I was diagnosed three days ago and from what I can tell I'm having a fairly typical, awful first outbreak. I started acyclovir and lydocaine gel and it seemed to be helping. But my hands and then my arm started going numb so I freaked out and went to urgent care. I've been very nervous and on edge since the diagnosis. The doctor say it's rare but possible to get neurological side effects, and that very rarely that numbness can spread to the diaphragm and stop your breathing. He suggested I stop taking it. That was 24 hours ago and I feel more pain/aches down there now. I really want this gone asap. He did prescribe valtrex, so I'll get that tomorrow (pharmacy closed today). Has anyone else experienced these side effects on either drug? What did you do?
Also, could the numbness and periodic arm pains just be part of the outbreak, not a reaction to meds?
I am taking valcyclovir which is valtrex and I haven't had a single side effect that I can tell and iv been taking it for a year
Yes a side effect of the outbreaks can be severe nerve pain! I get nerve pains in my butt cheek and hamstrings