chbolero

Thanks for the feedback. Right now I've had pain in the genitals daily and almost non-stop for a couple of weeks. Wondering if it could also be balanitis on top of herpes but it won't go away. I think I should see a doctor - my most recent visit they were not very helpful at all, so I'm looking to find another provider. Previously for me I've had some 'prodrome' sensations but nothing like this.

Hello, I've had herpes (I have both types - yay!) for 12 years now. I rarely get outbreaks, and have not ever really taken valacyclovir as a suppressant. This last few months I've had a series of outbreaks one after another that is unusual for me. I've also had very sharp pain in my genitals that doesn't seem to go away over several weeks. I've started taking valacyclovir daily (1000mg) but it hasn't seem to make much of a difference. I have a few questions: 1. Is there a possibility that I could have got another strain of herpes that is stronger? 2. I've read that some people have resistance to valacyclovir and it doesn't work - could that be the case? 3. Is it possible that by starting to take valacyclovir daily has made the virus 'wake-up' and cause more outbreaks? 4. Has anyone else gone years without an outbreak and then had a few in a row? It's been very frustrating for me as I've been able to live quite happily but this is making me feel very down about myself as I was when I first got my diagnosis. Thank you for any feedback.

Hi there, Thanks for your replies - I appreciate the positive nature of this site and the people who post on here. I just went to a different doctor who was much better than my previous one (plus he was gay too which helps!). He has given me Valtrex to take as a daily suppressant and to see how that goes over 6 months and whether the symptoms I get do go away. He said the drug isn't that difficult for the body unless I had kidney problems which I don't (as far as I know!). I have yet to tell the guy I'm dating - in fact I'm more scared about the commitment thing than the herpes right now. It's been the story of my life - run away from someone special and then realize what I missed out on. It's a pattern that I'm trying to unlearn. Will keep you posted and if there are any other gay men on here, please say hello. Is there the ability to send private messages on here? chbolero

After a few years of having negative blood tests but believing I had herpes, I had the positive result for both HSV1 and HSV2. At least I know and can move forwards with that. I'm gay and there doesn't appear to be any information online about the percentage risks of passing it on to other men. Does anyone have any insight into this? I've just started seeing someone and want to know what our risk is. I haven't told him yet and of course am worried that he might not accept it. It seems the gay world doesn't really talk about herpes - I never knew much about it until I got something, so perhaps this site can bring some more gay men to come together.

Thanks for your reply - sorry I haven't messaged back. So I should probably do the Western Blot test then. I went to my doctor again recently and she said based on the evidence she has, I don't have herpes and therefore don't have to say anything. I feel a little worried about that - my friends say I have to believe the medical experts.... What are your thoughts?

Hi everyone, So great to see this website and the positive views everyone has. I have a story which I was hoping someone could comment on and maybe someone else has had a similar experience. About two years ago I developed sores on my penis - I went to the doctor and had a culture done which came back negative for herpes. I waited and had the igg blood test done at 3 months/4 months and 6 months - each time it came back negative. I then had another small sore about 8 months later - had that cultured, again negative. I also saw a urologist who didn't find anything. Despite all this, I have had itching, tingling sensations and just recently another small scab which could have been due to friction but have had really bad tingling and pain during this time. The doctors all tell me I don't have herpes, but in reading other forums and my symptoms, it seems like I might have it. I'm gay, so I know that there is a lot of herpes in the gay world, although probably not talked about, but obviously don't want to pass it on to anyone if I have it. My friends say I have to trust the doctors and not tell people but there must be something going on. Out of interest also, I had a rash on my neck several years ago which was cultured and came back positive for HSV1. But on the blood tests I had neither 1 or 2 were positive. Am I a phenomenon?!! :) Any advice/thoughts would be very helpful. Thank you.