Question: I was diagnosed with XXXXXXX Hunt 25 years ago. For several years i did alright( i have an underlying herplex simplex with breakouts usually one spot on my bottom and occ on lips.) I had a second flare up 5years ago and since then have recurring rounds usually every few weeks and it only effects the left side of my body anywhere between head,face,jaw to midsection, or groin area and pain radiates down left leg to feet. Everything I've read re: XXXXXXX Hunt says nothing about recurring cylcles or effecting any other part except the head region. Could something else be causing these symptoms other than the Ramsay?
I went the route of taking valtrex along with prenisone when these occurred but am leary of continuing these drugs long term. What can you advise?

Yes, I am currently experiencing another outbreak..about 7 days in.
I am not taking valtrex at the present time, however i am using Angstrom professional silver 1tsp 2x a day oraly and topically on painful areas of body and on a qtip in the ear. The angstrom seems to help soothe the painful areas and internally helps outbreaks to not be so severe. It's not sapping calcium from my body like prednisone has done . Most recent severe outbreak with the XXXXXXX was five years ago this month. Went to my new Dr. today and he seems to think this is not true XXXXXXX but herpes simplex because he cannot see any lesions of shingles on outside of body, but believe me the pain is there localized mostly to my face, jaw,ear, face still tingling. All the symptoms are on the left side of my body and seem to travel or rotate to various parts on left side outbreak to outbreak. always lasting at least 3weeks in which ever part is affected. The Dr. seems to feel all is related to the herpes simplex and fibromyalgia. He is putting me on Gabapentin 300 mg 2x a day for next 30 days to see if this helps with the nerve pain. Leading up to the outbreaks I have at least one whole week of extreme fatique, then intense cravings for chocolate and sometimes peanutbutter(weird, right? almost like pms) then i will have itching and then the pain along with tightness in face etc. i had a complete hysterectomy 17 years ago this month, so def not pms.

Thank you very much for answering. As you can well imagine...The frequency of the flare ups and not knowing has been driving me nuts. Any way to slow these down????? This is permanent isn't it?

At this point...would getting the shingles vaccine be to my benefit???

Again, thank you so much for your input and I will certainly pass along to my physician.

This is such a great service....

Thank you very much