I went for a test today after suffering with severe discomfort for a few days. Chances are, I have herpes. When my doctor told me I laughed...I thought it was a sick joke. Earlier last year I battled an aggressive HPV infection (which was given to me by a stranger who took my virginity while I was drunk). After that long and painful experience (unlike a lot of people, I had to go through several grueling treatments) I swore I would never have sex again. But when it finally went away, I ventured out again.
I really wish I hadn't. I've had two other partners since then and one of them most likely gave me herpes--eventhough I made sure they wore condoms. I can't describe how depressed, dirty, disappointed, and just plain ashamed I am feeling. The first time I got an STD was bad enough..but this is permanent! I can't imagine telling a potential partner that I have an incurable disease. This has changed my views on STDs drastically...I admit I used to be one of those people who would never have sex with someone with an STD. Now I have no choice..I am one of those people. I am sure many of you have been there before..but god! I really wish I had someone to talk to about this. I can't tell anyone and worse, my parents are suspicious because they saw my Valtrex prescription.
Enough babbling I guess...my real question (and I hope this is allowed here) is what steps you took when you first contracted the virus. My first instinct is to go out and buy everything. Coconut oil. Monolaurin. Grape Fruit Seed extract. Tea tree oil. MSM cream. Garlicell. A variety of vitamins to boost my immune system. But I realize that not only is this too expensive, it also is probably misguided (I visited bestherpes.com and left dizzy..there's just too much! I need more streamlined guidance). Does anyone have any good recommendations for treatments that aren't prescription? Like I said I am taking Valtrex and the doctor also recommended Zovirax (I have yet to purchase either..I am starting with samples). I just want to not suffer so much and suppress my outbreak ASAP.
Thank you so much for reading this message. If anyone out there would like to discuss their experiences with me I'd really greatly appreciate. I know my life isn't over...but deep down inside I can't help but think YES..it is :(
Hi,
I'm so sorry you are now in this scary boat with the rest of us. I haven't been here long myself, but I will let you know that your feelings will change over time. The more you read, the more you'll understand about the disease. I'd suggest that you stick to government funded sites though (or sites such as this powered by Healthline), or information your doctor/a clinic gives you. The reason I suggest this is because many other sites could be trying to sell you outrageous amounts of stuff playing off our instilled fear of the disease.
As for treatments, well...I haven't tried anything other than what my doctor prescribed (Valtrex) and it had done amazing wonders for me. After my initial outbreak (which was ridiculously painful I wanted to throw in the towel) I haven't had another outbreak since. If it doesn't work for you though, go see a doctor who can help identify what will work without costing you insane amounts of money on trials from sites online. I'm sure some people here will have answers that are natural treatments which is great! As for me, I'm not ready to experiment and potentially have another outbreak because of it.
Keep your chin up. You are still a wonderful person. It is difficult when there is noone to talk to but remember there is always someone on this site to talk to who knows what you are going through and is willing to help.
Take care :)
Thank you so much for the response! Your previous posts really help me because that is exactly where I am right now...angry, scared, in a state of shock, and unable to stop crying. I still haven't gotten the official results back yet but I just know it. I have this incredible sinking feeling...ugh. Why did this have to happen??? I really hate the world right now. Anyway, enough negative thoughts. I am going to try Zovirax because it's supposed to work just as well but is much less expensive. I hope this is true. I did order some things online that I probably shouldn't have but...for now, it just makes me feel better. I just had to do something you know? I'll let you know if anything works for me that's natural though I understand you not wanting to mess anything up. That's really smart.
Thanks again for the support!
I wouldn't really trust zorivax because it won't prevent your outbrakes. I would instead get on valtrex 1 gram suppressive once a day. I am saying this because after my 1st blister in the genitalia( in an area with lots of nerve endings) the blister atrophied or damaged some of my nerves and I ve been in pain long after the blister is gone. I have two specialist gyn doctors and one of them says my post herpetic neuralgia could be a chronic condition, and we need to see how it plays out. I now take anticonvulsants for the pain on a daily basis and valtrex suppressive. Also, i became very sick with yeast infections too as of a year ago and i have been through hell. I am on antidepressants too, as they help with the post herpetic neuralgia. Also, please get christopher scipio's book. He tells you how to treat your herpes holistically (its definitely not a scam). I would be doing it that way if it werent for the post herpetic neuralgia complication I developed which is a neurological disorder i now have (now thats pretty scary for me). Please send me a message if you have any more questions, I go by the name of sam in this website, which is the only one I am really suscribed too. Try to eat foods high in lysine content which is an aminoacid that suppresses herpes, such as fish, plain yogurt, very dark grapes juice, beet juice mixed with apple or carrot juice. Avoid all nuts, chocolate and caffeine as well as processed sugars as they have a high content of arginine which makes the herpes virus multiply. All foods have both aminoacids its just that the ratio varies, so you should always go for the foods with higher lysine content. But don't take the actual lysine pills, i don't think its healthy for you as mr. scipio says in his book. I am struggling rite now with this myself. I found out 3 months ago.
