Question:
Hi,

I have had herpes for a long time now about 17 years. Started out I only got in in one area and out breaks occuring in random. Sometimes once a month then I would have any for a 6 months and then I would break out.
About 4 years ago I started breaking out in other areas and I had them non stop it always seem I had one. I spoke to the doctor about this and he said it could be in immune deficiancy like HIV or something else. Was tested everthing came out good. Doctor still treat me casually when I get a new doctor and ask for a refil on the acylivir. Recently I got a new doctor (I guess I appricate it) wants me to come in everytime I have a sore to document it and only prescribed me a few refils on the Acyclivr. She says' I should not be having that many breakouts and that I should go for some test HIV, Pap Smear ect. She has me worried all over again. My question is this? Is it normal for some of us to have outbreaks all the time with no immune disfunction? Anyone else out there like me.

The other question too is , since I have had this so long the only thing I can think of that may trigger this is hormons (birth control). I had turned 30 and then like all of a sudden started getting them more. Also when I was pregnet with my son I hardly broke out at all. Since he was born I have been on the pill, but did stop for one month and in that month I did not break out .. Question 2- Would any one else agree that the virus can be hormon driven?

I would really like to hear some other people perspective on this.

Thank You

Answer:
I have no idea about the immune system question. I can say that my gynecologist said herpes is very much driven by the menstrual cycle - that many of her patients only have OBs on or right after their periods. My best friend just contracted herpes and it seems she gets OBs once a month during her period. So I'm guessing the period thing means it's hormonal.

My very biased and unprofessional opinion is that stress is the biggest culprit.

Answer:
I think that it is a combination of things. Stress, your immune system, hormones, and how you eat. I got this about a month ago, and have had 3 OBs already. I am on BC pills also. What types of vitamins are you taking? I was taking a ton but I have cut down on them because I was taking around 20 pills a day. I now will take a Vit C, and E and 1 cats claw per day. Seems like ever since I started taking the Cats claw my outbreaks stopped. I am new to all of this but after I had my first outbreak, I had 3 right in a row. If I start feeling any tickling or tingling down there I will take an extra catsclaw..ive gone longer without an OB than I did when I was taking valtrex. I dont really know what else to tell you because like I said, im new to all of this.

If you arent taking it already I would recommend trying the cats claw. There is a lot of information about it on the internet. I hope that everything turns out alright for you.

Answer:
jezzz your post scared the crap out of me... I am dealing with my HELLLLLLISH first outbreak and am praying and crossing all my fingers (and toes) that this barely ever comes back and especially not constantly!!! It sounds like you may be rundown and your immune system needs some extra help try taking more zinc or vitamin c. and sleep lots ... Gosh I hope you get better...

Answer:
Do you know if your doctor tested your thyroid? I had a bad initial ob, then practically nothing for years, then suddenly massive non-stop episodes. Turned out I had thyroid disease.

Answer:
Thanks everyone for your reply. I really should look at this board more often. I will try adding more vit C and the cat claw. I actully had my throid checked about a year ago and it was good. Thanks Again

Answer:
Hi mgirl,

Just one thing, make sure you get your thyroid test for antibodies. Apparently this is rarely done by doctors and is a proper thyroid test.

A friend had her thyroid tested a lot of times and they said it was normal. Then a specialist did the more sophisticated antibody test and guess what, she had a thyroid problem.

Cheers,

Laney.