I have not reached out to anyone in my life about this. I’m not sure I want to or ever will. But I have lots of questions. The main one I have is what happens after the first outbreak? It’s been about 5 days for me and it’s pretty close to unbearable. Does everything look/feel normal again after everything is completely healed? Thank you in advance for anyones response, greatly appreciated. Also good to know I am not alone in this.
I also realized I have a typo in the title… I can’t figure out how to change it - correction: HSV-2
Hi Karen, after months of knowing something wasn't right I got an IGG test which said I was HSV-2 positive. I'm still in shock but trying to come to terms with it. I haven't had a sore since January but I have frequent prodrome symptoms like tingling and burning but I don't know if it's anxiety related. Have you been put on medication for the outbreak?
I actually just found out yesterday. My Dr. put me on Valacyclovir. I've only taken 3 pills so far. I read it usually takes 2-3 to finally kick in and start working. Today I bought Super B-Complex supplement, L-Lysine supplement, Calcium with Magnesium and Zinc supplement and Epsom salt. Hopefully these help. Were you able to find anything to help give you relief during your outbreak? Or anything as a preventative?
Did you ever get obvious sores? or just the burning/tingling?
Even though the nurse wasn't convinced that I had herpes (the lesion disappeared by the time I went to get swabbed), she still gave me Acyclovir which I think really helped because I didn't get any more sores. I'm lucky in the sense that I haven't had a bad breakout which is why I kept thinking my symptoms were unrelated to herpes. I did get painful spots that I thought could be herpes but they resembled whiteheads so I'm not sure. I do get a lot of spots on my pubic bone which tingle so I just think that my outbreaks aren't typical looking. I'm not on anything at the moment because I wanted to see how my body deals with it and I'm not sexually active. I think I will go on suppressive medication when I do find a partner. I just have excruciating nerve pain but I don't know whether that's anxiety as well as it came on when I got my results. Do you have a lot of lesions?
I only got one sore on my initial outbreak that resembled herpes, the rest have looked like pimples and I have been told by doctors that it was folliculitis and nothing to worry about. Now I have the positive result I think everything is related to herpes. I have leg nerve pain but no ulcers just spots and itching.
I never got the tingly feeling that a lot of people say they get. I just woke up one day and I noticed what I thought was a cut from either shaving or intercourse from the previous days before. Within 2 days I had several lesions. They didn't start hurting until the day I went to my Dr. Since then it's been pretty close to unbearable. I do have several and I hate even saying that. I know it's only been 2 days since I've known but I definitely have not come to terms with this. I feel embarrassed and I just don't know what to do.
It's shocking when you first find out but I've noticed so many people on here that say they've had it for years and it's not a big deal anymore. I'm still fixated on it but hopefully I will come to terms with it, I'm here if you need support!
I tested positive in 2016 and it was a real shock to me I could not eat nor function for months . It is now 2020 and I dont feel like I even have anything. Every once and awhile I get the tingles but never any sores and I have never taken any medication. I had the initial outbreak and one since that was not bad. Things will get better.
How was your initial outbreak? I've seen a lot of people posting how their initial outbreak was 1 or 2 lesions or none at all. Mine has been absolutely horrible. Which worries me because I don't feel like the medication I am taking is doing anything. I hope I get to the point you are at now. Gives me hope, thank you!
Hi!
I'm actually very glad you've reached out, we are more than happy to help you out on any question you have, if there is anything we can help you with in the future, don't hesitate to reach out!
Usually the first herpetic outbreak tends to be very aggressive, multiple ulcers, very painful. The good news are, once this is over, everything will return to normal, herpetic ulcers do not leave scared tissue (except for chronic outbreaks). After your first outbreak, the other outbreaks become less common (variable, depending on stress, diet, etc..). Adding a therapy to it will even decrease the chances of an outbreak furthermore which is excellent news!
My recommendation is the following, A) incorporate a healthy diet plan (Reduce antioxidants) B) good exercise routine (reduce antioxidant) C) Enjoy life, every single second counts D) In terms of sexual life, take precautions, trll your partner to use a condom if you feel that "tingling sensation (which is what patients describe before a possible outbreak)". About receiving oral sex, this part is tricky, I recommend you to search for a specialist in this part, so you can feel secure.
A big hug and wish you the best!!
Thank you. I am here for you also if you need support! I'm very thankful I found this site. I cannot wait until I am at that point. I can't wait for this first outbreak to be over.
hey karen! sorry to hear you are having a hard time!! once all the ulcers are gone you should start to feel normal again. its still early so you might have some more outbreaks as your body gets used to it. you also might not have any!! youll learn to know when one is coming up :) but everything will feel normal and it wont be near as bad as the first time :) feel free to message me if you want more info or to have a chat x
Hi karen, sorry to hear you are going through an outbreak! i contracted hsv last september, my partner gave me oral sex while he had a cold sore and it went from there! my first outbreak was absolutely horrific. it was painful in every way and i felt like it would never end (it did)! and i was left with no scarring or damage. i had another outbreak at the beginning of march which was less severe. the first outbreak i had about 10 sores but this time i only had about 5. i have found a routine that works for me when dealing with an outbreak -
1)as soon as you feel any signs (itching, tingling, aches and pains, swelling in the groin) get some anti viral medication (acciclovir). this will slow down the production of the sores so you dont get as many. 2)wear loose clothing (no underwear) and keep the area dry and clean- i literally sit with my legs open in front of a fan for as long as possible! 3)bathe the area 5 times a day with dilluted tea tree oil in water and use cotton wool to gently dab the sores. if you dont get along with tea tree oil, use salt water - this will keep the sores clear of infection and help dry them out. 4) if it burns when you pee - pee in the shower or pour water over you while you pee to dilute it 5) take regular pain relief 6) DONT STRESS - this is not the end of life as you know it. the only person who knows i have this is my partner, i didnt feel comfortable telling anyone else and thats fine. this forum will be a god send to you , we are all here to support each other.
i hope this helps! you are not alone, so many people in the world have herpes, most of them don't even know they have it. its not a big deal!
look after yourself and please message me if you need support x
how long did you wait to get tested ?
Hi, I hope you don't mind me commenting on here, i could really do with some support and it seems like we have been through similar situations. I was diagnosed 8 month ago after meeting a new partner. I had my first breakout a few weeks after we got together. I never discussed this with him at the time (i know i should have) and i am still unclear as to wether he knows he has it (i dont think he does) we are still together and i have had 3 small outbreaks since. i have found a range of things that help. Anyway the reason i am asking for support now i havent spoken to any friends or family about this and today my partner found some tablets in my car (for a recent breakout) that i didnt take. I brushed him off with an stupid cold sore excuse but i know i really need to disucss it with him and dont know how to. please help, kind of struggling.
I have just come from my GP today.
she confirmed herpes.
my partner now has a cold sore and we had anal sex and play 10 days ago.
taken me 3 phone calls and 7 days to finally see a doctor.
I have several blister and its very aggressive.
Really gets me down, getting emotional now.
I have tablets now, but probably to late to help she said. just have to let it run its course she said, could be upto 4 weeks until completely healed she said.
wont know witch strain until test comes back
I waited 3 months to get the blood test as I know it can take a while to show up
how long did you wait to get tested ?