Got Rx for Valacyclovir. Have taken small doses and feel so sick - nausea etc. Is Acyclovir more easily tolerated? How long do they stay in your system? Too sick to type more now. Tks any help. (I mentioned brand and generic names - would be taking generics)
Posted by susank (Member # 22150) on :
For suspected reactivated EBV.
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
Hi Susan~ I took valcyte for 9 months, and am now on acyclovir. Both made me ill initially, and after about 17 weeks, I felt better....
I am battling various viruses too.
Best, Timaca
Posted by terri3boys (Member # 12993) on :
Hi and excuse me Susan ~~~~~~~~ I hope you don't mind me asking Timaca a question on this post!
Timaca, can you tell me the difference in Valtrex and Valcyte? I've taken Acyclovir, which I think is basically Valtrex ----- but not much difference in effectiveness???
I could be totally wrong, but just curious about your opinion on the differences. Acyclovir is the only anti-viral I've taken.
One doctor wanted me to take it back in '08 (I didn't); another doctor wanted me to take Viread in '08 (I didn't); and another doctor wanted me to take Acyclovir in '09..........I finally did after waiting many months to begin it.
I was so sick of abx that I was rebelling, I guess. I just didn't want to start another kind of medicine for another problem ------ even though I had been off the abx since sometime late in '08. (I think ----- my brain is mush right now.)
Anyway, I need to tackle EBV, CMV, HHV-6 (main 3 viruses I can think of right now.) Time to be a "big girl" and deal with another aspect of all of this junk wreaking havoc inside and out of my body.
I know there are differing opinions on which med is better for each virus, as well. (That just adds a little spice to the subject!)
I want to be healthy again, so I guess I'll get back on the merry-go-round and add another med to my daily routine. I think I rattle when I walk from all the pills!
I need to send off for the kit to be tested for XMRV, unless it's finally available through LabCorp and covered by insurance. My doctor told me it would be available through "regular" labs and covered by insurance by late spring ---- so that should be right about now..........
Susan, I didn't mean to hi-jack your post! Just curious about the anti-viral meds as well. I'm sorry you're having such a hard time and I hope you start feeling better soon.
I felt horrible on the Acyclovir at the beginning, too. I only tolerated ONE 800mg tablet a day. My doctor wanted me to take THREE of those a day..........no way! I never made it past the 1 800mg/daily.
Good luck to you and let us know how you're doing, okay? We're all in this together!
Take care, terri3boys
p.s. Timaca, I hope you see this post and have some input! (That HHV-6 support group board is too confusing for me to follow......!)
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
Hi terri3boys~ I was put on acyclovir instead of valtrex because the doctor didn't want me on two medications at the same time that are processed in the liver. (I was on other medications also). I do have a friend who is on valtrex. We are both battling various viruses.
My understanding is that acyclovir and valtrex are very similar antiviral medications...that are processed differently in the body.
I'm currently on 800 mg daily. We tried to double the dose, but had some problems, so we backed off. We may try again in the future, ramping up slowly.