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I am newly diagnosed — it is Tuesday and I read the diagnosis on my medical portal on Sunday night. In shock even though doctor who did the swab of my blisters told me it might be herpes. I just thought it was the oral herpes (which I know I have and this hasn’t given me shame) that got “down there” through oral sex or something. But it is genital herpes. Blisters started after I had COVID in April, which I guess is not uncommon, although I may have had other symptoms for a long time (nerve tingling). Husband has no symptoms. He is supportive. We talked (ok, I cried, and he talked). Given our histories before we got together over 30 years ago, it is likely that I was the one who contracted herpes and was basically without symptoms throughout our whole relationship. I feel ashamed about this and really alone. I can’t talk to anyone about it except my husband and I don’t want to burden him with being a basket case. Thanks for listening
Topic: Is it an outbreak?
Hi, I was diagnosed with genital herpes 5 or 6 years ago during my first outbreak. I had one small sore fairly far into my vaginal opening. I haven’t ever had another outbreak. I get paranoid every time I ever feel anything uncomfortable in that area, but as far as I know, I have never had an outbreak. Lucky, I know. However, I don’t really know what it feels like and if I would recognize the symptoms. Recently, I felt some discomfort in the area and had a look. At first, I was sure it was an outbreak by the way it looked (one small white-ish looking spot. not really a blister though). But it was gone in less than 2 days. Is that possible? Sometimes I have tears especially after sex, so I’m not sure if it was just that or if it was an outbreak.
any insight?Topic: Considering daily meds
Hi all. Sorry if this is long, but I’m just going to put it all out here in my first post! I’m 59 years old and have been living with HSV1 for many years. My husband gave me it to me, probably prior to our marriage in 1995. He did not disclose that he got cold sores on his lips (which were easily hidden by his beard/mustache). By the time I actually saw one on him and we had a discussion about it, I’m sure the damage had already been done. He claimed not to realize it was a big deal, since the outbreaks didn’t really bother HIM that much. I was pretty irritated but was 25 at the time and a busy, newly divorced young mother of 2 and guess I just didn’t dwell on it. Fast forward several years, after we were married, and I started to occasionally get “cold sores” on the end of my nose. In the beginning, it only happened once or twice a year and was easy to live with. But as time has gone by, they started to appear more frequently and with more intensity (on both sides of ends of nose), so several years ago I finally went to a doctor and asked for medication. I’d been taking valcyclovir as-needed a couple-few times a year. The pills make me very sick to my stomach and I feel like I’ve had a pot of coffee but they seem to work really well.
Fast forward again to the last couple-few years, and it’s only gotten worse and more intense. Meanwhile, my husband only rarely gets cold sores on his lips anymore, and they are easily hidden. So not fair. Anyway, during my yearly gyno exam last month, my doctor found signs of active HSV2, and after lab work confirmed with me that I do in fact have that also. My husband has never had symptoms of HSV2. I had noticed a small irritation but thought it was brought on by bad fitting pants/excercise, etc. I have had that same irritated feeling a few times over the last many years but it was never enough to concern me. For some reason it just didn’t dawn on me that it could be HSV2. I was also just starting to get a cold sore on my nose when I saw my doctor. Within a couple of days, I had the worst outbreak I ever have. Many other symptoms with it, etc.
So now my doctor has suggested that I start taking my med daily as a preventative measure. I would be fine with that except that I’m sure I would end up with an ulcer. I have an extremely sensitive stomach and can’t deal with most pills. She mentioned that one concern with having bad outbreaks in the nose is that it can lead to the eyes, brain, etc. I was just in shock. By the time I got home, I had thought of more questions for her, and will be having a follow up appt. tomorrow. Questions like: could my eye problems in the last few years be related? Are other symptoms related? Should I see a specialist? I’ve already searched for a local virologist in my med network and found nothing. Should I have my husband take the same med daily too, so we don’t keep passing this back and forth to each other? What are the side effects of taking the med every day? Is there anything besides pills I can take (like a shot, patch, etc.)? Anyway, thanks for making it this far if you have. I’d love to hear from anyone else that may have found themselves in a similar situation. Hugs to all!
Topic: Advice/Help please
I was diagnosed with HSV2 7 months ago after been told many times it was different infections until been tested due to the blisters. I’ve experienced UTI’s in the past, but this felt like a sever UTI. I’d been seeing a guy for 4 months prior to this, and he was very supportive and non-judgmental, and said he had never experienced any symptoms. Unfortunately we recently split up (not related to the diagnosis). I had a long term partner before that, although we had broken up in between, and separate intimate relationships during that time. He often got cold sores on his mouth, although we never discussed this as ‘herpes’ as I suppose we were just uneducated on it. He was very strict about not kissing when he had a cold sore. He also cheated on me by kissing 2 separate girls one night (he says that is all it was). During our break about 4 years ago I was sleeping with a guy and during this time I got a UTI which was very painful (although they usually are). I have so many questions… was the guy I was sleeping with give me it back then? Did my long term partner give me it during oral sex? Did my partner do more than kiss a girl and contract it? If it was ever considered to rekindle things with my long term partner, how would I tell him, would he accept it?
As well as all of this, I feel so alone. I have confided in a few of my close friends who are supportive, but I can’t help but think I am going to be on my own or I won’t be accepted. I don’t want kids just yet, but in the future I hope to have kids and a family. I know this virus is so common but so many people don’t know they have it, so when it comes to disclosing it in the future am I just going to be rejected by someone who could potentially have it themselves? I fear disclosing it to someone I know, or they know people I know and it gets shared around. I am struggling to cope with the impact this is having on my life, I am already struggling with my mental health and my stresses.
Hello! This is something I’ve lived with for 4 years now and it’s gotten to the stage where I have to take Acciclover twice daily to help outbreaks. Unfortunately, this doesn’t completely stop them either, but lessen the symptoms…. But without fail, when my period is due, I will start to feel tired, my eye bags swell and I have severe brain fog- then I realise why I’m feeling so rotten 😞. I live in a small community and the doctors here are beyond useless and won’t do anything to help me! I’m poorly all the time, and I’ve had to tell a few people I would rather not because I can’t hide it!! Work etc! I’m not sure what I’m even looking for with this post, other than to know I’m not alone. I feel like a leper!!! Had anyone else experienced their PMS kicking off their outbreaks? I want to come off the tablets but I know I will be even more ill, as at least they stop me getting blisters. The joys 😔
Topic: Freaking out
I do not yet have a positive HSV diagnosis, but I had protected sex with someone who is HSV positive 5 days ago and have experienced a sudden onset of symptoms consistent with herpes infections. Very early so no blisters yet, which means I can’t get tested yet, and so I’m just left to stew in my own feelings of intense anxiety, sadness, fear, and regret. After 5+ years of being celibate, I’m so upset that this has happened right away – wish I had stayed celibate now 🙁 if it’s as I fear, it will complicate relationships for me, which I am already very unskilled and shy at navigating….
I feel so isolated and lonely with no one to discuss my fears with – I don’t dare bring it up to friends or family. I don’t even know for sure if I have HSV but I know when something in my body is off, and the timing makes my heart sink…it seems almost certain. Is there anyone who had a scare like this and it was fine? Perhaps that’s just wishful thinking……… I can think of nothing else right now. Anyone in the same boat? 🙁