cariboo

Exactly, I hang with my a couple of my close friends, hike together, coffee, lunch etc. Even for 1/2 hour at a time. I think a large group would have completely overwhelmed me.

Can you make yourself go even if you dont want to? I found if I stayed home then all my energy became focused on the herpes and i would perseverate and dwell on it. When I went out, my mind would change direction even for a short while. And when i was working out it really helped with the stress. If I need something from the store I will walk or cycle and even that little bit helped me.

i think we have all been there. Some days are better than others. I agree with whitedaisies, you need to make yourself go out if you can. I have been so lucky to have amazing friends who know all about me and wont let me sit home and cry. I have had this since christmas day...and things are starting to get better for me. Ive also started to up my workout schedule and that helps a lot as well. Im starting to feel a lot better about myself,,, still have lots of "down" days but also having great days.

@beebee, Idk if thats normal. I have been lucky and my OBs are not that severe. I just copied the links that Dancer gave to me when I found out I was H+. Big hug, I hope you feel better soon.

Treatments/medications http://supporttruthanddialog.com/easy-simple-self-help-tips-for-relief-from-herpes-outbreaks/ http://herpeslife.com/herpes-forum/discussion/4810/bactine-for-oral-and-even-genital-herpes http://herpeslife.com/herpes-treatment/ http://herpeslife.com/herpes-medication/ Links to some of the items suggested in the links http://tinyurl.com/pmosahc Link to Alum http://tinyurl.com/Aloecream http://tinyurl.com/bactine http://tinyurl.com/Oragelsgldose

Accept what is, Let go of what was, and have faith in what will be

absolutely, i was feeling pretty good for a while, then I finished my script and another OB one day after I finished. I have nothing to complain about as they are quite mild, but it still knocks the wind out of me when i think about it. confidence is still pretty fragile. Thank goodness for my friends who are amazing.

Im the same, first OB christmas day...

Yes I'll get another prescription from doc as soon as I can get in. I still have a couple pills and took one last night and another today. When the spots are gone I will stop and see what happens. Thankfully my OBs aren't as horrific as the ones Ive read about.

but I was only off Valtrex for one day... spots arent gone yet, but seem to have gotten smaller. Im feeling that sunburned feeling gain, hoping more dont come up over night

A brief recap,,, dr put me on 3000mg of valtrex a day for 10 days, then 500mg a day for 30 days. I took the last pill yesterday morning,,, this evening two new little blisters are trying to emerge. I had two try to come out a couple weeks ago but managed to stop them with teatree and DMSO. I applied this again when i saw these ones. They dont hurt now, and actually appear a bit smaller. Im not sure what the trigger for this was but I did have a cookie yesterday with macadamia nuts...my fave. Or it could be that over spring break I bumped up my workout regime. In 8 days Ive hiked about 60km, (lol, my border collie is actually tired!!). whatever the reason Im trying to be upbeat as I sip on a glass of wine... sometime you just have to say fuck it and enjoy life.

"If you're struggling, you deserve to make self-care a priority. Whether that means laying in bed all day, eating comfort food, putting off homework, crying, sleeping, rescheduling plans, finding an escape through a good book, watching your favorite tv show, or doing nothing at all — give yourself permission to put your healing first. Quiet the voice telling you to do more and be more, and today, whatever you do, let it be enough. Feel your feelings, breathe, and be gentle with yourself. Acknowledge that you're doing the best you can to cope and survive. And trust that during this time of struggle, it's enough." — Daniell Koepke

I just got a tattoo a week ago and didnt disclose as I didnt feel it was an issue

Im not single, but I completely understand your feelings. I woke up Christmas morning with blisters... Ive been married since Jan 1998 and never knew I had this. My husband has never had an OB, dont know if he is H+ as he hasnt yet gotten tested. Our marriage was in trouble before and now we are grasping as straws trying to hold it together. Im only now starting to accept this. Our sex life was completely dead before this and now Im worried about even heading in that direction with him or anyone.

When I got the diagnosis I truly just wanted to die, and was feeling pretty sorry for myself. But Im finally starting to be able to smile again and see all the good things I have in life and not the negativity. I try hard to be "half full" instead of "half empty". The past few years have been a challenge...lolol. Reading all your stories have definitely helped me a lot.

