Reviewer: Chito, 55-64 on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)

Comment:
I am 61 years old and have been with shingles the first time. My doctor prescribed me 800mg 3xs a day for 7 days. With my first taking this drug, I felt sleepy, I like to sleep most of the time.I felt light-headedness, seems floating in the air, but I know what I am doing.I hope Acyclovir will work since it is my 2nd day taking it. The pain in my shingles seems reduced. But I am always have this s ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I am 61 years old and have been with shingles the first time. My doctor prescribed me 800mg 3xs a day for 7 days. With my first taking this drug, I felt sleepy, I like to sleep most of the time.I felt light-headedness, seems floating in the air, but I know what I am doing.I hope Acyclovir will work since it is my 2nd day taking it. The pain in my shingles seems reduced. But I am always have this sleepy moments and always like to eat and drink water.
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Reviewer: Sammie, 55-64 on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)

Comment:
Shingles outbreak on left calf. Began with sciatica type nerve pain shooting down leg, numbness of foot and feeling of sunburn, followed with blisters in 3 days. No known history of chicken pox, thought it was allergic reaction to plants while gardening, but here it is. After one day of this medicine, the blisters dried up and the swelling decreased. No further noticeable changes for three day ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
Shingles outbreak on left calf. Began with sciatica type nerve pain shooting down leg, numbness of foot and feeling of sunburn, followed with blisters in 3 days. No known history of chicken pox, thought it was allergic reaction to plants while gardening, but here it is. After one day of this medicine, the blisters dried up and the swelling decreased. No further noticeable changes for three days. Entire leg, from hip to toes is painful, a shooting, brief pain that seems to travel around the leg, combined with a deep dull, constant ache which affects the joints and muscles. Definitely painful enough that potent RX pain meds are required. The OTC meds of Tylenol Extra Strength, Advil and Alleve reduced pain by about 30%, not enough for real relief or sleep so I gave in and got the prescription meds. Unable to sit or stand for more than 10 minutes without feeling an intense increase in pain. So, it is this med, pain meds and bed rest. Restless. Grouchy.
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Reviewer: 65-74 on Treatment for 6 months to less than 1 year (Patient)

Comment:
I donâ??t like taking drugs unless really painful. It works but have to take for 10 days. My breakouts have been small. If itâ??s not too bad I use Orajel , itâ??s for tooth ache but it works to kill the itch for me. I just use any brand. I only get breakout 4 times a year.

Comment:
I donâ??t like taking drugs unless really painful. It works but have to take for 10 days. My breakouts have been small. If itâ??s not too bad I use Orajel , itâ??s for tooth ache but it works to kill the itch for me. I just use any brand. I only get breakout 4 times a year.
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Reviewer: Heather, 55-64 on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)

Comment:
I take at onset of severe ache in lower back that if not caught in time will cause pain spasm so severe that it lands me in bed unable to walk. 800mg 3x daily puts me back on my feet after a few days. I have not had a rash eruption since the first outbreak at age 35 but the same spot is where the ache recurs periodically. I don't take a suppressive dose as the recurrences of these episodes are ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I take at onset of severe ache in lower back that if not caught in time will cause pain spasm so severe that it lands me in bed unable to walk. 800mg 3x daily puts me back on my feet after a few days. I have not had a rash eruption since the first outbreak at age 35 but the same spot is where the ache recurs periodically. I don't take a suppressive dose as the recurrences of these episodes are very rare. I also take when I develop severe chest colds since I learned the varicella virus is associated with pneumonia and it works wonders to alleviate pain from coughing and reduces the copious secretion production that choke the windpipe. I do feel light-headed on high dose but I have normally low blood pressure anyway so I sip constantly from a bottle of electrolyte water (Pedialyte is fine) and push fluids in broths and soups. I believe I have avoided hospital stays with this protocol.
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Reviewer: 55-64 Female (Patient)

Comment:
The same day I began using Acyclovir, I experienced several extreme and rare side fx of this medication. The dosage was 800mg 5 times a day for 7 days. Within 2hrs of taking the second dose, I began noticing vertigo, nausea, a migraine-like headache and general sense of being unwell. I went marketing with my husband, I told him I felt awful, like I was going to pass out. The next thing I knew, I w ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
The same day I began using Acyclovir, I experienced several extreme and rare side fx of this medication. The dosage was 800mg 5 times a day for 7 days. Within 2hrs of taking the second dose, I began noticing vertigo, nausea, a migraine-like headache and general sense of being unwell. I went marketing with my husband, I told him I felt awful, like I was going to pass out. The next thing I knew, I was on the floor, having fainted. Paramedics were called. My blood pressure was extremely low. I tried to tell the EMTs I'd just started taking Acyclovir that day. I don't think they heard me. I was placed in an ambulance, IV fluids were started, and a ekg done. Once in the ER, I tried to tell the dr and nurses about the Acyclovir I'd just begun that day. No one was listening. The ER doc ordered blood work and five separate ekg's. All the tests were normal. The dr gave me what I thought was a choice to be admitted or go home. I tried to bring up the Acyclovir again, but he clearly ignored me and what I was trying to tell him. I decided to go home. Once at home, I looked up ALL the known side fx that can be caused by Acyclovir. Under the "rare" side fx was low blood pressure, headache, vertigo and fainting. I called the prescribing dr, told him what happened and brought up the side fx issue. He denied that it was from the medication and told me to see a neurologist, as if I'd had a stroke. I believe that if the ER doc thought it was a stroke, I would have been treated for that possibility. I continued taking the medication, but suffered from headaches and nausea for the next 6 days. 4hrs after taking the last dose, I started feeling much better. The Acyclovir took care of my shingles, but the treatment put me in grave danger. I read a review on this website about another person having the same experience. It further confirmed my belief about the side fx. Time for medical professionals to listen and believe these side fx do exist! I hope I never have to take Acyclovir again.
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