Suppressive therapy vs. allowing immune system to fight on its own

[calmcollected]

I had my first ob a few months ago, a pretty bad one according to the doctor who diagnosed it. I have had several more obs since then, with the symptoms ranging from mild to very mild. The initial ob I treated with aciclovir, subsequent ones with L-lysine, Dynamiclear and other natural salves, supplements, etc. They always cleared up within a few days.

So, while I have certainly been bothered by these obs, I can't say they cause any real suffering, physically or psychologically in my life. Still, I don't feel my best, and though I know it's still early in the game I have considered going on some kind of suppressive therapy, whether an antiviral, or L-lysine and other supplements, etc., BUT at the same time I want to give my immune system the best chance get a handle of this new condition.

I have read posts saying things to the effect of: "I've been suppressing for 2 years [either antiviral, L-lysine, whatever] and the day I went off, bang, terrible outbreak..."

One idea I had was applying Purrell on a daily basis (I read about the technique on this site). It seems that this does help to prevent external symptoms from popping up, but since it is a topical therapy I figured it would still allow the immune system to do its work internally, to fight on its own.

So I guess my question would be, is there any evidence, or at least science-based reason to believe, that suppressing the virus, either naturally (in a vigorous way, like with lots of supplements, vitamins, etc) or with medication (like Valtrex), would slow down, or interfere with the process of the body learning to keep the virus in check on its own?

I have seen this subject touched on in various posts, though do not know if an entire thread has been dedicated to it yet. (If one has, please send the link.)

Thanks in advance for any input you may have.

[d00m kitty]

not a science based answer..............but it sounds like you're doing ok as you are, with what you're doing.

I'm on Valtrex and I've just had my 2nd OB, it's lasted as long as my 1st OB, meaning 6 weeks or so. So, if your symptoms are as mild as they are, honestly I'd keep doing as you're doing.

[calmcollected]

Sorry to hear your obs last so long. Have you tried other therapies aside from Valtrex?

For now, I really only take Vitamins, mostly C, plus a multivitamin. The obs are fairly frequent, though mild, and seem to respond well to most of what I throw at them (which is mostly natural stuff). But even when nothing breaks the surface, I can feel those zings and pings and in general just don't feel my best (down there).

I would be willing to sacrifice some short-term comfort if in the long-term that would help my body deal with this virus better, but I am just not sure that is the case.

I figure at the very least L-Lysine on a daily basis would help, and maybe also some of the other vitamins/minerals/supplements that I have used only during obs thus far.

But again, I am only a few months in, and it's not worth it to me if this will make my body less able to fight this battle on its own, or significantly slow down that process.

[d00m kitty]

Valtrex is the only anti-viral i've taken. And yes, I'm taking other supplements, mega doses Vit C, L-Lysine, Selenium. I have other health issues, my immune system isn't the best under 'normal' circumstances, so I guess, my body is just really struggling to deal with it.

I sometimes wonder though if the Valtrex is now helping [it did 1st OB] or whether I'd be better off it for now. I've only had GHSV2 for 5 months. See how I go.

[Catt]

I have had the same question. Since they say you need 3-6 months to develop antibodies, it would stand to reason you give your body those 3-6 months on its own to accomplish that. Whatever symptoms remain after that, you just throw at valtrex to deal with. But maybe it also stands to reason that since suppressive therapy isn't a cure-all, your body is still tasked with doing some (or much) of the fighting itself, thereby building up its own defenses concurrent with meds, anyway. Would someone on daily anti-virals from day 1 never test positive in a blood test, even a year or two down the line? I sort of doubt it, and think there would be measurable antibodies there, despite the meds.

Myself, I have a bottle of valtex sitting around that I haven't cracked yet. Its been ~6 weeks since getting hsv, with two mild/barely visible (but uncomfortable and kind of longish) outbreaks, but, as long as I'm not sleeping with someone, I'm sort of waiting to see how herpes is for me before going on the suppressive meds. Then at least I have something to measure against when I go to see what helps and what doesn't. So, I agree with you on the riding it out strategy, at least for the information about how the virus effects you. It can only get better from there.

[death2herpes]

one possible advantage of early antiviral therapy is to reduce the latent pool. there were studies that showed early intervention with famciclovir decreased the number of recurrences later.

[FiorellaKW]

Calm... my personal experience is a lot like you. I took the meds for my first 2 OB's now i just take the vitamins that don't really apply as suppressive medication since it does not act directly on the virus but on your immune system, which is exactly what I was looking for.

I OB'd non stop for 3 months straight at first, now I get fewer and milder OB's and I'm very consequent with my supplements, the plus on this I've found is that I don't even get a common cold anymore which to me is really rare.

My body is fighting it like a champ but I am helping it. Our best weapon against recurrences is our body, so we better take good care of it. A good diet and exercise also help.