SidneySmith

:)

:)

To clarify, I was diagnosed with HSV2 on after a bad outbreak on my chin right below lip by my original general practitioner after an Igg, who did not think my getting the virus was a big deal at all. In fact, when I asked him how I should disclose a facial outbreak of HSV2 he said, "It's not an issue. The chances of you having another outbreak are very slim." I went on forums because I was uncomfortable with his answer. I wanted to educate myself in regards to having integrity with future disclosures. So I went to forums with questions and was surprisingly informed by some (not all) that facial HSV2 was pretty much impossible to acquire and the level of my antibodies after two months made it pretty much impossible it was a fresh infection. So the logical alternative answer for Sidney's life must have been that I or my ex carried the virus during our 20 year marriage and neither of us ever had an outbreak while we were carrying the virus? Seemed a little implausible for TWO people to have ZERO for 20 years. One person? Ok. But two people who had a healthy sex life... nothing. A little more implausible. So what's the possible alternative, we ask? Post divorce the ONLY woman three years later probably gave me the bug. I had all the physical symptoms a short while after my encounter with her: Achy joints, three weeks of the flu, and what felt like a "fire" of nerve pain on my back for a month. I work out a lot and knew my body wasn't right. So the bottom line is this: After I spoke to the doctor in Washington she concurred it was a highly, highly probable I had a "fresh" HSV2 outbreak on my face because of my specific circumstances, AND the level of antibodies in my system after two months of 4.0 WERE NOT TOO HIGH to eliminate a fresh infection. Background, I had an open lesion on my chin after I cut myself shaving and then had oral sex (How dumb was that?), no intercourse. My first outbreak with pretty much in the same location as to where I was bleeding. She said they are seeing more and more people exposed to HSV2 up here and down there at the same time. However, we both agreed that the chances of having another outbreak on my chin are very slim because the chin is a dry area - not where HSV likes to manifest itself. However, if I do get an outbreak, RUN, DON'T WALK and get it swabbed. So, six to eight weeks later I have yet to have another outbreak, so life goes on. I hadn't dated in 23 years and it never occurred to me that someone I had spoken to over 100 hours on the phone before meeting up with her would be hiding a little secret. NO ONE IS TO BLAME BUT ME. I should have asked, but to tell you the truth she is a model and I believe she is in the "Image Protection Program" and would have been insulted if I has made the inquiry. Last, when I confronted her about my condition, she flat out ignored me. I know everyone does not think like me, but if someone told me they had a fresh infection of HSV after being intimate with them and I thought I was clean, I would say, "What the H**ll are you talking about? Now I have to get tested because of you?" In Sidney's gut, her silence spoke volumes. HOWEVER, NO ONE IS TO BLAME BUT ME. So now I have a new dating motto . . . "If this wonderful person you have met seems to good to be true, they probably are." That's just my motto . . . feel free to use it - no credit necessary. Last, there have been many "last words" exchanged regarding my posts by people in this forum. THIS post is purely informational SO PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND WITH THE LAST WORD. Nowhere in this post have I called anyone out so please read and then keep showing love and kindness to others as you do on a daily basis. If my information helps with other people's post, great. Peace, strength, and a shed-less, outbreak free life to all! And to all a goodnight!

http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Planet-Marine-Algae-VegCaps/dp/B000W8HRWY/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1411800574&sr=1-1&keywords=red+algae "Whatever natural remedy works for you use it!" Those were the exact words of a doctor at a well-known clinic in Oregon. Do a little research on Red Algae. I use it and haven't had one outbreak since being diagnosed.

"Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth." Mahatma Gandhi

WD - If there is no room for the minority, then the majority just bully their way through every difference of opinion. By the way, this site is based upon the minority opinion that we should not show prejudice towards people with herpes. Adrial's entire movement is about empowering the minority.

:)

Additionally, I wouldn't have paid money to speak to the kind doctor at the clinic in Oregon if it weren't for this site. Thank you. By the way Adrial, I did not like my general practitioner's advice that my positive diagnosis was "Nothing to worry about." He even said disclosure was a "non-issue." So that's why I kept digging and finally ended up at the clinic in Oregon. I do care. For those who think I was looking for a good answer that would fit a future disclosure (which I will), I could have stopped at the advice of my general practitioner and cared not. But I didn't.

