kaytea3

Love the ending of your post and glad you feel that way. you are still you regardless of HSV. Im not a veteran either but almost a year in. 1. What natural treatments to you use to help prevent future OB? I started religiously taking a multivitamin. Otherwise i've heard others try lysine but im not sure how effective that is. 2. Do I really have to give up coffee (it’s my crutch and I may be more irritated with this than the fact that I have HSV!)? Honestly, I didn't give up coffee or wine or anything, its something I love and i wasn't about to give that up. Everyone supposedly has different triggers. I spoke with a physician who says that it comes and goes as it pleases, that there isn't much to do to prevent an outbreak, just to manage it when it does. I've thought they were triggered by my period, or tight clothes, shaving, stress, or friction with sex. But i wasn't about to change how i live except to try to lessen the stress of life haha. Yes adjust life a little during an outbreak, ie. refrain from sexual contact, wear looser fitting clothes for comfort, rest, etc. but don't stop living. 3. Anything that you use to help get through your OB – quality of life during the OB time? Whatever comforts you, find some close support through friends/family. symptom management is key along with taking antivirals if you want to. I started with taking them only during an outbreak and they were frequent so i decided to go on daily therapy which also helps any partner. Itching - covered ice, cool setting on hair dryer, keep clean & dry, shower. pain - medication, avoid touching. loose clothing for both. 4. I’m an avid runner – any tips here? Keep running! Might be a great outlet. During an outbreak it might be more uncomfortable to wear tighter clothing so opt for something looser, moisture wicking/cotton underwear to let it breathe & I wouldn't stay in your workout clothes for hours after sweating. I do crossfit and have found that it helps to wear looser pants/shorts during an outbreak sometimes but exercise is my therapy so sometimes adjusting the workout to not be uncomfortable in that area might help too. Hope this helps! It's been some trial and error with these things and you'll find out what works best for you! I've found a lot of support through this site on and off over the last year.

Hey! Has anyone bought the lifestyle guide from here? Was looking for some reviews about it but couldn’t find anything, just wanna know if it’s worth it! Thanks!

I've been on suppressive therapy since September 2017, diagnosed April 2017 and have had about 5 outbreaks before September. I've had 2 outbreaks on suppressive therapy, and what looks like a third now. I thought the outbreaks would lessen on suppressive therapy. I'm taking Valtrex 500mg daily and then 500mg twice a day when an outbreak occurs. I'm doing what I can to be healthy, as I am generally a healthy person. It seems to come around my period now. but this time i really didn't feel any prodrome symptoms. I'm just really frustrated. I know stress is a killer but there's only so much one can do. Any one else experience outbreaks on suppressive or have any suggestions? Feeling lost

Hey guys, I’ve been on suppressive therapy for a few months and still got two outbreak. Do you think it would be advisable to double up on the meds when triggers are near, such as getting your period, even if you don’t have symptoms? What have you guys experienced?

Do you ever notice worsening sensitivity after an outbreak heals? I had slight prodrome for a day prior to the outbreak. It's been a week since the healed outbreak, the sensitivity is much less but i'm going on week 3 and i'm trying not to be frustrated. It seems to be more sensitive after the outbreak than before. Any suggestions? I'm already on daily antivirals.

@Katidid I started taking antivirals for about 3 months now and have had an outbreak. Definitely going to continue them. my current outbreak has healed from any visible symptoms but there is still a sensitivity so i'm thinking to refrain from contact until that's gone.

Yeah I’m hoping it becomes less. It hasn’t been a year yet since I was diagnosed so I’m hoping time will get better with it. It’s tough to balance all of that and still do thing you enjoy. Sometimes it seems the outbreaks come for no reason what so ever. Thank you!!

Oh he's been reading up about it a lot, asking questions, and he's been very understanding and open to doing other things, like you suggested. I really do appreciate his response to it. Communication sounds key. We've discussed how i can feel outbreaks coming on and that i want to wait till it heals afterwards to give a nice buffer of protection. I just don't know why the symptoms (tingling/rug burn feel) are still hanging around after everything visible has healed. Have you noticed the outbreaks become less over the years?

It can be very frustrating in the beginning. I had a second outbreak about a week after my first started to heal. But it didn't last as long as the first. Are you taking any antivirals (valtrex/acyclovir)? I've read that as time goes on they an get less symptomatic, less frequent, and if the outbreak does appear faster disappearing. Whenever I have an outbreak I do my best to manage my symptoms, i.e. loose fitting clothes, hair dryer, ice, etc. Hope you're feeling better!

Yeah I wish i didn't have any symptoms. He seems to be getting more comfortable about it. At what point do you start counting about 7 days? From the sign of no visible symptoms or when the tingling stops? Hope you had a great new year.

Thanks! I’ve read that too about gentian to oral contact and about a less than 1% risk. I always try to think if roles were reversed what I would feel comfortable with. Oh yes, keeping everyone happy is key. This is really helpful thank you. I’m just glad he hasn’t run for the hills from it. So I’m hoping it works out in some form and if it doesn’t work out that it’s not because of the H.

Yeah this is great information thank you. I disclosed with this new guy and he seems understanding but we haven’t had sex yet and he’s worried about giving oral and I told him no pressure I want him to be comfortable. Right I want to protect him so I feel he will understand. Guess it’s all about exploring other ways of pleasure and such. So you let him use the vibrator over the panties on you? That’s great. Sounds like you’re really balancing it! Thank you

Yeah I've been taking the double dose for almost 7 days now, per doctor recommendation. Just want to be really safe with a potential new partner. i've noticed in the past few outbreaks, these extra tingling last a few extra days after visible signs heal. more waiting in store then! haha. On a more intimate level, how do you handle having an outbreak with a partner in your experience? I.e. avoiding contact with the outbreak region but remain intimate? I know it would probably be different for everyone. & Happy New Year!

@PrettyLady Have you noticed a lot of sensitivity after outbreaks while on suppressive therapy? Any visible signs have healed for my outbreak but i'm still experiencing occasional sensitivity, i.e. tingling which I associate with H. I'm on my last day of doubling my meds and dropping back to my daily dose tomorrow. I'm wondering is it the double dose of meds or the virus...

Congrats!!! Thank you for sharing! Its great to hear when things work out. :)