I was diagnosed a year ago. My body is going through not just herpes, but post herpetic neuralgia. A chronic pain caused by inflammed nerves in my vagina and sacrum (rectum) due to herpes outbrakes. By the way, even after outbrakes are healed, my nerves are inflammed and the pain remains until the next outbrake, when I go through the same cycle again. I am 35 therefore my outbrakes come right before my period. I have tried valtrex, lysine, chinese viral herbs ( they made my outbrakes less severe) accupuncture for 6 months, twice a week, they reduced my pain, but only temporarely because herpes its in the central nervious system and acts out in the sacrum , the same nerves that accupuncture relaxes , it first stimulates which is like a catch 22. It worked to diminish my pain but only temporarely (It also left me bankrupt). I have currently changed my diet. I eat high foods in lysine, such as fish, eggs, potatoes, organic meats, beets, plain yogurt, whole wheat bread only, honey, herbal tea, lots of vegetables and I eat fruits. I avoid all nuts, seeds, multigrain, white rice, processed foods, sugars, coffee with caffeine or even decaf, green tea, black tea, chocolate. I am currently in the process of starting a new homeopathic holistic treatment with Herbalist Christopher Scipio. He has two herpes clinics in Canada. He will be sending me my herbs and remedies by mail as I live on the East coast. He has told me I must do Hatha yoga 5 times a week ( The best advice anybody has ever given me to keep herpes at bay because it reduces stress and trains your body to be relaxed, even when you are under stressful conditions), and took me off all of the chemical meds I was on. I was on Lyrica for neuropathy or post herpetic neuralgia pain, I was putting steroid creams and he took me off of that. He said they make my neuralgia worse and the relief its only temporary. He is a very positive person and has given me strength and encouragement and has reminded me that I am just as clean and beautiful as I was before. I learned all of this after I read his book call "Making peace with Herpes" by Christopher Scipio. He is one of the most experienced herbalists in the homeopathic herpes world. I am truly grateful to have come across Mr. Scipio, that its why I want to share this with you. Oh I almost forgot to mention, that I take daily supplements of zinc and selenium, super B for stress which has all of the b vitamines, and also vitamin C comes in the super B supplement. I take calcium and magnesium, acidophillus ( as I used to suffered from yeast infections too). I have been doing yoga 5 days a week and my pain its becoming more bareable. My friends and family are there to support me. I have been honest with them from the very beginning. I hope many people read my post because I want to be able to help as many people as I possibly can with my story. I went from never experiencing pain in my life, and not even taking an aspirine, to a condition of chronic pain at 34 years of age. I suspect now that I had it since I was 33 because my body began having constant yeast infections back to back for a whole year prior to my herpes diagnosis. It does not matter how bad somebody's situation is, there is always somebody who has it worst than us.
Hi Sam. I think I also have something similar to the post herpetic neuralgia. It makes intercourse Very Painful for me. But I started using Hbalm two months ago, and has helped out TREMENDOUSLY. I also take aspirin for the pain. It's a prostoglandin antagonist, and prostoglandins are the evil little things responsible for pain and inflamation! The Lysine I use is infused with Vitamin C, echinacea, goldenseal, licorice propolis and garlic. Sex doesn't hurt anymore and I have not had an outbreak in over a month and a half! (And thats awesome considering I used to have about 3 outbreaks a month!!)
Try these three things. Tell me if it works for you!
good luck,
Astatine
Thank you for responding to my post. I am not familiar with Hbalm, but I am so happy it has helped you tremendously. I was taking Lyrica before. Its an anticonvulsant for post herpetic neuralgia pain. I havent taken it since I started practice Hatha yoga 5 days a week. It has helped me with the pain as it relaxes my nerves and muscles which helps with circulation and inflammation. I think the licorice and golden seal are very helpful along with the vitamine C and echinacea. I am guessing the licorice and golden seal might help you make your blood alkaline and the vitamin C and echinacea must help you with the immune system. I used to take licorice before in KM by matol which helps make your blood alkaline. I have so much respect and compassion for anybody else going through post herpetic neuralgia. Only people who experience it on a daily basis know what its like. That nerve sensitivity at the lesion that turns into pain as the nerves get excited when signals get sent to them throughout the day as the day goes by, and being that those nerves are inflammed. Its certainly the biggest challenge. I am going to look into it and ask my herbologist /homeopathic medicine man about it. I am sure I can always look for the teas as well.
I just looked up H balm and it makes a lot of sense. I know that my homeopathic medicine man uses lemon balm oil or melissa officinalis to make the remedies that he will be sending me as well as Saint Johns Wort. Those oils really help with the discomfort because I used saint johns wort oil on my lesion where the pain remained in the lips of the vagina and it helped. I know that lemon balm tea its excellent to calm the central nervious system down. Yeah, these are homeopathic oils that helps with the pain and they are probably putting also antiviral oils in the H balm ointment. It must really calm those nerves down. Thank you so much... It s always great to see how other people treat this condition of post herpetic neuralgia in term of pain and intercourse....
