My_dog_is_hungry

I would hardly say you were "exposed". A huge percentage of the population has hsv1 in their blood. Every time you kiss someone you're being "exposed“ then, you just happen to know your partner has it, because she kindly got a blood test after you had a conniption over your cysts. Get on with your life.

Could it be fungus? Have you tried anti fungals?

Herpes is pretty painful my dude!

If it helps how you feel about your partner, I've had regular unprotected sex with my husband for 15 years and he isn't positive, so it could be that your partner has it and only just passed it on.

This is stress related, not valtrex related.

Yes. I had foot pain for 12 months after primary infection. No outbreak though.

I had it for 12 years before I started getting regular outbreaks 😭

Hormones definitely make a difference for me. I never had an outbreak until around age 35 (had it since age 23), and it's gotten progressively worse as I've aged. I have one every period, and the last one was 3 weeks long with no relief from antivirals 😭

@AnnieO Stress! Such a big one. I was sooooo stressed last week and then Friday was like, hello! worst outbreak ever 😭😂. @mr_hopp I'm so glad I asked this question. One of the things you mentioned was about experimenting with coming off suppressives. I've tried that too and the same result, one week and I get an outbreak. I thought there must be something wrong with me!

Decaffeinated baby!

Hey guys, does anyone have any triggers they have identified? I used to be able to live the dirty life-caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, stress, throw in a few hormones, a couple of immune reducing illnesses and I got off scot-free. Later on in life, I'm like outbreak city over here. I really don't want to give up caffeine. I loooooove instant coffee! I'm super interested to hear if you've given up some of your vices and if it helped 😊

Aw I'm so sorry that you're feeling this way. I remember finding out and being hysterical that first night. I was lucky to have support around me and an understanding reaction from my boyfriend at the time. I think the way I got through it was by reminding myself that I had done nothing wrong, nothing different from most people. I also realised that it didn't change a lot. It meant that I was going to periodically have pain (which really fucken sucks, it's bloody awful) and that some people might not want to fuck me, but lots of people won't want to fuck me anyway 😂. I was still smart, funny, a bit weird but a half decent human. Horrible itchy, painful scabs on my arse aren't going to change the magnificent person I see when I look in the mirror. May you get over this patch soon and see that you are still worthy of love from yourself and others xxx

Definitely the right thing to disclose. I got diagnosed nearly 20 years ago, never had a symptom for 15 years and then all of a sudden I started getting outbreaks. I used to think like you 'I never have symptoms, I've never passed it on, why do I have to have this diagnosis?' But then once I started getting outbreaks, I was grateful not to have to go through the 'how did I get it? Will my partner think I cheated?' issues that can arise.

I seriously think you're having a moment fat lady, maybe you need to talk to someone? As for a cure, don't get your hopes up guys. We're not high on the priority list. This forum is about living with the disease, not hoping for a miracle. I think they vibe about cures on honeycomb... Live now. Don't wait.

Is this for me? Sorry what's the question?