I'm brand new to this board. Just went online because as of today I discovered that my suppressive Acyclovir regimen seems to have given up working, as I can feel an OB coming on. I can't believe it! I'm so depressed and frustrated now, and don't know what there is left for me to do. I was so happy to find this board and read all of the many, many messages that I can so readily relate to! Thanks everyone. My question now, though, is: now that the Acyclovir doesn't seem to be "suppressing" the obs anymore, what can I take or do to lessen the obs??? Whatever strain that I have is incredibly tenacious - before I went on the suppressive tx I was getting obs every few weeks. :confused:

any advice would be appreciated.

On the advice of someone from this board, I started taking 1000mg of L-Lysine daily on an empty stomach about 1 month ago. Prior to this I was taking only Valtrex during outbreaks and found that it helped a little. I was having outbreaks every month and sometimes in between. Since taking Lysine, this is the first time I have not had an outbreak during that time of the month when I normally would get it. I am taking the Lysine, as well as 500 mg of Valtrex per day. It's the Lysine that seems to be extremely effective for me. Try it. Good luck.

Thanks, ceecee3. I have seen Lysine mentioned on this board. I also read that a lot of h sufferers use Oil of Oregano and/or Olive Leaf Extract. At this point, I'm ready to try anything and everything! Question for you (and others) - do I need a prescription for Lysine? Where or how do I get it?

Thanks again for the advice :)

Dear Fedup ~

I can sympathize with you....I've had 9 ob's in 9 mo., so, please know that you're not alone. I do take 1000mg, of Lysine per day, get it @ your local vitamin store or even Walmart. I've found aloe vera spray gel, to be effective for "down there", (as far as relieving the sting/burn sensation) not sure where you have it. I take 500mg. of Valtrex as supressive therapy and then bump it up to 1,000mg - during an ob. I haven't tried the oil of oregano, but I'm checking into that. Hope something here is helpful. And welcome to "our world", it's really not a bad place to be, just read as much as you can, knowledge is key! Take Care, -Ornament

Thanks so much, Ornament (and Ceecee3). This board definitely helps me feel like I'm not alone - after all, h isn't exactly a topic one can usually bring up in "polite conversation"! I get obs "down there" - and your 9 in 9 mos is exactly the same ratio as mine. Happens "that time of the month" every month (as if that week weren't torture enough!). So, I was down to taking two 400 mg. tabs of Acyc., but now I'll bump it back up to 3 tabs daily during each ob, and I'll definitely try the Lysine and aloe vera gel.

I feel better already - ha ha! :D

Just to let you know Fedup, I buy my Lysine from the GNC store. I'm still taking it daily and have found that so far I feel like I'm "normal" again....hardly any tingling and no outbreaks (so far) even during "that time of the month". Some days I've been going without taking the Valtrex daily just to see if it's really necessary while I'm taking Lysine. Let us know if it works for you. Take care - Ceecee3 :)

I have been to a holistic dr who put me on all kinds of vitamins & minerals for general health, I told her that I have herpes & she added 1000mg of Lysine 3x a day for a total of 3000mg! I use to take only 500mg a day & that was if I even remembered, but so far so good! I also take the oil of oregeno, 3 drops under tounge 2x a day.

Hi Lacey (and others!),

You said "so far so good" - does that mean that you haven't had an ob in awhile? If so, how long? Did you notice a change (i.e. no more or fewer obs) after you started taking all the vitamins and Lysine?

I know that Acyclovir can be toxic to one's liver after awhile, so I'd like to get away from the suppressive therapy if possible, but I can't do that until I find another regimen that works as well.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice.

FedUp

Ceecee3~
How many milligrams of lysine are you taking a day? I was taking 1,000mg, but read on a post about someone (I forgot, who) was seeing an herbist and recommended 3,000mg. per day, for herpes people....I started feeling "those tingling symptons" about two days ago and I bumped up my Valtrex to 1,000mg, per day, increased my garlic oil tabs from 1,000mg to 3,000mg and also have done the same with my Lysine. I'm wondering if I'm not taking enough lysine, on a daily basis. Only, because of symptons, starting. Just wanted to know your mg.'s. I know it's ob time, because my period is due next week. will be the 10th. ob in 10mo.
Thankx in advance for your info...... :wave: -Orn
P.S. Also, doing the OOO drops, sublingually, 5 drops 1 x a day.....

Orn...
I am taking 1000mg of Lysine in the morning everyday. Since I started taking Lysine, for the first time in 6 months I didn't have an outbreak during my period. I'm also taking Valtrex 500mg per day, but I'm trying to eliminate it and do Lysine alone. I know the suppressive meds are taxing on the liver. It seems that within about 3 days of not taking the Valtrex, I experience tingling and seem to have a minor outbreak. Last time I resumed taking Valtrex to avoid an all out outbreak. This time I'm going to stick with not taking the Valtrex and see what happens. I suppose different methods work each of us in different ways....who knows. Do whatever it takes to avoid all those outbreaks!!

PS: I've also heard that Lysine can have an affect on the lining of your stomach...not sure about that one.

