I've had 2 outbreaks in the past month. Help!

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I've had 2 outbreaks in the past month and I went to see my doctor to ask what to do. He said it's up to me if I want to be on the suppressive treatment and I could trial it for 6 months.... I'm really worried about how the medication might affect my body. I would rather not take it but I don't know what is causing the outbreak... Doctor said that he couldn't really help otherwise and I got really upset about having HSV2 again I just want to not have to think about it but I'm so conscious of it all the time.  can anyone give me any advice whether I should wait and see how I go or just go on the therapy? and general advice... thanks

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13 Replies

  • Posted

    My doctor gave me the same option as well. I had 2 outbreaks within the first 2 months of being diagnosed. My 2nd outbreak was not nearly as bad as my first. I chose not to start suppressive therapy. I do not like taking medications or the thought of being on anything long term. It's been 5 months since and I have not had another outbreak. Sometimes I feel like I may be getting an outbreak but by not being on suppressive therapy, I have been able to learn what my triggers are. Initially, I thought that stress may be a trigger but I have since been able to determine that waxing and rough sex are my triggers. So, I've learned how to work with and deal with those things in order to avoid an outbreak. 

    Good luck to you! 

    • Posted

      Thank you, really helpful smile I guess I am still learning what my triggers are so it's a bit stressful 
  • Posted

    I feel if you can manage without medication you should not take it, taking long term medications may have other side effects
  • Posted

    If you are not in a discordant relationship or having sex (i.e., so where transmission is not an issue), then try going without meds to see what your natural recurrence rate is like first before making any such decisions. That is what many hsv experts advise.

    Once your body adapts to the virus, hopefully your recurrences will settle. They are usually not nearly as bad as the first and tend to clear much faster. If that doesn't happen after several months to a year, or there are concerns about transmission, then consider suppressive therapy.

    Long-term usage is supposedly fine for most people, just stay hydrated while on the meds.

    • Posted

      Thank you.

      What if transmission is an issue? (it could potentially be)

      Is it still ok to see how you go? 

    • Posted

      If transmission is a confirmed risk (i.e., your partner tests negative for HSV-2), and neither of you want him to get it, then avoid sex during outbreaks/prodromes, use condoms and, yes, take daily suppressive therapy. If you have new gHSV-2, you will shed even more than usual (usual being around 25% of days) and be more infectious as a result (first few months to a year) without the meds. Having frequent outbreaks also means you are shedding more.
    • Posted

      Ahhh ok it's starting to make more sense! I'll book in to see the doctor again. So scary the thought of passing it on to someone else 
  • Posted

    Try taking 400mcg ' s of Folic Acid daily. It helps to build your immune system ; )
  • Posted

    Out of interest, how long have you had gHSV-2 and are your recurrences bad or mild? I think I have had a couple or so recurrences since becoming infected, but my recurrences have fortunately been mild to date. Just the odd single sore spot or anal tear, not even any obvious prodrome. Don't feel like recurrences, but I'm sure they are. rolleyes
    • Posted

      October was the primary outbreak. They are very mild in comparison so it's not a massive worry just an inconvenience really...
    • Posted

      Are yours literally just a single sore spot or anal tear? I haven't had any obvious, typical lesions since the first outbreak.
    • Posted

      A single sore one time and then maybe 3 lesions another time

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