How can I help my first outbreak?

Posted , 6 users are following.

I got diagnosed with genital herpes yesterday after going to the doctors in excruciating pain down below and flu like symptoms. I've been put on anti vitals for 5 days and prescribed a numbing cream but it's not touching it and I'm in so much pain I was to disappear. I've had 5 baths so far today and nothing is helping at all

How long will the pain last? sad

0 likes, 16 replies

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  • Posted

    About 2 weeks max. That's how long my first outbreak lasted. they told me to use hydrocortisone cream 1% and put it on there with a cotton ball. And wipe of residue of the cream because your supposed to keep the area dry. And remember External use only. The acyclovir should help. If that was what was prescribed to you. I was first diagnosed this past October , and I didn't know how to deal. Now some time has passed and I've only had one other outbreak. The first one is always the worst. It will get better !

    Feel better hun!

    smile

    • Posted

      Thank you! I've just tried putting normal salt in the bath (I live on my own and can't get out to a chemist because of the pain) and I've found that it's soothed it the slightest. It is acyclovir that was prescribed taking them religiously every four hour. I have hydrocortisone cream as I have an existing mild skin condition so I'll give it a try

      Thank you that's made me feel more positive!

  • Posted

    You can never know, as everyone's body reacts differently. Mine was a terrible ob and lasted 3 weeks w sores, but a couple more weeks w neuropathy after it. To be honest, only hot baths w Epsom salt gave me relief.. The unfortunate part is, and I hate to say it, you just have to suck it up and wait it out on your first ob. Almost nothing can help you w pain, except for pain pills.. You just have to ride it out. It seems like it won't ever end, but it will and time will go so much faster than you think. Sleep a lot, take 3xs daily does of vitamin c, 3000mlgs of lysine, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, no caffeine, sweets or alcohol.. Hopefully that will help your immune system boost it
    • Posted

      This is definitely the worst pain I've ever experienced and I've had some bad medical conditions. The gutting thing is I've started a new job and I'm on a months trial and the pain is so bad I can't work as the job is physical. I'm going to try the Epsom salts as soon as possible and I've been sleeping loads as its he only time I'm not in pain. I've already cut out caffeine as it was making me wee more and as you'll know with this you dread going to the toilet!

      Thank you so much feels good to talk to someone who's been there smile

    • Posted

      Run abshallow bath when ever you must use the bathroom and go in there. It will help w the pain. Also, take 800mlg motrin every 4hrs. I have found that w the first ob, putting a heavy coat of Vaseline on them helps w the pain, as it helps reduce friction against them.

      I can imagine your stress w starting a new job and that happening. Like i said, your best bet is the motrin every four hrs to reduce pain. How long since you started having symptoms?

    • Posted

      Thanks I'll definitely try that. I stayed with flu like symptoms two days ago and small bumps and then yesterday the swelling and pain was ten times worse. Went straight away for the acyclovir so just hoping it kicks in soon.
    • Posted

      I took valtrex 3 days after I had visible signs of infection and it did nothing for me, but my immune system is doing a terrible job fighting this, due to some autoimmune disorders I have. So I have a high inflammation count in my body as is... That's my theory on why I have symptoms every single day, even taking daily meds and have mild obs that don't hurt about twice a month. Very frustrating for me.. Most people aren't like me, so don't lose hope. Do uoi know who passed it to you?
    • Posted

      I have a weak immune system so have a fear it's going to be a problem. I found that the cream with lydocaine in it has eased it in the slightest but not stopped any pain my all means. My boyfriend passed it onto me. We've been together a long time but he gave me oral and it must have been when his cold sore hadn't quite gone. It's getting me down very much.
    • Posted

      I'm blown away by the number of people on here who keep getting herpes through oral and all of you are very young and seem to be from the UK. Has it not been shared w you guys you're not to share anything or kiss when a cold sore is present because it spreads?

      So what was your bfs response to your diag?

    • Posted

      We were never told anything about it in sex ed at school. We thought his coldsore had gone but it must have still been present. I am from the UK and 19. He was very upset and keeps blaming himself but it's one of those accidental things. He's been a diamond trying to look after me.
    • Posted

      That's terrible that they don't tell you all this. Our gym teacher in 6th grade would yell all the time in our locker rooms when going to shower not to share towels because of herpes and all this other stuff. There arw hardly any americans that come on this site and say they're getting genital herpes from oral sex.. Our genital herpes rate is 30% from hsv 1 and the new cases of 25 and below in the UK is like 70% from oral sex. So you guys clearly are not being educated on this by your school system and most importantly, not by your own parents which is terrible! I didn't even get oral herpes until I was 22 from my husband at the time of all people!

      So do your parents know about your infection?

    • Posted

      I've found that taking warm but not hot baths, and adding baking soda will also take down the inflammation, so it hurts less to use the restroom. Loose clothing, any type of breathable underwear is very good. Another thing would be to change your underwear frequently! If one pops, no need to let it spread more and hurt you. Treat it like a wound and be patient, it does calm down even just in the first few days there will be a difference, even if it's slight. It definitely gets easier.

  • Posted

    Definitely primary outbreak is the worst pain I've ever felt. The two saving graces for me were a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a paper towel, and a numbing spray called Dermo[last. Just spray this on the affected area, and it really totally numbs it. I could not urinate without this spray with my first OB. Life saver! Also, it helps to sit on the toilet backwards and part your labia away from your urine stream manually. Sounds gross and weird but honestly, anything to escape that horrible pain, right? The baths made mine hurt worse!!! Just get the Dermoplast, it really really helps. I use it every time I have an OB and nothing else works to take the pain away like this. 
    • Posted

      That's crazy that baths made it hurt worse for you. You are the only person I've heard say this. Goes to show what works for one, may not work for the other
  • Posted

    Hi I think I have genital herpes, I have 3 blisters on the tip of my penis spread out but have no pain even when you touch them? Could this be something else?

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