Shingles Support Group
Herpes zoster, colloquially known as shingles, is the reactivation of varicella zoster virus, leading to a crop of painful blisters over the area of a dermatome. It occurs very rarely in children and adults, but its incidence is high in the elderly (over 60), as well as in any age group of immunocompromised patients.
I was wondering why doctors don't like to use Valtrex for suppressive therapy for Shingles. I asked my doctor if I could stay on it and she said that they don't keep people on it for a one time episode with shingles. I know that they keep people on it for Herpes, so why not shingles. I am very nervous that I will get this again and quite honestly don't know if I could go through this pain again. I have alot of stress in my life and would rather be on Valtrex than risk ever getting this again. The pain is getting better, but it is a slow process. Is anyone on an antiviral like Valtrex for suppressive therapy? Are there any other ways to prevent shingles from coming back?
Thanks,
April
Thanks,
April
I am on Valtrex for preventative, but I also have had 5 (#5 is currently going on) episodes in 3 years. They waited until my second bout in a few months before they put me on the Valtrex all the time. I think a lot of it had to do with my severity of the shingles each time and also my lupus. I do know they are worried about doing it because you have to do lots of bloodwork every month or so to check liver and kidney levels etc. There really is no way to keep them from coming back if you are prone to them but I know the vaccine is good for those who can take it. It can prevent some outbreaks and also lessen the severity. My infectious disease doc won't let me take it since it has some live vaccine in it.
Thank you for your reply. I am so sorry that you had shingles so many times. I can't imagine going through this again. Did you have shingles in the same spot all 5 times? I have read that there can be problems long term with Valtrex, but I do know someone that has been on it for quite a while with no bad side effects. At this point I am scared to death of the shingles coming back. I am not sure why I got it in the first place as I think I am fairly healthy. My doctor won't give me the shingles vaccine.
I have had shingles in my mouth, throat and ears 4 times and my face 1 time (mostly around my mouth and nose. During this last outbreak, I had another breakout on my face when we tried to go back to my normal maintenance dose of 1 gram a day, so I am on 3 grams until further notice. I see an infectious disease doc and have had a second opinion - they all agree that the longterm Valtrex is the way to go.
The shingles vaccine is very expensive and not covered by insurance. Only some doctors do it but if you can do it, go for it - it is better than getting this crud again. The shingles are an activation of the dormant chicken pox virus. If you have had chicken pox you can get shingles -- but it is more prevalent in those with compromised immune systems like cancer and lupus patients and the elderly.
Have a wonderful week....
Heather