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Depressed from herpes diagnosis

Posted , 4 users are following.

Baaaarbz
Baaaarbz

i had my first herpes outbreak 1 month ago, I only had one ulcer (so i am grateful it wasn't to painful) although i did get a terrible flu alongside.

3 weeks later I had tingling and a few days later a bump appeared which was just a tiny bit itchy and didn't come of anything and completely disappeared in 2 days.

i am grateful that my symptoms are minor but also sooo upset. this is the first one night stand ive had in 10 years. how can life be so unfair for just one mistake 😦

im taking antivirals everyday as i am too terrified of more outbreaks. I had a tingle on my lip for 48hrs which i recon could have been a coldsore if i wasnt on the treatment. could i really have got double whammy'd with genital and oral herpes in one go!!!!?

I don't think I'll ever come off the antivirals. I can't believe a one night stand has led me to being on daily medication. i was sooo happy before, full of life and motivation. now i just sit and feel depressed and hate myself 😭

2 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • l82390
    l82390 Baaaarbz

    Posted

    aw luv I hope your ok. I don't know how much you know about herpes but it really isn't a huge deal. I haven't been diagnosed but I I monitoring my symptoms. But I have been quite down about it too. But the way to look at it is theres people all around you who may have it and don't even know they have it as their symptoms are so mild. Guess this is one of those things where you'd rather not know because ignorance is bliss. I don't know where you are from in the world but have a look at the Herpes Association UK website. There is a lovely video on there from the founder and it really hammers in just how common and not a big deal herpes is. If mines turns out to be Herpes then I am going to request antivirals because I am having too many outbreaks. Please don't be sad. Try and think of how much worse things can be. It's a tiny sore down there that pops up every now and again. You will be OK. Give me a private message if you want to chat 💖 xxx

    • Baaaarbz
      Baaaarbz l82390

      Edited

      Thanks for the kind reply, it does help to not feel so alone. I haven't told anyone in real life.

      I haven't actually been diagnosed either as I had a swab taken and the test tube was out of date so they couldn't proceed 🤦

      but it can't possibly be anything else, it happened 5 days after the one night stand, had the flu, had the discharge and an ulcer. When it went away which took around 9 days fully with antivirals i played ignorance and just hoped it never returned but there was almost constant tingles down there then had just one tiny itchy bump come and go within 2 days 3 weeks later when I had my period, and this is when I ordered 3 months of antivirals for suppressive treatment.

      I know I have it a lot easier than lots of people for which i am grateful but i just cant wrap my head around this is for life now for one one night stand. ive done soooo much research and know it's not even that bad, for some anyway. now ive got the added stress that if i ever stop taking the antivirals will i also get coldsores which ive never had!!!!

      Im hoping sooo bad they find a cure for this in the next few years. there have been lots of positive trail reports the last few years.

    • Baaaarbz
      Baaaarbz

      Posted

      💜💜💜

    • l82390
      l82390 Baaaarbz

      Edited

      the good news is your outbreaks will become less and less. the first few outbreaks can be the worse. some people have loads then have none for years. I think the best thing to do is just accept it is what it is. worrying about it will actually bring on outbreaks.

      some tips for you:

      -lemon balm for sores

      -lomaherpan cream (from herpes association uk)

      -use cold packs on the area when you feel the tingling start

      -shaving can cause outbreaks so switch to males razors as they are far better than women's. less likely to cause any irritation.

      -take 3mg l-lysine daily, Vitamin C and Zinc.

      There is light at the end of the tunnel. it's just a Coldsore at the end of the day. People get them on their mouths and dont give it a 2nd thought. why should the location of it matter 💖

  • essay42203
    essay42203 Baaaarbz

    Posted

    I am in the exact same boat. Had always been in long-term relationships. I decided I didn't want anything serious at the moment and BAM now I have this virus! I felt completely on the floor depressed, and so alone! I was diagnosed nearly 3 months ago with HSV-2 and I was mortified and ashamed. I had some very dark thoughts and completely isolated myself. i'm still trying to come to terms with it but I have done my own research and I actually messaged a girl privately on this site and she was able to tell me how much of a non-issue this virus is for her 6 years later! She explained the first few months are difficult but the outbreaks become milder and much more manageable. She was a bit of a life saver for me. Also, they don't even test people for Herpes on an STD panel so why are we worrying about it so much?!

    I considered suppressive therapy but decided against it as I've read studies that the outbreaks have come back the same frequency as before the suppressive therapy. I'm going to try episodic therapy first when I feel a breakout. I also spoke to Marian from the UK herpes association, she was another life saver and I would definitely recommend you going on their site or emailing/calling them. looking back, The sexual health nurses I had knew not a fraction of what Marian did and they made me feel worse about myself. I will never forget that experience and wouldnt want anyone else to experience it. I've also bought loherpam from herpes association (lemon balm cream) and 5% lidocaine. Apparently that really helps with the itching and i'm taking zinc, vitamin C and B6 and Lysine daily. Post herpetic neuralgia is definitely a thing! Its almost worst than the sores! I really feel for you, I think the uncertainty is worse than anything but fingers crossed we can live with this and some normality! I'm working on gaining my confidence back, at least its not detrimental to our health! Here if you need xx

  • alexa85620
    alexa85620 Baaaarbz

    Posted

    im in the same boat.. i feel my life just changed this morning when i got the phone call of me being positive

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