We can disagree. No harm intended. Nothing taken personally of your criticism of me. I'm OK that you didn't like my post. However there will probably be more than a few like me on this site who will really appreciate the post and call and get professional advice first. Their's room for more than one opinion on this site. I hope we're all OK with that.

Respectfully, I do not want to carry on diagnosis questions online as I don't want my peculiar situation to affect others. I, like you, believe first stop should be clinics like the one in Oregon. I do think my first post is balanced and points people in the right direction. However, I disagree with you regarding people on forums like these giving their opinions of a diagnosis. I was on the the web researching for a month and going into forums and too many people were communicating opinions that only a knowledgeable STD doctor should be giving. I would be happy to carry on the discussion offline, but I do not want to post something publicly regarding the results of my discussion with the doctor. Also, I have no flippin' idea why the post appeared twice. If anyone wants to let me know how to take one of them down, I'd be happy to.

Dear Forum Members and Those of You Who are Deeply Concerned About Your Health I spent one month on message boards explaining my condition and asking for a diagnosis or opinions. Looking back, it was WRONG and simply not wise. This is my life and my future! After that month, I ended up more confused. Here is Truth I have learned: I am the only one who knows my body. I am the only one who knows my story. I am the only one who has the "gut" intuition that something is wrong. So, here's my advice to those of you who are experiencing what I call "Funny Tummy." (Or, "my gut feeling" . . . Intuition..): Plan A++++: Please call the Westover Heights Clinic at 503-226-6678, http://www.westoverheights.com/. They are probably one of the finest clinics for sexual health in the country. They've been in business in Oregon for 30 years. And no, I am not an employee. They will charge you $5.00 per minute for a phone consultation with an ACTUAL DOCTOR. Your anguish over health concerns would probably be worth a 20 minute, $100 phone consultation with an MD who sees dozens of people like you every week. Unfortunately your family MD probably thinks if the virus doesn't kill you, you don't have much to worry about. Truth is many general practitioners are not well-versed in STDs. I went on multiple message boards asking questions / diagnosis about my specific HSV condition, which was peculiar. I was told MANY different opinions. Finally, after of month of total confusion reading stuff on the web, I finally called the clinic. SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLAN A++++. My doctor, Lisa Taulbee, was non-judgmental, compassionate, attentive, and told me facts about / which 90% of the people on Herpes message boards were misinformed. My error was not talking to an actual DOCTOR who specialized in conditions such as the one's you and I have. Instead I went to message boards first looking for a diagnosis. And in the end, a large percentage of well-meant, loving people were totally misinformed about the facts of my Herpes outbreak. My encouragement to everyone who is reading this post: CALL THE CLINIC FIRST TO RECEIVE A CONSULTATION, WISDOM AND DIRECTION, then come to cool forums like this for support. I believe it is a HUGE mistake for anyone on these forums to be giving a diagnosis. Encouragement, perspective, love, and support? YES! Keep it coming!!!! I hope that all of us who are not DOCTORS who specialize in sexual health would stop diagnosing people. I am not trying to cause problems, but the bottom line is I did not speak to a professional first. I should have. I take responsibility for that -- 100%. Peace and Strength to You . . . :)

Hi Faith 512, Please call the Westover Heights Clinic at 503-226-6678, http://www.westoverheights.com/. They are probably one of the finest clinics for sexual health in the country. They've been in business for 30 years. They will charge you $5.00 per minute for a phone consultation with an ACTUAL DOCTOR. Your anguish over health concerns would probably be worth a 20 minute, $100 phone consultation with an MD who sees dozens of people like you every week. Unfortunately your family MD probably thinks if the virus doesn't kill you, you don't have much to worry about. Truth is most general practitioners are not well-versed in STDs. I went on multiple message boards asking questions / diagnosis about my specific HSV condition. I was told MANY different opinions. Finally, after of month of total confusion reading stuff on the web, I finally called the clinic. My doctor, Lisa Taulbee, was compassionate, attentive, and told me facts about / which 90% of the people on Herpes message boards were misinformed. My error was not talking to actual doctors who specialized in your / my condition. Instead I went to message boards first looking for a diagnosis. Looking back, not a wise course of action. My encouragement to everyone like you who is reading this post: CALL THE CLINIC FIRST TO RECEIVE A CONSULTATION, WISDOM AND DIRECTION, then come to cool forums like this for support.

