Long term suppression

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Morgan - 26 Feb 2005 19:46 GMT

I haven't been here in a LONG time. I'm glad to see some names that helped
me through some tough times with thier expences. I was first diagnosed
almost 9 years ago. I have been on suppressive therapy for about 6 years.
( 500mg Valtex 2x/day) I have experimented with dropping to once a day and
it still seems to work unless I really get sick. But if I stop I go
symptomatic pretty quick. 10 - 15 days. So, my question is; has anyone else
been taking prolonged suppressive therapy? What does your doctor say about
it? Specifically Liver function. Does anyone know of current research into
long term use of Valtrex and it's affect on the liver. I have started
thinking about this because this year my G.P. suggested a simple blood test
to check my Liver function. Good news is no problem so far. I'm wondering if
it is just a matter of time. The same doctor has treated me a long time and
unfortunatly doesn't really know a lot about Herpes except to write
prescriptions for Valtrex. What are everyone's thoughts?

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M2slo2cht@nospam.invalid - 26 Feb 2005 20:07 GMT

>I haven't been here in a LONG time.

Are you the same "Morgan" that used to post with a worldnet.att
address? Welcome back. Long time no read.

>has anyone else
>been taking prolonged suppressive therapy? What does your doctor say about
>it? Specifically Liver function. Does anyone know of current research into
>long term use of Valtrex and it's affect on the liver.

So far, Acyclovir and Valtrex seem to be incredibly safe long term.
Quite a few people have been on it for quite awhile and so far so
good. I know of a nurse that stays up on the latest with this stuff.
She's been on suppression for 20 years and has no problem recommending
long term suppression to others. My understanding is that the virus
doesn't become immune to it like bacteria does to antibiotics. And the
liver warning is for people who have preexisting liver problems. Not
for people with a healthy liver. So if that's the case with you,
you're good to go for another 9 years. By that time, the knowledge
base on this stuff will be even more extensive.

>G.P. suggested a simple blood test
>to check my Liver function. Good news is no problem so far. I'm wondering if
>it is just a matter of time.

IF it's a matter of time, it's a matter of a loooong time. Longer than
we have data for at this point.

>What are everyone's thoughts?

There's mine.
It's based on what I'm hearing from some people that research this
stuff and stay on top of it.

M2

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Morgan - 28 Feb 2005 01:20 GMT

Yep! That's me. Glad to be back! Thanks for the info. I'll be checking in
nightly and will write when I have something to contribute to the group.
Keep up the good work.

Morgan

> >I haven't been here in a LONG time.
>
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>
> M2

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jamesinky - 14 Mar 2005 04:54 GMT

So does Valtrex have a rebound effect? Does it suppress the virus
while its being taken, but then does the virus come back strong once
the Valtrex is ceased, or BECAUSE the Valtrex has been discontinued?

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M.L.S. - 14 Mar 2005 13:22 GMT

>So does Valtrex have a rebound effect? Does it suppress the virus
>while its being taken, but then does the virus come back strong once
>the Valtrex is ceased, or BECAUSE the Valtrex has been discontinued?

Nope. At least I don't think so. ;-) I think the medicines work
by inhibiting replication, but not by suppressing the mechanisms
that send the virus *toward* replication. In other words, the virus
heads off out of the ganglia to replicate, just as it normally
would, but then its cycle is interrupted, and instead of being
allowed to produce numerous new viruses, it is probably expelled
from the body.

Mike

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