Ribavirin - results are in!

[struggle83]

Ok, I just finished up my last dose of 8 days of Ribavirin. The results have been fairly substantial considering the short duration and low dosage. Several of the symptoms that have plagued me for months have resolved, including many of those months of valtrex treatment. I would have to say that for me, this drug has proven EFFECTIVE.

Some things I find interesting about Ribavirin:

• Broad range antiviral that has proven effective against HSV (possibly potentiates valtrex)
  
• High toxicity
  
• RNA lethal mutagenesis
  

I think that for the low dose and short duration I am safe from the toxic effects.

Some history - this drug was developed in the 60-70's. This was before Big Pharma got into the game. A parallel can be drawn with Prozac. That was the age of not-for-profit research, at least not like it is today.

Since those days new "designer" drug have been made like valtrex, famvir and a host of new anti-depressant (SSRI's, SNRI's etc.). But what I have found is that (with anti-depressants) when a patient proves difficult to treat with the modern medicines, doctors typically go back to Prozac (Old Faithful). No substantial money is made from this since it has long gone generic. You will notice that psychiatrists typically provide a new patient with samples that they got from Big Pharma to try out. They want to push those even though they may not be the most effective.

I wonder if the same is true for Ribavirin. It was developed before Big Pharma could get it's hands on it. It is long been generic. I don't see much modern research for it as a treatment for HSV. It could be that doctors think it is too toxic, which it might be for the casual HSV sufferer who responds to valtrex. Enough about that.

RNA lethal mutagenesis really interests me. It is a novel mechanism of action, much different from the x-cyclovirs. It must affect the HSV RNA process or else it wouldn't be effective at all. I think that RNA is involved in the DNA replication. If this is true I wonder, and this is just my hypothesis, if damaging HSV RNA has a permanent effect? It would be throwing the proverbial wrench in the HSV machine. I don't know if this is true but if it is it would provide a more permanent solution than taking valtrex the rest of your life (which would make Pharma happy). Since HSV is a DNA virus and not an RNA virus, lethal mutation of RNA could be permanent. This would have to be answered by an expert and even then I would take the answer with a grain of salt because I don't think this has been specifically researched.

I know this might come off as a conspiracy theory that I typically disregard but I can't help but think where there is smoke there is fire. Hopefully it's smoke from the crippled HSV factory!

[readytostart]

Hi

When you say that it has worked for you, what exactly do you mean: it has stopped recurrences (wich time frame), have you tested your antibodies,...I mean, can you report in facts the improvements of this medicine in your herpes problem?

I´m not trying to be rude, just interested in it if it really works....

Also, did you need a presciption to buy it, or did you just buy it?

Thanks

[soul5821]

Please let us know, about the recurrences!!!

[struggle83]

I cannot report in facts any more than anyone else, inlcuding clinical trials, which are all subjective, in truth. You cannot test antibody levels with this virus - there is no such thing as HSV viral load, at least not without biopsy. I can only tell you that after 6 months of symptoms I have had some relief.

I will definitely update on recurrences.

This is a prescription medicine. Taking it is a personal choice. If you do not respond to valtrex or want to try something new it is an option.

PM me for more details if you like.