oh gosh...now I am really confused and having another breakdown. I feel like there is no clear answer for anything, there is no solid scientific or medical help on this topic, which is retarded because this stuff has been around for ages! how can they not know how to effectively AND safely treat this yet?
I got acyclovir which I guess is the same thing as zovirax. I just can't afford to get valtrex right now. apparently a generic form is coming in june and I will have to wait until then. I ordered lysine because everyone said it works but now you're the second person who has not recommended it. what exactly is supposed to be wrong with it? I don't plan on taking it permanently. just to help me with the beginning because I feel so desperate and right before getting diagnosed I drank tons, smoked a lot, and ate a bunch of chocolate. I basically did everything you're not supposed to do and then I got my first outbreak. I feel like I need to add a lot of lysine to balance out my system (eventhough lately I haven't been eating much of anything because I have zero appetite).
also I am suffering from a very bad yeast infection too...or at least that's what it seems like. I don't know what I should do for it. there's so much pain down there right now I don't want to touch it. I wish I could just stick a bomb down there and be done with it all >:( uggghhh I am so discouraged but thank you for responding. it's nice to get a lot of different perspectives.
I guess if its oral acyclovir for suppressive that should help for now. I thought it was the cream zovirex you were talking about
I am in the same boat as you! I have my doc appointment tomorrow and am terrified!!!!
How could this be? I was sooo careful and monogamous - is it truly possible that I could have gotten it from my partner of three years? We were both tested before we slept together and were clean...and I know he never cheated - I certainly did not, so I'm wondering, how long can this stuff be in your system before it shows up?
God. I just got carrot juice, noni juice, olive leaf extract, grapefruit seed extract, took an epsom salt bath (actually hurt, but then felt better...) and applied the grapefruit seed extract diluted in a measuring cup so i could pour it, since there was no sprayer in sight.
I'm freaking out, in the most horrific pain and when I looked at it I thought I would pass out. I hate to know what is INSIDE of me!!!
I really wanted to get an update from you "silver_lignig"...can you provide one?
Thank you for any input.
Hey Anon, sorry I am just seeing this now...and I hope that if you are indeed positive, you've found a bit of peace since you wrote your comment. I can tell you that even though you are freaking out right now you WILL start to feel better and you'll realize that you can be a "normal", happy person just like you've always been. I've had this for a year now and I still get outbreaks on occasion..if I'm not being very healthy (e.g. not getting a lot of sleep, drinking, eating a bunch of junk) I get a breakout during my period. But otherwise I don't. It's mainly an annoyance that I've accepted as part of my life. Eventually I want to make a better effort to eliminate all break outs but whatever..for now I'm fine. I haven't been in a relationship or really been intimate with anyone since (well I did once but that was not the greatest decision and ever since I've decided to wait until I find someone worthy of sharing my "traumatic" experience)...haha that sounds pretty bad in writing. But to be honest, I am still not very confident telling someone I have it. I'm not ashamed of myself or this condition anymore because I've learned that like anything else in life, it's something you must conquer and move on from. No one will judge you as hard as you judge yourself. Nonetheless, I still battle with how this will affect me and my future relationships...my guess is like with everything else I'll get used to it (the less importance you give it, the less it will have). And if anything, finding a partner may be harder but it does take a pretty responsible and genuinely caring person to accept this condition doesn't it? Which is a GOOD thing! No wasting time on inconsiderate losers :) Anyway you may have answered some of your questions already but yes herpes can stay dormant in someone's system for months or even years. Some people never ever get symptoms and yet carry the virus (this is more common among men). So you have to be careful. And I know it sucks..it seems pretty unavoidable when you think about..but just know that this isn't your fault in any way. And if you need some tips or encouragement feel free to message me! Going through this is not easy but I seriously feel like I've grown a lot through this experience and though I wish I never had to have it---at least I feel like a stronger person as a result. Good luck!! --silver lining