I took the meds for a month or two after my initial diagnosis, but couldn't afford it. I had to find a better way to treat the outbreaks. I had begun using herbs for other reasons (sinus) with great success, so I went to the herb shop to see what was available to treat HSV. I learned that Lysine, an amino acid, could treat outbreaks; and that there is an opposite amino acid, arginine, that feeds the virus...causing it to shed more and therefore the sores to stay longer.  I discovered what signs my body gave me to indicate that an outbreak was coming. This took a couple of times of noticing slight changes (pain at the back of my leg, sensitivity in private areas, flu like symptoms...then within 24 hours a sore would appear).  Once I figured out when I was getting an outbreak, I was able to "beat the outbreak" by dosing up on lysine at the 1st sign.  This doesn't work 100% of the time, but most of the time it does. Some outbreaks come with out any warning signs, but I still take lysine to decrease the duration of the outbreak.  I have articles about what foods are high in lysine and low in arginine if anyone is interested.  I also have articles about lysince along with Vit. C and E to treat outbreaks.  I didn't have anyone to ask questions to, not knowing anyone else with this virus, so I had to do my own research.  I have since been able to help inform people with cold sores how to manage them...after all....it's the same virus, just different area of the body!  I hope this helps.