Question:
Hi All, I've only wrote on this site one other time and It was about my niece. She has just turned 17 years old and found out last Nov. She is still in denial. But here is the thing. she is still having problems. She is taking Valtrexs but still has terrible itching. Is there a cream I can buy for this side affect? The outbreaks have slowed down but the shedding happens every period. That is when the itching starts and even at work she must run to the bathroom for relief. I need more infomation on this. It breaks my heart to see her life so messed up so soon. Just so you all know I have been reading this site since she found out. I can not get her to come here yet. I keep telling her that you are the only people who can truly help her. She thinks all she needs is what the Dr. told her.
I've told her that the Dr. can only anwser the questions she ask and if she is not asking the right questions she will never get the anwsers she is looking for. Please feel free to write any advise you have. Thank you all so much for your support.

Answer:
what kind of problems is she having? She needs to educate herself on the virus. It helps a lot with the psychological aspects of this damned thing as well as she will know how to possibly not spread it to others etc. Its a burdon more than anything.

As for itching, thats the problem I have. I have tried using aloe, as well as alcohol(mines around the pubic bone region) and actually wearing cotton panties with some powder in there helps tremendously. Hydrogen peroxide is also helpful to an extent as well as applying ice to the part thats itching. I also take baths in epsom salt and it seems to help.

Stay away from junkfood, cokes and caffiene products(I think this is what brought my last outbreak on) as well as sugar and anything made with white flour.

This virus makes you eat right. If I eat crap then im asking for an outbreak.

If the family has money I would send her to a psychologist possibly to talk about this and learn how to deal with it in the correct manner. It messes with your head. The physical stuff is nothing. It creates a lot of mental issues though. Also that could possibly help her with the denial issues. I never was in denial but, I do get angry. The guy I got it from had no idea so I dont know who to be angry at! I get angry that he has no symptoms and I do, and I also get angry at my doctor, and at myself. Its a pain.

Anyways hope that your neice pulls through all of this. I just cant imagine having to deal with this at such a young age. Like I said, its more mental than physical(well for me)....thats a lot to handle.

Answer:
Thank you so much for you advice. She will not talk to any one on this matter and I have to get her in the right mode to even talk to me about it. Her diet sucks and I've told her that I read that you need to eat right with this. She is so in denial I can't stand it. She has many other problems that is why she is with me. The drugs are one thing and lies are another. I've had real bad arguments with her and made her one night log on to this site and read. The only thing she is concern about is a boy friend. The boy who gave it to her. He will not admit to her that he has it but of course still wants to have un-protected sex with her. She eats like crap and doesn't take care of her body. Maybe he didn't know, maybe he doesn't outbreak, or maybe he gets kick off of this. He is 26 years old and she like I said just turned 17. Thank again.