Thats horrible.! I had them for 25 yrs before Valtrex was found. I am not on a maintenance dose of 1 gram a day and should I have any tingling I am to add 500…additional half. I have never had Shingles again ……decades of non suffering……it also has a nice side effect of calming all nerve endings!……this is a no brainer……really…..get it right away!!!……you can even get it at Urgent Medicals…….I am so sorry this has hurt you for so long!