Waiting for my moment of truth

Posted , 4 users are following.

I've officially went and got tested a few days ago after have an outbreak of sores and blisters. I decided to get tested/screened for everything and not just herpes because I wanted to rule anything possible out all at once. The outbreak got worse over the few days, causing even more sores and pain. The doctor gave me Acyclovir to help with symptoms and was about 99% sure it was going to be herpes. She said because of where it occurred (outside on my labia) that she suspects it may be HSV-1, but still waiting on the results. I have so many questions I don't know where to begin with all of this. The pain is pretty bad, I've read up on some remedies but frankly I'm skeptical about them. Just anything to help with the discomfort with this, it's fine during the day usually but it's like it knows when I'm trying to sleep and it acts up then. Please help! Also, I mostly just have questions concerning my current partner (who I have told I got tested and what the doctor said)

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11 Replies

  • Posted

    Sounds exactly like me when I had my first outbreak and once tested I was told I have hsv1 Aswell. As far as the home remedies go I take some vitamins more for peace of mind and to not stress as much myself. I had so many questions too and I just searched the Internet and read through a lot of the discussion on here and it really helped. The partner side of things was my most stressful part too. I was surprised and how good he has been and how strong he has been the strength through all of this and without him I wouldn't have made it. I know what you feel like now you feel like he will leave he won't look at you the same anymore trust me he will. He will surprise you and Aslong as your open and share everything the connection between you can grown even stronger. I know for me we shared everything ever moment of it and every thought and we become closer than ever. For the pain and discomfort just keep taking the medication getting lots of sleep and relaxing. Stressing snd worrying and being upset all the time just makes it worse. It's all going to be okay I didn't believe that at the start but now I really do you just got to stick it out. Hopefully that helps
    • Posted

      He didn't seem to flip out the way I thought he would. We've only been at this for a month so who knows where it'll go, he just seems freaked out like something like this would never happen. Neither of us have directly blamed each other, and I won't blame me or him cause there's no way in knowing who started this. But I've went and picked up lysine tablets and been taking 3000mgs a day of it along with ibuprofen and the medicine from the doctor. Trying to keep my stress down is my number one concern, it's difficult but I have a great support group for this so it's bearable.
  • Posted

    That is the one of the most ludacris things I've heard a doctor say. No where in any medical literature are you going to hear the identification of what hsv simplex it is, on where it occurred on your labia. You will not know at all what strain it is, until your test comes back. You need to fond another doctor, cause woooww... That is scary. The only way one can ever identify the probability of a strain is it being hsv 1 orally or herpes whitlow on your fiber, which is caused by hsv 1. Hsv 2 almost never spreads orally and if it does, sheds maybe once every 10yrs.

    I can't say there is a whole lot to be done regarding pain on your primary ob. It's like you have to just grin and bear it. The only relief I got was sitting in a warm bath w Epsom salt as much as possible. Also doing a shallow pool of warm water in the tub to go to the bathroom, if you're experiencing pain going.

    Take 800mlg ever 4hrs of ibuprofen. For me, putting a heavy coat of Vaseline on the sores helped alleviate the pain some for meespecially from friction. The whole concept of keep them dry i I feel is ridiculous and doesn't make them heal any faster, as the wound is not from external damage and broken That way, but rather the sores develop when the herpes virus enters the skin cell nuclei and exodea upon entry, causing a sore. They do not understand why some people's cell nuclei's explode and others don't, which those are the lucky ones who are asymptomatic. They're body is better at suppression of the virus as well there has been some speculation around some people having more T cells at the surface of the skin. So that is why the theory of drying out the sore to heal faster is nul and void.. It is a matter of the virus going into dormacy, that allows the wounds to heal and go away.

    Take 3000mlgs of lysine during your outbreaks, use a wrapped ice pack at night to place between your legs, hydrocortisone helps w the itching to a point, but the bath is what takes the itch away while in it and for a bit after. Eat pineapple daily, take 3xs the daily dose of vitamin c.

    Hang in there.. I know it doesn't feel like it, but it does get better.

    • Posted

      Well luckily that was just the doctor given to me at planned parenthood and I will be going to my OBGYN from now own after my insurance goes through. Should I be hoping for one strain of HSV over the other? Or will it not matter either way since its genital herpes?

