Question:
What I'm about to type hopefully gives others the hope and positive outlook that's so desperately needed when faced with this herpes virus. First and foremost that fact that you carry the virus does not mean the end of a social or sex life by a long shot. I've Lived and dealt with this virus for over 15 years now, and can honestly say it was due to lack of education, My then girlfriend was experiencing itching in her vaginal area, so we go to the store to pick up some mycalex (sp) cream, thinking it was just a "female thing" I had no idea of what Lurked beneath the surface of her problem was called genital herpes and she would soon pass it to me. Both of us just having no earthly idea that it could be that. I knew of herpes, but I always thought it was just a cold sore that some people get on their mouths. Un-fortunately I found out what it is the hard way. Needless to say, when the virus first wreaked havoc upon my genitals, I didn't know what the hell was going on! My first Line of defense was to run to the store and pick up every ointment I could find and bombarded the circle of sores that was so violating my manhood. Nothing, it seemed to have made it worst! That's when I went to the doctor and it was explained to me exactly what it was and how I contracted it. I couldn't be mad at my girlfriend either cuz she had no idea and we both made a conscious, adult decision to have sex with one another, and therefore now I was faced with the "Life-Long" task of not only finding out everything I could about this virus, But CONTROLLING it so that my Life could and would be as "normal" as possible under the circumstances.

Knowledge of The Herpes Virus- Knowing exactly how the virus works and replicates itself is the absolute 1st step in controlling this thing. Some people experience frequent outbreaks, while others such as myself might get one once every couple of months or so, 7 months is the Longest I've went without experiencing an out-break, but when it would happen? It would only last a couple days then I was good again. Keeping and building your Immune System up is paramount, There are several "Immune Boosters" on the market and in drug stores that can assist you with this. The herpes virus CAN BE HELD IN CHECK! But it's up to you and the maintenance of your body that will help in doing so. The herpes virus is an irritating piece of shit that can only "act up" if given the "proper" environment to do so, So if you do everything on your part to make your body is a vehicle that says, "hey, you may Live here, but you're not welcomed!" the only thing it can and will do is just lay dormant until you give it an opportunity to wreak havoc on you. Stay away from foods rich in Arginine like chocolate, peanut butter, caffeine, cashews, oats, etc.. Proper oxygenation is extremely important as well, so if you smoke? QUIT!Is that cigarette more important than keeping sores that burn from off of your genitalia? That's an easy one for me to answer. It's been scientifically proven that just about all diseases can be traced to lack of oxygen in the body, herpes is no different, There are products out there that claim to be able to give the body proper oxygenation, but read up on them and choose wisely and carefully. Let's be honest, someone with genital herpes will try just about any and everything to make it go away, And while herpes will not just "go away" it CAN BE HELD IN CHECK! and with that said, there's a lot of not so reputable companies out here who have preyed on people with the herpes virus.

Your New Love Life- Just because you carry the virus, that does not mean you have to be alone. There are literally millions of people with this disease, so there are support groups out here where you can actually meet someone like yourself and will obviously understand what you're going through. You have to be honest and up front with whoever you choose to date though, especially if the relationship starts to get serious. herpes is not something you can keep hidden from a mate nor should you attempt to do so. I've been in a serious committed relationship with a wonder woman now for over 5 years and she does NOT have the herpes virus and we're gonna get married sometime in 2004! Sometimes I even forget that I do have it cuz it's such a non-factor in my Life now, when I first got it though. it was really tough until I fed my brain with all the knowledge I could about controlling this thing! I know it's extremely hard to tell someone that you have genital herpes, but if you really care about them, and they really care about you? This is something you can both deal with, because it is CONTROLLABLE! You just have to be honest with them and yourself as well.

Medication/Prognosis- What I've found is that while medication such as Acylovir and Valtrex can aid in the healing time of an outbreak, Taking medication for this on a regular basis for "suppression' is NOT good, and my saying so is based on the fact that I've carried this for so long and know all the ins and outs of what's effective and what's not, at least for ME! My reasoning is that if you take a medication over a long period of time? Your body will actually work up an immune to the med to where it's no longer effective. This make's all the sense in the world if you think about it. Here what has worked wonders for me: Lysine, Garlic (2 cloves a day), A Multi-Vitamin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and I stopped smoking!

Lysine-I take 2000 mg's of Lysine daily, it has been proven and is a fact that the herpes virus carries an Arginine base and Lysine is it's antonym! Keep your body loaded with Lysine and this alone will significanlty help you in keeping this virus in check! Now, it's recommended that you take up to 3000 mg's of Lysine if you're having an outbreak, then take 1000 mg's daily to help keep it in check, but I made a conscious decision to take 2000 mg's daily. (whichever dosage work's best for you)

Garlic- The actual thing, NOT the pills, garlic has been used as a penicillin for years and it has been medically proven in a laboratory that garlic kill's the herpes virus! I firmly believe that the cure in genital herpes lies within something as simple as garlic but for some strange reason this isn't be researched enough. The anicillin (sp) you get in real garlic is what kills diseases and you can't get it's full benefit in a pill form, It sucks but hey, just make sure you brush your teeth and keep some listerene on hand and you'll be o.k.! lol needless to say because my body is laced with garlic I haven't had a cold or the flu in years! Keep your flu shot, I got Nature's flu shot in Garlic!

