Let's keep the discussions non-bias

[HC-Support-Team]

I have noticed some insinuation on the board that Prescription Medications are the only acceptable way to manage herpes outbreaks.

The treatment forum is here so we can discuss all alternatives.

There are many drugs, herbs and treatment approaches that, for some people, are equally and if not more effective then the conventional "clinically proven" suppressive medications.

Prescription antivirals are expensive (particularly if you do not have insurance), can have side-effects such as headaches, nausea, contra-indications with kidney conditions, pregnancy and breast-feeding, and unfortunately do not work for everyone.

Although many people are happy in taking prescription antiviral drugs to help suppress outbreaks there are many people who are looking for a different alternative.

One factor to consider when dismissing a treatment approach simply because it is not "clinically proven" is that, in reality, it actually costs millions of dollars to conduct the trials necessary to acquire this clinical data. This is an expense which few companies other than the Pharmaceutical Giants can afford.

Let's please keep our minds and words open to new prospects and ideas.

If you find that Prescription Antivirals do work well for you that is wonderful! One tip, there are a lot of places to purchase your meds and some are way more expensive than others. The site http://www.usprescriptions.net has the best prices I have seen available.

[SpecialGuest1234]

I have noticed some insinuation on the board that Prescription Medications are the only acceptable way to manage herpes outbreaks.

Everybody's situation is different and so are the circumstances in which they are involved in. It all depends on what is trying to be accomplished.

The treatment forum is here so we can discuss all alternatives.

There are many drugs, herbs and treatment approaches that, for some people, are equally and if not more effective then the conventional "clinically proven" suppressive medications.

And that is GREAT for those individuals.

Prescription antivirals are expensive (particularly if you do not have insurance),

It just depends on which herpes antiviral you want to take. Valtrex and Famvir can be quite expensive for those that do not have insurance... but acyclovir is relatively cheap and many that do not have insurance usually stick with that one if it's a herpes antiviral they are looking to use. There are also patient assistance programs for those that do not have insurance AND many doctors will opt to give their patients samples too.

can have side-effects such as headaches, nausea, contra-indications with kidney conditions, pregnancy and breast-feeding, and unfortunately do not work for everyone.

Those are "possible" side effects that some "might" experience. It's true, not everybody can take prescription medications because of their own personal reasons OR because of other illnesses they might be suffering from. I do know that there are some people that can't take Valtrex for whatever reasons... and they usually do well taking Famvir and vice versa.

Although many people are happy in taking prescription antiviral drugs to help suppress outbreaks there are many people who are looking for a different alternative.

That's not the only reason why folks take clinically proven herpes antivirals. Some take them because they have a partner that doesn't have herpes and they want to reduce the possibility of transmitting the virus to them. Suppressive therapy with a clinically proven herpes antiviral also reduces asymptomatic shedding by 95%. There are also pregnant women with herpes that go on suppressive therapy to reduces the chances of having an outbreak during labor and delivery. Those are all special circumstances that are worth mentioning in order to keep the discussion as non bias as possible.

I'm sure there are other individuals that have alternative therapies that work well for their specific situation and that's fine for them too.

One factor to consider when dismissing a treatment approach simply because it is not "clinically proven" is that, in reality, it actually costs millions of dollars to conduct the trials necessary to acquire this clinical data. This is an expense which few companies other than the Pharmaceutical Giants can afford.

There are hundreds and thousands of people out there that want to know what they are taking has been clinically proven. If there are alternatives out there that are safe and work well... you would think their makers (who are also making millions) would want to invest the time and money that it takes to have these clinically proven.

I'm not knocking alternatives... there are many things people can take to treat their symptoms and if they do their homework they will know which ones are good and which ones are basically snake oil.

Let's please keep our minds and words open to new prospects and ideas.

Always ~ and may everybody out there be sure to do the math and the research to support their own decisions whether that be OTC meds or Prescription Meds.

If you find that Prescription Antivirals do work well for you that is wonderful! One tip, there are a lot of places to purchase your meds and some are way more expensive than others. The site http://www.usprescriptions.net has the best prices I have seen available.

Same thing goes for alternative meds too. And be sure you do your homework folks... find out where these alaternatives are put together for pruchase, who makes them, the substances that are used, where the substances come from, etc.

Best Wishes,

Angela