrex web site it claims not to have been tested. 2. Would taking Valtrex assist in possible shedding for Herpes Simplex I? 3. Would you recommend some sites that explicitly provide information regarding Herpes Type I and shedding? 4. Are there herbal remedies that you can recommend that provide the same suppressive properties? Thank you so much for your assistance,
Rose
AskDocWeb: There is a real need for more research on type I herpes but progress is being made. For example in March of this year researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine discovered a protein (VP16) that triggers the reactivation of latent herpes simplex virus. This molecular key is what prompts the herpes simplex virus to exit latency and cause a new outbreak. By understanding how HSV is activated, this opens the door to designing improved HSV vaccines and treatments.
At present, there is no way to prevent the virus from exiting latency. We have yet to discover a website that we would recommend for information regarding Herpes Type I and shedding. Readers are invited to make suggestions. As for herbal remedies, none of them come close to providing the same suppressive properties as the antiviral drugs. Lysine is an amino acid that is available over the counter (even in grocery stores) for about $5 for 60 pills. Readers report that taking 2 to 3 500mg per day when an attack is coming on, and continue for 1 week helps the problem clear up much faster.
Subj: Every day of my life?
Date: 5/25/2009
I started using Valtrex about 15 months ago, in increasing quantity, as my symptoms re-surfaced six times in a year (a very stressful year). I found that taking 3000mg per day for a week, then 2000 mg per day for another two weeks, then 1000, then 500 daily, kept all symptoms at bay. In the past two weeks I’ve been taking 500 mg every 2nd day and now, today, I have the blisters re-occuring altho thankfully no pain or itching. I immediately took 1000 mg and will see my doctor tomorrow. Will I have to stay on valtrex at a low dose every day of my life? Thankfully no side affects at all from the drug in all this time. Thanks for your input.
Terry
AskDocWeb: When you take Valtrex every day over a long period of time, that is called suppressive therapy and it appears to be the best solution for some people. Until a cure is found suppressive therapy may be a lifetime commitment.
Subj: How long will it take to show?
Date: 5/27/2009
A friend and I had foreplay. He insisted on using his hands. I tried to stop him because I have been feeling a burning sensation since shaving two days ago. There are no visible blisters. I’m on 500mgs of Valtrex once a day. I’m worried that this friend will now have herpes on his hands in a few weeks. We both have significant others. How long will it take to show on his hands. I guess I should be worried. I really tried hard to stop him. I was going to tell, but now I’m thinking of avoiding him out of fear. He will most likely know it is something from me. This will have catastrophic reprecussion. I have been advised to drink plenty of water for acid due to kidney stones. I’m hoping the buring has to do with that, but I’m doubtful.
Necole
AskDocWeb: If infected, the infection may not show up for weeks or even months.
Subj: Horrible pounding headaches
Date: 5/27/2009
I was prescribed valtrex two days ago for shingles. My doctor also told me to take ibuprofen with it. Since then I’ve been having horrible pounding headaches, that don’t seem to go away and momentarily become very strong the moment I stand up. Is this a side effect of the valtrex or is it the shingles that is causing these headaches?
Kim
AskDocWeb: Headaches are listed as a possible side effect of Valtrex as well as high blood pressure, which could account for the increase in pain when you stand up. Please check with your doctor.
Subj: Outbreaks or side effects from Valtrex?
Date: 5/28/2009
I’ve had gential herpes for 6 years. For the first five years I took no medication to suppress the virus and I only had 1 or 2 very minor outbreaks a year and only if I got really stressed out. I started dating someone new 15 months ago and I started taking Valtrex 500mg once a day to decrease asymtomatic sheding. Since taking Valtrex my outbreaks have been increasing in frequency and severity. First I would just get a swollen lymph node in the groin but no sores. Then I would just have nerve pain or strange sensations on my butt area. I also had a few instances were I thought I had a UTI because of painful urination, but it turned out to be nothing and the symptoms went away. However starting about a month ago I’ve had constant symptoms ranging from itching in areas I normally get outbreaks to pain in my groin area (almost like swollen lymph nodes) and a tingleing on my butt. Are these outbreaks or side effects from Valtrex?
Sara
AskDocWeb: Several people have posted comments about an increase in outbreaks once they started taking Valtrex but so far we have seen no mention of this by the manufacturer.
Subj: My first out break
Date: 5/29/2009
I just started taking Valtrex yesterday, the only side effect I noticed right away was a little dizziness. When I looked at my cold sore today it’s already starting to heal, but I also have genital herpes as well, and this has been my first out break ever. I even noticed I have less pain. So I know this is gonna work for me, It’s all about having patients.
Ann
Subj: Does Valtrex work that fast?
Date: 5/31/2009
Hi, On Wednesday I went to see my gynocologist about a severe burning, itching an swelling in and around my vagina and pain in my vulva that I thought was caused by a yeast infection. The doctor examined me for about 2 minutes and told me I had herpes and a yeast infection, and I am currently waiting on the results to see if I have herpes. She put me on Valtrex and a pill and cream for the yeast infection and a few hours later I felt MUCH better. It has been a few days now and I have very minimal itching a burning, and the rash that the doctor thought was herpes is nearly gone, none of the little pimples (which were sporraticly located within the rash) ever caused me pain or ever popped or crusted over. Does Valtrex work that fast and prevent the popping and crusting? I doubt it does and I also doubt that I have herpes because of the hasty diagnosis and the fact that I was told I had both the yeast infection and the herpes. I would appreciate another opinion on this.
Alexis
AskDocWeb: On the one hand your doctor has a certain amount of experience that enables her to identify many things at a glance. On the other hand herpes sores are typically painful and take several days to crust over even with treatment with Valtrex. We would wait for the lab results before jumping to conclusions.
Subj: Spinal pain
Date: 6/1/2009
In response to the woman who went to the emergency room with spinal pain, I have been having terrible burning pain in my spine for the last couple of months. I take 1 gr per day of valtrex. I’ve been seeing the doctor and a chiropractor, neither can explain my pain. Just last night, I awoke with so much pain in my spine and joints, that I cried. I’m going to go off the valtrex now and see if my pain gets better. I’ll let you know. If having herpes outbreaks is the price I pay…well it’s better than this debilitating pain in and throughout my body.
Colette
Subj: Be careful
Date: 6/5/2009
I think most of the time the Dr. get a good advantage of it. When they write a prescription for herpes treament w/o even know if you have it. But thanks God I checked here cuz my Dr advised me to use valtrex w/o even find out if I have herpes yet, and it was weird I couldn’t trust it, so decided to find out bout the pill first b4 start using it. And be careful too guys, make sure you follow what the Dr doing cuz they could put the infection in yo body. Some Drs are asshole.
G
AskDocWeb: It is important to remember that there are good and bad people in every profession.
Subj: Shocked and amazed
Date: 6/5/2009
I am shocked and amazed that the health problems I have suffered for years may be from my 7 year daily use of 500 mg. of Valtrex for genital herpes outbreaks. As I read this forum of side effects I realize it could be the Valtrex that has caused my: spine pain, hair loss, muscle pain, joint pain, exhaustion, and depression. My life is a living hell, and I hope these issues resolve when this drug is out of my system. I am on day 2 of no Valtrex. Thanks to all of you for sharing and helping me see my issues may be this drug that I thought were from just getting older or having bad genes! Wish me luck,
Kattie
AskDocWeb: As a general rule, you have the best luck when you check with your doctor before discontinuing any prescription medication. And yes, good luck!
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