Feedback on Valtrex Side Effect and Usage, page 39
About Valtrex
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: This remarkable product
Date: 12/23/2009
My experience using valtrex has been the same as another I read on this site. For a healthy middle age man suffering from hsv1 (facial coldsores) since a child I recommend to anyone suffering from the same to speak to there doctor about this remarkable product. I wish it would have been available to me forty years ago. The misery and suffering that I could have avoided is immeasurable. “Thank” you to the inventors of Valacyclovir.
T.J.
Subj: Oral irritations
Date: 12/27/2009
I am so miserable! I’ve been suffering from a cycle of mouth ulcers, cold sores, and geographic tongue symptoms for almost 4 months! It’s completely turned my life upside down as I can’t eat how I used to or do the spontaneous things I did. I’ve dropped 7-10lbs (not a good way to diet) and can’t eat some things that I used to love. Said goodbye to alcohol. Pretty devastating. I get tired and cut down on activity. Doc says I need to stop worrying and keep myself from stressing. But how the heck do you relax when you wake up in pain every morning. I’ve been on Valtrex for at least 1 month (1 500mg/day) and don’t notice a difference. I’ve taken liver function tests and HSV1-2 test (twice!) and all were negative! Doc says even tho tests are neg, it may just not read it right. False negatives?..twice!? I’m worried that it maybe some other virus or disease. At this point, I just want some freakin’ relief from these oral irritations. I want them to go away. Can anyone out there help me out?
Colette
Subj: Cold sore keeps coming back
Date: 12/30/2009
I take Valtrex for cold sores, but I am noticing that taking the 2 pills and then 2 more 12 hours later doesn’t work. I have to continue taking the pills throughout the week to keep the cold sore form coming out. The cold sore will be gone of 2-3 days and then come back again, 3, 4, or 5 times. This soooo frustrating. Is this a common occurance? I feel like I should just not take the drug and let the cold sore run its course, at least it wouldn’t keep coming back then. What’s the deal? Thanks.
Amber
AskDocWeb: Yes, it is common for cold sores to reoccur and you frustration is shared by many people with the same problem. The main reason why they keep coming back is that they are caused by a virus for which there is no cure. Valtrex is a treatment that reduces the time it takes heal by inhibiting the growth of the virus but it is not a cure. If you get them frequently or have a fever, check with your doctor.
Subj: To fully develop antibodies
Date: 1/3/2010
I have had simplex 2 for 3 years. I’ve taken valtrex regularly from the day I received the terrible news. I had ZERO o.b. while taking Valtrex, however, I have at times decided I would take a break from the valtrex and see what happened. Within a week or 2 I would have an outbreak. I would then get right back on it for 1000g daily suppressive therapy. I have come to the conclusion that valtrex does nothing to prevent any future outbreaks. And has also done nothing to lessen their severity in the long term while not taking it. It seems to be only effective in the “now”. This last time I actually toughened up and went through the outbreak with NO medication at all. I’m hoping my body needed to deal with one on its own to fully develop antibodies to fight it. I’m curious to see what happens being off valtrex for good and fighting this on my own. My questions is this: Should I be fighting this on my own NOW with no medication in order to ensure my later years may be much more enjoyable with few outbreaks and a normal sex life. Or should I just take Valtrex daily as long as it’s cheap with my insurance and just hope for the best in my later years? I understand this deals with more personal choice and emotions than science but there must be some sort of advice out there.
Brian
AskDocWeb: Hi Brian. It sounds like you want to develop your natural immunity now so that you will be able to fight the disease better later in life. That idea may have come from talk about measles, mumps, and chickenpox. These diseases are more serious for adults than children and getting them while young builds up protection for later in life. If you do a little research you will find the same is not true for all diseases. And it does NOT apply to the herpes virus. This is not a disease that you get once and then develop immunity against getting it again. Your body produces antibodies whether you take Valtrex or not. These antiviral antibodies just aren’t strong enough to completely rid the body of the virus. There are also real dangers of not treating herpes. For example, the amount of time that you shed this contagious virus is greater if left untreated.
Subj: I am pregnant
Date: 1/3/2010
I found out I had genital herpes on Sept 3. After my first outbreak I had 3 more within 2 months. So my dr subscibed me to take them daily. I’ve been taking them for 2 months now. I just found out that I am pregnant. Should I contiune to take the valtrex daily? I dont want any harm for my baby. I’m scared because I always wanted a normal birth but I dont want it to pass on to my baby during delivery. What should I do?
Michelle
AskDocWeb: There is a risk of passing the disease on during birth but Valtrex can reduce that risk. The Food and Drug Administration puts Valtrex in pregnancy category “B” which means that it is not expected to cause any harmful effects to a fetus. Taking Valtrex for suppression during the last weeks of pregnancy is often recommended to women with genital herpes. Talk to your doctor for more information.
