Feedback on Valtrex Side Effect and Usage, page 54
About Valtrex
If you use Valtrex, please help others by sharing your experience with side effects. 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.
Allergic reaction?
Date: 3/28/2012
I was diagnosed with HSV2 – genital three months ago. My first outbreak was horrible as you can imagine, and I had a second outbreak one month later that was minor and lasted one week. My dr. prescribed Valtrex (500mg 2X/day for three days) for future outbreaks.
One month later another outbreak started so I took the drug as soon as I had the fever which appeared to do nothing to shorten or lessen the severity of the outbreak compared to the second one, in fact, once I was done the dose, a new outbreak immediately started and has lasted…so far..for 7 more days. During this time I saw my dr for a suppressive dose and started that 500 mg/day again, which didn’t appear to do anything to shorten the ongoing outbreak.
In addition, I have an incredible itch on my legs with no rash, could this just be dry skin or could I be having an allergic reaction to the valtrex? Does valtrex work for everyone? Did I not take it long enough, can the stress of taking this medicine cause a worse outbreak than without it? I am going to try natural therapies and see how it goes, 3 outbreaks in 3 months is not fun, but they are minor and mostly annoying rather than causing any real health problems.
Laura
AskDocWeb: Valtrex works well for many people but not for everyone. Stress alone is believed to be one of the triggers for outbreaks. Although itching is one of the symptoms of an allergic reaction it is also a possible side effects of Valtrex. Keep talking with your doctor about this and hopefully you will find a treatment that works well for you.
How long does Valtrex stay in the body?
Date: 4/2/2012
Hello, I have been on 5 months of Valtrex. I thought I had herpes, but after 3 swabs it is not herpes. Anyways, just wanted to know how long will Valtrex stay in my body. I hated taking it, I know that weight gain is not a symptom but I really think it did. I am just glad to know that it is not an STD. I am just mad that I took this medicine for so long for no reason.
Jenn
AskDocWeb: Since the half-life of Valtrex ranges from 2.5 to 3.3 hours it is out of your body within 24 hours.
Mouth ulcers
Date: 4/29/2012
I have a long history of mouth ulcers. Mostly on the roof of my mouth or my gums, but sometimes inside my cheeks and down my throat. I have been to Dr.s that send me to the dentist and dentist that sent me to the Dr. it has been called aphthus ulcers at times, traumatic mouth, and once when they were all down my throat with fever and drainage(first major episode @35 years ago), I was put in the hospital where my Dr. ran tests and said it wasn’t bacterial or viral. He didn’t know what I had. Some Dr’s thought it was strep but my strep screen always comes back negative. I have never had strep. I have also never had a fever blister that I can remember. At the present, and as usually is the case, the first sign is in the mid roof of my mouth, between my front teeth. It migrates usually to the right and the right side of my nose gets inflamed and sometimes even my eye. It causes “referred” ear pain also. I have had shingles once on my right leg and Bell’s Palsey once on the right side of my face. In trying to find an answer for myself, I have researched on line and found that maybe these ulcers could be viral in origin. Am wondering at the prospect of oral shingles. The last time I went to the Dr., I asked to test to see if it was viral. She gave me valtrex saying it was likely of viral origin. I think it resolved faster than usual but am still wondering if there is a way to definitively diagnose the problem. Are there any natural remedies? I would appreciate ANY insight or suggestions to relieve and determine cause of these symptoms. Thanks
Ima
AskDocWeb: Before spending time and money on remedies, you need to identify specifically what you are dealing with or risk wasting your effort and resources on useless products.
Most medical doctors can identify shingles from the symptoms and risk factors associated with the disease however there are a few specific tests that can be helpful. The first test is the virus culture. You doctor can take a sample of the virus by scraping the infected area, or the vesicle. This sample is sent to a laboratory for diagnosis, which can take up to four weeks. The laboratory specialists allow the virus to grow in a contained area. Over the growth period, technicians may run tests to further determine the type of virus present. Abnormal results may indicate the presence of a virus other than the varicella-zoster virus, which causes shingles.
Another test is an Immunofluorescence Assay. This costs less than the virus culture test and provides faster and more accurate results. A sample of the virus is extracted from one of the blisters caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Ultraviolet light is used to identify the presence of antibodies specific to the virus that causes shingles.
The third test is a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test and costs more than the other two tests, which is why it is usually reserved for unusual circumstances. In this test, doctors take a part of the DNA from the virus and multiply it until it can be detected.
Effect of Valtrex with Alzheimer’s disease
Date: 5/5/2012
My Mother is 85 and was dignosed with Alzheimer’s disease 2 years ago. She had a small stoke on her left side 2 1/2 years ago but recovered. She was over weight at 210 lbs at 5’2″ tall and had CHF 2 years ago. Now she is down to 128 lbs. The CHF is under control. She has been taking Namenda for the Alzheimer’s disease that may have slowed it down but not a cure.
She has also had herpes for 10 year. When she has a breakout I give her Valtrex. It is almost like it brings her back. She said it make her have dreams of my Dad who passed away 1991. When she watches a movies (mostly John Wayne westerns) she feels like she is in the movie. That it is real while taking Valtrex. I can carry on a conversation with her and she shows emotions. Otherwise when she is not taking it she has no emotions, and not able to carry on a converstation.
I have told doctors about this but they ignore me. I quit my job to take care of her 1 year ago. Six or seven pill will clear up the herpes and I stop giving it to her. I have seen this happen over and over. She goes back to the up and down roller coaster of Alzheimers. No emotions no conversation, does not remember what movie she just watched and sleeping a lot.
Maggie
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