Southpaw
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Posts posted by Southpaw
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On 3/6/2024 at 12:04 AM, ashleytiffania said:
Hi All - Sorry in advance for the long commentary, but I need help, my herpes is driving me mad!
I was diagnosed 5 years ago with genital HSV-1, which I got from my current boyfriend that I am still with. After my first outbreak, the virus remained dormant up for almost 5 years up until 6 months ago. I took a 2 week trip with my bf and I believe that it was a combination of triggers that led to my current outbreak. We had sex everyday (caused a lot of friction), I didn't sleep as much, I ate foods high in arginine, and I got sick with covid. At first, it didn't really register that this was going to be a bad herpes outbreak because I hadn't experienced anything like this before. But in the last 6 months I have had nonstop tingling/itching met with sores that just never seem to go away.
Last month, I decided that enough was enough and that I can't keep living like this, I need to fix it and go back to the way things were. In the last month, I have given up chocolate, nuts, alcohol, and caffeine. I am also sleeping 8+ hours per night and loading up on supplements like vitamins b,c,d,e and zinc. I also have been refraining from scratching. I also use vaseline down there when it hurts or gets bothersome and itchy.
I made the discovery last month that there is a sore in the opening of my vagina, and two on the labia next to it that have not gone away. It also looks like my perineum is sensitive as I bleed from there when I poop. The sores have a whitish/yellowish discharge. I have not had sex in the last 3 weeks as I try to heal, but what I'm doing doesn't seem to be working and I am becoming desperate. I am making an appt with an obgyn and am going to look into taking lysine supplements and suppressive antivirals.
This whole ordeal has made me feel very depressed and hopeless. I want my old life back, when this beast hadn't awaken yet. I am hoping that I can get this to become dormant again and revert back to how it was over the last 5 years before this madness. I also want to resume some aspect of my sex life. I'm wondering maybe if I use a lot of lube or coconut oil and have gentle sex if that could be ok. I haven't had sex in the last few weeks to prevent cuts, but I still manage to get them anyways so may as well have sex with my bf I guess who already has hsv 1 and gave it to me. The cuts seem to just not be able to heal, so I am getting pretty freaked out.
PLEASE let me know if you have had similar experience and/or what has helped you! I really want to feel some hope that this will get better.
Another suggestion here, as it helped with my breakouts. I don't have them anymore so I even forget I have the virus. I sought out a naturalist who put me on a program for 6 months. It was a lot of capsules to take each day, but it was worth it. It wasn't cheap, but it was worth it. It was two different supplements each day, three times a day. Do a Google search for your area. This is an option I highly recommend for anyone.
Also, I find zinc oxide is very soothing for blisters or irritation; if needed, I apply with a Q-tip (just don't put the tip back into the tube a second time for more to avoid contamination). Nuts are so bad, but I ate a bunch of them everyday for a week recently and became irritated (but no blister!). The zinc oxide helped a lot.
I eat dark chocolate only, and I have to say it doesn't affect me. Milk chocolate has more sugar. If that's your choice, that could be part of the reason it causes episodes. But, believe it or not, chocolate mile is fine to drink.
And, if you're not aware, there are lists on the internet of foods that are high in arginine and high in lysine. There's got to be a balance between the two. I also keep Lysine supplements in the house in case I feel like I need a boost.
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On 8/15/2023 at 10:15 AM, Lj-broken said:
I feel so lonely. I feel like I can’t talk to anyone as I’ll be judged and rejected.
I get it. I was diagnosed 8 yrs. ago. I told two friends. My two siblings don't know, and I have no intention of telling them. I also feel like "why do they need to know?". And I think in conversation they will tell their friends...because that's what people do. Haven't dated in years, so I most likely got it when I was young. I feel like most people do about dating.
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For anyone having multiple breakouts (I did for a while), there are ways to bring more comfort to the body. I sought out a doctor in my area (I'm sure they're everywhere) who deals in natural healing because my breakouts were getting closer instead of further apart. It's not a cure, but my breakouts stopped. If you read people's comments on the internet stating they're cured, they're not. Most likely, they just don't have breakouts anymore, or they're few and far between.
The doctor that helped me, put me on a program of supplements for 6 months. It was a lot of capsules per day, but it was worth it. It wasn't cheap, but it was worth it. Because I no longer have breakouts, I even forget I have the virus. I was taking two different supplements three times a day.
