Jcolin

I have had an active Shingles rash for 3 years. This has been confirmed by biopsy and extensive testing. I have seen 15 doctors thusfar -- traditional and alternative medicine. Heavy doses of Acyclovir for several months (800 mg tid) helped a little but did NOT heal it. In a creative and desperate step, my doctor precribed Zovirax CREAM which is used for cold sores (not Shingles) applied directly to the lesions. I have used it for 4 months and this has has helped to clear it -- but the rash remains. I just heard from a woman with a similar problem. She was given Famvir. I just began a course of this medicine 3 days ago. It has already begun clearing the rash rapidly -- drying it up. I am so hopeful that this will clear my Shingles and allow me to have "my life back". It even seems to be helping a little with the horrible pain. It is very expensive but, if it clears my Shingles, it will be worth every penny. IF it clears the rash -- I wonder if I will have a recurrent rash and maybe have to use it if/when the rash reappears (like people with genital herpes must do). OR remain on a "maintenance" dose? I wonder if I have a different "strain" of the Shingles virus.