Suppresive therapy effectiveness

I'm now a year post first outbreak and 8 months on suppressive therapy. Curious if anyone else has/ had experience with frequent outbreaks while on suppressive therapy.

I currently take Valtrex 500mg daily, but I'm experiencing outbreaks, like clockwork. Every month: week 1) I have prevalent prodomes (tingles, burning, itchiness and swollen groin), week 2): get my period, week 3) outbreak on perineum (a special kind of discomfort)... if I'm lucky I get a couple of days (3-5) of peace. Then is starts all over again!

It's frustrating, trying to find normalcy when I'm in a neverever ending cycle of "having an outbreak or just getting over it". Makes me wonder if the meds are effective. And if it is, if I stop suppressive therapy, could things be worse than monthly outbreaks?

Try another antiviral. My symptoms are very mild, but it didn't take too long to figure out what was an OB for me. On Valtrex initially,, I had near constant prodrome tingles and my usual mild OB every month. Went off for six months and the OBs continued like clockwork, just without the constant prodrome sensations. After about 2-3 months on acyclovir, no prodrome, no OBs, and no itching. It's been heaven!!

Followup... started on birth control and I am going on 2 months outbreak free! It's a renewed lease on life!

Which birth control did you start on if you don't mind me asking? I'm on the pill but I got my first outbreak after the first pack of the one I'm on and have wondered if that played a role. Thanks!

I'm taking Lo Loestrin Fe. My period is a definite trigger for me. On this bc my period last month was shorter and lighter. The prodomes that were driving me nuts have greatly diminished, a few random leg sensations here and there... but no outbreak.

Also want to note... I attempted to wean myself from Valtrex. And I experienced an outbreak very similar to my primary outbreak. So I am back on the 500mg daily, but was given a 90 day prescription to increase to 1000mg during outbreaks.

Thanks for replying! I'm sorry that weaning off of the valtrex didn't work for you. I have read that sometimes going off can trigger an outbreak but that it doesn't mean they will continue, that it could be a response just to coming off of it initially. Either way, if valtrex is safe and helps I say why not take it!

Prior to ever having an outbreak (I've had the virus for an unknown amount of time as my IgG was positive), I was on ortho tri cyclen lo which is a triphasic pill meaning the hormone levels are different each week. I developed an ovarian cyst in the beginning of May and was changed to a monophasic pill, ortho cyclen, with hormone concentrations that stay the same all month until period week and was told only take 4 of the inactive pills before starting a new pack so that your natural hormones don't start kicking back in. All in an effort to prevent this cyst from growing or developing anymore of them. Well, after the first month of doing this I start my period and a couple days later have an outbreak. It could be coincidence but I don't feel like it is. I was on valtrex for my last period and didn't have an outbreak so we'll see what this month brings. I am still on valtrex but the suppressive dose now. I'll be talking to a specialist I see for other issues about her thought on the birth control hormones and what I should do.

Again, thanks for replying and sharing your experience! Hopefully the increased valtrex calms this outbreak down and you remain outbreak free for a very long time, or forever :)