Genital Herpes: Useful info for those looking for answers like me!

Sorry to hear you have it, too. It is certainly stressful when you're new to it. I was the same! Did you have lesions initially when they first diagnosed you? How were you diagnosed? When hsv first infects you, it can mess with your body and nerves while your system is still trying to adapt and control it. Nerve sensations are normal, but usually go away after a bit. You might get them again in future just before a recurrence.

I did, I didn't know what was happening to me my partner didn't tell me either , I've felt depressed ever since I recently met someone new and don't have the guts to tell them, how do I say something like that ? Do you have any recommendations to prevent outbreaks ? I've had 3 in the last 2 months

When you really comfortable with him you will have the courage to do that.. Prepare yourself for the conversation.. There are many links on how to.. Put a link on your phone you like about HSV so you can give him time to read on it and choose. Worst case scenario he says no way. Second is like what happened to me fear and regret. Someone who really likes you will say yes and go the length of reading and understanding. I feel it is worse not to and the deal with guilt you put someone at risk. Treat him as you would have liked to have been treated with knowledge and knowhow to reduce the risk the best possible way.. I could not live with myself risking someone else's health.

It's very scary I haven't opened up to anyone about it yet , feel very alone

I've had HSV2 married for 15 years now divorced. I'm a newbie at dating and disclosure as well. But in the scope of things I will hold my head up high and feel guilt free about being honest. I've just about realized that the man I'm seeing can't decide this after full disclosure. I'm on Valacyclovir 500 1 x per day.we used condoms. It broke for 6 months we both agonized over his fears and panic. He still choose to see me. He kept going for bloodwork he found out he has HSV 1 no breakouts. I am HSV2 positive only. Today after 7 mos. I decided to withdraw.. He began to make me feel I gave him HSV 1. But I'm told that is not possible.. I'm over 50.. Look about 40. I'm holding on to who I am. And so should you. This is cold sores were talking about below the belt. That all. Not HIV.. Protect yourself and protect others with information. Stay here for support! Sending Hugs your way!!

Careful who you share your private information with! It could come back to haunt you. That's why there is this site. Use it.

Thank you so much! I am 26 and just struggling feel like I have so much ahead of me and can't stop stressing about this , how do you deal with the emotional and anxiety part? I can't sleep and feel like being sick

Seems your flooded emotionally.. I can relate.and oh how I've been there even recently..and why I'm here.. I have been there so flooded i lost sight of my self.. I am just now coming off an upsetting wave.. I do a few things to try to relax..I'm no counselor... I did get this from one.. Shut TV, cell, radio anything noisey off. Sit quiet room..(can be in your car on a luch break) any where quiet.. Sit relaxed. put both feet on the ground. Close your eyes, think and relax your shoulders..take a min or more to go through this then try to

Relax your stomach muscles ...Concentrate on only your breathing Concentrate on your inward slow and outward slow breaths ..... After several minutes.. The strategy in this to redirect your feelings.. And clear your head by telling your emotions - you appreciate them what ever they are ie.. Idetify what they are.. anger, fear, sadness ..tell them that you understand they are there to do a job.. they are there to tell you something ..but because they're working hard to do thier job... It is now time to just back off for a little while...so I that have clarity to understand thier purpose and the message and try to think of positive things. Start out simple like. I like walks in the park or things you do like..be nice to yourself..I'm no counselor but it works for me.

If they still flood you go back to breathing. Until you can settle enough to think positively.... Try to redirect yourself to something simple like favorite color, smell or pattern. Focus on why you like this.. until you begin to relax.. Take care of your inner peace so you can begin to think positively about yourself. See a counselor for personal growth... I worked with one who did help with threapy called Parts Work.. Try to reduce the thoughts of HSV from you immediate thoughts. So you can relax and turn your focus on the good things you do have. Like youth.. Things that you like.. Reduce the noise from your head

.regarding rioting emotions..when your breathing is relaxed..name each emotion and just ask that specfic emotion to give you some room.. I don't know if that helps. Sharing a redirection of thoughts sometimes settles your emotions. A counselor is always helpful I love having someone who's job it is to help you and what you say never leaves that room

. ..oh and reapeat to yourself HSV is an inconvenience.. HSV does not define who I Am!! Just say it..fake it if you have to..lol..but say it till you believe it.. .HSV does not rule me.. It does not define who I am.. Hope this share helps..

Are you taking any antiviral meds? Valacyclovir is the most popular one these days. If taken daily (suppressive therapy), it can reduce/eliminate outbreaks and shedding, thus minimise transmission to a negative partner. If taken only at the start of each outbreak (episodic therapy), it will only help to reduce or abort the outbreak, not reduce transmission risks.

Some people swear by lysine, but it is not clinically proven by sufficient studies, so is not endorsed by doctors in the know. Doesn't hurt to try it, though, but again, it does not effectively reduce transmission risks.

For the first year, experts advise seeing how your body naturally copes. If recurrences are frequent or bad over a several month period to a year, or if you have a negative partner, you can consider suppressive therapy.

As for disclosure, that's a tricky one. There are a lot of sites offering advice on how and when to do this, but theory and practice are two different things!

Thank you for all of your advise I truly appreciate ! I hope to get to a point that I can accept this because right now I'm having a very difficult time

Hi Vick, it's been a while since you were diagnosed and I don't know if you are still active on this forum. I recognize both your symptoms and your panic/emotions... Were about the same age. How have you been doing? Are you able to accept it a little bit more compared to then? How did the herpes affect you during previous years? Is the pain and tingling still as much as in the beginning? Did you have much recurrences?

Would love to hear from you since I can relate so much but I'm in the stage of just being diagnosed, having lots of questions (and disturbing symptoms), not knowing what to expect.

Herpes can cause a watery discharge, if there are internal lesions. Herpes is also associated with BV or yeast in some women. How would you describe the discharge you are experiencing?

It's white and thick...I went to the dr one week ago and I did have bv and was given Flagyl but this was before the discharge had even started ...one wk after Flagyl is when I started having the abnormal discharge so im wondering if I caught a yeast infection (I read some antibiotics can cause yeast infections)....so then I started taking monistat 7day(just incase) but it started burning so bad I stopped using it after 2days

For some women, it seems that herpes can upset the natural flora down below, thus resulting in BV or yeast. Or perhaps it's related to the other meds you took. In any case, white discharge sounds more like yeast. Is it itchy? Quite a few women have reported a white discharge. I had that, too (not itchy, no odour), but then noticed it before subsequent periods (could see it with a mirror). Came to the conclusion it was normal discharge, but I just never looked at my vagina so much before herpes, so never noticed the discharge looking like that, lol!

If you suspect yeast, I would not use a vaginal suppository, since that may irritate the vagina in those with herpes. Much better to take diflucan (fluconazole). It's a single, one-time only oral med.

No its not itchy but it comes in large amounts. .as if I'm coming on...thank u for the advice I'm going to try the Diflucan and see what happens