Search Results for 'outbreak'

[AndyParticipant]

Hi Thais, so sorry to hear you’re going through the horrible first outbreak! I can definitely relate that it was hell.
1. Yes I believe that is normal. It hurt for me to stand, sit and walk too. If possible, try to rest in bed.
2. No it’s not a dumb question lol, I was so worried mine wouldn’t go back to normal because that’s how different it looked! 🙁 but it’s amazing how the body can recover! Don’t worry it will go back to normal!
3. I’d say it will take a week to 2 weeks for it to feel okay.
4. From my experience, the first outbreak was the most painful time of my life. Today, I don’t really have outbreaks because I take suppressive therapy. So yes, it can get better. Be strong ❤️

Hi Ladies,
So I got diagnosed with herpes two days ago… I contracted it from my ex boyfriend, who was asymptomatic so he did not know he had it. I’m still in quite a shock but before I can deal with all the emotional issues that come with this disease I have some questions about the first outbreak, and I would really appreciate if you could help me 🙂
1. My outbreak is bad. Like really bad. I have blisters all over and my vulva is completely swollen and irritated… is it normal to have this many? I can’t sit and I can barely walk so this is really worrying me…
2. I know this may be a dumb question… but will my vagina go back to looking the same as before? I just can’t recognize it anymore
3. How long, in your experience, until I can walk and sit normally again? I need to go to work again soon..
4. Does it get better?
Thank you for your help and let’s stay strong!

Hey all.
I am new. I was diagnosed with both HSV1 and HSV2 almost two years ago. I wasn’t in a relationship and still am not. In the past, Ive had sores that start with what feels like nerve pain. For whatever reason Acyclovir does not seem to work as well as Valcyclovir. Recently I’ve been in between job and haven’t had health insurance and that’s when the problem started. Doctor visits were just too expensive and so was medication. I tried a lot of home remedies such as ACV baths, lemon balm extract, L Lysine etc. but nothing helps. Right now I’m experiencing some intense itching. It affects my daily life, sleeping, and my work day. It’s so embarrassing to talk about because no one I know has come out or even knows about my diagnoses. I don’t remember my previous outbreaks being so itchy. So I went to urgent care. At this point it was just unbearable. The doctors confirmed that Herpes doesn’t make you itch in the way I was describing. They prescribed medication for Yeast and BV. You know when I doctor gives you medication and you just know it’s not going to work? Well so said so done. Then I realized my soap was irritating my Vagina more. So I thought maybe it’s contact dermatitis… again I’m back at square one, soaking in baths and basically not sleeping at night because I’m itching! Now the itching is painful because I’m sure my skins more irritated. I can’t help it. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow as I now have insurance so we can start figuring out what’s going on. Is this intense itching normal for HSV2? Also, what works to make it stop!?

[AndyParticipant]

Hi Kristy, I’m sure that’s a very hard decision to make for your future. I would say if you love him and want to be with him the future, then maybe it’d be worth it to expose yourself to possible transmission. However, I truly hope you don’t contract it. It’s hell, especially the first outbreak. If you feel any tingling or bumps coming on, go to the doctor right away and get some meds for it because I don’t want you to experience the burning pee feeling. I’m sorry I don’t have better advice, but I hope I can put it into a little outside perspective for you. Good luck!

[AndyParticipant]

Hi Pinkwife, I’m so sorry you’re experiencing the burning pee feeling. I too felt that my first outbreak and indeed it is hell. My advice is to drink a lot of water so the pee is less acidic. However, I didn’t want to drink water because that equaled that I’d have to pee more. Also, try peeing in the shower with cold water running on you while peeing. It helps a little. Also I know it’s very frustrating that herpes has no concrete answer of when it all started or who gave it to who. I struggled with that too. I wanted specific answers, but unfortunately you won’t be able to get those. I too felt alone, but it’s good that you and your boyfriend are sticking together. I wish you the best of luck and sorry I couldn’t give better advice! I hope your pain goes away soon!!

Hi everyone, I just joined this site in hopes to talk to other people who have herpes. I am 18 years old, almost 19. I have had herpes for 9 months. I was a virgin when I met my boyfriend. I asked him before we did anything if he had any STD’s and he said no (now I know they can be invisible). He’s from Argentina, and I was visiting him at the time. My first outbreak was the most painful time of my life. (Mainly because the healthcare system is not good there so doctors didn’t know what to give me). It hurt so much to pee because the burning was so bad. I almost fainted from that pain. That lasted about a week. Looking back now I can’t believe how strong I was. My vaginal area and anal area were covered in huge bumps. The doctor I went to said it’s the worst herpes she’s ever seen.. yeah didn’t make me feel too good to hear that. Fast forwarding to today: I struggle with depression, not only because of the herpes diagnosis, but other reasons as well. But I do feel a lot of shame. I know I shouldn’t, but I’m scared to transfer it to my children in the future. I’m also scared about what will happen when I stop taking Acyclovir everyday. My doctor in the US at Planned Parenthood said that generally people take it for a year. My outbreaks now are nothing compared to the hell I went through the first time. I’m scared that once I stop taking the pills that I will go through hell all over again. Maybe my outbreaks aren’t bad now only because of the pills. Does anyone have any advice about what happens after a year or more of being on the pills? Does it get better?
P.S. sorry for such a long story I just am hopeful to talk to others who have herpes because I’m the only one I know of.. besides me boyfriend.

