Long Term Suppression

I was diagnosed 7 years ago - three years after outbreaks began (Genital Herpes - buttock only).

Was given Acyclovir as treatment for suppression and have taken for seven years with no outbreaks at all.  A couple of years ago, stopped it to see whether I needed to continue - was 6 weeks before I had another o/b     It was just as nasty as the first I had.  Went back on the suppression therapy.

I have had bad health for five years now - symptoms which have been vaiously diagnosed as depression, cfs, fibromyalgia, inflammatory arthritis etc etc.  I am permanenetly tired, sleep badly and am in pain.

I have weaned myself off all my prescription drugs except my thyroid meds and Acyclovir.  Three weeks ago, I decided to stop the Acyclovir to see whether this could be the culprit.  Felt an improvement within a few days but amazingly the beast came back after only one week.  I took the treatment dose for 7 days as it was stubbornly refusing to go away and am mow back on the suppression dose.

Since then I've done a good deal of research into HSV2 and Acyclovir itself.  I'm surprised that I had another o/b so quickly and wonder whether it's being suppressed effectively.  I'm also wondering about side effects of long term use of Acyclovir.  The Patient Leaflet does list joint pain, fatigue etc as rare side effects.  However, when I've looked for patient experiences of these s/e, there seems little evidence.  It occurs to me that this is because most people only use the treatment dose.

I read of research done by a Dr Pidgern onto Fibromyalgia and the link to HSV2.  He believes that Fibro is caused by latent HSV2 (could that include suppressed HSV2) and that the treatment used to eliminate Fibro / Cfs symptoms should to thbe an anti viral together with a drug called Celebrex (a type of anti inflammatory (NSAID) with specific antiviral properties.  He has done six years research into this subject and the final  reults are due any time now.

I emailed Dr Pidgern and he was kind enough to reply.  Briefly, he believes that in my case, my symptoms are consistent with the outbreaks which occurred before my suppression therapy began, some of which were treated episodically.  He also told me that Acyclovir is the least effective antiviral.  He invited me to go to see him so that he could help me.  Sadly, as he's in Alabama USA this wont be possible

I'm considering trying his protocol if my doc will agree.  If not, perhaps asking for a more effective anti viiral - as I think that perhaps the Acyclovir isn't completely suppressing the virus.

I think Dr Pidgern's research is credible; however, I still wonder if the antiviral itself is causing problems.

I'm stopping the Acyclovir again today to see if any of my symptoms improve.  I'll also be interested to see how long it is before another o/b begins.

 

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