POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Violet on August 18, 2006, 06:53:31 am
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Hi All. I'm new in the forum, just joined today. I'm a 27 year old South African female, also HIV positive.
I need help with this recurrent herpes I get almost every month. At some point, my doctor put me on acyclovir, which was supposed to help, but I still get attacks. Is there any alternative medicine available (homeopathic), that one of you has tried and tested.
I tested positive in Jan 2005. I last did my digits in Feb 06, and my VL was 7000, CD4 700+. Please can you help as this is becoming really desperate.
Keep the faith!
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This is taken from the link I put in the Nutrition forum
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsConditions/HerpesSimplexViruscc.html
Living in NYC I am not sure how much of this is available to you, here is an excerpt, good luck:
Lifestyle
Taking lukewarm baths or applying ice to herpes lesions may help reduce pain, burning, or other discomfort. It is important to cleanse the infected area with soap and water, which may help avoid local spread of herpes from the active blisters to surrounding areas on your skin. After bathing or washing, it is important to completely dry the affected area.
Wear cotton underwear and avoid tight fitting clothes as they can restrict air circulation and slow the healing of lesions.
Coping with the emotional and social aspects of having genital herpes can be challenging. See Mind/Body Medicine for further discussion.
Nutrition and Dietary Supplements
Because supplements may have side effects or interact with medications, they should be taken only under the supervision of a knowledgeable healthcare provider.
Lysine
Although the research to date is not entirely conclusive, lysine supplements have been used to help treat or prevent mouth and genital lesions caused by herpes. Taking lysine supplements or increasing lysine in your diet (from foods like fish, chicken, eggs, and potatoes) may speed recovery time and reduce the chance of recurrent breakouts of the herpes infection. If you have high cholesterol, heart disease, or high triglycerides (type of fatty material in the blood, generally measured when you have your cholesterol checked), it is best, at this point, not to use lysine because animal studies suggest that this supplement may raise cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Propolis
Propolis, a resin from tree bark and leaves, is loaded with flavonoids (antioxidants that help fight infection and boost immune function). A study of a small number of people with genital herpes compared an ointment made from propolis to acyclovir ointment (a medication commonly used for herpes). In this research trial, the lesions of those using the propolis healed more quickly than those using acyclovir. Research on larger numbers of people would be helpful. In the interim, it may be worth trying propolis ointment for genital herpes lesions if your doctor approves.
Spirulina
Test tube studies suggest that spirulina, also known as blue green algae, has activity against certain viruses including herpes. Whether this laboratory finding will prove beneficial for people in treating herpes infections is not known. More research is needed before a recommendation can be made.
Zinc
Topical preparations of zinc have shown benefit in relieving symptoms and preventing recurrences of oral herpes lesions.
Herbs
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthen the body and treat disease. Herbs, however, contain active substances that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care and only under the supervision of a practitioner knowledgeable in the field of herbal medicine.
Aloe (Aloe vera)
Preliminary evidence suggests that aloe gel used topically may improve the symptoms of genital herpes. Whether this same use of aloe will apply to oral herpes lesions is not known, but it may be worth trying in order to reduce the length and severity of your symptoms. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of using topical aloe vera for herpes lesions.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officianalis)
Some studies suggest that topical ointments containing lemon balm may help heal herpes cold sores. In one study of 116 people with HSV, for example, those who applied lemon balm cream to their lip sores experienced significant improvement in redness and swelling after only two days. Although other symptoms (such as pain and scabbing) did not improve, both the participants and their physicians reported that the lemon balm ointment was highly effective. Several animal studies also support the value of topical lemon balm for oral herpes lesions.
Peppermint Oil (Mentha x piperita)
In test tubes, peppermint oil has exhibited antiviral properties against a number of infectious agents, including herpes. Whether this would translate into help for relieving herpes lesions is not known at this point.
Sage-Rhubarb Cream
In one Swiss study, a cream made from sage (Salvia officinialis) and rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) lessened the length of time that herpes lesions were present to the same extent as the medication acyclovir. More research on this topic would be helpful.
Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus/Acanthopanax senticosus)
Although not all studies agree, one 6-month study of 93 people with HSV-2 (which, again, generally causes genital herpes lesions) found that Siberian ginseng reduced the frequency, severity, and duration of outbreaks. This herb should not be given to children and should not be taken if you have high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea (repeated, prolonged periods when breathing stops while sleeping), narcolepsy (frequent day time sleeping), are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Use of tea tree oil, applied topically in gel form, has some popularity for herpes lesions on the lips. Although more research is needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn, there is some scientific basis for this use. First, in test tubes, tea tree oil has the ability to fight both strains of herpes viruses (HSV 1 and HSV 2). Secondly, there has been one small study comparing use of tea tree oil gel to placebo in those with recurrent oral herpes. The herpes lesions of those who used the tea tree oil healed more quickly than those who used placebo. Studies of larger numbers of people are necessary, however, along with studies that compare tea tree oil to medications used for herpes.
