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ways of dealing with the symptoms

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Guest

I've just recently gotten over a primary occurence of genital herpes. I can honestly say it was the most painful experience of my life. I caught it as a result of my boyfriend performing oral sex on me whilst suffering from a cold sore.

The symptoms lasted just under 2 weeks, and have cleared up due to a five day course of anti-viral medication (aciclovir.) I have a great deal of empathy for anyone who is or has suffered from this condition. It seems the only thing I wanted to do whilst suffering from this was curl up in bed and try not to move around. However, putting my life on hold was not an option so I took paracetamol at regular intervals and bought myself an anasthetic cream (Lanacane) from my local pharmacy. The cream helped but needed reapplying very often so if you can find yourself something stronger such as an anasthetic ointment I highly recommend you do. Urinating was extremely painful (as a woman) so I found myself catching urine in a container so as to reduce the chance of irritating the blisters/sores - hopefully someone will find this useful.

I have pulled through and am amazed at how much I was taking for granted simple things such as being able to walk around, sit on hard chairs and urinate without pain. Keeping a positive mental attitude is important too, I was constantly telling myself through the pain that this was my body, and I have control over it - I would not be kept down by these symptoms.

4 likes, 61 replies

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  • aliway221
    aliway221 Guest

    Posted

    I was just diagnosed today. I am in a lot of pain as well. i was prescribed zovirax tabs hoping they work fast. I haven't stopped crying since the doctors. I keep thinking it will get better and then i read some of these posts. I'm terrified. If it gets worse i honestly don't think I can take it. I'm scared to talk to the person that gave it to me, i'm afraid he knew and chose not to disclose it. I can't imagine telling my friends or family, right now i'm feeling really alone. I'm very ashamed, i felt like i was walking around with a scarlet letter saying that i have herpes. I really don't know what to do.

  • Sandy1983
    Sandy1983 Guest

    Posted

    Aliway221 just remember this is temporary - I was in agony for a few days but once they start to heal, you'll feel so much better. I remember the feeling and I just didn't know what to do with myself but you WILL get better. Although it might take a couple of weeks or so for down there to be totally back to normal, after the first week it's totally manageable and not painful. Keep taking ibuprofen and try to rest as much as possible.

    Don't be embarrassed - so many people have this!!

    I wrote a list of things that help in my comments above - honestly do all of those things and it will help you to heal quicker.

    Hope you feel better soon and just keep remembering that this is temporary and you may never get an outbreak again

  • cassi76643
    cassi76643 Guest

    Posted

    How did you get your pain to go away while you walk? I've been to the doctors they gave me valacyclovir to take for seven days one of a morning and one of a night. Then my granny took me to the store to get some cream i can't excatly remember the name of it. I just want the pain to go away it hurts really bad ;-;

  • Sandy1983
    Sandy1983 Guest

    Posted

    Cassi get the lidocaine gel - it's a numbing gel. It's the only thing that actually relieves the pain down there so you can walk around. Check out my list in my comments above of other things that speed up the healing process and sooth. Sadly, it's a case of waiting it out in the end and hoping it heals quickly. But the list above all definitely helped me.

  • Sandy1983
    Sandy1983 Guest

    Posted

    I would also recommend taking antivirals for 10 days rather than 7 if it's your first outbreak

  • maryb74540
    maryb74540 Guest

    Posted

    Dear Guest,

    I was recently diagnosed with genital HSV1, the doctor said I contracted the virus 3 to 6 months ago. I've been seeing this guy and do remember him having a cold sore, (not realizing cold sores were a type of herpes 😔wink back during the summer months and yes, we kissed, had oral sex and eventually ended up having regular sex. And had unprotected sex on a regular basis after that.

    Then, one day in late Oct, after having had morning sex, this guy tells me he started itching later that same day. By the next morning, he had broke out in blisters near his penis and the itch8ng was unbearable.

    I, to this point, have not experienced any of the HSV1 symptoms that I have read on here from the different comments.

    Could it be that I hadn't had my first outbreak, until maybe now and I hadn't realized it...and it's the reason he broke out in blisters the next day?

