I am confused and need advice

I dont think a doctor should tell you you cant do suppressive therapy due to the number of outbreaks you have a year. I just was diagnosed last month, and my doctor let me go on valtrex daily as soon as we found out. Maybe you should find another doctor. Those who have 9 or less outbreaks a year usually due 500 mg daily, those with more due 1 gm daily. If you feel you really want to due suppressive therapy, look into finding another doctor.

Thanks, I took your advice and made an appointment with a different doctor. I thought my symptoms should be over with by now since I haven't had another outbreak since January. I have health insuarance, so hopefully daily therapy is covered by the policy. I am tired of being in pain and feeling constantly like I need to have a shower for the relief. Thanks again for responding.

I am glad that I found this web site.

No problem, let me know if you see a difference after taking the medicine daily for a few weeks. :)

Molly, a first outbreak can easily last 6 weeks and sometimes more before all the discomfort is gone.

Yes it says that daily therapy is for those who have 6 or more outbreaks a year but that is being very close minded. Our first year is the time we will have the most outbreaks therefore the time we are the most contagious as well. Why not go on daily Valtrex right away. Makes more sense to me to put everyone on daily therapy from day one then 1 year later when the worse is passed to then revise if it's really needed daily.

That is what my doctor is doing with me. Daily therapy right away to make me the most comfortable during my first year when the virus act up the most and in a year he will lower my dosage and see how I react to that.

I am very sorry for your loss.

Thanks, Jane and true beauty. I made an appointment for the first Friday in March. The doctor didn't tell me how long the symptoms lasted on the first outbreak. I really appreciate your help!

True beauty, do you still have outbreaks while on daily therapy, or does it just lower the amount of outbreaks you get a year?

My husband was a sweet guy, and I miss having him to lean on.

Molly, I almost feel like you may have a vaginal infection as well. Good thing you are seeing another doctor. I hope you feel better.

Well molly molly, I have not had a full blown outbreak since the initial one. I did get a small blister during period time, but it was nowhere near as bad as my outbreak, and it was only 1, a small one! I have only had this since last month, but I am sure with the medicine it wont be so bad.

I have started daily Valtrex in October, that is 4 months ago, right after my initial outbreak. I did not get anything at all till last week I experienced some burning and itching for a few days. When I saw it didn't go away I got a yeast infection treatment and it went away with that so I think I got a small outbreak and a yeast infection on top of that.

when we have herpes we're much more sensitive to all these feminine infections.

Hi Molly,

I was also recently diagnosed and had a similar issue after completing the medication my doctor prescribed for my first outbreak. It sounds like yours is more severe than mine, but I had the same yeast-infection-like symptoms. The OTC yeast infection medication didn't help so my doctor prescribed something and that worked. I would also like to add further evidence that you can totally be prescribed suppression at this point, because my doctor gave it to me as soon as I got my second outbreak. I'm glad to hear you are going to an appointment with a new doctor, and suggest you ask them about yeast infection medication.

About having outbreaks while only suppression: As I said I started it at the beginning of my 2nd outbreak. I then had another pretty major outbreak a few weeks later. My doctor said we just need to keep an eye on things and play with medication types/dosages until something works, but the impression I got is that the medication will never completely prevent outbreaks. Hopefully your new doctor will be willing to work with you in the same way.