I found a couple blisters on Christmas morning. I knew instantly what it was. I didnt go to a dr until New Years Eve and he swabbed it. The culture came back positive for HSV2. I was devastated. My marriage was already in trouble and I was dealing with other issues as well. I didnt tell anyone for a while. I was so ashamed and felt like life was once again kicking me. All I could think was that I'mm 44 yrs old that can't get my shit together, one failed marriage and thinking I am headed for another. On top of it all I find out I have Herpes and no idea how or where I got it. I couldnt turn to my best friends because two years ago one of my dearest friend died of cancer, and last summer my other close friend just died. She had a few drinks and then went to bed. She never woke up. I have other friends of course but those two I had known for 30 years. I was still dealing with the death of my Dad. He caught pneumonia and died. Luckily I was able to fly out to see him before he passed. During this time I was riding my horse a lot. It was my zen and I felt better on her back out on the trail or in the show ring. One day I was out riding with a friend and the trail gave away under us. I was in front and didnt think it was bad enough not to ride through. My beautiful mare died that day. Broke my heart. Another close friend I have noticed me withdrawing and saw my sadness and took me out for lunch. Then asked me what was wrong. I ended up in tears and told her everything. She wasnt horrified or repulsed like I thought she would be. She said she knows quite a few people with it. I then told my other close friend. She has made it one of her purposes to get very educated about it. We talk a lot about it. She is a nurse but knew next to nothing about this virus. She comes with me to the vitamin store everytime I go and is very supportive of my efforts to manage this with diet if I can. I have had 2 outbreaks, my initial one and one other. I can feel another coming even though Ive been on daily suppressants. Im not sure what is causing it or if it is just happening. Ive been very careful with diet. However, I have a weakness for yogurt covered cranberries and ate a whole bag of them, I also had a chocolate bar a few days ago. Who knows, but Im feeling like its ok, Ive been through it. Don't much like it but it will pass and I know I'll be fine. My two friends are a big part of my attitude change I think. They are amazing. I got a tattoo on Friday. It is an angel wing as a memorial for my Dad and my two friends Ive lost. It is also a memorial for who I was. As I was laying there getting the tattoo feeling the needle, I felt some closure for my lost friends and my Dad, and am getting closer to feeling that my horse riding accident wasnt my fault, it was just a bad accident. I still havent ridden since and honestly feel no desire to. I started hiking after my horse died. I lost 30 pounds and went from a size 12/14 to a size 5/6. I felt great and began yoga and an abs class. The Herpes diagnoses really knocked me on my ass. But Im picking myself up. Im still not sure about my marriage, but we are working on it. And if the marriage fails I know I'll be alright. Im not near 100% emotionally, but I do feel like Im definitely in a better place than I was. This forum is an amazing place. I read your stories and experiences numerous times a day. Thank you all for being so supportive and non judgemental.

I havent tried anything yet. Havent actually had sex for a very long time... but do read the occasional book...lol. It probably is my head involved. Im sure it will pass. Hard to feel "sexy" when still accepting I guess. Ive started working out harder again and it does help with the busy mind. I guess the rest will come.

well. i havent had sex since my diagnoses. but things just dont feel the "same" even when reading a sexy book or something.

ok, this might be a TMI question.... But does Herpes or the anti virals cause vaginal dryness? Ive never had an issue with this before, but it seems like "things" arent happening down there. Not sure if it is due to the virus, the meds, or if its just in my head because Im so nervous about actually having sex since the diagnoses.

Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

Yes, I know it is a carrier, Im very careful with it. It helps a LOT with the soreness and redness. I actually have used it in conjunction with the TTO. I only have the pure DMSO, I haven't found that it leaves a scent or taste or anything like I've read it can.

Ooops, forgot the link... http://www.amazon.com/Other-11477-DMSO-Gel-16oz/dp/B000MD80DE

This is exactly the same stuff Im using. Except I paid $7.95 for it a few years ago...lol

I had some DSMO left in my firsta aid kit for horses that I used. It is 99.9% pure and I buy it at the pet store...lo. Says it isnt approved for humans but I figured it never hurt my horse so I would try it. Ill see if I can find a link

You know, I asked the Dr about weaning off of them slowly and he looked at me like I had two heads. Its seems to be ok now. As soon as I felt the bumps coming and saw them I applied a little dab of DMSO. They are gone!!