      The warm baths help to a point, honestly I'm terrified for some reason to put Epsom salt in it because I'm afraid of the burning it may cause. I have a very low pain tolerance. During urination I've been keeping a bottle of water around in case I need to use it, my bathroom only has a standing shower and the closest tub is 2 floors above me (as I sleep in the basement). Hydrocortisone and me have become great friends on this adventure, and Vaseline now seems like a good idea.

      I also heard that vitamin E helps with outbreaks too? And I've been looking for lemon balm, any thoughts on that?

    • Posted

      OK.. I remember you now from another discussion and I was the one who told you to go to planned parenthood. Keep in mind, you need to go back for testing again yo me testes for everything in 3 months, to make sure nothing else pops up. Also, do not be surprised if you blood test comes back negative, it is a new infection and you're body hasn't had time to produce antibodies to it yet.

      I had the EXACT same fear as you w Epsom salt, which makes logical sense to believe that salt in a wound would sting, but this is not regular salt that you put in your food. I swear it, it didn't feel different having it in there vs not having it in there. The only difference you will feel, is your skin will feel dry. Almost like how your skin and hair would feel from salt water or just super hard water. Epsom salt helps w inflammation and soothing. I promise you, that it won't sting.

      Lol... You're using all the advice I gave yiu from another post, which is good. The vice pack does help, but you do need to wrap several layers, or the wetness from the sores and heat will cause it to stick and hurt when you pull it off. Stay away from sugar, especially chocolate during your ob.. Chocolate I am learning does cause me an ob or symptoms.

      If there was a simplex to choose, it would be hsv 1... I don't want you to get too hung up on that tbough, cause there are people w hsv 1 that have some pretty h*llish breakout, but it is not as common.. It really does depend on your iuume system. There's only so itch you can do and the rest, you just gotta rise it out and no it'll be over. Sorry you're going through this. Make sure to sleep as much as you can.

    • Posted

      Yeah I just had the culture tests and swabs for everything when I went. I'll be getting a blood test when my insurance arises.

      Fortunately I tend to stay healthy in my diets, but chocolate is my definite weakness! I heard yogurt helps a lot, unfortunately I don't like yogurt unless it's frozen yogurt. Is that the same? I'm assuming and if so I'll be eating that regularly now.

      I'll have to go and buy Epsom salt the next time I'm out.

      And on the blood tests results coming back negative. My partner said that he would get tested 2 times a year and the last time was this past July and his blood tests came back negative. He said he's only slept with 3 girls since then but I'm trying to get it through to him it could've come back negative and to not rely so much on that. He thinks he's invincible to this and is refusing to believe it. He is going to get tested again cause I'm making him and he said he would. But what are the chances that he could have it? Could it be possible he didn't get it at all and I'm the one who does. We've had unprotected sex multiple times over the past months, because of reasons. So I'm doubtful he'll come up negative, but just to be sure.

    • Posted

      I think freezing it may take from the liver bacteria.. Just take acidophalus supplements, but get good ones.

      Well did he specifically ask for a herpes teat, because if you don't, then they don't test you it is not part of the full STD panel.. Messed up right? I doubt he ever got a herpes teat, as most don't realize that when you ask for a full work up, that it's not included. Also, I've never known a man to ask specifically for a herpes test.. Lol

      It is very possible he has it, but it is also very possible that you got it orally and he only has it on his mouth. Has he ever had a cold sore before? BTW, I've had oral herpes(hsv1) for ten yrs and I n ever come up positive on y herpes test for hsv 1. I didn't for hsv 2 a week after infection either, but did 3 months later. So it's possible he acquired a new infection when he got tested and had no antibodies to it yet.using condoms only lowers the risk of exposure to herpes by 30%. So even though you didn't use protection, I doubt that was the reason you got it. I also doubt that you've had it all this time. Are you feeling any better?

  • Posted

    Hello Sidney,

                         Sorry to hear you got something pretty painful going on downstairs, it does sound like herpes but wait for your results, dont forget to ask which type it is because HSV-1 downstairs is far less worse than HSV-2 downstairs, and sorry to say but mine is outside the labia, on the mons pubis to be exact and its still HSV-2 so I dont think it matters where it happens it can be any.