The H balm not only prevented or stopped the outbreaks, but I guess even the smell worked as aromatherapy for me! It was also a mental stress relief. It definitely helped take away the pain in my whole groin area. I could actually sleep and know that in the morning I wouldn't hurt! Oh, especially after intercourse! I DREADED SEX!! As much as I really wanted it too! I started taking St. Johns Wort again. I was working at a pool for the summer so I had to stop taking it (sun+ St. J's = bad) . But I am working indoors now, and I am taking it again. Less stress = less OB's
I just think I am on the right steps now to a happier and less H-stressed mind!!
Astatine
Astatine, where do you buy H balm from or where do you order it from? I need a reputable place. Also, why does Saint John's Wort plus the sun is bad for Herpes? I have never taken saint Johns wort because I am currently taking Lexapro, which is an antidepressant and antianxiety medication and the doctor told me that it interacts with saint Johns wort, so that's why I haven't taken it. Do you take the saint John's wort in capsules? . By the way, the reason why I asked about H balm is because I am trying to find a good ointment to use to see if I am not in pain in that area in addition to all of the other things I am doing.
Hi!I suffer from what you are talking about and I am in pain on a regular basis.I don't know what to do I was diagnosed last week with herpes.I am so scared and I pray there is hope for me somewhere.I can't even get a job because of the pain.I read your information and I am thinking about trying it to see if it can help me.I have outbreaks thru out the month always.I always feel sweaty around my bottom and vaginal area.I lose sleep over pain I am so tired of it.I have battled with this since 1998 and my family dr. who is knew figured out that I had herpes by a phyiscal.I thought I was just breaking out from sweating but could never figure out that my bladder would act up causing pain and going to the bathroom a lot.It is very painful.Thanks for your information.
Hi astatine, I just read your message and that is EXACTLY what I am going thru. I was diagnosed with herpes about 2 1/2 months ago (at age 50, believe it or not!) and now it aches in my groin area constantly and hurts every time I have sex with my boyfriend. Can you help with where I can find hbalm? I will also track down Lysine. thank you so much for your help!
you can buy hbalm online, um, im not sure what website, but Im sure you can find many many sites that sell it. Also, co-op type grociery stores, such as Trader Joes has it. Health food stores should also carry it. Online is probably the easiest. The Lysine i get is "Super Lysine + Immune system" The brand is QUANTUM HEALTH. It has Vitamin C, Echinacea, Goldenseal, Licorice, Propolis and odorless Garlic.
I still haven't had an outbreak since I started using this stuff. I have been close though! Usually before I get my period I start craving chocolate like nobody's business! And chocolate has arginine, which feeds the Herpes virus. I start getting a tingling/burning sensation and as soon as I feel that, I take about 3g of Lysine (3pills) about 2 or 3 times a day. I apply the Hbalm ASAP, a few times a day. By the next day, I have no more tingling.
St Johns Wort is dangerous when in the sun because it releases A LOT of free radicals. These can be EXTREMELY dangerous because they are like the seeds of cancer. No matter how old or how young, or how healthy, this is one thing you really want to be careful with. Also when taking certain prescriptions. Some meds, especially antidepressants can be detrimental when taken with St Johns Wort.
Hey there. Sorry to hear your new diagnosis. But it's not the end of the world. Lots of people have it!! More than you know!! Good luck. I hope I can help you through this. The best thing you can do is educate yourself on herpes. You need to become an expert!! An expert of your body and your health. Keep a diary. A little notebook you can take everywhere with you.
Here is some of my best advice for taking control of your herpes.
Accept it. You have it. But IT DOESN't HAVE TO CONTROL YOU LIFE! You can control it! It will never go away. But you can do things in your life to help reduce the amount of outbreaks. I have tried SO MANY THINGS. Everybody is different.
Here are some basics that I have learned.
Chocolate is Herpes' best friend. Look up (google) ARGININE. Herpes feeds off this amino acid. Stay away from the foods containing arginine. If you do eat foods containing a lot of it (such as nuts or chocolate) take a couple lysine pills.
Stress is Herpes' 2nd best friend. Sometimes there is nothing you can do about the stress in your life. So you need to learn to recognize when you are stressed. Take some lysine, relax, get a massage, watch a cartoon. Learn to take care of yourself.
Take B VITAMINS! They are amazing for stress! Get rid of your stress! (sounds so easy huh! :)) ZINC is also GREAT with healing the skin.
Always carry some lysine with you. Always carry Hbalm with you. I have a little zipper pouch with q-tips in my purse. I wrapped the Hbalm bottles with a little purple elastic tape so the bottle is protected and if anyone ever sees it, it's label is covered and no one ever has to know. Use one q-tip at a time. Never cross contaminate.
