Question:
Hi all,

I'm new to this forum; I had my first outbreak of genital herpes this past spring and it was a doozy (prolonged by an incorrect diagnosis by an ER doc who gave me antibiotics for vaginosis) that caused me to miss nearly a week of work.

Since then, I've had monthly "outbreaks" of sorts that coincide with my period. However, this last one never went away... it's been a little over a month now, and it's really starting to depress me. I am up to Valtrex 3x/day, Lysine 3 mg! AND avoiding chocolate and coffee (my only two vices) and peanut butter etc for their high arginine content.

Anyway, my question is about the outbreaks themselves. They don't involve blistering -- just a rash/redness on one side of the outer labia, with nearly constant tingling and numbness, and recently a deep aching, as well; also, the inner labia swell to 2 or 3 times the normal size, and while they don't hurt per se, since they're so big and so naturally sensitive they get irritated from movement. Walking is uncomfortable to painful, and sometimes even sitting is too, even though I have been wearing loose skirts without underwear for 2 weeks (sorry if this is TMI).

Everything that I've read suggests that herpes simplex doesn't cause nerve damage, but I'm wondering when this is ever going to stop!!! I am tired of not being able to live my life and being in constant discomfort!

What can I do? Has anyone else dealt with this?

Thanks very much.

Answer:
Hi, I'm also new to the forum. I hope you've been able to get some sort of relief since you first posted!

I'm having a really long outbreak like this too. no blisters, no cuts that I've been able to see. just redness round the outer labia, lots of sensitivity around the hair line, drastically swollen inner labia. tingling to burning sensations depending on which part is tender at the time. sometimes it's painful to pee.

I've never had an outbreak before this, so I'm not entirely sure what to do as the symptoms aren't classic at all.

it seems to spread up or down, by the time one part is normal feeling and normal colored, another part is itching burning and has turned dark angry red. seems to go through a bit of a cycle, like a wave from my perenium up on my genitals. by the time my clitoral hood is its normal size and color my perenium is red and starting to get irritated. (sorry if that's TMI) this is the beginning of week five like this.

I've upped the meds, and just started taking immuno support herbs and a lysine supplement. the symptoms have gotten a tiny bit less intense, but not by much. there was a day last week (friday) where it seemed almost gone except for some minor irritation on the outer labia. I'm hoping that it gradually improves.

things that have made an impart of comfort, but not really changing the whole ordeal:

I've started using the "adult wipes" instead of toilet paper since normal toilet paper makes the whole area feel raw even if I try patting it dry. there a warm, not quite sting, to them, but it's not as bad as normal TP.

warm salt baths help,
hairdryer on low pointed at the are to dry it off also helps.
(as does lying there prone and not letting anything touch the area)
wearing absolutely nothing on my bottom half when I'm alone at home helps.
baby powder seems to help keep it dry a little, helps with friction from pubic hair which has been like a version of chineese water torture. it's irritating and poking and scratching, but not enough to be called really painful. grr.

anyway, hope any or some of that helped.

I'm at a loss as to what else to do about it really. patience I guess.

until I pay off the medical bills from the annual checkup and bloodwork where I found out that I have HVS2 (yay my crappy insurance not covering non-ppos) I can't afford to go in to the doctor and ask if this is caused by herpes or if there's something else going on.

Answer:
From my experience, first ob in april 07, i was having symptoms for 3 months after the initial ob. I have read that it takes your body up to a year to "adjust" and fight herpes. I had the aches, pains, discomfort, felt like my pelvic bone was broken, etc. for t h r e e l o n g months. It is better now, but I get prodome symptoms before my period for the last two months and actually had a "mini" ob this month with my period. You should take at least 1,500 mg of lysine per day and also check out the links to the left of these posts for more information on what vitamins and herbs to take, such as olive leaf and zinc and vitamins b and c.

so, for the three of us females here; seems like this is "normal" for us for the stage that we are in with this virus. It will get better!

Answer:
I'm sorry to read that you are in so much pain for such a long period of time.:(That is definately not cool.I tend to get a OB at the time Aunt Flo makes her monthly visit too.But this month was different because I got back on my vitamin and herb regimen recently and Aunt Flo is here but a OB is not.:D When I do have a OB I dont have blister/cuts/lesions or anything like that,it just burns like hell down there.I'm suprised to read that Valtrex isnt working for you because in the majority of the posts I have read Valtrex is the HSV miracle pill. I wish you luck and hopefully you will be feeling better soon.