    On the brighter side there is ways to ease your discomfort, if you can get hold of some good quality 100% pure tea tree oil, get it, use an ear bud or cotton wool ball and apply it to the area, if the sores are open it will sting but it takes the itching and burning sensation away, never use the same ear bud/cotton ball twice or re-dip it, try not to touch the area much with your hands you can spread it to other parts....apply the tea tree oil throughout the day/night and hold it there for about a minute at a time at least, this should help a little...some people take warm baths with salt in, I have never tried it so I don't know if this works as well as the oil, if you are going to bathe or shower, don't towel dry your lady parts or leave them wet, get a hair dryer, put it on the lowest heat setting and dry your parts that way.

    If you do get the results it herpes, don't think its the end of the world because its not, you wouldn't believe how many of us have this and we live a normal healthy life, yes it sometimes takes a while to get over but thats it, its nothing shameful, I could really go on for ages telling you not to worry or stress about it but I have to cut this short, but seruously dont worry or stress, it makes it worse...one more thing, research on the internet about what foods/drinks to avoid if you have herpes, because certain ones set off an outbreak.

    Mandy  smile

    • Posted

      Thank you! I've been doing a lot of research and found foods that help and ones that shouldn't and I'm more heartbroken over limiting my love of chocolate because of the arginine in it. Also my only stress about if I do have herpes is making sure it's ever present in my mind and my fear of ever having another breakout. I'm sure it will happen again and that's what is killing me because this is absolutely unbearable! I'll know what strain it is though once I get my results. I've heard of the tea tree oil, it's just the matters of finding it!
    • Posted

      Lol I was heartbroken about the chocolate and coffee and I can have both now, I used to get bad outbreaks all the time it was horrible, at night too it used to wake me up itching and hurting, now I dont get that at all, 5 years later and I hardly get outbreaks and when I do they are not so bad so I know it can be beaten, so you don't need to worry yourself, the first outbreak is the worst, it gets less severe.

      If you want to be able to eat chocolate ( in moderation, not like 2 - 3 big cadbury bars a night though, thats probably asking for trouble ) eat a large chunk/ring of pineapple every day, if you can't be bothered with eating it, drink non-concentrate pineapple juice daily, even when you have no outbreak, you can also just eat tablespoons ( a good couple depending on your body weight ) of cold pressed virgin coconut oil, the coconut oil worked for me when I was studying and I was eating walnuts the whole time, with no outbreak for months, then I ended up pregnant and the coconut oil just made me feel sick even now that my baby is nearly 8 months old I can't stomach the stuff otherwise I would continue with it (plus the coconut oil is like £8 a jar, it soon adds up).....if you can afford it, get organic pineapples much tastier and healthier.

      Your in America right? Get yourself to a local homopathic store or something like holland&barrats or boots, get the 100% tea tree oil stuff its not cheap or synthetic, as for the drying the sores out part, trust me Ive had it 5 years, when I left the sores to their own devices they would take a lot longer to heal and hurt more for me, when they blister I cover a cotton ear bud in oil and rub it on the sore till it pops and get the oil in the sore, yeah it hurts but it makes the sore heal a whole lot quicker, the reason for keeping it dry is so it scabs and heals quicker, I have done both many times and I always prefer to pop the blister and get oil in, now its like relief to do so. But everybody is different and its what works best for you.

      Don't stress, nobody can tell you have this just by looking at you, only you and your bf know, its really not so bad, its honestly made me a better person having this, I'm fortunate, cherish people much more have a better sense of humour, take care of myself, laugh at myself, dont judge, I'd probably still be the horrible stuck up cow I was before if I didn't have this, see it as a wake up call instead of anything else.

      And your welcome, we're all here to talk to with the things thats helped us get through this in the hope we can help other people like us, so any time you want to talk somebodies always listening.

      Mandy smile

    • Posted

      Sidney, I do take daily suppressive therapy and I still have symptoms or mild obs all the time.. Even w taking 500mlgs of valtrex twice a day.. I do not know what they feel like outside of the primary ob w out meds, but I can tell you that it doesn't hurt me. I get maybe one or two red bumps, redness and/or itching.. Mildly sensitive if you wipe would be the right term, but that is it. My friend has obs once a month and does not take meds and she only gets like one or two sores. She says it hurts, but it's all relative right? Cause her primary ob was like 3 sores and that was it... She didn't experience what we have on here... She says it gets, yet can go about living her life normally and even go running, so can't hurt that bad!! So from what I've heard w others, it doesn't hurt much.. I think everyone has that fear, during their first ob.. They fear it's gonna be like that every time and it won't, don't worry

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