Question: I was diagnosed with XXXXXXX Hunt 25 years ago. For several years i did alright( i have an underlying herplex simplex with breakouts usually one spot on my bottom and occ on lips.) I had a second flare up 5years ago and since then have recurring rounds usually every few weeks and it only effects the left side of my body anywhere between head,face,jaw to midsection, or groin area and pain radiates down left leg to feet. Everything I've read re: XXXXXXX Hunt says nothing about recurring cylcles or effecting any other part except the head region. Could something else be causing these symptoms other than the Ramsay?
I went the route of taking valtrex along with prenisone when these occurred but am leary of continuing these drugs long term. What can you advise?

Thank you very much for your time and your suggestions. The Dr. i am currently seeing feels this is herpex simplex not recurring XXXXXXX However, When these bouts recur They always involve the head, ears, facial nerves,jaw, dry eye, and I am affected in the midsection or groin, occassionally lips, rash in arm pit. I apply Angstrom silver to the outer skin to relieve and keep symptoms from fully errupting. Also take 1tsp 2x day internally and this seems to minimize the symptoms but they occur with such frequency the Dr. has put me on gabapentin? for the nerve pain. I take 2,000mg of lysine every morning,sambuactin, and nerve sp 14 and lemon balm. All which since doing these, keeps things from becoming too intense but has not helped to eliminate this condition. This isn't going away is it?? Used to take valtrex and prednisone when I felt this coming on because former Dr. saw this as only way to control it.
And laws prevent Dr. from doing alternative therapy, which I have sought out and done. When this comes on it very much presents itself as XXXXXXX but when it affects other parts of the body that's where the questions come in and it's ONLY on the left side of the body and lasts 3 weeks each time. If I am very busy and forget to do my therapies I break out worse...Stopped valtrex and prednisone because of calcium leakage from my bones and the added weight gain each time I took prednisone plus how it afftected my mood(let's just say I didn't like myself by the end of the ten days, made me very edgy and angry).
It's like a vicious cycle. I know when it's coming on because I will get very exhausted and sleepy one week prior, then crave chocolate or peanut butter or both, then the icthing and then ta da....it arrives. Very scary when it affects the nerves in my face because I am always afraid it will cause the muscles to freeze permanently and I will go back to the droopy, drooling mess I was when I had these other two extreme outbreaks. Did I say that I am also affected by a loss of taste, not every time, but often enough. I had a complete hysterectomy 17 years ago and it's like this has replaced those horrible period cycles I had which necessitated the hysterectomy and now this... Thanks for letting me vent. I need more eyes and ears on this subject because, not being a Dr. I just want to know WHY? and what to do about it? and It's looking more like a permanent deal....I'm only 59 and have been dealing with this more and more in the past 5 years. I also have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. The MRI will have to wait until we can come up with more $ because I just had one on my knee, so it'll have to wait till next spring.. I have missed so many of the children's moments because of this nonsense. I have an appt with the cardiologist next because heart disease is prevalent in our family and I have not been able to get my cholesterol into normal range through diet last 15 years. Also experiencing bluing of fingernails, hands and occ around bulb of nose and blue/grey tint to face from time to time.
Thank you again for getting back to me and I will take your thoughts under advisement. I hope you can understand why this is all so perplexing to me and obviously the Dr. in our very rural little town. My mother always said that when I got sick, I did it up big.....
Have a great rest of your day...


Again, thank you very much for your time. You are the second physician to suggest a visit to the neurologist. Unfortunately, acyclovir reeks havoc on my intestinal track.

At this point, would getting the shingles vaccine be a detriment or help to me?

Thank you..

So, basically, until we know for sure if it is varicella zoster virus or herpes simplex virus getting the vaccine should be put on hold? Valtrex does work better, but is very expensive, which is main reason i dropped it. It was over 300.00 3-4 years ago for 15 pills.. Of course, i didn't have insurance back then so I would have to see if my current ins. co would cover some of it.

thank you