Anyone Stopped Suppressive Therapy? - Herpes Message Board

jenpen · 09-25-2003, 04:22 PM

Hi There!
I'm new to this board, but not to herpes. I've had the virus for about 7 yrs. now. My question is this...has anyone out there stopped suppressive therapy, and if so what has been your experience?

I've just recently gone off of suppressive therapy at the advice of my OB/GYN. My husband and I are getting ready to start trying to have a baby, and my doctor thought that it was a good idea for me to see how my body dealt without suppressive therapy.

Unfortunately, I've been off my meds for a week and you guessed it...an OB. BUMMER! When on suppressive therapy I never got OB's. OUCH...I've forgotten how bad they hurt.

Any advice or experience others have on this subject would be much appreicated. ~Thanks!

LynnDewald · 09-25-2003, 05:19 PM

First of all, I do have the virus, but never take medication! I took Valtrex for 3 days when I first contracted it, but after that brake out, nothing came back. I guess everyone is different :-) Second of all, Ive been wondering (and since you are trying to get pregnant) can you give natural birth to the baby or do women with herpes have to do 'C' sections?

jenpen · 09-25-2003, 07:33 PM

Lucky You! No OB since your first! To answer your question about a mandatory C-section if you have herpes the answer is no...you don't automatically have to have a C-section. In fact, I've spoken with my doctor about this option and she says absolutely no to a c-section unless I am in the middle of an outbreak when ready to deliver. I am very open with my doctor and we've talked about all of the possibilities of pregnancy and delivery. In our discussions she's told me that probably in the last few weeks of pregnancy she will put me on suppressive therapy to try and avoid an outbreak at delivery. However if I am having an outbreak at the time of delivery I will have a c-section. The key is to find a doctor who you trust and can be open with. I hope this helps answer your question. Perhaps some other ladies who have herpes and who have had babies can help answer your questions better. I've never had a baby!

Alex76 · 09-26-2003, 11:53 AM

Hi

I thought that herpes recurrences will normally lessen in intensity and severity with time.

I really do hope that is the case as that is the best option besides a cure.

I am under suppressive therapy now ....1600 mg of acyclovir a day.

I hope to continue for half a year and see what happen when I go off it.

jenpen · 09-26-2003, 03:40 PM

Hey:
You're right. Herpes recurrences usually do lessen in intensity and severity with time. I had a terrible time when I first got herpes. However, with suppressive therapy I hardly ever got an outbreak. BTW my suppressive therapy was 400mg twice a day of acyclovir.

I originally posted my question because I wanted to see if anyone had gone off suppressive therapy and when they did if they got an OB.

I'm just trying to give my body a chance to see what it'll do without suppressive therapy.