Hi Hopenot, Please call the Westover Heights Clinic at 503-226-6678, http://www.westoverheights.com/. They are probably one of the finest clinics for sexual health in the country. They've been in business for 30 years. They will charge you $5.00 per minute for a phone consultation with an ACTUAL DOCTOR. Your anguish over health concerns would probably be worth a 20 minute, $100 phone consultation with an MD who sees dozens of people like you every week. Unfortunately your family MD probably thinks if the virus doesn't kill you, you don't have much to worry about. Truth is most general practitioners are not well-versed in STDs. I went on multiple message boards asking questions / diagnosis about my specific HSV condition. I was told MANY different opinions. Finally, after of month of total confusion reading stuff on the web, I finally called the clinic. My doctor, Lisa Taulbee, was compassionate, attentive, and told me facts about / which 90% of the people on Herpes message boards were misinformed. My error was not talking to actual doctors who specialized in your / my condition. Instead I went to message boards first looking for a diagnosis. Looking back, not a wise course of action. My encouragement to everyone like you who is reading this post: CALL THE CLINIC FIRST TO RECEIVE A CONSULTATION, WISDOM AND DIRECTION, then come to cool forums like this for support.

I have HSV2. I did not test negative to start. Perhaps this post is for someone else? If not, feel to read the above posts and comment if you'd like. Have a great day!

WCSDancer - The doctor's name at the clinic in Washington who does phone consultations ow is Dr. Lisa Taulbee - 503 226 6678.

I have an appointment for next Tuesday on the phone. FYI - Mrs. Warren no longer takes phone appointments. It's now someone else. My apologies for not remembering her name.

Hey Thanks for the info Adrial! FYI - I did have a small lesion from shaving on my chin when we engaged in Oral sex. So here's the question I can't seem to get an answer to: If I had an abrasion on my chin with a woman who had HSV2, what is the probability that I could get infected? If the answer is not likely, that's what I need to know. I knew I had a lesion, cuz I shaved just prior to engaging. Subsequently, that is where I had my outbreak. That coincided with flu symptoms for two weeks and a burning sensation in the nerves of my upper back region that lasted a month. This all happened after two encounters over a two month period time with this "other" woman post divorce. I never once have had anything close to nerve-ending symptoms sensation, joint pain, problems urinating or genital outbreaks for over 20 years and nether did my ex wife. We're not just talking about one person, but TWO PEOPLE having unprotected sex for 20 years. I understand people are often asymptomatic with HSV2, but are there statistics regarding a monogamous couple having unprotected sex being asymptomatic for two decades? I guess you can understand my confusion about plausibility. If I do have facial HVS2, then my chance for outbreak and shedding are reduced significantly (1%!). The facts of disclosure in that case are whole different issue than if I have genital herpes with a 10% shedding rate. The stakes are high. My doctor thinks I received a fresh infection from this woman, but now I know doctors are not well informed. However it is scientifically IMPOSSIBLE to get a blood test score of 4.0 for HSV2 after two months of contact, the numbers are what they are and that's that. The only way I will really know is if I get another outbreak on my face and have it tested asap. But if I do have facial HSV2, the chances are slim that will happen again. FYI - If anyone in the forum wants to talk to the nurse / doctor at the Washington clinic, she charges five dollars per minute on the phone for a consult. Spread the word to folks who want that as an option.

You have been very helpful. Thank You. I have been looking for discussions of two people in a long term relationship, -- neither of them having any outbreaks. You did talk about the one woman who did not have a breakout for 30 years. I my case, we have two married people, together 20 years who have been asymptomatic. I personally went through a devastating divorce three years ago and two of my best friends die within the last four years. If the stress were any extreme I would have been dead. However, no outbreaks. I guess the million dollar question is it possible to build up the anti bodies I did within two months of being with a woman who ignored me when I asked her if she knew she might have given HSV2 to me. I know an outbreak of HSV2 on the facial area is not probable. However, my skin on the chin did have an abrasion at the time we had oral sex. Thanks again for your help. I deeply appreciate it.

Ok. Thank you very much. I guess that leads me to my next question because of the lack of outbreak between my ex wife and I for 20 years. Do people shed less the longer they have had the virus? Is everyone different?

