Signed in to make a one off post. A good news story. Lots of people get herpes, it is not just having it but the "what does the future hold" aspect that is worst.
Firstly, the physical side can be controlled a fair bit, i used acyclovir for about 4 mths and found that it had a flow on effect, now only get an outbreak, not very bad, more than a year apart. Never have had a mouth coldsore since i used this treatment... used to get them a fair bit. don't know how it worked but maybe just gave my immune system a boost. It was several years ago i tried the pills.

Relationships are difficult. I have had herpes about 12 years. Never passed it on to partners (one partner of 8 years, no condoms but avoided 'activity' during outbreaks). Also have popped out a couple of nice babies.

After i broke up with long term partner i had to start dating again and being more educated on herpes it became an issue, met quite a few nice men from a herpes site, kept dating until i found one who was just perfect (gee, i would have gone out with him if he didn't have it). He had a lot of issues with having herpes (rejections etc) and found it a pretty novel to have sex without a condom. I am getting a bit oldish now but we are trying for a baby and engaged to be married.

There are happy endings. My girlfriends sister caught it a couple of years ago and met her ideal man later, he said it is 'no big deal' when she told him.

The only thing i can sum it up with is dont make let herpes define you. Though i must ad (only from my limited talking to people) it seems a bit easier for woman to find someone to accept them, men tend to get higher rejection rates, of course i have no data/research on this, just an opinion.

I did go to a herpes group meeting and my attitude when i came out was, what a lot of good fish.... it is not going to be a matter of me being rejected because of herpes, i am going to reject people without it.

Good luck all you gals and guys.

Trish


xxx

Hey Trish..
I loved your post!!
It is so nice to hear the happy stories too! I do wonder about the rejection rate being higher for men than woman, I could see that being true... I have had herpes for over a decade, I have never passed it on to any of my partners (including the one who gave it to me orally), and I have never been rejected by any of them because of it.
I think you mentioning dating people from a herpes site might be an option for some people that find it hard to date at first. I never did this, although I did find it hard to date, but it always turned out in my favor, none of my boyfriends ever judged or belittled me becuase of it.... good men! And I always kept in the back of my mind if I ever was to be rejected that they would not be able to handle something truly Serious if they could not see past something that in its ture light is nothing more than a nuisance.
I use to come to this board years ago, I don't remember my screen name, but I know it was not anything close to what it is now... It was hard for me to deal with the fact that "I" got herpes, and hearing stories like yours, or Backpackers, really helped me then.
My current boyfriend.... the love of my life, and man I will marry, was the hardest person I ever told... He played it off like it was no big deal, but I knew there were explosions going off in his head, I gave it time, he loved me anyway, and 3 weeks later we made love & never stopped!
Life is good, and that is why it's
good2Bme! :)

How nice to hear some good stories. Thanks.

My happy story, not ending yet hehe...

I was diagnosed last november and havent had another OB since the primary (extremely happy right) I try not to worry about having another because I think that would increase the odds of having one.

I too used acylovir for my OB but I'm not using supressive therapy of any type now. :)

My boyfriend stayed w/me when I found out, granted we dont know where it came from, he hasnt been tested and hasnt had any signs nor has he gone in for a blood test to confrim anything. Maybe someone, maybe not, its senseless now that we are getting married ;)

So my happy ending has yet to come...but for now its happy!

Everyone ~
I want to applaud you-all for typing - your "happy stories"....Sometimes, this board can be quite depressing, so it's nice to hear/read a positive herpes story. And I just wanted to thank you-all for taking the time to share.....Keep in mind - that we're all here for each other. But, it's nice to realize that there can be good outcomes - after contracting this darn virus! It's like a rainbow, following a dreaded storm.
Smiles, -shinyOrn