KTK

Update: eventually returned to doctor who re prescribed low dose anti depressants and also vagifem suppositories. I'm 52 and have no ovaries and despite being on HRT it seems I needed extra help down there! Worked wonders and alleviated some of the irritation. So to all those menopausal women - keep an eye on your estrogen levels. The anti depressants have worked well too this time so I'm now having much less pain and no more tingling burning etc. I hope that this is the light at the end of the tunnel. Just thought I'd report back to show that sometimes there's more than herpes going on.

Pls add me too. 1 year anniversary coming up and still experiencing enough irritation to prevent sex :-(. Was wondering if others who have have tried medication like topical anti depressants etc specifically for this long term inflammation and had success might share their insights.

What meds are you on @Danaaaaaasaur?

I'm using Epsom salts, vit e oil, fractionated coconut oil, supplements etc.,I will go back to my doctor but I've already been on low dose tricyclic antidepressants which didn't help so I'm not hopeful. I think the virus is still very active - why else would I get tingling itching and swelling?

Not any more than usual. In fact I've been a lot less down in recent months despite all this. The only stress in my life is not knowing when I'll be able to gave a good sex life again!

Its weird isn't it and so frustrating. I think I had my first outbreak 16 months before my second one and very little soreness/redness in between the two so why can my body not deal with the virus now and for the last 10/11 months. Really hoping I'm not one of those who suffer like this for years :-(

That means I've been shedding almost non stop for 11 months :( I definitely think it means that the virus is very active cos on the few occasions that the redness and pain has gone, it's been very sudden as if the virus suddenly retreats. Yeah sex would be great! No interest when it's all angry and sore!

@2Legit2Quit good to hear there's someone out there who's suffered similar symptoms to me. I've had constant either tingling or rawness or burning or itching or a mixture of these for 11 months now and am getting really fed up! So it's good to hear you improved. I'm taking lots of supplements, suppressive therapy, coconut oil etc etc but no improvement so far :(

@stillmebutwiser I might ask my gp if I can try the compound anti-depressant. Im in the UK so no cost but she might refuse anyway. I'm just coming off 6 months of low dose tri cyclic anti depressants which were prescribed before the herpes diagnosis. They didn't help at all. I've also ordered a bunch of supplements like the b complex vits, lysine, etc. will report back if there's any improvement. Was feeling pretty down yesterday. No sex, no let up from the pain, and no guarantee of when it will go. Trying to feel more positive today. Husband being supportive which helps. L

I've just had an OB despite being on suppressive meds. The skin around the blister area and the vulva area generally is still red, sore and inflamed over a week after the blister healed. This redness never seems to go so I never get a let up from the pain. It's been either like this or an actual break out for over 9 months. Is there anything good that will reduce the inflamation? I'm using fractionated coconut oil but it's not helping. Thx in advance.

QWcsdancer2010 you are so wise. Thx so much for your on going support. I'm already taking vitamins to boost immune system due to advice from this forum.And have ordered fractionated coconut oil :-) With me I need to learn as much as I can about this virus and then take charge by doing everything I can to combat it. So happy to have found this community. X

Quite right @fitgirl! There would be no issue if this was a virus that effected our feet! It's just the sexual element that makes it taboo. As soon as I can reduce my symptoms and start feeling better I won't give a hoot about it. I would be happy to tell anyone. On the other hand my husband suffered mental anguish for years when he caught it and is still ashamed to an extent. My only fear is that I will be one of the few who seem to suffer for years. I'm very grateful for all the responses to my post. What a fantastic support group!

18 years! But I may have caught it ages ago and not had symptoms. When he told me I just thought what bloody bad luck. I'm not judgemental so I suppose that helps.

I was diagnosed a couple of months ago after 6 months of 24/7 burning, soreness tingling. Went to my gp during a particularly painful bout and she noticed blisters. A positive herpes result from her swabs actually made me happy as I could at long last understand what had been going on all this time. After taking the anti viral meds I felt fantastic and pain free. She (and I) decided the best course of action was suppressive meds for a while. Have felt better and better until a week ago when the old itchy sore symptoms reappeared. They have got steadily worse until I now feel as though I'm having a breakout but there are no blisters. So my question is, is it normal when on anti viral meds to still have bad periods of pain which indicates that the meds can't totally control everything. My other question is please can someone reassure me that it will get better. Sex has been impossible for 9 months due to the pain. My husband is of course patient and understanding but I want to return to our wonderful sex life again one day. Btw, my hubby gave it to me. He caught it before we met and told me straight away ie on first date. I had no problem at all with this and assumed I would one day catch it. So, I have no feelings of anger shame etc. I just want to be without pain. Thx for any advice/ support in advance.