Newly diagnosed with GH

Sexual health
1

Hey,

I was diagnosed with GH on Tuesday having visited my doctor with a suspected case of bad thrush. Following an immediate referral to my local GUM clinic I was diagnosed with what hadn't even crossed my mind! I have been with my partner for almost 4 years and I

believe he's been faithful so it came as a shock. He does however get cold sores on occasion, and despite not having had one for about a year at this point the nurse said that's probably where I've got it from, even though he's showing no symptoms he can still pass it on through oral sex.

I've been through the motions, cried - A LOT, felt disgusted at myself, devastated that I have this condition for the rest of my life (would much rather have been diagnosed with something curable!), I really blamed my boyfriend for a couple of days and didn't really want anything to do with him but I know that's not fair, he didn't mean it. But it's me stuck with it in the worst possibly place.

Anywho, I'm now 3 days after my diagnosis and 5 days since initial symptom of an itch/burn (oh how I wish it was the thrush I thought it was!!) on Wednesday/Thursday the flu like symptoms caught me and now I am just in the midst of the most disgusting and debilitating pain of my life. My fan looks like a train wreck, all the blisters have merged together so I basically have 1 giant blister on each side of my inner labia (sorry if tmi but I need to share my pain!). I've had the last 2 days off work because not only can I not sit down but I can wear knickers never mind trousers. 

I have come here for some support and some of your own experience in regards to self medicating and coping with the pain/just getting on with life.

I was prescribed with Acyclovir and took them until Tuesday but blamed them for some tremendous itching that I just couldn't deal with. I've changed my tactic to a spoonful of Manuka honey a day, a 1000mg garlic capsule as well as VERY regularly washing the area with salt water and cotton wool followed by applying the Manuka direct to the area. This burns like the pits of ■■■■ but once that passes it has a really soothing and almost numbing affect. I'm also taking Boots ibuprofen with lysine (an amino acid we don't naturally produce which is apparently helpful for treating this).

Now, I'm only 5 days in from the beginning and I genuinely am struggling to do anything. I worry that it's now only 2 days until Monday and I'll have to try and get to work. How do people actually cope? I've heard the 'primary outbreak' is the worst and I won't have another like it, but I've also read that this can last up to 3 weeks. Please people tell me yours lasted much less than this. I'm terrified to drink because I'm terrified to pee and I'm generally not coping very well, physically and mentally. None of my friends have this so no-one can possibly understand the severity of the pain.

Any words of advice and wisdom anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated. I just feel like I need a big hug but at the same time I don't want to see anyone, I don't feel like I can put on a brave face. Am I being overly dramatic? 

Sorry for the long post x

2

Genital Type 1 can cause worse first outbreaks than genital Type 2, but it is much better to have of the two, since after the first outbreak it tends to rarely shed or recur (once a year, if that), so is not nearly as infectious or problematic. It is also less infectious to have Type 1 genitally than orally, I should add.

So, although it sucks to have it at all, genital Type 1 is not really so bad once you get over the initial outbreak. You just happen to have the common cold sore virus in a different location. Not sure if that helps, but that's really the case. Big hug!

3

Well first you're not overreacting one bit..having HS-2 sucks! I'm taking 1000mg valtrex/day and yes it makes me itch like a dog with fleas! Idk why but it just does..now I've had an OB now going on 3weeks, looking "somewhat " better...taking epsome salt baths,putting apple cider vinegar on my bird(this burns!) and have yet to find something to quick heal it...lysine 1500/ 2X day...I'm just all outta hope...but u are not alone!! Text back anytime

4

Fortunately, she likely has Type 1, not Type 2, which really doesn't compare after the first outbreak. Agree that Type 2 sucks, however!

5

Thanks for your comment smile I had read that type 1 is somewhat better to have than type 2 but wasn't sure of the reasons. I don't get my blood work results until between Tuesday-Friday so I don't know which type I have yet but I am keeping my fingers crossed for 1. If you get the worst primary outbreak with that I think I must have it because I don't know how it could be any worse than this!!

Question, not sure if you'll know the answer to this (I will call the health worker at some point to verify but it's worth an ask) - I caught it from my boyfriend, so is it safe to say we have the same strain of the virus? Or is that not necessarily always the case? X

6

Thanks so much for your comment, as grim as it sounds I wanted to know that someone out there was in the same pain as me right now (sorry!) how have you coped with 3 weeks? Do you work, and if so how have to managed to go about your normal day without breaking down? I don't know if I am just mentally weak or not but this is now only day 6 for me and I've cried at least once every day, but usually more over the pain of it, and working on Wednesday broke me a couple of times. How long have you had it to still have such severe outbreaks?

I will say, if you haven't tried the Manuka honey yet I would give that a go. It hasn't done much on the sores that are already really deep at this point but I'm breaking out in new ones daily and it genuinely has stopped them in their tracks - the ones on the inner part of my nan still 'erupt' but then regress really quickly rather than get deeper, but I have 2 on the outer part (normal skin) and it has completely stopped one and is doing well to suppress the other. Unfortunately the skin does have to break first to allow the Manuka to get in there but from my short experience of it (I only bought it on Thursday) I would definitely give that a go on new sores. X

7

Yes I can still work, I drive an 18 wheeler...it's hard some days...itching and stuff..mine hasn't burned one bit, still when I use the restroom and look Down and see that crap it makes me sick! Never heard of the honey remedy, it's worth a try...it's just very hard accepting this curse we've been given...again I feel your pain, and if u need to vent I'm here to listen