Does this mean it will keep coming?
My girlfriend has been better at dealing with this than me. Yes I have had a lot of partners, but I have been with the same one for 2 years now. I have been a little stressed since this is the first one I have lived with, but why all of the sudden did this just happen. She has been clean and her Dr told her don't bother with tests until you notice something. We have definitely had sex while I had a open sore, but just because I did not think anything of it. Just figured she scraped me or something. We are careful now, but how often is this going to return? IS there a possibility it may never come back? I just ordered Choraphor because of the feed back I read. I hope it was a good choice. I am taking Valtrex for 3 days twice a day. IS that enough to destroy this recent outbreak? How do I know I need to take it everyday? Which I really don't want to.
If the virus does not appear in the same place you put the Chorophor, will it find another place, like my shaft, legs... etc.
Please help. I am so upset.
Thanks

Any help out there would be greatly appreciated...

Tangeray,

I can't say much for the meds since I haven't tried them, but just wanted to offer some support, because I know how hard a first outbreak is. I was with my bf for a year and a half before I finally contracted it from him. He didn't even know he had it and still is asymptomatic. The outbreaks get less severe and less frequent. Some people never have a second outbreak. Some things to be aware of that can trigger outbreaks are stress, excess sun exposure, and menstruation for women. If you get prodrome (stabbing pain before or during an outbreak), try St. John's Wort. I have had a lot of success with this. It seems awful and I remember how upset I was, but this doesn't have to be a devastation to your relationship. It's something you can both deal with together. Hang in there.

evergreen

Thanks Evergreen.
Do you think then that she gave it to me? She has never been tested and her Dr said don't bother unless something shows. I have it now so does it matter.
For my first outbreak, I treated it with Valtrex and Chorophor. It seemed to be very effective and the tissue is almost normal now. I'm affraid to come off Valtrex, but want to see if my system can fight it once I'm completely healed. The Dr said take it daily, but the pharmacist said take it until it is completely gone. I have always had a big sexual appetite. Will it come out again when I have sex?
Thanks for your support?

Hi Tangeray,

I have been living with genetial herpes for a few years now. First yes you need to talk to your girlfriend and she needs to be tested. As far as where herpes will appear...well thats up to your herpes. :-)

If/When you have another outbreak it may show up somewhere completely different then where its showing up now. You also stated how often is this going to return. Well that just depends. But you can somewhat take control of the situation. Not saying you can really control the virus completely but there are things you can do to lesson your outbreak. And thats even if you get another outbreak. I have heard of some people not having an outbreak in YEARS.

Here is a link with some VERY VERY helpful into ont the virus.
http://www.globalherbalsupplies.com/herpes/

I highly recommmend that you learn as much as possible about the virus. The more that you know about the virus, the better off you will be.

I remember a while back reading something about porn stars using a cream to strengthen their penis to prevent or heal scrapes from constant sex. Have heard of this? I'm just affraid that friction will cause another outbreak?
Thanks

Has anyone read about this? URL..http://www.antigenics.com/products/id/ag707/URL...

I remember a while back reading something about porn stars using a cream to strengthen their penis to prevent or heal scrapes from constant sex. Have heard of this? I'm just affraid that friction will cause another outbreak?
Thanks


Hmm...thats very interesting but no i personally have never heard of anything like that. But what I have done in the past is used some neosporin and put them on the blisters as they hell. This helps them heal faster and also it helps minimize that scrapes and scars..

Has anyone read about this? URL..http://www.antigenics.com/products/id/ag707/URL...

Yes I have checked this out. This is something I dont think I personally would be interested on only because I am no ones ginny pig. You have no idea how the drugs will react in human testing. And I value my life WAY to much for that. I think im going to let someone else be the ginny pig for these test and then when I get the all clear (when a cure is found) then im off to the dr to get my meds. LOL

And to be honest....i do feel that a cure or maybe even a vacceen will be avalible in the next couple years or so. (if not sooner)

Yeah. I'm feeling that way too. I don't think I would have signed up for testing, but curious to see where they are in the trials and what success or failures they have had.

The neosporin thing is a no no for me. Tried on the first OB and it made it worse. I read something that they must remain as dry as possible. I had a lot of success with Chorophor. Right now I can say they are gone. I had my first out break in the fall. I had sex too soon and had a second OB. In a couple more days going to have sex again. I've been on Valtrex but do not want to stay on it. Once all visible signs are gone, I am going to come off it and hope for the best. I will definitely continue research here and post anything I learn. I also look forward to reading what you guys and girls say.
Thanks

Sorry for all these stupid questions, but Since my first outbreak, I have used Valtrex and Chorophor effectively. All signs of my second outbreak are gone and I am thinking about coming off Valtrex. Can I come off it slowly to see if my immune system is ready to handle the virus? I have only had it for 4 months or so. Instead of taking it everyday, take it every other day and every 3 days and so on. Will that be a good method to see if I need it suppressively right now? I would prefer not having to take it everyday for life.

