Believe in yourself

@Flowerteacher55 Hi Grace, Thank you for your message, and I do feel better. And I hope it stays that way! I didn’t had any outbreaks since the end of August. So it’s over one month! It makes me feel so much better mentally. Few times I felt I could have an outbreak, but I took Valaciclovir for 2-3 days, and I was fine. I do believe Valaciclovir works better for me. I also think as it’s been a year since I got HSV2, my body finally fighting it. I just hope it is the end and this virus going into a deep sleep and never will wake up in my body. I feel confident and happier with myself. It’s really crazy how this virus affects peoples life mentally! It’s so embarrassing and heartbreaking for people with regular outbreaks, especially if medicines don’t work. I get upset reading people messages on here because I feel their pain. As I said before, I was experiencing 3 outbreaks a month for almost a year, and it was a horrendous experience! I wish everyone believing in themselves, and with time things will get better ❤️

@Almostperfect Hi, I wish you to stay strong. Only you understand your pain, and I know kind words can help but not heal. I really hope your condition will get better. Me personally against strong medicines like antidepressants, but if the grief is so strong, any solution is a massive help. Sorry for your loss, and I hope with time you can heal in every way 💫💖

Sometimes I don’t know what’s worse, the outbreak or my mental health. Up and down because of this issue… I’ve prescribed Valaciclovir recently. I’m usually taking 1-2 tablets for 3 days if I feel the outbreak. It works, and I didn’t have an outbreak since the end of august! I felt a bit weak and had weird headaches coming back sometimes. It tends to happen when I take this medication for some reason… I’m not against medication but also I don’t want abuse my body with tablets all the time but at the end of the day if it helps, it helps. Thank you!

Hi, I would like to give an update on my story... Previously I have been told in the clinic they not planning to do a swab again as I been diagnosed with HSV-1 in 2015. Finally, a few weeks back, I managed to get an appointment in the GUM clinic (I am based in the UK), and a doctor took a swab. The results shocked me, and I had a week of crying and feeling super depressed. I guess our mentality takes time to adjust, and now I’m fine. My results came back as HSV-2!!! Great, now I have them both. I know it’s possible, but it’s unlikely ?! Usually, the HSV-1 anti-bodies will fight HSV-2 or something like that. I guess I need to do more research now as all this time, and I was researching HSV-1. On the brighter side, at least I know it’s a new virus and the whole year, my body fighting it! That’s why I have constant outbreaks ( on average, 3 a month). Also, it’s made me think if my first HSV never bothered me since, so this second type also soon should to come down and hopefully never ever bother me again! Also, I have been given valacyclovir to try instead of Aciclovir, which was making me poorly. (Even I know they are pretty much the same). I do believe I got it from my partner last summer as my first outbreak in July 2019 was super painful and lasted few weeks. Now, these sores heal in few days sometimes! And since I discovered my diagnosis, I feel more relieved in the way and really believing that this HSV-2 will stop terrorising my body! I felt calmer after I shared this story with my partner and few very close friends. For nearly a year, I have been keeping this story to myself. Also, I didn’t see my partner for a year since these outbreaks started due to covid travel restrictions (we live in different countries), so I guess we are more like friends now. Still, It’s so important in difficult situations to have support from your loved ones! Yes, I still cry when my outbreaks start but apart from that, I’m super optimistic. Nothing lasts forever, and this virus too! I mean, it stays in our bodies but can go back to sleep and not bother us! I wish everyone to get better who is going through a similar issue and stay strong 💖

Thank you for your reply, and it means a lot. It’s been a long journey of research, and every piece of information gives me hope to stop the outbreaks. Thank you so much for being so supportive ❤️🤗

In July 2015, I was diagnosed with HSV-1. I catch it from my boyfriend through oral sex. It must take around 10-14 days after getting infected to get my first outbreak around my genitals. It was a horrific experience, physically and mentally. I was lucky, and I was fine shortly after. I had no outbreaks since and was living a happy, normal life until July 2020. Initially, I thought tight underwear irritated my skin on a hot summer day. The skin was swollen and was sensitive. I had some kind of spots, and it didn’t look like herpes to me. Even in one clinic, after a swab test, my herpes results came back negative, which really confused me. In the end, all the symptoms showed it was herpes. Now it’s been exactly a year since I started to have outbreaks. In one year, I had plus-minus 30 outbreaks. Basically, three outbreaks a month. I have been prescribed Aciclovir 400mg tablets to take two a day for six months. Unfortunately, I’m having side effects from this medicine. I have been feeling super exhausted, having lost of concentration and difficulty speaking. I still pushed myself to take this medicine as they stopped my outbreaks, but when one day I nearly collapsed and had a panic attack, I stopped immediately. I did all possible blood tests regarding general health and sexual, and no indications of something wrong with me. Doctors said I need to look after myself as it’s nothing they can do, as my results are all fine. Of course, I felt in a dark place and alone all this time. It was a time I didn’t wanted get up and was crying every time a new outbreak was starting. Now I’m stronger mentally, shared the story with few close friends and thinking optimistic it will stop one day soon. I just don’t get why I had no outbreaks last five years, and now this virus terrorising my body. I tried health supplements like Lysine, olive leaf and LomaHerpan cream. Nothing seems to help. Reading some comments, I saw I’m not alone and felt really sad for people who experienced a similar situations as I know how hard it is. I would highly appreciate your comments, perhaps someone experiencing similar issues!