Actually, I had an encounter with this woman (The only person I've been with post-divorce) prior to the one that is mentioned. So, It was a little over two months from first encounter to when blood was taken Is that enough time for a score of 4.0? We talk about odds... what are the odds of me carrying it for 20 years (I was 100% monogamous) with no symptoms and my ex wife having no symptoms or outbreaks? 100% of the time we had unprotected sex. Those odds would seems astronomical. Isn't it more plausible this was a fresh infection given all the combination of symptoms? I've had zero outbreaks in the six weeks since that first one.

In regards to Scared4this comments, thank you. My doctor told me that any blood test score above a .9 signified elevated antibodies. My HSV1 count was nil, but my HSV2 score was 4.0. He said, "You got HSV2." My test was within three weeks of having contact with the woman mentioned above. Unfortunately I could not get a swab as my outbreak was pretty much dried up by the time I got to the doc. Yes, this was my first herpes test. I would have blown it off as a horrible zit had I not had the flu symptoms for two-plus weeks. I will take your advice and go to the MedHelp site. I confronted the woman with this information ("You gave it to me") via email and she never responded. If I received an email like that and I was clean, it would take me two seconds to respond saying, "What in the world are you talking about?" She ignored me. In my heart she knew she had the virus and was hoping we'd get lucky. Nobodies fault but mine. Choices, Choices, Choices. Thanks everyone for caring. Deeply appreciated.

By the way, my blood test came back negative for HSV1.

I broke out with what I thought was a massive zit on my chin. Concurrently, I came down with flu symptoms. I work out a lot and know my body -- something wasn't right. I did a little research and became concerned. I went to the doctor and he said the outbreak on my chin was not herpetic. However, I asked for a blood test and it came back Hsv2. He was wrong - I was dazed and confused. When I made a follow up appointment with him to ask questions he totally blew it off as almost a non issue. He didn't even want to prescribe me meds, until I asked him to -- "just to be on the safe side." The constant theme has been -- "No big deal." As most of you who care about others, I would ashamed if I gave this to someone else. I just want to be able to disclose accurately without over or under alarming someone in the future. It seems my odds of transmitting the virus is lower than the booklets communicate. But I would never want to assume. If I was married would unprotected sex with no meds or condoms be less than the 10% I am reading about? It also seems that shedding is less of an issue due to the fact the initial outbreak was on my chin. I'm just imagining my next girlfriend saying, "So you don't have Oral H2 or Genital H2 -- you have it on your face . . . so what does that mean?" "Uhhhh . . . great question!" Any experts want to answer her question, have at it!!!

Thanks for caring. I have been diagnosed with HSV2 on my chin. A few have told me this is a rare infection and shouldn't be much of a problem as far as outbreaks are concerned. Because it's not near my genitals or in my mouth I want to be accurate regarding future disclosure. I've had quite a few people suggest no big deal, but I'm the only one having to get definitive information. I haven't read many posts on HSV2 on the facial area. All I've heard is that it's rare, but what does that mean? Am I less susceptible to giving a future partner the virus? I'm in the info gathering stage as I was diagnosed a little over a month ago with no outbreaks on my face yet.

For those of you reading this post who don't think this can happen to you... I am a 49 year old married faithfully 20 years, divorced for two years and then met a woman online who was seemingly an angel sent from above. She lived in another state and said she had been on her own for eight years but her morality and Christian beliefs had kept her pure. We spoke on the phone for over 100 hours before we met, then I flew to Phoenix AZ to meet her. Everything went great and we didn't even do "the deed." I guess we went to third base, as some would call it. My fault for shaving and cleaning up prior to romance, because that shave "nick" on my chin was enough for me to come into contact with her infection and after all these years of being faithful and waiting for the right one I fell for someone I thought I knew, but didn't know. Whose fault was it? Mine. All mine. Would she have told me if I would have asked? I do not think so. She was extremely image conscious and she was truly hoping I'd get lucky. I wrote her to confront her about it and she ignored me. Good riddance. Bottom line is after not dating for over 20 years it never even entered my mind to think she might be unforthcoming. All I can say is that if you are afraid to ask the direct question about STDs you are just plain dumb, I don't care how wonderful a person he or she might SEEM TO BE. If a person feels as if you are hurting their feelings by asking them, that will tell you all you need to know about them. Move on and don't let the door . . . For me, the best advice I can give would be that you both mutually consent to blood tests before you take intimate steps. Don't take it for granted that all is well with this "perfect" person. If they're too good to be true, THEY ARE! One night changed my life forever, Please don't make my mistake.