There is no shame with being on Valtrex - it's used for lots of things other than genital herpes. Shingles is a type of herpes virus, herpes zoister or something to that effect - herpes simplex is usually fever blisters, herpes complex is genital herpes.
I have had shingles since my early 20's - I also get fever blisters very easy due to a drug that I take for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. I take a drug to supress my immune system b/c it overworks . . . and you would think that's a good thing, but it's not. It's this delicate balance, and if I go one way or the other - frankly, it sucks.
If I have an outbreak of shingles or fever blisters, I immediately take Valtrex - I actually keep it in my purse. I have been on supressive therapy with Vlatrex also when an outbreak could not be controlled. Before Valtrex, I took Zorvorax, but Valtrex is the darling of the herpes virus supression now.
Don't be ashamed if you have to go on supressive therapy - the drugs are here to help us. Good luck.
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Laurie P.
Open RNY - March 20, 2006
259/ 129/139 
high / current/goal
Size 20 to size 2 !
Plastics - 5/15/07 - I'd do it again in a heartbeat!!
TT GYMRAT MEMBER # 21
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