[LilaParticipant]

Hi Elaine,

I was recently diagnosed with HSV-1 and it came out of nowhere. I have been with my current partner for over a year. It is super confusing because although it is entirely possible one or both of us had it and didn’t know, how have we not spread it or had outbreaks until now? My doctor didn’t have a good answer, it is completely plausible to her that I received the virus over a year ago and am just now having an outbreak due to triggers or stress. My take-away, is that it’s a super unpredictable virus that continues to change so they don’t always 100% know how you got it, why or from where. Aside from doing due diligence with testing and notification, I wouldn’t spend my energy wondering why you got it, from my experience it is a neverending cycle of conflicting information. I am focusing instead on what may have triggered my outbreak, i.e. unhealthy diet, stress, etc!

Hope this helps!

[LilaParticipant]

Hi Eunice,

I was recently diagnosed with HSV-1 as well. My doctor indicated that it is likely from unprotected oral sex, so you may not even have contracted it due to unprotected sex. I’ve been in a monogamous relationship for over a year and half, and my first my outbreak was this week. Even if that isn’t your situation, it isn’t your fault, it’s a highly contagious common disease!! I would recommend to talk to a coach or counselor, or listen to a podcast these help alot with understanding that you are by no means alone!

Again, according to my doctor the two positives of HSV-1, are that is it is more prevalent meaning more people have it and recurrences are less likely. One of the downsides is that the first outbreak is super severe, and mine definitely has been (day 7). I found epsom salt baths really calming and helpful. Also, I tried to sleep as much as possible. I hope this at least helps you realize you are not alone and that it will get better (P.S. I didn’t believe that either earlier this week). If you need someone to talk to I am here!

[LilaParticipant]

I have HSV-1 so my doctor told me the first outbreak would be severe. It has been. The first few days (maybe actually day 3-4) because I didn’t see a doctor until I noticed full symptoms were horrible. The first day I was only taking the antiviral so was in immense pain. I am finally feeling much better today, what I think is day 7, and hope it continues to improve. I had to work the whole week and some of the things that really helped me through towards the end were Tylenol extra strength (I was scared to take it with the antiviral, but haven’t had problems). Epsom Salt baths, this has helped more than I can say, including with the pain. I take two or three a day. At least in the morning and before I sleep. Also, if you are really having trouble peeing drink more water, it sounds crazy but works. I was struggling with posting on here or not, but I was so alone and in so much pain my first few days that I decided I would do anything to help those going through the same thing. It does get better and even with outbreaks at least in the future you a) aren’t dealing with the unknown which was the scariest part for me and b) have tools to handle the temporary pain. Lots of good vibes being sent to anyone dealing with this!

• This reply was modified 4 days ago by  Lila.
• This reply was modified 4 days ago by  Lila.

Hey,
I’ve had herpes for nearly 5 years, diagnosed after a brief promiscuous period when my boyfriend of 6 years cheated on me and we broke up. But for the last 4 years or so I was taking antivirals daily so haven’t had an outbreak in years. Recently my doctor has told me that I shouldn’t be taking them daily and to stop. The first month or so was ok… No symptoms. But in the last 3 weeks I’m on my second outbreak! I also have ulcerative colitis which makes my immune system low. I’m also a nurse which is high stress.
I’m not sure if I should go back on the antivirals to suppress the symptoms or what I should do.
I’ve been with my partner for 4 years and he knows about my herpes but we haven’t communicated a lot about it because we haven’t had to with me taking the antivirals.
I feel defeated and am looking for advice.
Thanks

Hello ladies, thank you for taking the time to read my post. About a week ago I was having an outbreak, I believe, and accidentally touched the sore. I washed my hands with body soap immediately and followed by hand soap once I got out of the showered. I took my eye contacts out after and instantly had a horrible gut feeling.

It had now been 9 days and my eye feels a bit strange. It feels uncomfortable and I am worried I may have transmitted to my eye.

I have been harboring this alone and I am in need of some support and guidance.

Love and light.

[ElaineParticipant]

Hey! Currently experiencing my first outbreak as well and of course! Got my period too! This is literally unbelievable. Anyways, I read that wearing pads would irritate the sores more so I just did tampons only. I was really careful about being clean and changing frequently and trying not to touch the sore while putting it in. If i thought I did I would throw it away and start over. It hasn’t been bad honestly. Just even more inconvenient because I typically only wear tampons on the heaviest days and pads on the lighter days but didn’t want to chance it because I’ve had raw sore skin from wearing pads in general down there. Didn’t want to irritate the sores at all. Hope this helps!

Does anyone have some recommendations? This is my first outbreak and I’m about to start my cycle in a few days and I don’t know what to expect. My Doctor told me it was my preference as too which products i could use ( tampons, pads, etc) but is there any tips or tricks y’all might have?

[Sammy JoParticipant]

So recently I feel like I’ve become more tired or my energy has gotten low- for example yesterday I went home and felt fine, put a load of laundry in and folding clothes. Apparently all the walking I became tired. I started to feel tingling in the heels of my feet and around my hamstrings. I then started to hover over my bed to help with the pain and it seems to help before I finally decided to just lay in bed. This is my first outbreak so I’m learning along the way.

[PinkwifeParticipant]

I was in excruciating pain during my first outbreak. What helped me – neosporin, drinking lots of water and taking the pills for a uti infection that turn your pee bright orange. I think they are called AZT. It was the only thing that took the sting out of peeing. Also icing down there helped. Fi. The outbreak lasted a week and I had to call in sick and couldn’t work for 4 of those days.