Valtrex?

Nope, not too surprising. Valtrex is an anti-viral, so it's hitting your viruses. It's detoxing time! You can take binders to help get those toxins out, but I would encourage you to continue on with using it.

It's crazy when we can herx from so many things, but we have to remember, we could be at our limit for any toxins at any time, so we can experience herxing from things that we have used before as well! It's all about the load on the body. We can only have so many toxins in our body without feeling the effects, particularly if you are like me and are a poor detoxer.

If it gets overwhelming, lower your dose for a few days to catch up to the toxins, the raise the dose back up slowly so that you are at the dose you need to be for it to be effective.

Do you know what viruses you have?

I do hope that you feel better soon!!!

Try using a binder 2 hours after you take your Valtrex. That should significantly lower the herx, but also increase other forms of detoxing as well - binders are great, but a pain to continually work in if you don't have to.

There are several different types of Herpes viruses, and a person can have many of them. EBV is one of them, and most of us do deal with reactivation of this herpes virus - but Valtrex has a pretty good reputation for successfully lowering the levels back down of the virus.

Hang in there!!!

You can also use lysine for herpes viruses - that's what I'm using.

There's nothing wrong with changing courses!! The only thing we don't want you to do is not be in treatment for your infections!!

Chlorella is a binder, but many binders only work well for certain things, so just be sure that it will bind to the thing you are trying to detox out!

Do NOT be sorry for asking questions!!!

Personally, I like activated charcoal - they still use it in many hospitals for accidental poisonings and other uses even.

For finding what binder works best for which application - that takes some research, as I haven't found any really good sites that compare all of the binders we usually talk about (with references so I can check their research). Sorry!! I wish I had better answers for this!

I bet if you asked this community in a separate thread, and asked for references, you would really get a good place to start!

BeKind, I've been taking Valtrex as well, but recently switched to 1500 mg is L-lysine per day. It seems to be milder for me when it comes to herxing. I also use activated charcoal as a binder. God Bless!

Hi BekindPls-
I came on the forum to seek an answer to the same question. I haven't been on in awhile, as I go thru spells where I can't be on the computer. But I see this is an older post anyway.
I was diagnosed recently with Coxsackie and also HHV-7. My LLMD immediately put me on Valtrex and also 6000 mgs/daily of Lysine. (My number was the highest he'd ever seen, hence the large dosage.)

After about a week into treatment I started to have horrible suicidal thoughts and extreme sadness. I feel blessed my husband was home for a week because I don't know... I stopped the Valtrex but have continued with the Lysine. Will see the doc tomorrow.

My question though and maybe others could have input too; I thought antivirals don't kill the virus they just keep it from replicating or spreading. So logically, why would someone herx? I don't mean to sound blasé or defensive, but I truly am honestly curious. Everything I have read said antivirals don't kill anything. But with my reaction I am wondering if it was a side effect of the drug or a true Herxheimer reaction. I know because of my numbers my LLMD is going to be very mad I stopped, but it was so frightening.

How are you fairing? Are you still taking Valtrex?

Thanks Bekindpls! Have you taken any other anti virals besides Lysine?

Hi everyone -

Heck if you can get away w/ using Lysine and other natural antifungals, do so! Here are a few more:

Olive leaf
Oil of oregano
Licorice
Houttuynia
Ginger
Chinese Skullcap
Astragalus
(there are many other herbs that have anti-viral properties)

But... I'm one of those people who crashed ever darn time I tried to go off the Rx and only take antivirals. And by crash - I mean, bed-ridden for at least a week.

My viral load was quite high - from 4-5 different viruses that showed up on my tests (EBV, HSV-1,6, 8, CMV, others? can't remember). I had mono countless times through my teens and 20s. My body has always been in a perpetual state of viral surge.

So it wasn't a surprise that when I started my Lyme & Co fight, it was essential that I lower viral loads first-and-foremost. I highly recommend others do the same. Your immune system is absolutely critical in the Lyme & Co fight - no treatment is miraculously perfect without requiring the support of our own immune systems. But if it's being overwhelmed by viruses, it can't be available for other needs. And for many of us - viruses will dominate.

Most adults have EBV (something like 90%), 70% of HSV-1, and you can guarantee that some ticks are carrying viruses. It is very likely that most of us have more than one virus going on in our bodies. And since so many sx associated w/ viruses overlap with Lyme & Co, it is also very logical that it's best to knock out the easy sx and noise by reducing viral loads, reducing yeast/fungal issues that also overlap, reduce GI distress so that everything we're taking orally can be effectively absorbed, including nutrition.

These are the easy decisions, IMO. Then focus on Lyme & Co, which is more complex.

ANTIVIRAL RX
Yes, antivirals only suppress viruses. I think the question about herxing is more complicated and I admit that I can't explain the science behind antivirals and how they could trigger what we reference a "herx".

But after being around these parts for a good 3 yrs, it's clear how much detoxing can help with symptoms that pop up after people take antimicrobial meds, herbs. And I've experienced it myself. So, instead of pontificating on a bunch of science most of us don't understand, it's simplest to suggest increased detoxing. ;)

VALTREX
Not all antivirals are created equally - again, if the naturals don't work, sometimes you need to try different viruses. I think I tried Valtrex first, then moved on to Acyclovir, then Valcyclovir. I can't explain why one worked, one didn't. But I also had to take really high doses (first, by accident but it worked so well I continued for about 6 mos.) and that's when I finally had some relief. I was on them for the entire first 2 yrs of tx. Again, every time I tried to go off them or onto naturals, I crashed. One day, I hope to graduate to naturals! I don't want to live a life on these Rx but I am SO...GRATEFUL they exist. It's saved my treatment.

I'm sure the next person would have a different journey through the antivirals, because our unique combination of viral loads are probably different.

So, back to the OP - BeKindPlease - if you have success with the Lysine, that's great. If not, don't be scared to try a different antiviral Rx.

LIVER SUPPORT
When taking antiviral Rx, you MUST support your liver/kidneys! They need help and support metabolizing both the viruses and the medications. I have done really well on Milk Thistle Seed and Burdock Root but with the abx and antifungals I'm on as well, I need both to keep enzymes low.

Hope this helps -

-p

@bekindpls-
thanks! I will look into that supp!

@Pirouettee- Wow, so glad you chimed in! I am on and off the forum because of neuro issues so must have missed your "story" I'm confused though. I thought Valtrex was valacyclovir? I did notice that the ulcers in my mouth were going down, but then when you have thoughts of suicide, hallucinations it's not worth it. But if you think it really could be a herx, maybe I could try again but sllooowwwly. Even at 6000 mgs daily of Lysine I am getting more viral ulcers in my mouth. It's so confusing and frustrating. I did start on some herbal anti virals but am not sure about interactions. *sigh*
It makes so much sense what you're saying!