This is me being honest with you.
Your PN is most likely caused by the herpes. I found out with IGG test I have both types but genitally manifesting.
A year later, I was diagnosed with herpes simplex encephalitis and couples of months later I had peripheral neuropathy. I have had blood tests, scans, MRI, EEG etc.
The doctor made me understand that my neuropathy was caused by my herpes. My case I wasn't taking suppressive meds, I only took antivirals when i had outbreaks, normally 400mg 3x daily, once the outbreak clears, I take 400mg 2x then I stop a couple of days later and get on L-Lysine.
Male, athletic, not immunocompromised, had no chronic illness prior to having my first herpes outbreak I was 29 years old when it happened and I am 31 now dealing with persistent neuropathy. Pain, burning sensation, numbness(sometimes), pin and needless(sometimes), blurry vision ALL IN ONE SIDE OF MY BODY.
Surprise, surprise, the same side i do get my genital outbreaks, all in the right side. At the peak of my flare ups, it makes me extremely fatigue. I am only dealing with reducing the pain etc. The virus ****** up my nerves and thats one of the unsaid secrets about the virus. I was gaslighted on reddit for my observations esp when my issues started and it turned out herpes was caused me encephalitis and neuropathy.
So first, do you think it was acyclovir 800 mgs 5 times a day?
That's a VERY high dose. Way too high. The dose for acyclovir for 5x a day is 200 mg 5x a day.
Acyclovir comes in 200, 400 and 800 mgs. Valacyclovir comes in 500 and 1000 mgs.
In any case, that shouldn't cause permanent nerve damage. While some people do report neuropathy like symptoms while taking it, it usually resolves when stopping it.
Have you seen a neurologist? Had any imaging done - like an MRI or CT scan of your spine?
Are you diabetic? Have any autoimmune disorders? Have they done any other blood work?
There are lots of possible causes of PN - herpes is near the bottom of the list, and herpes meds are probably lower.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061
I'm glad you've ruled out herpes as the cause, but make sure your doctors are running tests instead of just throwing meds at you.