Never have sex when you think you are having or going to have an outbreak.. IT WILL MAKE THINGS WORSE! You can have fun, doing other things, use your imagination. Foreplay always helps me. The more turned on I get, the wetter I get, the less friction there is, the better it feels the less chance of an outbreak. Sometimes, lubes just don't cut it. YOU need to be wet. Don't let your boyfriend cum inside you. It irritates the HECK out of me! Semen has a lot of proteins that are not vagina friendly when herpes is involved.
I'm sure you have taken a mirror and had a nice peek during an outbreak. Well, stop.
The more I looked down there, the more freaked out I got! Then I got even more stressed out. So, I like to think: out of sight out of mind. But dont' ignore it. Stop the outbreak before it starts!
I tried acyclovir. This prescription is taken once or twice a day. Without insurance is very expensive. It works for some people. It didn't work for me. I prefer to go hollistically- natural remedies and supplements versus prescription drugs.
I also tried zovirax. Also didn't work. Actually made me worse.
But, if you have the option and want to try it, go for it. I know it works for some people just great!!
Birthcontrol and hormones also play a big role in outbreaks, I think.
I was on Dep-provera for a few years, and during the last year, my estrogen levels were really low and my vagina was very dry and it made my outbreaks even worse. I am now on Yaz. I feel a lot better and I am not dry anymore. Sex is comfortable now.
Like I said earlier: everyone is different. You need to research it. Keep a notebook or folder of everying you learn about it.
You can buy hbalm online, um, im not sure what website, but Im sure you can find many many sites that sell it. Also, co-op type grociery stores, such as Trader Joes has it. Health food stores should also carry it. Online is probably the easiest. The Lysine i get is "Super Lysine + Immune system" The brand is QUANTUM HEALTH. It has Vitamin C, Echinacea, Goldenseal, Licorice, Propolis and odorless Garlic.
I still haven't had an outbreak since I started using this stuff. I have been close though! Usually before I get my period I start craving chocolate like nobody's business! And chocolate has arginine, which feeds the Herpes virus. I start getting a tingling/burning sensation and as soon as I feel that, I take about 3g of Lysine (3pills) about 2 or 3 times a day. I apply the Hbalm ASAP, a few times a day. By the next day, I have no more tingling.
St Johns Wort is great for stress but is dangerous when in the sun because it releases A LOT of free radicals. These can be EXTREMELY dangerous because they are like the seeds of cancer. No matter how old or how young, or how healthy, this is one thing you really want to be careful with. Also when taking certain prescriptions. Some meds, especially antidepressants can be detrimental when taken with St Johns Wort.
I hope this helps!
Please respond with questions or advice!! Let me know if it helps!!
Astatine
Astantine, try savananda yoga daily for the post herpetic neuralgia or nerve pain. And you will see, I promise you it will help. Its the only thing that has helped me manage my post herpetic neuralgic pain. Even prescription drugs like lyrica ( for post herpetic neuralgia) or accupuncture don't compare to the benefits I have gotten from savananda yoga ( a type of hatha yoga). It s the only thing that helps for the pain. I take no aspirins.
You are so amazing...I had no idea chocolate was a trigger, and after you suggested to not let your boyfriend come inside, I tried it for the first time and NO PAIN afterwards...I was shocked. I can't wait to pick up the B vitamins and Lysine. It is so nice to feel like you are not alone in this awful, painful, embarrassing disease. God Bless you; I will let you know how I am doing!
Im so glad it didn't hurt!!! That is awesome!! Keep me posted.
I am going to try the yoga, Sam!
I will also keep you posted. I'm kinda excited to learn about it!
Thanks!!!!
Listen, Folks - I understand that you want to go the herbal route, but there is no reason to deal with this kind of pain. It is just simply intolerable and unrelenting. Anyone who has never experienced it cannot possibly have a clue!
Get a prescription for a drug called gabapentin. My mother takes it for diabetic neuropathy in her hands and feet. It is given in high doses to folks who have seizure disorders. But in low doses, it is a miracle for PHN. You will get your life back. It can have side effects, but for the vast majority of folks who take it for PHN, the low dose needed will not have any side effects. IT IS A LIFESAVER. You do not need to be in such pain. I GOT MY LIFE BACK. Ask your doctor.
If Gabapentin does not get me high and drowsy I would definitely give it try. Fortunately Yoga repaired some of my nerve damage from PHN, if that were not the case I would totally be up for trying gabapentin. I like having my life back as well... and you are right that when it comes to this pain it is intolerable and never ending. Lately since I have had some stress in my life I have been on valtrex suppressive. I also take my usual vitamines and never forget the acidophillus and bifidus to fight off yeast infections. I try to drink plenty of fluids such as water mixed in with natural fruit juice that I make. It been ok for the last 3 months or so. I finally feel like I can have a bit of my life back. I even ate some chocolate after 2 years of not eating any : ) and sometimes I ll even have a decaf from Donkin Donuts... I guess its the sense of normalcy that i missed.