Question:
Hi everyone. I've had HSV2 for 23 years now. I remember feeling the exact same way that all of you feel when I first found out I had this virus. I felt that my life was over, that no one would ever want to have anything to do with me again...and so on. Back then, they didn't have Valtrex and it was a very hush hush topic. The doctor who diagnosed me treated me as though I was disgusting and he couldn't wait to get me out of his office.

So, I went home and confided this new info to my Mother...BIG MISTAKE. She didn't want me using the same toilet as the rest of the family and was concerned about doing my laundry with everyone elses. And this is someone who has gotten cold sores for most of her life. She then, made me tell my Father...he cried but was so supportive. I think it hurt him more that his little girl was sexually active. The man I was dating at the time denied that he had ever had any outbreaks and dumped me. Never an apology..nothing. But, I persevered and realized it wasn't the end of my life as I knew it but it did change.

Throughout the last 23 years, I've told men and have had mostly positive reactions with the exception of one or two and found out later that I wouldn't have wanted a relationship with them anyway. I hate to admit it, but there have been a couple that I didn't tell. To my knowledge, I have never passed this virus onto anyone...at least haven't ever received a phone call asking me what the hell I've given them. I'm not proud of not disclosing this information to these two men, but it was in the early years of having this and it was more of a stigma than it is now. Only "bad" people had herpes and I was very ashamed and scared to tell. I was terrified of the rejection...but afterwards, more terrified that they would also come down with this. Thankfully, they didn't.

Since I first got diagnosed, I have had constant breakouts. Always during my periods and other times as well. There have been approximately six months at a time that I didn't break out and was usually during a relationship. This did make it easier since after I told them I had herpes there was a while that they were able to feel comfortable enough with it without me having to tell them I was broken out. I always take suppressive medication while I'm involved in a relationship, but never when I'm not. I can deal with the breakouts on my own. They are frequent, but not severe.

Like many on here, mine started around the vaginal area. Many, many years later, it moved to my butt area. Sometimes, I'll start out with one blister and it seems it makes it rounds to each of the infected areas. When one clears up, another one comes. It's an endless cycle it seems. I even get this huge itchy thing on my right buttock but not that often.

A year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease (no, not AIDS) and ever since then, it never lets up. I guess my immune system is shot at this point and it can no longer fight the herpes outbreaks. I can even think of having herpes...and an outbreak occurs. Constant prodrome symptoms...tingling, itchiness and the pain down my legs and back. I'm currently taking Lysine, Vitamin C and just added zinc which makes me very sick at my stomach so don't think I'll be taking that much longer.

I'm at my wit's end with this. Forget trying to have a relationship with someone new when you are in constant breakout. Unless, I can find an old, old man who can't get it up anymore nor interested in anything other than a pat on the head from time to time. I'm in my early 40's and I have finally given up after having such a good attitude for so long. I'm in my prime and can't do a thing about it because of this stupid herpes. I hate it and I'm sick and tired of it. I even got turned down for a new drug study because of herpes. It could have done me a lot of good for my immune disease, but they were afraid that an outbreak could deter test results. I'm just waiting on the day they send me an invite to join a herpes drug study...that way, they can't turn me down.

I remember when I first got it, I had such high hopes of a cure one day. Here it is 23 years later, and still no cure. I don't think they'd offer it to us even if they did find one...like others have said, too much money being made on the suppressive meds to put a stop to that. But, I am thankful that they do have them now for for all of you that have been diagnosed in the last 20 years or so and for the newbies that are joining this club each and every day.

If I could go back, I'd be the ole virgin spinster lady with a hundred cats in her yard. Looks like I'm headed that way with the exception of the virgin part.

Please don't be discouraged if you read this thinking...OMG, will I have the same constant outbreaks...I'm the exception to the rule and the most unluckiest person walking around. I wish I were one of those who never had outbreaks...but not the case.

Just needed to vent tonight.....thanks for reading.

Answer:
WOW...I really really feel for you :cry:
I hope you find the strength and support to keep on going,
cause I'm not sure I myself would be that strong to keep
my head straight in your shoes.
i really pray a cure,or at least a breakthrough in treatment happens
soon,as you definitly deserve it!!!
Best wishes

Answer:
Thank you for sharing your storey with us.It must be really frustrating at times.Does the supression therapy help you at all?You said you only take it if your in a relationship though.Would it be better to take it all the time?

