Valtrex and Pain: What Users Say

• Big...
• February 16, 2018

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I had never had an outbreak until I reached 71. I wish I had some exciting news about how I got Herpes Simplex. But alas, no. I made up for lost time and had 7 outbreaks in 5 months. Oooh the pain and ugliness. On 8-16-17 I received a shot of Valtrex. It was a miracle. I want to pass on the best treatment is to slather vaseline over all affected areas. It keeps it from spreading and helps the discomfort. Thanks"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 5, 2019

For Cold Sores "I’m 26. I was diagnosed with herpes 2 years ago. This is my third time having an outbreak on my face, normally, it’s just one cold sore that is gone within days thanks to Valtrex. This time, I’m broken out from my nose to my chin. Bumps everywhere! On my lips, above my lips. This is also the first time I’ve experienced the horrible pain associated with oral herpes. It’s dry and feels scabby. I’m three days in and actually went to urgent care because my mouth was swollen this morning. The doctor told me to take my 500 mg Valtrex 3 times a day. I’m praying this clears soon because I’m at the point where I don’t want any human interactions, I’m so embarrassed and feel so ugly. Glad to see there are others out there struggling just like me. Hang in there!"

• Bet...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 3, 2018

For Herpes Zoster "Be aware I am anti-big pharma on numerous levels. I fought using any kind of pharmaceutical for decades. I have chronic shingles that keeps occurring on my left back hip. A pinched nerve triggers when sitting for very long. I hate to say it, but Valtrex saved me. Taking one 500 mg about once every 3 days, and have not been plagued with any shingles since taking it 6 months ago. It also seemed to relieve about 50% of the pain associated with the outbreak area. Not sure what the connection is. I also have genital herpes that pops up every couple of months (before taking Valtrex). Nothing has appeared in over 6 months. This drug has been a godsend (okay, I'll give the manufacturer a high five for this one, as much as I hate to say it)."

• Ple...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 21, 2016

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I got diagnosed with genital herpes in February 2016. I did 500 mg for 7 days when I was expecting an outbreak. But I kept getting them. They switched me to 1 g daily about 6 months ago, and I'm still non-stop getting them. I've had 3 that have been so bad, and they've left scars. I'm in extreme pain and don't know what to do. Why isn't my medication working?"

• Wil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2016

For Herpes Zoster "Discovered rash on a Thursday, prescribed Valtrex on a Friday. Woke up Saturday and rash was still spreading but stopped by that night and began to dry up by Tuesday - no blisters ever formed and itching/pain was very minimal! Side effects only the first day or so, but not positive it was from Valtrex - the sickness/headaches I felt could've easily been from my anxiety. By the third day, any side effects subsided completely and had no issues finishing the medication. After reading stories of shingles sufferers who did not take antivirals, I am so happy my doctor prescribed this medication. Also, a suggestion, Burow's solution (sold as Domeboro in most pharmacies) helped soothe and dry up my rash quickly! Keep your head up!"

• Try...
• December 18, 2019

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I think I’ve had it for a while because, for months, I was experiencing terrible clitoral pain, and my gyno tested my blood and the clitoris. Nothing came back, but I would always feel an itchy and burning feeling at night. The beginning of last week, I experienced my first outbreak. I took this whole bottle, qty 14, and I’ve been getting more sores. I have no itchiness, mostly painful, and I’ve been so depressed. I haven’t gone to work and just have been staying in bed. I’ve been on antidepressants for a year now, and I’m scared for my future. I have two people that are close to me who have it, and it’s nice to have someone to talk to about it, but I just want this breakout to end."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2013

For Varicella-Zoster "I am 54 years old, and I suddenly came down with shingles on my right side of my shoulder and back. When I took the Valtrex, after 30 minutes, I felt sudden relief. It didn't take away the pain, but in combination with the Percocet, I was able to live, not survive. Shingles are very painful, and I don't know what I would have done without Valtrex. I would recommend it to anyone suffering from a viral."

• Anonymous
• February 24, 2014

For Cold Sores "I've had HSV-1 ever since I was 2. I had an outbreak then and again when I was 9 or 10. I'd forgotten that I even had the virus until a week ago. I got a new lip piercing, and 3 days into the healing, my lip blistered. It had been 25 years since my last cold sore, but I remembered what those blisters meant. I wasn't able to get to the doctor until two days later. By then, the blisters had broken open and were all crusted over. I took 2 of the Valtrex as soon as I got them and another 2, 12 hours later. Within a few hours, the pain started going away. The terrible burning was gone. It's been 2 days since my last dose, and my cold sore is in its final healing stage, with the little scabs. My lip is flat again, and the only pain is from the piercing."

• Arr...
• March 20, 2015

For Herpes Zoster "I started taking Valtrex 2 days after the rash appeared, it slowed down the spread of the rash and reduced the pain. 3 days later, I was feeling better, but the rash took about 10 days to disappear, and I continued feeling mild pain for another week or so."

