Quote From: doris2dayLysine does very little for herpes. The only dose that showed any difference at all in studies was 1 gm 3 times a day - it reduced ob's by 2 a year. There were no studies on it for any effects on viral shedding. It's actually more expensive to use lysine than it is to use generic acyclovir for most people. Acyclovir is proven to reduce ob's significantly and reduce shedding which is terrific for helping to keep a partner hsv negative for as long as possible.
Acyclovir is available as a generic and is far cheaper than valtrex. If you can't find it cheaper elsewhere - the herpes homepage has a deal with drugplace.com to offer 6 weeks worth of suppressive therapy for under $25. Many insurances make acyclovir very cheap so it's well worth looking into. Also if you have insurance - get your prescription filled for 3 months worth at a time - that's usually cheapest. If you use valtrex or famvir - check out their websites for coupons!
The herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com is a terrific resource to learn about all the basics of herpes - testing, treatment , talking about it and how to reduce the chances of transmitting it to a partner. There is also a terrific patient counseling video on the website you can watch too - it's especially helpful if you are newly diagnosed and wondering what knowing you have genital herpes means for you.
The thing about herpes simplex is - no symptoms does not mean no infection. The vast majority of folks who have hsv1 and/or hsv2 have no idea they are infected. That's why type specific herpes igg blood testing is useful. Knowing a partner's status helps you to decide what precautions, if any, are needed in your relationship. You absolutely can not assume that no symptoms means no herpes - either orally or genitally. Herpes simplex is incredibly common - over 60% of adults have hsv1 orally and 25% of adults have hsv2 genitally. Hsv1 can also be transmitted to the genital area - mainly thru oral sex. It's the cause of 30% of all new genital herpes infections. Knowing what type you have is important so if your doctor has diagnosed you as having genital herpes further testing is in your best interest to determine which type it is.
clinicaltrials.gov lists all the current hsv studies going on - there are many to participate in whether you are completely hsv negative ( and female between the ages of 18-30 ) to if you are newly diagnosed with genital herpes to if you've had hsv2 for > 10 years for studies.
Is herpes a big deal? No it's not but society has put unfair stigma's on it - especially genital herpes. It's a nuisance virus for the most part but it can cause health problems especially in babies. I totally agree with the poster that said dr phil should do a show on herpes - too many people let an incredibly common virus control their life instead of controling it!!
grace
acyclovir is now available as one of walmart's $4 prescriptions...have your dr. write the script for a month's worth of pills with refills (if you take it twice daily, it must be written for 60 pills and that will be $4...if the prescription isn't specific, you will only get 30 pills for the price).
Has anyone else had bad side affects from acyclovir? It made me extremely jittery and interrupted sleep.
Valtrex had no side affects on me, but it's way too expensive. I've seen it for much less thru online mexico pharmacies, but that scares me. Anyone tried it?