Subj: Nervous about driving
Date: 1/4/2010
Is it safe to drive while taking valtrex? I had a shingles outbreak and my doctor prescibed this and said that it was okay to return to work but I am nervous about driving with this medicine.
Liz
AskDocWeb: Because Valtrex may cause dizziness, do not drive or perform other hazardous tasks until you know how you react to this drug.
Subj: Herpes in the mouth?
Date: 1/10/2010
I took Valtrex for the first time on a hunch for mouth ulcers (I already had it for hsv2) and within 2 days my mouth feels normal. As a kid I’d had ulcers but I never got the swollen neck glands, generally unwell feeling and generalised mouth pain that I get these days and I now think I began getting herpetic ulcers when I contracted hsv2 but have never realised it until just now. I had been told by a doctor you didn’t get herpes in the mouth but from following my reasoning that ulcers are viral and Valrex might inhibit them, and now net research I’ve concluded that I get two types of ulcers…the old type following a cut from a toothbrush at the site and another type which is herpetic and come up mostly on my tongue and in exactly the same place every time. The gland in my neck swells on the same side and I can feel ghastly for a week or so. 24 hrs after taking 500m Valtrex there was a noticeable difference and 48 hrs later all swelling pain and feverishness is gone. I’m elated that I wont need to suffer that any longer. I havent found any side effects from Valtrex but have only used it when nescessary, never long term.
Victoria
AskDocWeb: According to Ferri’s Clinical Advisor, although HSV-1 is associated primarily with oral infections and HSV-2 with genital infections, each type can infect any site. It is also possible to have both infections at the same site.
Subj: How long for herpes sores to heal?
Date: 1/10/2010
Hello I started Valtrex 3 days ago (first outbreak) and the genital sores have been draining since I started the medication. The swelling is unchanged, is this common because I take Vicodin for the pain? How long will it take for my sores to heal? It’s really bad.
Lisa
AskDocWeb: Although Vicodin can interact with more than 300 other drugs Valtrex is not one of them. It is common for the sores to drain. With treatment, genital sores are likely to take a minimum of a week to heal, more likely 2 to 4 weeks.
Subj: Safe to take if pregnant?
Date: 1/12/2010
Hi, I have had a bad case of oral herpes before and have RX for valtrex if I get a bad oral herpe. I wondered if it is safe to take if I become pregnant. The safety has not been established. I know I might be more prone to getting if I become pregnant.
Pris
AskDocWeb: The FDA puts Valtrex in pregnancy category “B” which means that it is not expected to cause any harmful effects to a fetus. Taking Valtrex for suppression during the last weeks of pregnancy is often recommended to women with genital herpes.
Subj: Short term memory loss
Date: 1/12/2010
I think my Valtrex is causing short term memory loss. It gets worse when I have to “double up” on it and I seem to be alot more clear headed if I get off of it after a few days. Unfortunately, it is the only drug I know that can help with my issues.
Shan
Subj: Long term effects of Valtrex?
Date: 1/12/2010
I have been taking Valtrex (1/day) for 2 years and so far haven’t had any side effects and have been outbreak free. Although, the past three months I have all of a sudden been experiencing outbreaks. My doctor and myself believe this is being caused by too much stress. My boyfriend is currently deployed in Afghanistan so I guess this would make perfect sense. I have been searching for good foods and vitamins to take and what foods to stay away from. I would highly recommend Valtrex for people do not have any other immune issues as stated above. I am curious to know if taking Valtrex for a long period of time could have any serious side effects.
Shannon
AskDocWeb: There are a few reports of increased liver enzymes and hepatitis by those using Valtrex long-term but in most cases it is considered to be very safe.
Subj: Vaginal itching
Date: 1/21/2010
hi I was diagnosed with herpes Feb 09, since then I have had couple outbreaks which had no crazy uncomfortableness. Around November I began taking valtrex and birthcontrol as I began a new relationship. That same month I had vaginal itching and unusual discharge, so I stopped taking the orthro tricycline. The following month I had the vaginal itching again this time I went to the doc and she said it was yeast so she gave me a prescription. However its the extreme itching has returned again. The itching has occurred only the week before my period each month. Today I went to the doc she said she tested my culture and it was yeast or trich…or bv, so now I’m getting tested for chlymida or gonnerhea and she also told me to go to a gyn…I am very worried and depressed. Please help I need some opinions.
Lauren
AskDocWeb: It is possible to have multiple infections but speculating usually just causes unnecessary worry and stress. The opinions that will do you the most good are likely to come from a gynecologist once they find out what all is going on. Read more feedback about Valtrex. Valtrex report – 36 – 37 – 38 – Page 39 – 40 – 41 – 42 – Last Page 58
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