• Ibe...
• April 7, 2016

For Cold Sores "After being sick with bronchitis and upper respiratory infection for about 2 weeks, I woke up one morning with cold sores overtaking my whole top lip. I've always taken Lysine, and that helps cut back on the length of time for healing when I just have one cold sore. This time, the swelling and pain of having multiple cold sores was just too much to handle. I phoned my doctor and explained that my top lip was so swollen and that eating and drinking had become painful. The doctor called in a prescription of 2 a day Valtrex. I took the first one yesterday around noon, by 6 pm, the swelling and pain had already gone down. This morning I woke up, and while the blisters are still there, it's like it reversed all the sores. No pain or swelling. Just healing!!"

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2019

For Varicella-Zoster "I started this medication the day after I noticed the rash. It was a small patch on my lower back (maybe 1 1/2 inches). I have luckily had little pain, but a couple of days the rash was itchy, sore, and uncomfortable. After four and 1/2 days on the meds, all of my 10-15 blisters are gone. It doesn’t seem like they even opened... I don’t see any crust. They are thankfully just shrinking and drying up. So, so thankful for this med!! (Took med with lots of water and food)."

• Van...
• January 2, 2016

For Cold Sores "I had a terrible outbreak. My chin felt red and swollen. I had sores and pus really bad. As soon as it was healed, I would break out again. This lasted for six months. I had been to my family doctor and several dermatologists, finally, I met with a dermatologist who prescribed Valtrex. What a lifesaver. With school starting again Monday, I was stressing out. I could feel my chin start to swell, so I decided to get a refill and try it. It worked! Yesterday, my chin felt swollen and sore, and I was starting to get red bumps under my bottom lip. I took 2 in the afternoon and 2 more when I went to bed, and this morning it seems to be gone! No swelling and no red bumps!! Thank you to whoever invented this miracle drug!!"

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2012

For Cold Sores "I have had cold sores since I was a little kid, and I'm always super mad and shocked a lot of the time that I wake up and find one. You would think after getting them forever that you would know when you are getting one. Have used Zovirax, then Abreva became available, and if you could time it right, it worked awesome. I'm a smoker, so I frequently spread the cold sores around my mouth, just as one is healing, another will show up. Two months of continuous cold sores hurts and is embarrassing. My friend told me about Valtrex a year ago after having cold sore after cold sore. After the first dose, the sore shriveled up, second dose, they were scabbed and healing. Huge help with the pain factor too. Amazing, if you haven't already, try it!"

• Rae...
• July 4, 2021

For Cold Sores "Recently had a breakout, I haven’t had one in almost two years. The last time I had one, I went to urgent care, and the doctor prescribed me Valtrex. I was a couple of days into the outbreak, but I saw a MAJOR difference it made in symptoms such as pain and swelling. This past Monday, a bump appeared on my bottom lip, and I took Valtrex. Anyone who has experienced these outbreaks knows how painful and embarrassing they are. So, of course, my mind just went to a sad place. LUCKILY, Valtrex kicked in right away! I didn’t have the awful swelling or pain! Only one blister came about and wept. Got a scab on day three, and it has basically gone now…the scab fell off last night. So what would have lasted 10 days cleared up in 7, and that’s probably only because I waited to take it rather than right away. Already got my prescription refilled. I’m so happy I was introduced to something that not only relieves symptoms but clears up these nasty breakouts quickly!"

• Ove...
• November 14, 2017

For Cold Sores "Thank you for this medicine! It works unbelievably well. I get mega cold sores, they can take over my entire bottom lip. Not only are they embarrassing, but also incredibly painful. This medicine works miracles. As soon as I feel that awful itch that indicates the cold sore coming through, I take one of these pills and a second 12 hours later. They will either completely prevent the cold sore from coming through or, at the very least, minimize the appearance and speed up recovery time. Not only that, I used to get a cold sore at least every three months. Now I’m down to about every six months or so. This medicine has changed my life."

• Jac...
• May 13, 2021

For Cold Sores "I'm 59 and used to get the occasional cold sore outbreaks, however, over the past 5 years, the outbreaks have subsided until this week. I happen to have an old prescription of Valtrex, and it really worked its magic, even though I took it after the sore appeared. In one day, the pain/itching went away, and the sore is barely visible. I only took 1000 MG twice, but discovered that the normal dose should be 2000 MG."

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2022

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I don’t remember what year I was diagnosed. I usually try to do the natural route, but this last outbreak really caused me some real pain and distress. I usually take Lysine and just ride it out. Not this outbreak, I took ibuprofen. My genital area and my legs are hurting. I feel like my left leg is so itchy, and it’s taking so long to feel better. So I started Valtrex today. I hope I feel better soon."