About 1 week ago I was diagnosed with Genital Herpes. My doctor immediately placed me on Valtrex, and told me that the outbreak should clear up. While the sores did clear up almost immediately, I'm having other symptoms that seem only to have started when I started taking the Valtrex. I have numbing throughout my legs, and my calf muscles feel so strange that I have trouble climbing stairs. My feet are numb and typically cold and all the skin below my waist is very sensitive. It seems as though I'm having some kind of circulation problem, but I really don't understand it. Has anyone else experienced this and/or know how to lessen the symptoms? I'm very concerned that this is somehow unrelated to the herpes or the medicine, even though the timing would suggest otherwise. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Its the herpes alright. Search for a post entitled "Nerve Damage" or "Neuralgia." Herpes is a nerve virus and often causes damage and/or inflamation of the nerves (though this seems to be under-reported). Anyway, it is the herpes, and hopefully it will only temporary for you. Personally, I have experienced on-going sensitive/inflamed skin on my thighs and genital area, leg pains, and muscle twitching for nearly 2 years now since I got infected and my first outbreak. I'm starting to believe that this is going to be permanent. Some others have experienced similar symptoms but they went away after a few months. Hopefully yours won't be permanent.

Partirseule~

:wave: Welcome to the board.....

The symptoms, that you've described are coming from the herpes virus, not the meds. One month after my initial diagnosis, I had extreme lower back pain in only one spot, hip area. And I believe it's where the virus lays dormant....Until something like stress, poor eating, lack of sleep or my monthly cycle triggers it, then my symptoms appear gentially. Keep, in mind the 1st. OB, is the worse, future ob's will NEVER be that bad again....It takes time for your body & your mind to adjust to it all. Mentally was the hardest part for me....It took awhile for me, not to let it control me....I had to gain control and stop feeling sorry for myself...Which is a total waste of energy....Stubborness & lack of patience are my 2 biggest flaws, both of which I'm working on daily. Anyway, it's mind over matter....Ok, sorry for the ramble....Back to the back pain. I take Ibuprophen and sometimes Tylenol-3 for the pain, which usually shows up prior to my monthly. And gel icepacks seems to help a great deal....I use them 20 min. on, then 20 min. off....Once, you "learn your body" and how herpes affects it, it will become easier to deal with. The only good thing that came from this virus, (yes-there is a good thing) is that it forces you to take better care of yourself, both physically & mentally. After awhile, you'll simply view this, as a "skin rash"...that flares up from time to time.....Hopefully, something here was helpful.....And keep in mind - that we're all here for each other.....
:) , -shinyOrn

Thanks for the responses. It is reassuring to know that I just have to deal with the Herpes and that there isn't something else sinister happening.

I suffered from this complaint for years and eventually, 15 years ago went to a very good homeopath. After treatment I have never had another attack. Don't ask me why.........but for me, homeopathy created a climate in my body where the virus has never attacked again

Laughtons, in terms of hemopathy! what did the treatment entail? I have g. herpes, have no skin outbreaks, but I do have fleeting buttocks and leg pain almost every day (it's more annoying than it is painful). What did the treatment consist of?

Laughtons ~
Ditto.....we heelp my info. regarding your h-success!!!!
Thanks in advance, -shinyOrn