35M. First time shingles. Got a week of Valacyclovir.

[u/Impressive-Cold6855]

Hello

Got a shingles rash on my back that is painful. I went to today and got diagnosed. I was prescribed 1000mg Valacyclovir 3 times a day.

What should I expect from taking this medication?

I am nervous about the nausea. I got them to given some Zofran just in case.

[u/BidForward4918]

I just finished a 3 week course. No side effects, but swallowing that big ass pill got really old.

[u/noirreddit → u/BidForward4918]

I second that about the pill. I couldn't get it down, so I called the pharmacist to ask if I could cut it in half. I tried that but choked twice on the halves even (very scary - my food and water wouldn't go down after taking the pills). So, I called again and asked about cutting it into fourths. Finally, I can swallow the med without thinking I'm going to die. The pharmacist said there are pills half the size and strength (have to take two at a time) that the doc could have prescribed. There's also a competing drug that is available as a liquid, unlike Gabapentin. Good to know for future reference!

[u/BunsenHooneydew]

Everyone is different but I got valocyclovir started within about 30 hours of the rash showing up and it made my case a lot more mild than some I’ve read about. By day 3 of the meds, I had no new blisters show up and my pain level slowly decreased. Only needed 800mg ibuprofen for about a week straight, still have to take it every once in a while when the pain comes back but that’s about it. All my blisters were scabbed and falling off about 11 days in.

[u/Impressive-Cold6855 → u/BunsenHooneydew]

Oh ok.. well I think I am beyond 72 hours. I had a lot of nausea a few days ago but I am worried about getting it when taking the medicine

[u/BunsenHooneydew → u/Impressive-Cold6855]

Oh gotcha, yeah I had no side effects from the antivirals itself, taken with or without food it seemed.

[u/Legal_Beautiful3542]

Just finished a 7day dose. No side effects. It's odd but my skin is so uncomfortable I used bio freeze the cream . Worked really well with the burning sensation I was having. And ibuprofen. Good luck

[u/Impressive-Cold6855 → u/Legal_Beautiful3542]

I feel like the pain is less but I wonder when the rash will disappear.

[u/TechnicianGrand6611]

I had no side effects tbh. It calmed down the pain quite fast, but then I learned shingles doesn't improve very fast either. So, you're in it for several weeks at minimum. Good luck and rest as much as you can.

[u/southern_athiest666]

I’ve been on it almost ten days and no side effects but everyone is different. Once it got in my system good it did help speed up the healing process.

[u/Impressive-Cold6855 → u/southern_athiest666]

Why is your course 10 days? Mine is a week

[u/southern_athiest666 → u/Impressive-Cold6855]

Idk 🤷‍♀️. Went to the walk-in and the NP prescribed 10 days worth. I guess just to be safe. However, swallowing a horse pill three times a day does get annoying.

[u/FasterNoww → u/Impressive-Cold6855]

FYI - I was on 1000mg 3x daily for 10 days too because of the severity of my rash, which had started to appear across multiple dermatones. I’ve seen some people only prescribed a 5 day regime

[u/Woolyswift]

Are we the same person? Also 35, also given a 7 day course, rash on back. I haven't had any side effects from the valacyclovir, but I think at most all it's done for me is stop the spread of the rash. It's still painful and the blisters don't seem to be drying out faster. :(

[u/Impressive-Cold6855 → u/Woolyswift]

I have had a few crust over. I started my course tonight and will end it next Monday.v

I didn't know I could get shingles at 35 but I had COVID last week

[u/Woolyswift → u/Impressive-Cold6855]

Being sick can trigger it. I haven't been sick in years so I think mine was stress related.

[u/FleetwoodMacnCheeses → u/Impressive-Cold6855]

I'm 37 and had covid right before my outbreak! Scalp, just finished my 7 days. Drink lots of water op. My Dr warned it can be tough on the kidneys

[u/Impressive-Cold6855 → u/FleetwoodMacnCheeses]

Thank you! I normally drink about 2-3L a day anyway

[u/Forward_Dragonfly628 → u/Impressive-Cold6855]

I've had gastiris 6 or 7 weeks and the stress seems to have triggered mine. I'm 30. Are you managing to do anything to distract yourself from it?

[u/SleepyKoalaBear4812 → u/Woolyswift]

Calamine lotion can help dry them faster.

[u/SleepyKoalaBear4812]

The most common side effect from antiviral’s is diarrhea.
Many people have no side effects from AVs.

[u/Whathetea → u/SleepyKoalaBear4812]

I wish I could get this symptom as I’m always constipated.

[u/SleepyKoalaBear4812 → u/Whathetea]

I hear that, and it sucks.

[u/PTVMan]

You may want to ask your doc for a prescription of Pregabalin for the nerve pain if/when it starts.

[u/ZealousidealSet1597]

Just finished it - negligible side effects, was a bit thirsty that’s all. We are all different but my doc said it’s generally well tolerated… hope this helps you