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Herpes in the military

Posted , 8 users are following.

stacey50109
stacey50109

Hi I'm 27 years old and got sort of diagnosed a year ago with herpes. I'm in the military and the doctors are really any help, iv never been officially tested (blood or otherwise) because they don't really know anything and just shrug it off saying there is no test. I know it's herpes, of that I'm sure. I just wish I I know whether it was HSV1 or 2. I have been on valcyclovir for the last year which has been great but I guess being a newby and having absolutely 0 people to talk to I freak out over the littlest feeling down there and never truly know if I'm getting another outbreak. I have been reading a lot of posts on here and wow I wish I wasn't in the military, my first outbreak lasted about 12 days and I had to wear 30 pounds of gear as a military police officer constantly walking and moving in extreme heat while absolutely dying on the inside as I couldn't tell a soul. I don't tell people about my own diagnosis but I am a huge advocate for teaching people about herpes now, anyone who says eww gross I teach them what it really is and that the stigma is stupid. I posted this just looking for other people to talk and relate to, know I'm not the only one...

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • FelizCastus
    FelizCastus stacey50109

    Posted

    How were you "sort of" diagnosed originally? Visually only? Pity you didn't go to PP or private at the time, as they would usually know what tests to run. I'm very surprised to learn that military doctors are that ignorant, especially about an STD!

    Now, all you can do is a swab test should you ever get an outbreak again, or test for IgG (not IgM) antibodies to each HSV type. However, if you have been on daily suppressive meds since the very first outbreak, you'll have to come off the meds for a couple of months first to allow antibody production (which might cause an outbreak, incidentally). Depends on how much med-free time you've had.

    In any case, you really should find out which type it is, if indeed it is even herpes, since you could be taking meds for no reason. It's only really required for gHSV2, and even then only when outbreaks are very frequent/severe, or when the individual is in a discordant relationship. gHSV1 less commonly requires daily suppressive meds.

    • stacey50109
      stacey50109 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Yes just visually, I wish I could have gone private but I was in a foreign country where the medical is not good at all
  • arlissa0912
    arlissa0912 stacey50109

    Posted

    No you're not alone I feel your pain.. I work at a hospital and the constant walking killed me when I had my first out break... I was just diagnosed in November and I'm still struggling with it mentally. Only person I told is my best friend and of course the guy but he's being a jerk and accusing me of giving it to him.. Then dating is hard cause I feel like I should share my issue up front which I did once and he disappeared days later... I'm trying not to be so hard on myself tho as I hope your doing, happy holidays.

    • stacey50109
      stacey50109 arlissa0912

      Posted

      I have been struggling with this mentally as well, I honestly thought about suicide for a while, I went and saw someone for it immediately and talked it out so the suicidal thoughts are not necessarily there anymore. I am struggling with severe depression but with the military it's hard because I can't necessarily disclose that so iv been alone on this journey, my partner doesn't really understand any of it and can't talk to him. I confronted the individual I got it from and he just flat out denied it and walked out on me so I get that. I honestly fear the day I will start dating again and have to tell someone about it. There is just this air about it or stigma if you will, still surrounding the word herpes and it just makes people run, I try and tell people the statistics and they are honestly surprised and then just dismiss it all together 

  • NewGirl23
    NewGirl23 stacey50109

    Posted

    I was just diagnosed this morning and the nurses and doctors never educated me on anything. I told my boyfriend and he was extremely supportive, but I still feel all alone. I’m on my first round of valtrex which is only 10 days, but am I supposed to be on medicine forever for this or only when I have an outbreak? and when do I know an outbreak is coming on? I don’t have nerve pain. just bumps and itchy and pain down there. and will I ever be able to sleep with my boyfriend again? because I don’t know when i can after this outbreak and how ill know if i’m feeling another one come on. i’m just so lost and all I wanna do is end my life. I feel all alone. 
    • stacey50109
      stacey50109 NewGirl23

      Posted

      I waited like 3 weeks before having sex again. Me and my partner are condominium free(his choice) after the initial outbreak I think you'll have a better idea of the "phantom" tingles and feeling "weird" down there, when I feel that I just don't do anything for a day or two wait it out and see if anything pops up. I hose suppression therapy because it makes sense to me if it helps it helps and it's for my piece of mind. You're not alone I felt the same way. It was extremely difficult to disclose and it was hard for me to have sex again especial condom free but it isn't my choice to make it was his. I haven't had to disclose to anyone new though and I feel that would be very hard with the stigma surrounding it. I educated myself a lot and I educate other people who are naive. I'm here! 

  • Ana96168
    Ana96168 stacey50109

    Posted

    hey, i recently got diagnosed with herpes. im also in the military, ive been feeling alone and disgusted with myself. I feel like i have no one to talk to about this, im constantly in so much pain and im currently going through my first outbreak. I am taking meds to control the infection but I have so many feelings going on at the moment i just want to know how you are getting through this. Thank you.

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