Kat85

I actually had to go and get a catheter put in. I'm definitely not dehydrated- I drink a lot of water as it is and have added more since starting the medication. My doctor said since my first outbreak is so bad, it's possible that there's a disconnect between nerve impulses triggering a bathroom break. That, and all of the inflammation in the urinary tract is making me not be able to go on my own. It's been a week and I'm still miserable! I really hope it won't last much longer.

Thank you!

Other than the fatigue, migraines, and sores, have any of y'all had other complications with your initial flare-up? I'm about a week into mine, on the anti-viral, and still feel lousy! I know this is to be expected, especially since it's the first time I've had an outbreak. However, I am having urination issues. I've always been one of those people who drinks a lot of water during the day and makes a million trips to the bathroom. But, in the past few days, I am going much less even though I'm drinking the same amount (if not more!) because the Valtrex makes me so thirsty. I feel like my bladder has not given me any indication that I need to go, so I go anyway because I know how my body is. And when I go, I almost have to force myself to the point where it's incredibly painful. I feel as if my bladder is actually on the verge of being bruised because I'm having to try so hard to go. If I am able to urinate, it's nowhere near the amount I feel I should be able to expel. Is this normal? The only other time I've had an issue like this was when I had complications from anesthesia.

Thanks, y'all. My best friend has really been there for me today, checking on me every few hours. He kind of laid it out for me like this: I've suffered from depression and anxiety since I was very little, but yet I still keep going. These are just inconveniences/minor roadblocks in the grand scheme of things. H is just another one of those inconveniences. I'm still trying to come to grips with the situation, but I really think having that outlook is going to help me cope.

Thank you! And it was a good thing- for my sanity. Having a manager who treats employees like second-class citizens is entirely too stressful.

Thank you. I think I'm just so emotional already and that's why the diagnosis is hitting me as hard as it is. I quit the job from hell a few days ago, and my grandfather passed away. It's that old saying: "Bad things happen in threes!" I'm pretty sure I have a good excuse to have a bottle of wine tonight though! Silver lining?

I was diagnosed yesterday, and I'm freaking out a little bit. Okay, more like a lot. I'm reading every bit of information on the subject and am so thankful that it's a manageable condition. I know it's extremely common. I'm picking up my Valtrex at the pharmacy in a few hours, so there's that, too. I think the worst part is that after I explained the situation to the guy I'm seeing, he did a lot of guilting and then stopped answering calls and texts. I never once came to him in an accusatory fashion- I just explained to him what my doctor told me, told him that he needs to be tested even if he shows no signs (he doesn't, and my doc told me there's a good chance he's asymptomatic). I gave him a link to the CDC information, and told him I wanted him to be as informed as I'm trying to be. It was only after I told him I couldn't stop crying that he got nasty towards me and said something to the effect of, "If you're not angry, why are you pressing the issue so much?" That's the worst part- the animosity from someone who only hours before the diagnosis claimed to love me. My body presents a strong emotional response in the form of crying. I can't help it. I am newly diagnosed and trying to figure out what to think and feel, but right now, I just feel rejected. There's not really any local support groups around here that I can find, and because I live in the Bible Belt, I'm terrified of going to Planned Parenthood. (There are always protesters and, when a friend of mine went, someone followed her car around. Once she realized what was happening, she drove out of her way to get rid of him. He finally gave up after about 30 minutes of tailing her.) I'm just kind of in a vortex of emotions right now, but I'm trying my damnedest to figure things out! I'm obviously not blasting my diagnosis to everyone I know- just my partner obviously, Mom and my best friend who are both being extremely supportive. I have tried to contact my previous partner, but cannot find a way to reach him. I just feel like I'm in a daze, standing in the middle of a busy roadway intersection. I immediately felt dirty and broken upon hearing the H word from my doctor. I immediately thought that nobody would ever want to be with me and how lonely my life was about to become. I know everyone here has been on that roller coaster of over-analyzing everything and feeling every bit of the emotional spectrum, and I am so happy to have stumbled across this community of love and acceptance. Reading your stories makes me feel like I'm not alone in this struggle like I initially and irrationally thought.

Hi, y'all! My name is Katherine. I'm 31, from coastal Alabama, and I was diagnosed today. I'm overwhelmed and cannot figure exactly what my feelings are at this point. I'm totally non-judgmental and looking for new friends of any gender identity and any sexual preference who have been through this already. I've only told my mom and the guy I'm seeing (who is laying a guilt trip on me like I magically contracted this virus all by myself) and I'm a bit beside myself at the moment. Having this brand new, intense diagnosis met with what amounts to emotional abuse from someone who says that he loves you is devastating. I'd definitely be down to exchange numbers for texting once comfortable, and would prefer email, Skype or KIK until then. Shoot me a private message and I'll get back to you ASAP! A little about me: I quit the job from hell over the weekend and am about to start working for a great company. I'm beyond excited! I live with my disabled mother, so I assist her with a lot of things like errands and doctor visits. I'm partially bionic in my right leg, and will need the total knee replacement as soon as I'm old enough. (I'll explain that later if you are interested!) I am obsessed with crafting/DIY. Pinterest and HGTV, diy network are my weaknesses. Any kind of music makes me feel better. My playlist ranges from heavy metal to country to 80s to 00's boybands. While I haven't been lucky enough to have two-legged babies, I have some four-legged fur babies that are rescued. I hope to hear from some of you soon!