Do you think after a long time on valtrex, (like 3 years) that your body is immune to it and it wont have the same effectiveness as it did in the beginning? Has anyone had this happen to them? It just doesnt seem to work like it did before.
I've been on 1 gram (1000 mgs) of Valtrex for almost 4 years now, and it is still working great for me most of the time. I've never heard of anyone becoming immune to it, but I suppose it's possible. Yikes, that's terrible! I sure hope you can find something that works for you!
since valtrex isn't working against your body, it's not your body that would become immune to it. it works against the virus, so it's the virus that would become immune. It's the same with antibiotics. People say they are immune to an antibiotic b/c they've taken it so often, but it is actually the bacteria that can become immune and create antibiotic-resistant strains.
if it isn't working well, try talking to your doc. there is so much that goes into whether or not you have an outbreak. If you are more stressed or if your immune system is being more challenged or you have any other ob triggers, then the drugs may not be as effective as when those triggers are not present.
kierstyn - question, were you taking it suppressively, or just for the occasional outbreak? Are there any Long-term drug users (ha) out there who could weigh in on this? I was diagnosed in Sept. - my first outbreak was mild but there remained a constant itch. I went on suppressive Valtrex in October to about a week ago - because I was seeing someone - and it was working fine, no problems. I'm alone right now, so I thought I'd try to go longer than a month w/out medicine to see if my body could adjust, as people say you do with time (first year being the worst). But meanwhile, I wonder about the future - ie I would immediately go back on suppressive therapy to protect a partner to the best of my ability, but really, how long can you take the stuff?
This is a great question for your doctor. There are studies out there, and a well read doctor should be able to either point you to them, copy them for you, or summarize them for you. You might be able to find some info on line (i'm sure you've checked) but most of the articles aren't available in full on the internet. Usually just abstracts are, and that is if you can get access to a good library's database systems (which isn't hard to do if you have affiliation with a university or hospital). Anyhow...ask your doctor and for the sake of knowledge, I'd like to hear what he/she says!
