Question:
So...recently I thought I might be having an OB. (have only had one that I am aware since finding out about this a year ago). Took Acychlovir(sp) figured, well, I ahve cold sores on my mouth too, so this is fine. Took it...cold sores gone almost...finished my meds and felt a-okay.

Then last night, I was feeling "itchy" in the nether regions.. took a look, and there is another bumpy looking Blister thing!?!?!?! Almost like a ingrown hair, but not! How can that be...and I just got off the antiviral like, 2 days ago. So now I am taking it again! I hate this, because I want my body to do it's own fighting against the herps, but for whatever reason, it is back!

Anyone ever had this happen? Can the antivirals NOT work? I am desolate at this point. Everything seems to be coming to a head right now (I have to tell m partner, I am stressing about the virus itself and trying to come to grips with it, normal personal bullcrap.) I am barely keeping it together, and this is the ugly cherry on top of the cake here. I have been feeling so confident and now....that is out the door. When I saw that last night it literally to the wind out of my sails....I couldn't breath. I don't know if I can live with this. I know there are worse things out there...but this is bad. IT is making me completely paranoid too....EVERYTHING wrong with me I associate now with herpes (remember, I am a germ phobe.)

I am sure this stress is not helping. I am sure my guilt is making things worse as well. I don't know...that is all I have to say...if anyone can tell me about the antiviral stuff that would be swell. Thanks.

Answer:
Hi, ouch

Deep breath. I know, I've been right where you are. Take a strong epsom salt bath (thanks for the tip, Lasmom- that does help), try to put things in perspective. This is not a deadly disease, it's just a pesky virus that a large percentage of the population has to deal with on and off. I know having "the talk" with your boyfriend looming in the future has got to wreck your nerves. I'd try to use the reality of what you're experiencing to push you to just go ahead and do that...I know that when symptoms aren't present it's more tempting to be in denial. But if you're like me, the anticipation of the talk is the worst part, and you'll feel a lot better once you do tell. And I mean REGARDLESS of what he does, and simply because it's the right thing to do : )

I've read some clinical information that if someone who is on suppressive therapy with acyclovir (zovirex) or valacyclovir (valtrex) that the outbreaks can occur more frequently and more severely for a while. It would stand to reason that if you have been taking it a while for oral herpes, stopping could allow an outbreak to occcur down there. But I'm just kind of guessing here, throwing stuff together from impressions I've got reading about the virus.

This feeling will pass, I know it's rough right now though. Do you have anyone in your life who knows about it that you can call? My good friend from school knows and he's my lifeline when I'm feeling desperate. I was symtpom free for 4 years until I told (and then slept with) my new bf...yup. He left to go on a trip and 2 days later I had what I think was an ob. I was alone, terrified that I had been prodomal while with him, picturing him covered in lesions, it was the most horrifying 3 weeks of my life, waiting for the call from him saying he had it. I called my poor friend at all hours, just needing to talk through those dark, dark days. He didn't contract it, my body's back to normal, we're still happy and together. But alone with my thoughts back then, I never would have thought that possible! Take care - Palomita