I've been experiencing chronic reoccurring outbreaks for 3 months now, what should I do?

Posted , 7 users are following.

I was diagnosed with herpes type1 about 3 months ago. My initial outbreak was horrific (painful open soars everywhere on my vagina) and lasted about 10 days. My gyno started me on Valtrex immedietly and said it should suppress the outbreaks and prevent them from coming back. Unfortunately, I have yet to go longer than 3 days without a new outbreak occuring. Generally, I get a few open soars and fissures toward the back of my labia that heal anywhere between 2-6 days. My doctor prescribed a lidocane ointment to put on the soars to help with the irritation and to keep them moisturized. Since I have had so many outbreaks, my skin seems to be extrememly thin/ sensative to any pressure ie. I tear putting in a tampon, let alone even considering sex again. 

I took the Valtrex for about 2 1/2 months without any sign of it preventing reoccurances (have been on it since I had my very frist outbreak) so decided to get a second opinion about treatment. I am now taking the original medicine that was used to treat herpes which is a twice a day pill. Not sure that it is helping much since it has been 3 weeks and same thing as the valtrex... 

In addition to my prescribed meds, I have been taking lysine, vitamin C, and B12 since my first outbreak. I just started taking Biotin as well (too soon to see results). 

This is extremely frustrating and mentally very difficult to deal with the lack of control or any shred of normalcy. I have accepted my diagnosis and want to move on to being able to manage it but nothing seems to be helping. Does anybody have any suggestions for what might help me prevent reoccuring breakouts?

I met somebody who I am extremly interested in and I know I will need to disclose this before we take it to the next step. I certainly am not ready to share my news with him because of my lack of self esteem because I feel completely out of control and cannot reassure myself it'll get better at this point.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    That is unusual for genital HSV1, and even more unusual that the two meds have no effect. How were you diagnosed with gHSV1?
    • Posted

      She did a swab of an open soar as well as a blood test. I have been expereincing dizzy spells while sitting down and have lost 6lbs (I weigh 105 now) in the past few months. Not sure if it is connected but maybe something more is behind the constant outbreaks. 
    • Posted

      I think so, too, as I believe I mentioned elsewhere. Do get it swabbed again to reconfirm your diagnosis and see what's going on.

  • Posted

    Hi sorry this is happening I feel your pain with needing to tell someone I'm seeing a new bloke and its worrying me having to tell uggh I hate this any way have you tried changing your diet? Apparently that can help also the stresses in your life , try cleaning there regularly (in not assuming your not clean) but that helps also do you shave , my Dr recommended waxing rather than shaving or laser which iam going to look into these things can trigger obs I think it can be normal to have obs more in this first year too so give it time but Google can help with information on useful things to do I do hope this helps

  • Posted

    My daughter has just been diagnosed with Herpes type 2. She's 'we' are so upset and sad, apparently the first outbreak is the most painful!?

    Naturally we've been frantically looking for natural ways to help aid medication. It must be so hard having frequent outbreaks. I have read that eating correct foods, reducing stress 'easy to say' helps. Olive leaf keeps popping up as a really good immune system boost.

    I truly hope things settle down for you and will keep looking into natural ways to help in every way possible.

    • Posted

      Hello, I am sorry to hear that. Being diagnosed is very difficult and a confusing time. From my experience, th I first outbreak is the absolute worse. I've had this for about 4 months now and after doing extensive research and getting numerous opinions, it seems as though I have a bit of a tricky case. I have tried everything in every book to try to remedy this... including prescription meds (all three for herpes), vitamins, changing diet, exercising, trying to manage stress etc. it turns out that I am extremely vitamin D deficient (my normal doc ran a whole blood panel). I am also following a crazy intense vitamin regimen. Thank god I am now going on a full week without an outbreak! This seems like a very short term but it's the longest I have been clear since being diagnosed so I am over the moon excited! I am taking an oral pill twice a day, have a topical cream for 3x a day, and taking about 12 vitamin supplements. I am not sure what is making a difference but whatever it is, I am very happy about it.

      Hopefully your daughter is coping well with her new diagnosis. Just know that it does get better and that this is simply a new outlook on the way to live life. It by no means defines you or will hold you back so long as you don't let it. The first few months were incredibly hard for me and I know there will still be hard times ahead but there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

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