There's also certain foods that will aggravate the virus. There's a list on the internet. Foods high in Arginine are not our friends. You can still eat them, but there needs to be a balance with foods high in Lysine. I tried eating cashews recently (I haven't had nuts in 8 yrs!; they're extremely high in arginine), but I think I ate too many in one week and became irritated, but no blister. There's a plus right there. Next time, I will only have a few and enjoy!
I would recommend anyone struggling with multiple breakouts to look into a naturalist. I kept a spreadsheet on the dates I had breakouts so I could discuss with him.
Also, I found zinc oxide to be soothing for irritation or blisters. For those not familiar, it's a thick cream in a tube. You can find it anywhere.
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Just be careful with H dating sites. I've read that those sites can share your info. It's not as confidential as people are led to believe. You need to read the fine print!
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I'm so sorry to hear this. Let me say, I was diagnosed 5 yrs. ago, and only told 2 people. I will never tell my family because I don't think they need to know, and I don't trust my ignorant, jackass of a moron brother-in-law (yeah, not my favorite) or sister-in-law to keep my confidence.
I, too, was in the dark as a young woman about HSV. I never heard of it. I don't know how old I was when I contracted it because I was diagnosed in my 50's with it and hadn't been active for a while; so it lay dormant for years. It wasn't until I knew I had it that I began to educate myself.
And yes, it makes my angry that no one talks about it. THAT is why there's a stigma attached to it. If no one is talking about it, it must be bad, right? I see commercials for HIV drugs all the time...there's no stigma anymore and hasn't been for a while.....where are the HSV commercials? We need so much more education because HSV continues to spread. Protection today is so important...for everyone...whether they realize it or not. We simply don't know who has what and who doesn't. 80% of people with HSV do NOT know they have it!
Sending prayers out to your sister. I wish her the very best as she moves forward. ✌️❤️🌼☀️
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Hi Anon: Sorry for the delay. I haven't been on the site. Yes, I sought him out because last summer I started having outbreaks every 2-3 weeks instead of every 3 months. The person I saw had a list of conditions he treated, and HSV was one of them, so I wasn't uncomfortable inquiring about it.
You should not feel uncomfortable either. If you are able to send an email, like I was, simply explain you carry HSV and you are looking for a natural treatment for outbreaks. I found another person in my area and reached out to her, as well (as backup, although it turns out I didn't need it). I asked her, and she said she treated HSV.
Just know that these professionals have already treated others, so you are not being judged or otherwise. If you have to call someone, just ask if they treat HSV, although, a natural dr.'s website will typically state what they treat, so if/when you find a local naturalist, check their website.
So far, I haven't had any breakouts for 4 months, so I'm glad I reached out. Be aware that it probably won't be cheap, but for me, it was worth it. I was on a program for 6 months. I swallowed a lot of capsules!, but again, I'm glad I sought him out.
Please feel free to keep in touch about it! 🤞 I wish the best for you! ☀️🌷
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Hi DistressedLady: I'm so sorry your partner decided to end your relationship. 😞 I think he's really mad at himself, but no one likes to be mad at themselves, so sometimes, the next closest person gets it.
You did all you could do. You were honest about your status, and he accepted it and chose to be with you. Like others said, he knew the risk (pretty much, any sex with anyone is a risk....that has never changed...goes back decades and decades).
Please hang in there....one day at a time. ✌️☀️
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Hi Flower: I found this piece of info online...hope this helps! ☀️🌷
"Since the virus dies when outside human bodies, you cannot get the herpes virus from holding hands, hugging, sneezing, coughing, towels, toilet seats, and objects used by an infected individual."
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I'm sure many of us have seen commercials for drugs for HIV. We've been talking about HIV publicly for a long time.
I've only seen one commercial for HSV. We need more exposure, and the way to achieve that is through commercials. People need to get used to the idea of HSV and seeing that it's real.....and common, just like other STI's. This is a disappointing area for me.
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Hi littleblackcat: Just a friendly suggestion....consider reaching out to a natural doctor who treats HSV. I found one in my area Sept 2020 as I began having outbreaks every 2-4 weeks rather than the normal "every 3 months". He put me on a 6-month program.
