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Forgot to mention I got my positive test result in August 1993. I was probably exposed 6-12 months prior to that.
Peter, I'm just glad you're still alive. I admire your work and clarity of thought. Persevere. I'm a 43yo HIV+ white gay male and I've had Simplex 1 since I was a child. I've always gotten fever blisters on my lips and was taking Zovirax as soon as it was available, long before my seroconversion. I am very fortunate: with the exception of 6 months of chemotherapy (8/99-4/2000) I have never in my life taken HIV/AIDS drugs and to date remain healthy. Never occurred to me but acyclovir may be part of the reason for this.
I was diagnosed as HIV+ in 1991. I was also diagnosed with genital herpes in the same year. My doctor put me on 800mg one per day of acyclovir. I have maintained that dosage since. I take a cocktail as well. I remain undectable and otherwise in good health. I too attribute my longevity in part to the acyclovir along with two multivitamins per day. Terry K.
Because of your blog, the subsequent POZ article and a recent outbreak, I've decided to go back on acyclovir which I used for a spell then decided to use only prophylactically. I got it in my head that I didn't want to use drugs if I could avoid them. Interestingly, it was the herpes virus that gave me the first and only clues something was wrong with me several months after seroconversion. I had a series of outbreaks whereas the first and only, unconfirmed outbreak had been 2 years prior while caring for my s.o. dying of cancer. Stress-induced. A couple of days ago, I started back on a daily regimen and will look for a possible impact on CD4 count. It is the single, most noticeable change in my physiology post-dx---an uncanny vulnerability to outbreaks and almost always attached to stressful incidents. Thanks so much for posting your experience. Reading all of the recent e-ink changed my ego-driven thinking--here it may be doubly therapeutic!
Great news!Like you Peter I was diagnosed very early; in october 85 actually. I did not take any meds until 1994 but at that time my health was getting worse. One day I met my doctor on the street and I had a bad case of cold sore. He recommended I took Acyclovir daily as he said the herpes virus is weakening your immune system...which of course is not good. I have been taking Acyclovir since december 94, non stop twice daily. Whereas many other HIV-poz are not taking it I was tempted not to stop take it...but here I am almost 23 years after the diagnostic, still healthy...even if I am now taking loads of anti HIV drugs...I am convonced that Acyclovir has played a role in my survival.
Interesting Peter. I was diagnosed in 1986 and have been on and off various anti viral medications since then. However, I too was diagnosed with herpes simplex and given the zovirax ointment which I used daily. I continued taking the pills - even on occasions when I went on an anti-viral holiday. I continue as a long term survivor. Tom
Peter, Interesting post. I, too, took acyclovir for years, starting with an outbreak of shingles in September of 1985, and have always felt that it was an important part of my HIV treatment strategy. Nathaniel Pier, my doctor in the mid-80s, described acyclovir as effective at "lowering the overall viral playing field" and therefore minimizing potential risks for aggravation of HIV. Sean
Jimmez
I have been on this med daily for 25 years and this is all I am taking. I have been with thousands (25) of guys and been barebacked by at least 5 thousand and never picked anything up. Lived through the 80's to present 2016 and never even sick with the flu. I may get the occasional food poisoning but that's as bad as it gets. Some think I have a gene that makes me immune to the virus. I attribute it to acyclovir since I have never even had a reason to be tested. This drug is effective im proof.
December 28, 2016