Multi-Vitamin- I take 1 daily with the most Zinc, Normally Vitamin C is the highest milligrams represented in a multi-vitamin and this is a good thing, Zinc for some reason has been proven effective against the herpes virus as well, Plus other anti-viral vitamins are in a multi, so it's all good!

Vitamin C- Extremely important, having your body loaded with vitamin C, sure you'll go to the bathroom a lot, but who said this is bad? I prefer to drink Hi-C and a lot of fruit juices (minus carbonation) that promote 100% Vitamin C and this is good! Plus it's something I enjoy. before you go loading up on orange juice be forewarned that the acid in OJ can cause other problems with your digestive tract, so I'd stay away from too much orange juice.

Vitamin E- This vitamin is actually the "sex vitamin" and enhances libido, but other benefits are for your skin, your heart and respiratory. I read somewhere awhile back that it was highly recommended in helping against the herpes virsu, so fuck it, I was sold!

Well, I hope this thread give's someone the inspiration and hope with this virus because it is CONTROLLABLE and you can still live a happy life, I'm living proof! Even though I know I carry the virus, I've almost rendered it non-existant, at least to the point where it doesn't bother me at all anymore, really, But again, it start's with education and attitude. a month supply of Valtrex will last me for a year damn near! I opt to go the "Natural" route moreso, and that has worked wonders for me, Hopefully my "routine" can help others, or i nthe very least start Limiting those frequent outbreaks for you. They're close to finding a cure (be on the lookout for this thing called Resquimod Gel ) supposed to be better than any herpes med ever, valtrex included! so they're getting closer, but until then, I'll just stick to the regimen up top that has worked for years, Good luck to all of you and keep your head up!

Answer:
some helpful info here!!

Answer:
Thank you for taking the time to write this.

Answer:
Thank you so much for taking the time to write all that. I've just contracted the virus and have been feeling like my life is over. I'm going to take your recommendations for the vitamins and garlic. You've given me hope! Here's one thing I don't understand though. How is it that your girlfriend doesn't have it? Is is possible to have unprotected sex and not get it? If you keep it "in check", then are you not contagious?

Thanks again!

Answer:
How do you eat the garlic? Do you mix with anything?

Answer:
thanks,man,that was a good read.I'd like to add to that to keep a clear head and stay stress free(always helps),like you said,don't think about it.That's probably helping more than the garlic!lol

Answer:
Thank you for your story, it has helped many others and me.

I just want to address one piece of misinformation.
"Proper oxygenation" is a term that's thrown out but not understood. Do to physiological mechanisms that I wont go into, even breathing pure oxygen at sea level will only increase your body 02 by around 2%. A very small number. So it really won?t do anything for you. Only if you're dying will 2% make a difference(maybe, depending on the situation). In addition, your body usually takes in more oxygen than it's using to create a reserve. Of course this isn't the case if you're running a marathon.

Anyway, increasing respiration rate will lower body carbon dioxide. As results, the blood temporarily becomes less acidic. This in turn MAY influence activation/inactivation of the virus.

My point is, if you see any product that claims that oxygen will cure everything, there's a good chance it's false.

Thanks

B

Answer:
It is so funny....a year ago (this month) I tested positive for HSV. The only reason why I tested was because i had one teensy little tiny bump that looked like a "razor rash" bump...but hurt like hell and burned when I peed. I use to work at Planned Parenthood, so I called my people there, rushed in and waited...and waited...but in my heart I knew what it was. (my ex husband cheated on me constantly) But sure enough, the test came back positive and I was devastated and hurt but I knew then I had to TAKE CARE OF MYSELF. It was my wake up call. I began eating better, I would take a b complex vitamin (good for the central nervous system) with a TON of Vitamin C. I don't do sugar, but I drink a "diet" Cranberry juice to aid not only in giving me delicious vitamin C but also it is SO good for us ladies and our urinary tracts. I have not had another outbreak until just recently....and THAT was just a little tiny mark. Itty bitty. Nothing, other than it pisses me off that I caught this from my dumb ex, not because of my OWN stupidity (other than I married my ex.) But i am very fortunate and I DO believe that it is because I talk all the vitamins and try to be somewhat healthy! I DO not take suppression drugs, I would rather let the herps run it's course (plus my outbreaks have only been two in a year...so....) I just take them to make me heal faster DURING the outbreak. Much easier that way. IF I start to feel a litte tingly or itchy down there, I up the vitamins and cranberry juice.

I refuse to let this ruin my life. I am going to continue on like always, but be careful. I am in a unique situation now where I am dating someone and have to tell him. I am hoping for the best, but if he leaves me because of it, oh well, life goes on. You can't stress about it, it ain't worth it (or the outbreak!)

Answer:
Thanks for taking time to write this....and for keeping it posted. I have lived with GH for 2 decades. 10 years ago I learned about L Lysine. You have expanded my list of other nutritional aspects. Appreciate that!

Does anyone experience outbreaks from physical / mechanical stress to the lower body. I find when I sit for long periods I get an outbreak. I have been attending many 3-4 day workshops for work trainings. The prolonged sitting which can't be avoided seems to be related.

Peace
Sue