Others
Additional herbs that may be recommended by an herbal specialist for the treatment of either oral or genital herpes include:
Pau d'Arco (Tabebuia avellaneda)
Although Echinacea (coneflower) has gained some popularity for the prevention of herpes, there is no scientific evidence that it works for this purpose. In fact, despite test tube studies suggesting that Echinacea has the ability to fight the herpes virus, one study of people with herpes did not show any reduction in the number of their outbreaks.
To try to prevent herpes outbreaks, herbalists may also consider remedies that help strengthen your immune system or act as adaptogens (substances that help relieve stress).
Acupuncture
Case reports in the scientific literature suggest that acupuncture may help reduce the length of time of a herpes outbreak and decrease your chances for recurrent lesions. Additional research would be helpful.
Massage and Physical Therapy
Regular massage can help alleviate chronic stress; therefore, in theory, receiving massage on a regular basis may help avoid recurrent outbreaks. Aromatherapy, a massage method using essential oils, is one that has been evaluated for these purposes and results thus far suggest that this is a useful technique.
Relaxation Techniques
Using relaxation techniques, such as yoga, guided imagery, and meditation, on a daily basis may help you feel better overall and cope with your stresses related to having herpes.
Other
Individual therapy with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker as well as biofeedback are other therapeutic approaches that can help reduce symptoms associated with herpes and reduce one's tendency to withdraw from social situations if you have genital herpes.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
A traditional Chinese physician would likely prescribe topical herbal remedies consisting of a combination of herbal extracts to treat oral or genital herpes.
Herbs
Aloe
Echinacea
Lemon Balm
Pau d'Arco
Peppermint
Siberian Ginseng
Supplements
Lysine
Spirulina
Zinc
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hey Violet,
I know you asked for homeopathic treatments but I don't know of any for herpes.
I have recurrent genital herpes but my doctor prescribes Valtrex for it. You can take it daily to help stave of future attacks. I think it works much better than acyclovir.
Steve
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Hello Violet, it is Eldon. First of all welcome to the forums where you will find love, encouragement, understanding, support, fun, and answers to many of your questions relating to HIV/AIDS. This is a great group of people with a lot of information.
I personally don't have Herpes however, out of care and support, I did a search under: www.dogpile.com (http://www.dogpile.com) and I searched for: "alternative treatment for herpes" and a few sites came up with some alternative information for you to review at your leisure. The one I found quite interesting was: http://www.fixherpes.com/herpes.html?&gclid=CKPMz4jv74YCFQ4vSgodvQb3AA (http://www.fixherpes.com/herpes.html?&gclid=CKPMz4jv74YCFQ4vSgodvQb3AA) and then there was: http://www.herpes.com/Treatment.shtml (http://www.herpes.com/Treatment.shtml).
Also: During an outbreak, keep the infected area as clean and dry as possible. This will help your natural healing processes. Some doctors recommend warm showers in order to cleanse the infected area. Afterwards, towel dry gently, or dry the area with a hair dryer on a low or cool setting. To prevent chaffing, some people also find it helpful to avoid tight-fitting undergarments. Most creams and lotions do no good and may even irritate. ---Source: http://www.herpes.com/Treatment.shtml (http://www.herpes.com/Treatment.shtml)
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Dear Violet,
Herpes is more serious when you have HIV. If you try alternatives that is good as a support for your treatment with anti-virals like valtrex. Don't let things go out of control!
Coen
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Thank you all for your suggestions. My worry is does this now mean my CD4 is dropping each time I get an atatck? Does it mean that I'm quickly progressing to AIDS? Why does it keep coming back at more or less the same time every month? Its' never severe or anything, but it obviously makes me feel very uncomfortable.
But thanks for your suggestions, I sure will visit the suggested websites.
Violet!
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Violet,
Since you seem interested in homeopathic remedies, here's another link you might like to try. (http://www.homeowatch.org/) It's highly critical of homeopathy.
MtD
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8)HELLO, EVERYONE THIS IS ONYXATL...THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION AND ADD'L WEBSITES...I DEFINITELY AGREE THAT HERPES CAN BE A PAIN IN THE BUTT...SMILE...AND ELSEWHERE...HOWEVER, THE INFORMATION PROVIDED WILL GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING THOSES OF US WHO SUFFER, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER, THAN AT ANY OTHER TIME, SOME MUCH NEEDED RELIEF...PLEASE KEEP THE EXCELLENT INFORMATION SOURCES COMING...RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED