Question:
I had just finished a month of training and was beginning my first week of work at a new job when I became quite ill with harsh flu-like symptoms. The work is all about talking on the phone, so I was sent home to rest up.

The next day I went to the toilet and the pain was excrutiating. It was like someone had sandpapered me and poured acid there. I went to the doctor #1 and was told it was thrush, was given Canesten, which I've never used before. It got continually worse. I could hardly swallow water from my inflamed throat, completely lost my appetite, wasn't sleeping due to the flu symptoms, dreaded the bathroom... It was horrible.

I went back to doc #1, who told me I was likely just allergic to the thrush treatment. She put me on Metrogyl and Nizoral for a "fungal infection" and antibiotics. I was scared, I kept asking her, "Is it serious?" and she kept answering, "No, you're just run down". So I told myself it would all be better in a few days, stressing the whole time I'd be sacked for having sick days on my first week.

Nothing changed. I got more sores. I felt, and feel, so repulsive. My boyfriend and I live together, he's had to put up with my pain, grossness, every time going out for my new scripts.

Finally I saw doctor #2. He took one look and told me he thought it was herpes. I cried all the way home out of sheer disgust and panic and shock. He had taken painful swabs, and I'm still waiting for results, but after reading so many pages about herpes I have to admit the symptoms all fit. He put me on Valtrex and after one day it's already helping with the toilet pain.

Tomorrow is my 20th birthday. I'm so upset. "Happy birthday! You have herpes." I can't see any of my friends because I'm such a wreck. My boyfriend and I both hate using a condom. Having to use one will kill our sex life, let alone the complete revulsion I feel just thinking about intercourse right now. I doubt he'd touch me again anyway. I'm so miserable. I've never slept around, I can't think about how I could have gotten it! The logical reason is that my boyfriend has had it this whole time, and the stress from my new work brought on an outbreak. But he's stuck with me so well this past week, how can I point my finger now?

Answer:
there is no need to point fingers at this time but he needs to get in and get tested. Even if he's never had symptoms. Have him ask for herpes specific blood testing. Insist.

When will you get the results of your swab? Did they do herpes specific blood work? If not you should call and have them order it and just go in on a break and have it run. This will maybe give you an indicator if this is a new exposure.

Now to deal with you. You are not disgusting and love endures all. It's okay for your guy to run errands and to take care of you. You'd probably do it for him. But we need to get you better.

Epsom salt baths help. Aveeno Active Naturals bath powders help. Wear loose clothing. Don't put hydrocortisone on any sores. Drink lots and lots of fresh water. The Valtrex usually peaks at about the 5th day and the sores should be going away. Get plenty of sleep, take lots of vitamin c and have your guy go pick up some Lysine in the vitamin aisle. It's okay to take pain relievers like tylenol or advil.

here are some links to help understand this stuff.



We are here for you.

Answer:
I found out today that I have herpies...How I contracted it, I have no idea...I'm completely puzzled. Now I get to go over to my boyfriends house and tell him the news.

I feel so grossed out and icky right now, I can only hope and pray that he stays with me. I feel so alone and disgusting. I completely understand how you feel.

Answer:
I have'nt been diagnosed yet, I know I have it. Alittle over a week now. Took a week to figure it out. Going to Docs wensday. But out of all the emotion and pain I feel, the last is yucky. None of us are "yucky". Unfortunate yes. But we are certainly not gross. I know I'm not...

Answer:
What I'm about to type sounds dumb to me, but It's going to be okay. Maybe not right this second, but for sure it's going to be okay. I'm 26 and I found out just about a year ago that I had HSV. I found out a short while after I'd started dating my boyfriend. I felt so disgusting I didn't think he'd still want to be around me, but I was wrong. When someone cares for you, it doesn't matter.

Answer:
Thankyou so much for replying. I've gotten so emotional over it all.

To answer your questions Calliope, no, no blood test. It was just a basic swab, he purposefully broke some of the sores to test them, it was so humiliating. I'm still awaiting results, he said it would take "a couple of days" and that was yesterday.

When you say wear loose clothing, should I be wearing underwear? If I wear underwear it abrades, if I don't, I'm worried it will spread.
It's probably more a doctor's questions, but should I keep taking the medications the first doctor gave me, the antibiotics and so on? Or just the Valtrex? Also, are you supposed to feel woozy after taking Valtrex, or are they mixing badly?

Thankyou again. I can't say how much I value the support, I'm so glad I found these forums.

Answer:
No don't wear panties if they hurt. Be comfortable in anyway that you can. If you have a portable fan you can sit in front of, legs spread, the cooling air feels nice on the sores.

The swab should provide a reliable test if he broke the blisters. Don't feel humilated about this. You'd be amazed at the huge numbers of people the drs see who have herpes. Believe me it is in epidemic proportions.

My swab test took 10 days and only the dr could deliver the results. If you don't hear back in 5 days start calling to find out when they will be in.

As for the Valtrex yes the first few days it can make you feel dizzy and nausious or spacey but usually it starts to subside after a week. Drink lots of water it helps with those symptoms. I haven't heard anyone have those responses to the antivirals in a while. I had them and I lost weight.

I'd take all of your prescriptions exactly as prescribed. I'll say it again - Drink lots of fresh water. bottles and bottles.

Answer:
Just from the research I've done, I believe you are to keep the area very clean and dry. Wear Cotton undies. I went right out and bought some hanes her way bikini briefs. These will now be for obs. But I believe cotton undies are what we are suppose to wear.

Answer:
Memoria,

First, take a deep breath and relax as much as you can, stress alone can kill you and with herpes, it is definitely important to try and be as stress less as possible. Second, thank your lucky stars that your boyfriend has stuck with you and don't worry about pointing a finger. Third, ask him to get tested, so he can know his status.

I know that it is only human to want to point a finger and blame someone, but really it does no good to do that. I blamed my boyfriend for giving me the virus, but it only made me feel even angrier which caused my ob to be worse. It is going to take some time for you to get over the initial shock of having herpes, but you will. I was totally blown away by my diagnosis and it took me about four months to pick myself up and move forward. Now, I am doing so much better, which has resulted in me feeling so much better. Remember, lean on the fact that your boyfriend supports you and move on from there. Try and research as much as you can about herpes and make sure he does the same.

Sometimes, you may feel alone, but you are not. Turn to your boyfriend for support and turn to the many individuals, who are experiencing similar situations on this forum. If you would like, you can send me a personal message. I know all to well how dealing with herpes can be very draining, depressing, and most of all painful. I know it may be difficult, but try to focus on your birthday and enjoy it. I would like to leave you with these words that I live by: It is what it is, It could be worse, and At least I am not dead. Believe it or not, those simple words help me to keep moving forward each day.:)