Thanx, appreciate the info. I'm just trying to come up with "what works for me" as far as the supplements. I'm so glad, that you found something, that works for you!!! I think w/time, I'll get to that point, but I really hate the tingling, it gives me an attitude, then it's all down hill from there. I'm been trying to read books more, it seems to help me relax. That stress thing, is enough to drive me crazy. But, I'm glad you're doing better, here's to you (as she raises her wine glass)....
Keep Posting!!!!! -Ornament

Have you tried Super Lysine? SInce I started taking it, I have not had any going. I was in suppresive Acyclorivir, but I would still get an ocational OB.
Now, I stick to Super Lysine and regular vitamins.

Ornament....here's hoping you find something that works for you!! It's difficult a lot of times but, don't stress out!! :nono: The tingling drives me crazy too...it always reminds of the silly mistake I made 7 months ago.

I will look for the Super Lysine next time I'm shopping...thanks Riquelmy26.

Here's to everyone on this board and all the great info we share...it always lifts me up to know I'm not alone! :)

Hi CeeCee,
Yes, I think the lysine & OOO work great for me! I never get OB's with sores or anything, but I do get the irritation and tingling feeling... but who knows if that is really it? I always go to the dr & get a culture done when I feel it, but the have always come back negative. I am a firm believer in the Lysine... the OOO is new to me, but it tastes sooooo bad that it just might scare the herpes away, so I'm staying on it!

Just wanted to add that occasionally you will get a "break through" outbreak even while on suppressive therapy, but unless it happens frequently, it doesn't necessaiirily mean that the suppressive therapy is no longer working. It could be that your immune system is a little down due to stress, lack of sleep, or anything else (the price of gas perhaps?)

This time of year is prime time for an outbreak. They did a study with HPV and found that most outbreaks occur in the summer because for some reasons, our immune systems are not as strong as in the winter, so my guess is that HSV might have a similar pattern. Add to that additional sun exposure, and a change in temperature....

I've been on suppressive therapy (Valtrex) for seven years and the only outbreaks I get (usually once a year) are in June or July.

I take Lysine now too to help with oral outbreaks, and have had success with that.

Good Luck!

Lacey Lilly,

Where do you buy Oil of Oregano? Perhaps I will give that a try. I just recently stopped taking Valtrex daily just to test and see if I really need it while taking Lysine. I had a minor outbreak...tingling...maybe one sore. My o/b were never that severe anyway...expect for the primary...brutal! I'm going to see what happens when that time of the month comes to find out if all I need is Lysine.

I also wanted to ask Sarah1000 after having been on Valtrex for 7 years, have you had any liver testing/blood work done to see if the drug has had any affect. I was told by my Dr. that it's hard on your liver.

Thanks for your help! :)

I have had blood tests done for other stuff (got tested for diabetes), and my liver tests have always been normal.

My doctor told me that unless you have a pre-existing liver condition, like Hep B or C, or HIV, that taking valtrex everyday is no worse (and no better) than people who take other drugs everyday to control symptoms (Claritin for allergies, Prilosec for heartburn, Zocor for high cholesterol). He said all drugs go through your liver and you don't want to be on more than you have to, but it's a decision about the benefits and the risks. He also said that the active ingredient in Valtrex is acyclovir which has been around for ages without adverse effects. In addition, the half life of valtrex is short (50% of the drug is used up or excreted within 4-6 hours), so there is little risk to toxicity unless you are taking megadoses. He advised me to take the lowest dose at which it was effective (500mg) and only go up to 1000mg if I have an active outbreak.

He also said that valtrex is useful in preventing outbreaks of herpes to the eye if you have HSV1 which can cause blindness (I think i read somewhere that herpes eye infections is one of the leading causes of virus-induced blindness), and prevent an infection in the brain caused by herpes (VERY rare).

So for me, I plan to stay on it for now, when I decide to have kids I'll have to go off it during at least the first two trimesters of pregnancy, and maybe all three depending on what the research says then. I figured then would be a good time to see how it is without it.

Of course, you never really know the effect of a drug on you, but for me, at this point in my life, the benefits outweigh any risks.

Hi CeeCee,
You can buy OOO at GNC, that's where I bought mine. I take 3 drops 2x a day under the tounge, nasty stuff! I also take 1000mg of Lysine 3x a day on an empty stomach.
Also: Some people on this board use things like Aloe Vera or Garlic Oil during OBs, I even made some garlic oil when I read about it to try & keep OBs away (not sure if that was the point of it though!) But I am a believer in keeping it cool & dry down there... I think moisture keeps the virus going & able to spread, that doesn't mean it's true, thats just my take on it. Try the OOO with the Lysine, that works great for me... I don't get typical OBs, just irritation & redness, my doctor says its nothing, but I think its a minor version of an OB?? Anyway, I have not gotten even that since on the OOO w/they Lysine.
I hope it works for you too!!!!

Thanks for all the info Sarah1000...

Yes I guess our liver is the primary organ that does most of the cleansing for all the drugs we put into our bodies...so it filters the Valtrex just like everything else and as long as it's keeping away the o/b's...why not??

I'm going to give the Lysine alone a try (without Valtrex). If I have an o/b next month, I'll be going back on it.

So far the Lysine has helped me a great deal! The next time I'm in GNC I'll check for the OOO. Thanks Lacey!