Question:
I am in the midst of my VERY first outbreak (Day SIX actually). It's horrible and PAINFUL. I got Valtrex but it has yet to kick in so to speak.

To top it all off-I JUST started my period. I was wondering how me getting my period was going to affect my outbreak. I cannot wear tampons, so I am stuck with pads.

If ANYONE has any advice or suggestions, I would be VERY greatful.

Thank you so much

Answer:
Hi Tonic...
Having my period has not had an effect on my out-breaks...by that, I mean that I don't perceive that I develop "more" lesions, or that it becomes more painful. If you are able, maybe taking a nice, not too hot bath a couple times a day would be helpful. I also apply tea tree oil to my lesions...it can smart at first so maybe you can dilute it at first by taking a q-tip and holding it under a the tap to get it wet, then apply a drop of tea tree oil to it- then apply it to your blisters. I have heard that Dombro powder can be soothing when put in the tub. You can get this at any drugstore. Tea tree oil is pretty much available everywhere now, too. If your drug store doesn't have it, a natural health type store might carry it. Otherwise...yeah, it's messy wearing just pads...but I haven't noticed any other adverse effects. Did your doctor give you anything for the pain? I hope you're feeling a bit better.

Answer:
every month I get an outbreak that starts just before my period, during, or immeidately as my period is ending. But usually it is right before. This is very common in women due the hormonal changes. The virus seems to really act up with the hormone changes for me and many people Ive heard the same. Not all women have this but a very lot. I dont know about just wearing pads but I think that the virus survives best in moist dark places so it is important to change pads often and you could try using preparation H wipes to stay clean when wiping and they also help because they seem to sooth the area too. Hope this helps a little.

Answer:
Hello Renee!
I am feeling MUCH better today-thank GOD. The doctor did not give me anything for the pain but I am taking the Valtrex and went to the store and bought some Lysine and I have been taking Asprin for the pain as well. Some of the swelling has gone down in the past couple of hours and it's not NEARLY as painful as it has been the past few days. (THANK GOD).
I am going to go to another store to look for some Tea tree oil as the one place I went to was out. I haven't heard about the Dombro powder but I am willing to try ANYTHING. Where can you find it? I have never heard of it before.

BoxofRain-
Thank you for the Prep. H pads idea! I hadn't even thought about that! I had read that the onset of a womans period could lead to an outbreak. You seriously get an OB EVERY single month?! God I cannot imagine! How long do your outbreaks last?

Seeing as though I am ONLY going through my first OB, I am still unsure what to expect in the future. Which, to be honest, scares the hell out of me. :(

I tried to opt for the pads...but it seems as though they were rubbing the area and irritating it and, as mentioned, the area stayed moist and that didn't seem to be helping either. So far so good with the tampons. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed!

Thank you both SO much for everything!

<3

Answer:
Hi Tonic (and Boxofrain) ,

Thought I:d just share with you how it went forme...I first OB started on about the 2nd of January...my period on the 4th. The OB lasted about 7 days and there was suddenly 1 day where I felt completly better again.

Then 2 days ago I woke up to the strange achy feeling in the backs of the thighs and stuff (initially thought it was from excercise) then about 2 hours later I had tingling. I had to admit to myself that it was the start of another OB and it was...

But then this morning I:ve discovered that my period has started...2 weeks early!!! I:m normally pretty regular and so this is just a bit weird...

Boxofrain - have you ever tried going on one of those 3 month contraceptive implants or injections to even out the hormones?

Answer:
Hi Tonic...
I am so glad you're feeling better! The valtrex actually worked pretty quickly for me, too, which was a relief.
Let's see...it's called either Dombro powder or Dombro solution and it can be found in that section of the drug store where they have poison ivy remedies and calamine lotion...that sort of thing. If you ask somebody who works there, they can help you out. It's for all sorts of skin irritations, so you won't be advertising your condition to anybody by asking for it. It comes in an envelope, like bath salts do, and you pour it into the bath tub.

Take care...

Answer:
Oops! I pride myself on my spelling abilities, but I goofed up. Pronounced "Dombro" but spelled "Domeboro". Sorry, Tonic. :)

http://www.walgreens.com/store/produ...=1&id=prod5012

Answer:
My outbreaks last for 10-14 days and seem to happen all the time but I dont get tingling or anything to indicate they are coming. I also dont get typical sores so I have a hard time knowing when the outbreak is actually gone. I have never considered getting shots, but am on birth control and dont wish to try anything to alter my body even more. I dont like traditional medicine very much and try to not put a lot of synthetic things into my body but birth control is a needed evil for me. Thank you for your ideas and your responses. Its nice to feel people are actually reading what you post.

Answer:
I have always taken Valtrex at the first sign of a break out and if I start taking it right then, it doesn't get that bad. As far as soothing the pain, the only thing that has ever worked for me that I have tried is Zovirax topical cream. It stops the pain right on contact, but is very expensive without insurance, as is Valtrex of course. I had a doctor once tell me not to waste my money on the cream, that Valtrex does a better job at stopping the pain internally, but i've found that it helps to have both. I hope you are feeling better. If it's any consellation, my outbreaks seem to have gotten less severe and less painful (or frequent for that matter) as the years go by.. (17 years now) but I know that everyones case is unique and different. I hope this helps!