    Please help, I'm so confused and devasted as he's doubting my faithfulness to him.

    • lolliexo
      lolliexo maryb74540

      Posted

      You may carry the virus but not flare up. Same as he could have had it and given it to you but only flared up now. It’s so hard to tell.

      But also by sleeping with someone with it doesn’t always mean you’ll get the virus, same as chlamydia etc. 

      Hope this helps a little x 

  • kylieeee
    kylieeee Guest

    Posted

    I’m 14 and live a crazy life. I lost my virginity when I was 13 and I now have herpes at 14. My boyfriend told me he had herpes but I told him I didn’t care because he had no bumps or cold sores. But after a couple of days my lady area started to itch and I had really bad discharge. and now I have open bumps all over one side of my lady part but not on the other. It hurts really really bad to pee or even get up to pee. I can’t move i’m in so much pain. I’ve tried to take a shower but everytime water hits my bumps it burns and I scream. I can’t tell my mom I have it or she will ask me how I got it and I am not suppose to have sex anymore and I did and I love my bf and don’t wanna lose him so i’m not going to tell her. I don’t take any meds and i can’t see a doctor. What am i suppose to do!!!???? I’m in so much pain some one please reply to this!!!
    • lolliexo
      lolliexo kylieeee

      Posted

      Go to a walk in sexual health clinic if you can? Explain sercumstances. The cream you need to ease the pain is Lidocaine Ointment, it has local anaesthetic in it and will able you to go to the toilet again comfortably. 

      I know exactly how you feel, it’s the most agonising pain, but there’s not much help unless you see a nurse or doctor I’m afraid, they’ll probably give you tablets too! Cooling down with a flannel may help and airing out but it’ll still hurt like hell when you wee or move much unless treated

      Hope that helps at all x 

    • kylieeee
      kylieeee lolliexo

      Posted

      Do you know how long it will take to heal without medication or on it own?? I can’t really do anything ab it until i’m 18 and that’s 3 1/2 year’s..
    • lolliexo
      lolliexo kylieeee

      Posted

      I honestly don’t jnow I needed medical assistance because I couldn’t cope with it. There’s an underage clinic called ‘share’ go to them for advice and they can help. I’d be surmised if it sorted on its own because it’s a constantly irritated area. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful x
  • jaylin20123
    jaylin20123 Guest

    Posted

    ive had my first break out and im 6 days in and i hate everything at the moment ive been holding my pee in bc it hurts so bad to pee and since the universe is on my side i started my period 3 days ago and at first i just laid a pad down and let whatever happen happen bc i couldnt even wear a pad it was so soar. and today i finally got a light tampon in and i have to pee so bad but i dont think i can do it sad what do i do?
  • ashley07911
    ashley07911 Guest

    Posted

    I am currently on day 6 of my first outbreak and day 4 of my treatment course. I am on an antiviral and antibacterial medicine (I am unsure of the names at this time. As you all may understand the pain, I do not want to move out of my pain free position in bed to check). I got this from oral sex with my boyfriend. He has been tested and was clean for any stds however during oral intercourse he had a cold sore. For any of you going through this right now, oh man, I am so sorry. This is one of the worst pains I have ever felt. Reading the this thread of stories have helped me realize I am not alone. When my doctor called me confirming I was positive for Genital Herpes I was (at first in denial) then I cried wondering “why me”. You give your vagina great sexual pleasure, clean it well, and treat it like a princess, then it has the nerve to do this!!!! I have been applying Vaseline lotion to the outside to help with dryness and chafing however I do plan to try suggested ointments to hell with discomfort. But this pain is sometimes so unbearable and nothing seems to work. I take two Tylenol to try and help but it doesn’t seem to help. I am losing sleep, it hurts to walk, sit. I am a full time college student so you can imagine my discomfort sitting in a 3 hour lecture class constantly feeling the need to adjust my panties. I hope this all goes away quickly. And for those of you in the same boat, I wish you the best of luck and that I’m sorry your vagina betrayed you as well. 
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