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. :)

Interesting I’ll have to keep the laser hair removal in mind. I mostly do a super close trim just to not cause additional irritation, like shaving can. . Oh new skin, haven’t heard that one. Might burn. I’ve had it since April. It’s nice to hear it gets better with time. I dread saying that too but I don’t want any partner to get it. Wish it didn’t last so long but hey guess there are other ways to enjoy one another. Thank you for sharing!

I’ve been taking valtrex 500mg daily. Just am having another outbreak and started doubling up on the dose. I was doing a B complex vitamin for a while but think I’m gonna switch to a multivitamin. Yeah it’s tough when you want to live life and things are stressful. I recently was really stressed and should have anticipated it. It seems to come about my period as well, whichehich is hard to avoid haha. Do you find taking the lysine works?

Smart move! Are you on suppressive therapy or just when an outbreak occurs? I've read that suppressive therapy can lessen the risk even more.

I'm wondering the same. I've read anywhere from 2-3 days with no symptoms to up to 7-10 days. I think as long as you're not experiencing any symptoms for a bit it should be okay.

Talk about being anxious! I was trying to find the right time to tell this new guy I was dating. It was clear we were both interested in each other. I was trying to think of some way to causally drop it in conversation, but that did not happen exactly. But overall, it went well! I told him if he needed time to digest or make any decisions, he could or if he had any questions i'd be happy to have a conversation. I tried to add a few laughs just to lighten it up a bit. I told him it doesn't define who i am. It's definitely a rush to get it over with! so relieved but still guarded. Thank you for listening! This site really helped to start having the discussion and learning all about how to live life. This doesn't define you, you're only going to become stronger.

I️ outbreak over a week ago, forgot a couple days of my suppressive therapy and now the lesions is gone but I’m still experiencing some sensitivity in the area. Even a week after it’s better. Is this usuall? I’m still taking suppressive valtrex daily. I️ diagnosed in April of this year. Not sure if it would be advisable to have sex or not. Any thoughts?

Hello, I know the first outbreak is supposed to be the worst (i.e. longest with symptoms) or that it could be. I was diagnosed in April 2017, started on suppressive therapy 2 weeks ago and I'm still experiencing an outbreak...its going over two weeks now. How long was your longest outbreak? & is suppressive therapy worth it if i'm still experiencing such a long outbreak with it?

@free_spirit Thanks for sharing! I thought the same thing about having itching and no lesions or a few show up again. I ended up having another outbreak a week after my first one. they might be promodone symptoms. The itching was unbearable at times. I did find that it was worse at night too. I found ice to help with the itching, through a layer of clothing for a few minutes. or using the hair dryer on cool, but be careful with that. I did my best to wear loose clothing/commando during those symptoms/in general just to keep the area free haha. Hope this helps & you're feeling better!

@Abv0707 Thanks for sharing! This is great to hear and I agree strongly with your post. I'm glad there is hope and goodness out there! I've tried to remind myself since I was diagnosed that this virus doesn't change who I am as a person. If anything, I'm hoping it will make me more stronger, confident, and recognize what I truly deserve and want in a partner.

@Beautyintheugly22 Thanks for reaching out! My partner is a male. We don't share any sex toys and I was thinking of them more along the lines him using them on me without any direct/indirect contact with my genitals. I guess there is always solo play with exceptional hygiene? I'm just thoroughly frustrated with all of it at this point. this is the longest outbreak i've had and its in a different spot than the others. I started daily suppressive therapy almost two weeks ago and finished the 2 a day for three days valtrex when it started. it seems to be getting better but super slow this time. I just want it gone. Thanks for listening :)