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Sexually Transmitted Diseases Community

Doc refusing meds for hsv2!

In October I tested positive for HSV2. I'm sure that I got it long before I married back...

Posted by thenewgurl

In October I tested positive for HSV2. I'm sure that I got it long before I married back in 2009. I was shocked, depressed & in denial after getting my results-didn't even ask the doc any q's. I always thought that people typically get lesions, bumps, or blisters, then go see their dr & find out they have it that way. However, I am asymptomatic. I found out (through online research) that most people don't know they have hsv2 because they're asymptomatic, and/or herpes often gets misdiagnosed-by dr's and patients- as other conditions such as yeast infections, uti's, and even hemorrhoids.

I have overcome the initial shock & empowered myself w/knowledge, which stopped me from feeling like this is a death sentence. I'm just thankful my husband is negative (no idea how, after years of unprotected sex) but I'll take that as a blessing...I just want to do everything I can to keep it that way!

Here's my problem thoughâ€¦about 1mo after getting my pos result, I scheduled a follow-up w/my doc to discuss treatment options, best-practice ways of managing hsv2, and reducing the likelihood of transmitting to my husbandâ€¦my doc told me that my body & immune system is already doing a good job of suppressing the virus, therefore, antiviral meds would not be beneficial. She went on to say, the only time they can provide me w/meds is if I'm having an outbreak, or "If it feels like one may be coming on". I then asked her about taking Valtrex daily, inquiring if I'd be a good candidate for that (at least to reduce chances of transmission), she then repeated that I don't need any meds unless I'm having an outbreak. I replied, since there have been no outbreaks (that I know of) for all the years I've been infected, it's safe to assume that I probably won't have one anytime soon-so it's probably a better idea to just start me on a suppressive therapy since my blood tests prove that I definitely have it, just without symptoms. Again, she said NO, the only time I'd be able to get a prescription is to treat an active outbreak.

I was VERY thrown off by this because in all of my research I found that the best course of action includes suppressive antiviral therapy and using condoms going forward. But my doc basically has the opinion that I should be thankful I'm asymptomatic & don't have to deal w/outbreaks, and the only way to protect my husband is by using condoms. After this appointment I was beyond dissatisfied w/my doc & called the following day to request a referral to an infectious disease specialist for a second opinion. My doc called me back, and refused meds again because "They can ruin your kidneys" but also refused to refer me to a specialist stating, "It'll be a waste of time, because they will just tell you the same thing I've already told you"â€¦Ridiculous, right?! After hanging up, I immediately googled acyclovir and kidney damage only to find that acute renal failure (kidney failure) is very uncommon in healthy, young patients-the only people at higher risk are elderly patients or those who have preexisting renal conditions. I'm certainly not at-risk because I'm 27, in good health, and do not have a history of kidney problems. I called back to provide this information, hoping it may change her mind, but was just told again that I will not be given a prescription for antiviral meds without having any symptoms.

Can anyone provide me feedback/suggestions please?View Thread

Posted bythenewgurl

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Doc refusing meds for hsv2! In October I tested positive for HSV2. I'm sure that I got it long before I married back...

Reply: Doc refusing meds for hsv2!

Thanks, your response is helpful. I just read your story, and can't believe you...

Posted by thenewgurl

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Doc refusing meds for hsv2! Thanks, your response is helpful. I just read your story, and can't believe you...

Reply: Husband just found out he has genital Herpes, I do...

Have you confirmed yet that he has hsv2 with a blood test? If not, that would be the...

Posted by thenewgurl

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Husband just found out he has genital Herpes, I don't. Have you confirmed yet that he has hsv2 with a blood test? If not, that would be the...

Reply: Doc refusing meds for hsv2!

Thanks for the reply. I filed a formal complaint w/the hospital's patient relations...

Posted by thenewgurl

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Doc refusing meds for hsv2! Thanks for the reply. I filed a formal complaint w/the hospital's patient relations...

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