How much antivirals should I be taking with an outbreak?

[ash128083]

Hi all,  

I’ve been taking 1g of valacyclovir a day since January but there are times where I feel like I’m about to get an outbreak. How should I be taking the medication during those times? I read 500mg 2x a day for 3 days...but will my doctor prescribe that to keep on hand for when that occurs? Can I cut the pills in half and take them like that? Is anyone on 1g of valacyclovir a day and still feeling like they’re on the verge of an outbreak? This has consumed my life in the past 2 years after being 8yrs outbreak free...

[Lvsandy]

your on daily meds? my dr won't prescribe that I called today . the dose I read is 2 times a day for 3 days for an ob but my scrip says 10 days

[ash128083]

@Lvsandy Hi, yes I am on daily suppressive medication as I’m doing whatever I can to keep my husband safe (he does not have this) and we also use condoms occasionally. I’ve been on suppressive therapy for 9years but in the last year I switched from acyclovir 400mg 2x a day to valacyclovir 1g a day as the acyclovir was not working well anymore. The valacyclovir as helped but I still feel irritation each month normally during ovulation. I don't get a typical outbreak with a sore anymore, which it was better when I did. Now if I do it is AWFUL, worse than my first, so much internal pain and irritation. When I start to feel “off” I cut the 1g in half at night so I take an extra 500mg and am usually ok in a few days. But for some reason the medication is not suppressing the virus like it used to. I also take 2,000mg of Lysine daily, elderberry, zinc, vitamin c, cats claw and olive leaf which is also supposed to help. After almost 10yrs with the disease I thought I would have built up antibodies to keep this in check. What a crock of shit the medical journals are. My doctors wont even test me to see if its hsv 1 or 2 because they're “both the same” so all I know is that it comes out genitally. So frustrating. I see my doctor November 4th and I’m going to see if he’ll change the dose to 500mg 2x a day so it’s always in my system. That’s what they give to people with HIV or compromised immune systems. I do have asthma and am sick a lot but idk why things have been so bad with this. Definitely get on suppressive medication. May help you.

[Concerned1977]

3 hours ago, ash128083 said:

@Lvsandy Hi, yes I am on daily suppressive medication as I’m doing whatever I can to keep my husband safe (he does not have this) and we also use condoms occasionally. I’ve been on suppressive therapy for 9years but in the last year I switched from acyclovir 400mg 2x a day to valacyclovir 1g a day as the acyclovir was not working well anymore. The valacyclovir as helped but I still feel irritation each month normally during ovulation. I don't get a typical outbreak with a sore anymore, which it was better when I did. Now if I do it is AWFUL, worse than my first, so much internal pain and irritation. When I start to feel “off” I cut the 1g in half at night so I take an extra 500mg and am usually ok in a few days. But for some reason the medication is not suppressing the virus like it used to. I also take 2,000mg of Lysine daily, elderberry, zinc, vitamin c, cats claw and olive leaf which is also supposed to help. After almost 10yrs with the disease I thought I would have built up antibodies to keep this in check. What a crock of shit the medical journals are. My doctors wont even test me to see if its hsv 1 or 2 because they're “both the same” so all I know is that it comes out genitally. So frustrating. I see my doctor November 4th and I’m going to see if he’ll change the dose to 500mg 2x a day so it’s always in my system. That’s what they give to people with HIV or compromised immune systems. I do have asthma and am sick a lot but idk why things have been so bad with this. Definitely get on suppressive medication. May help you.

@ash128083 Why would the doctor not want to test you? So it can be typed , actually, it's not really his decision as you're the patient, I would demand for a blood test to determine type, just for your own knowledge and peace of mind. It really makes a difference, since type one sheds a lot less. What if you wanted to let your partner know which type it was, even though I know you're married ...don't let them tell you how to manage your health ask for a 10 panel std lab test that will include hsv This is your health not the doctors. U can also do I test via online not through your physician. 

I'm taking 1g daily, I do break it in half 500 in the morning and 500 in the evening, I still get a little bit of prodome but no active outbreak, sometimes like a crawling sensation. 

[VhYolo]

On 9/17/2019 at 9:36 PM, Lvsandy said:

your on daily meds? my dr won't prescribe that I called today . the dose I read is 2 times a day for 3 days for an ob but my scrip says 10 days

Go find a new Dr! 

[Lvsandy]

thank you for your response, seeing my primary care on Tuesday. having him do a full blood panel and maybe he will prescribe a daily dose if my liver is ok. I don't have a gallbladder and haven't in over 15 years