Still need help PLEASE!

Sexual health
1

First of all, thank you for taking the time to read my discussion. This episode in my life is causing me much distress, as i'm sure it has for a lot of you. Any advice you can provode me, whether professional or from experience, im sure will serve me well. 

Gender: M

Age: 22

Here is rhe long story short: I was diagnosed with HSV2 in December of 2015. Ever since, I feel as if my outbreak has never fully subsided despite medication, lifestyle changes, etc. i seem to be able to make some progress in managing my outbreaks, but I have yet to make them go away completely. 

Here is the full story: After being diagnosed, due to noticing the small leisons on my penis, I was prescribed 500mg valtrex 2 times daily. I finished the dosage and had to get a refill. After months of taking valtrex, and developing new symptoms, I concluded that i was suffering from something other than HSV. I went to the doctor and was tested for all STD's and HIV. All negative. The doctor and I concluded that I had a yeast infection and he prescribed a cream. Eventually, my "yeast infection" symptoms subsided, but my other symptoms never disappeared fully. I then returned to the doctor amd asked for further treatment of HSV. He swotched me to acyclovir in both tablet and ointment form. I began both and noticed good results for the first week, but again the outbreak never completely subsided. I have also implemented some natural remedies that have helped, but not worked completely. They are: aloe vera gel, garlic, immune system supplements, diet changes, working out, green teas, etc. i must admit, I am unable to masturbate during these episodes and this is difficult to go long periods of time with abstinance. It does seem to inflame the outbreak further when I do it, and I always wait until I think I am outbreak free before I do it. But it always sets me back. Note: I do not personally believe this to be the underlyng problem as I do not masturbate chronically. 

What shoukd I do? 

2

Out of interest, how were you diagnosed with HSV-2? IgG antibody test or swab? Are you on acyclovir daily, and if so, at which dosage? Have you tried valacyclovir? Some people have better results with that. Also, what symptoms are you frequently experiencing? You didn't specify.

3

I was diagnosed by blood and urine test. Also, I'm taking 400mg acyclovir 2x daily. I did take valacyclovir, both 500 mg 2x daily and then 1g 1x daily

4

The symptoms include:

-tingling at testicle region

-lesion/blisters on penis near head

-occasional shooting pain

-occasional feeling of passing discharge

-same symptoms in rectal area

5

So, you tested positive for HSV-2 IgG antibodies and for HSV-2 by urine-based pcr? The latter is not a common test, but I digress.

According to the HSV experts I follow, if the meds don't help -- and you've already tried all of the key ones at the correct dosages -- then the problem may not be due to herpes, or at least not directly due to herpes. Not very helpful, I realise!

How often do you get lesions whilst on the meds? Not the other symptoms, just lesions, and do they turn into open sores?

6

Thanks again for your advice! I have had the same leisons for at least 2 months. It's really hard to keep track off exactly how long without making a log of it. The leisons do seem to heal some when they become aggrivated, but they dont heal completely. I really dont know what you mean by open sores, but I can just say that my doctor took a look at them and said it looked like herpes more than once. 

7

Why don't you get the lesions swabbed tested the next time? You have only had the antibody and urine test, no direct test of the actual lesions believed to be herpes. It's just rather unusual and unlikely for herpes to last that long and almost continuously, so a swab test might be useful. A pcr/dna swab is the most accurate.