As of today, I haven't had an episode for 4.5 months. My immune system was not up to par. I had to swallow a lot of capsules every day, but to me, it was worth it. I was told I shouldn't have any further outbreaks, but if so, he'll put me on another program. I also continue to be mindful of what foods to avoid or eat in moderation.
You shouldn't have to suffer everyday. We all deserve a peaceful life...as peaceful as we can achieve. ✌️
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Agreed. HSV sounds better. That is what I would use if I were having to disclose.
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I have read in the past that friction can cause outbreaks, including intercourse, so using more lube would be a thought. 🤞
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Thank you so much for your kind words, Flower. 💗 Peace. ✌️☀️
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Yes, I've thought of a man's mindset, as well. I'm 63 and do not date and haven't for many, many years (before I even knew I had HSV) because I got sick of getting my teeth kicked in all the time. After a while, the rejection messes you up.
But, I still hope that someday I could actually have a nice relationship with someone and that the men in my age range will "have a different mindset of what's important, as well. My age could possibly be in my favor, but of course, I cannot be sure. I just have hope...'cuz it's all I have.🤞
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Flowerteacher55: I'm so sorry you had such a bad day. I hope you are feeling better. My family doesn't know, and I will not tell them. As of 4/25, I am parentless, and I don't need to tell my siblings. I actually don't trust my brother-in-law (so ignorant about a lot of things...he's an idiot) or my sister-in-law to hold me in confidence.
I only told 2 people when I was diagnosed 5 yrs. ago. I just don't want to tell anyone else, and I'm OK with that. Right now, I'm happy not to have any outbreaks, and I pray for a cure for the millions of people who carry HSV. I've read information online that gives me hope for that. 🤞
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Hi N: I thought I had a strong immune system, too, until last summer. I went from having an episode every 3 months to frequent bouts. From June-Sept 2020, I was getting them about every 2-4 weeks.
I reached out to a natural doctor, who explained what was happening. Basically, my immune system wasn't where it should've been, and of course, as we age, it does weaken. I was put on a program for 6 months, and as of today, I haven't had an episode for just over 4 months.
One of my first episodes was so awful (5 yrs ago), I needed an ice pack down south. 😞 More about itching and burning. Then I discovered I was eating tons of foods I should've been avoiding, which probably contributed. Sometimes, it feels like a jugging act. One thing I still treat myself with is dark chocolate...just in moderation. Not giving it up! ✌️
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Yes, diet is important, but your immune system is going down. Happened to me last summer. In the beginning, 5 yrs ago, I was having outbreaks about every 3 months, but from June-Sept 2020, I was having them every 2-4 weeks.
I contacted a doctor who treats naturally. He mostly works with cancer patients but had a long list of other issues he treated for. He put me on a program for 6 months....it was a lot of capsules! 24/day...8 a half hour before each meal....so timing was somewhat of an issue now and then, but I made it work.
My program ended in March. As of today, I haven't had a breakout for 128 days. I'm not supposed to have any more, but I was told, if I do, he would put me on another program. Think about finding a naturalist in your area. It's not going to be cheap....I spend about $250/month on supplements, plus his consult fees (one call; one in-person visit). But I'm glad I reached out to him. To me, it was worth it. 🤞
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Can someone please help me with how you would tell someone you were seeing that you carry HSV? And, how many dates do you think one should be told? I'm not dating, and haven't for years simply because I got tired of having my teeth kicked in all the time (before I knew my issue).
But someday, I'd like to think I could have something with someone. Thank you.
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I had an outbreak every 3 months after diagnosis. But last summer, I was getting them every 2-4 weeks, so I hooked up with a dr. who treats with natural remedies. He mostly works with cancer patients but had an extensive list of other issues he works on.
The program I was put on was for 6 months....24 capsules per day....8 before each meal. It wasn't cheap (about $250/month), but, to me it was worth it. As of today, I've been outbreak free for 128 days. What happens is our immune goes down; that's what he helped me with.
I'm not supposed to have any more outbreaks; if I do, he will put me on another program. If this is something you're interested in, find a natural doctor in your area who works with HSV. You have nothing to lose right now. If you can't find one, let me know.
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6 Months of Non-Stop Sores and Prodromal Symptoms Driving Me Crazy
in Herpes question(s)
Posted
Ha! I meant chocolate milk!