Fighting frequent outbreaks

Sexual health
1

I was diagnosed with HSV1 seven years ago, you would think that after all these years my outbreaks would have improved by now but they haven't. I've been through four years of incredibly stressful classes at Uni, the death of my best friend, and one horrendous breakup, yet somehow through all of that my outbreaks were not as bad as they are right now. I'm accustom to having something like four outbreaks a year (which is awful in my opinion regardless, the number should be zero), this year has been the worst for me, I've already had at least six outbreaks. I just finished one three days ago only to find I'm having another one today. My outbreaks have always been painful but this year it seems way worse than before; I can't walk when I'm having them, they take longer than usual to heal, and anything triggers an outbreak. Before stress, vigorous exercise and rough sex were my triggers, but now just walking up a flight of staris, doing basic yoga, or apparently just being alive seems to be triggering my outbreaks. I've also been having extreme shooting pains randomly, muscle spasms and joint aches which although they seem unrelated they might be linked to my immune system.

I'm worried I'm suffering some kind of problem with my immune system. I had blood work done, which revealed that my immune system was in check and that I'm healthier than an ox. Anyone who knows simplex will tell you that the outbreaks are not caused by the virus itself but from the battle between the virus and the immune system. It seems as though my immune system is in overdrive. I'm at a loss as to what I should do. I can't afford my medication because I'm without coverage, if I have another outbreak after this I think I might lose my freaking mind. I'm doing all the right things, I'm eating all the right food, taking the right vitamins, but to no avail. Has anyone struggled with an auto-immune disorder and herpes simplex? What have you done to reduce your outbreaks?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers!

2

Are you in the UK Varnish?  If so, you don't have to pay for suppressant medication at the GUM (sexual health) clinic.

3

No, I wish I lived in the UK, my family is from there. I live in Canada. XP

4

Sorry you're having such a ghastly time.  Even on suppressant medication I still get about 5 episodes a year.

5

Try eating pineapple.   It worked for me.  Since taking pineapple  I only get an occasional outbreak .  I have one large slice every day and if I feel an outbreak coming on I have an extra large slice which stops it in its tracks.     I used to get back to back outbreaks and  have suffered for  years and my outbreaks were getting worse.   Please try. Its cheap inexpensive and it WORKS.

I would love to know how you go.

6

Hey Varnish, as Relief Herpie says, try the pineapple (I haven't yet but quite a few people say it works so will give it a go next time) and also try L-Lysine - +/-1000 mg, twice a day, as a preventative; then up the dosage as soon as you feel the tingle....I take about 16000 mg a day for the first two days and then cut it down to about 8000mg a day for two days and then down as it progresses. Avoid foods with Arginine and increase foods with L-Lysine.

I haven't ever heard that the blisters/outbreaks are the result of your immune system fighting the virus.....as far as I know, and I am not a doctor or immunologist, the outbreak is because your system is unable to fight the virus and so it wins. Hope it gets better for you - I also found that the outbreaks did not reduce in the number and severity; when I'm stressed etc then the virus thinks it's an invitation to visit and it does!!!