(((HUGS)))

Answer:
Tears and Cherry,

Thanks to you both for your kind words and support. I'm feeling much better now about the whole thing. I go through my spurts of being down about this from time to time. Being diagnosed with Scleroderma is much worse than this herpes because it can kill me, herpes can't.

Cherry, to answer your question about staying on the suppressive meds...I have taken them in the past for suppression. In fact, I used to take them before being diagnosed with the auto-immune disease. I'm so paranoid about it getting worse, I hate to put anything into my body that I don't have too. I did speak with the nurse last Saturday and she called me in a prescription and I plan to see my doctor next week regarding the constant breakouts and what we can do to relieve them. Since I started taking them last Saturday, my outbreak has cleared up and the prodrome hasn't been bothering me. I'm definitely going to rethink my position about taking them everyday. What will be will be with my other ailment. I don't know if the Lysine and Vitamin C are working or if it's the suppressive meds, but I do plan on continuing taking all of them. Life is much better without an outbreak. Besides, I'm about to meet a wonderful guy I met over the internet that I've told and he has accepted the herpes. So I have even more a reason to keep these outbreaks away!

Have a good day and be safe. Big hugs to everyone.

Answer:
So glad about this new man!!

Have you tired taking Echinacea or Ginseng?I know they both help to keep the cold and flu bug away.I just started taking something with Ginseng in it when a cold was about to start and the cold didn't happen :D

I did read recently that "tests for anti-virul activity show that cells pretreated with Echinacea purpurea extracts are %50-%80 more resistant against influenza and herpes".Here is a website from a company that sells Echinacea products if you want to learn more.I'm not sure you can actually buy it on-line though,I only picked up the brochure at the drugstore.

www.avogelgel.ca

I may try a cream or something with E in it with my next OB.

Answer:
Hi again Cherry!

How's it going with your new man you met on MSN?

Thanks for the heads up regarding the echinacea. I'll definitely look into it. Let me know how the cream works out for you. I'm willing to try anything at this point.

But wouldn't you know it...I'm about to meet this new man and the prodrome has started again...and I believe a new outbreak. :cry: Just my darn luck.

Be well...and stay safe. HUGS

Answer:
Cherry,Here's another thing you may want to give a try,as it is alot less
expensive than Valtrex.I myself used it for about a week,but ended up feeling like a ob was going to happen and did the valtrex,I'm still paranoid
about getting another ob..not going to take any risks..at least not yet.Just because of this does not mean it will not work or work very well for others. Since your in Canada Cherry,you can pick it up at Superstore,and perhaps others that I'm unaware of.It's about 50 bucks for 60 capsules.Here's a link to some more info about it...and by the way,
Downrightunlucky,it's available down in the US now too.If you do try it,keep us informed how it worked for you.

http://www.herpesdoctor.com/node/152


Here's just a link from a random online site that carries it,showing US cost and description.

http://naturesdistributors.com/store/6000info.html


Hope the both of you find happiness with your new guy friends,,,
hopefully someday I'll find someone too

Answer:
My MSN guy,well I should say "boy" as he's 21 and I am 29 is fine.We haven't met yet.We chat ocasionally but I'm not sure if we will meet.If we do it will probably just be a friend thing and that's ok.

I know that love will find us all when it's supposed to.I have to belive that :D

Since I don't have OB's very often...maybe 2x a year I don't take anything for it.The first 4 or so maybe (I'm not sure) I did not have checked out at all and really suffered with them and have only taken the Valtrex once with the one the doc saw.

I'm just taking something called Cold Assist (the Life brand version of Cold Fx) to keep the cold and flu bugs away.It says it "may help boost the immune system" and I knwo that's good if you have herpes.So I'm hoping this Winter I am cold/flu/herpes free!!

Answer:
I am 42 years old, have had herpes since I was 18 and I still can not get over the feelings of anger and the disruption it causes in my sex life!! I have had the most outbreaks over the last 2 or 3 years. Does getting older affect outbreaks? I take Valtrex-1gm per day, L-lysine-6-8000 mg per day, red marine algae-900mg 2X a day, and I try to control my diet, but the foods highest in argine, my trigger, are my favorit foods. I have gotten better about not having them. I am just totally agrevated that this virus has to affect my every fiber of my being, ie...self esteem, sex life, pain tolerance, ect. This is the first time I have been on a Herpes forum and I figure its time. Any help would be wonderful!!
Thanks for being here. :D