What my doctor suggested is taking one pill of Valtrex everyday but it was only for 1 year. She certainly never suggested I take it for life. She told me that by taking it everyday for a year, it's almost like forcing it into suppression. I did that and after 1 year just stopped taking them cold turkey. I haven't had a single outbreak since.

My boyfriend has genital HSV too and the doctor told him to take higher dosages but only when he feels an outbreak coming on. So it's really up to you and what you want to do. From our experience, his breakouts are much less severe since the male plumbing is all external and gets more contact with air. If he feels an outbreak coming on, he starts taking pills..I think it's 3 times a day. When the little bumps appear he immediately starts putting the cream directly on the bumps several times a day. In this way, he keeps any breakouts he has very small and they are hardly noticable. They look more like a couple of pimples than an outbreak. His only take about 3-4 days to heal.

I apparently have had herpes for years without ever knowing it. I gave them to him because I didn't even know I had them. So his breakouts were more frequent in the beginning but are starting to get further and further between. Your body just has to get used to the virus and will build up more immunity to it over time.

I dealt with a lot of guilt about giving herpes to my boyfriend. But like I said, I probably carried them for years without ever knowing..so really, what could I do? Once you get over the guilt and the shame and realize it's not that bad, it gets easier.

They are, after all, just bumps. Just like having cold sores on your lips. But at least when they are on your genitals the people in the office don't need to know about it. You can't miss someone covered with lip herpes.

Thanks Austin. That makes me feel a lot better. I am hoping that when I tried the supplement l-arginine, that triggered it. I will stop taking Valtrex as soon as all the evidence of them are gone and see what happens.. My Dr actually said a year too. I don't even want to take it for a year, so I will try and just use it if I sense something is happening.. I have Zovirax too. Let's hope for the best.
Thanks again.

Yeah. I'm feeling that way too. I don't think I would have signed up for testing, but curious to see where they are in the trials and what success or failures they have had.

The neosporin thing is a no no for me. Tried on the first OB and it made it worse. I read something that they must remain as dry as possible. I had a lot of success with Chorophor. Right now I can say they are gone. I had my first out break in the fall. I had sex too soon and had a second OB. In a couple more days going to have sex again. I've been on Valtrex but do not want to stay on it. Once all visible signs are gone, I am going to come off it and hope for the best. I will definitely continue research here and post anything I learn. I also look forward to reading what you guys and girls say.
Thanks


Oh i guess i should have made myself a little more clearer about the neosporin. I dont put the neosporin directly on the area when im having an outbreak. I only use it during the healing process when the outbreak has gone and the scars are healing. You are correct you want to keep the OB area as dry as possible.

Life has been very busy for me these past 2+ mths so I've not been as active or posting much lately. However, I read your post and the replies and felt the need to give my perspective and share some knowledge and experience with you.

First, I'm not sure what kind of testing you've had done, but you yourself could very well have had the HSV virus for some time now and weren't aware of it. Just because you're having a first OB a few mths ago, does not mean that you've only had the virus since then. Some people who carry the virus can go months and sometimes yes, even years, before ever having a visible outbreak (or for that matter, ever have one at all). So at this point, your g/f should indeed be tested, whether she's had symptoms or not. You both need to be aware, not just one of you. You should also be aware of which type you have as HSV 1 can indeed be passed on to the genitals, just as HSV 2 can be passed on to the mouth (though research and stats. thus far indicate HSV 2 orally, is rare/uncommon - none the less, it's still a potential risk that needs to be addressed).

Another reason for your g/f needing to know if she has it, just as you're aware that you do, is the simple fact that not all relationships work out....which is not to say that yours won't, but it's not about that anyway. Plus, if she doesn't have the virus at this point, you should both be aware of the risks involved to the partner who's herpes free. Many relationships have and can work with one having it and not the other, but you both need to be aware of the potential risks so as to avoid passing the virus on, orally and/or genitally.

Now, all of the above said, I was diagnosed with the virus late August of 2006, so only 4.5 mths ago. I ended up having 3 OB's pretty much back to back within a 6 week period...was very distressful. Valtrex didn't seem to work or do much for me...what I had better success with was Famvir....but the virus will behave differently in each of us so you have to find what works for YOU. I will say this though, it's now been 3 mths or so since I've had an outbreak...and my Dr. actually suggested not to begin or start off with suppressive treatment, as the virus needs to establish itself and therefore allow our immune system to build the necessary anti-bodies to fight said virus when it becomes active. Some don't ever need to go on suppressive therapy as their immune system indeed may be stronger than another persons. Again, each of us are different. Until I know how my body is going to react to the virus, which will take 6 mths to a year (from what I've been told) my Dr. sees no logical or medical reason to begin daily meds. She had me take my meds only as eposidic treatment, however after having my 3rd OB in such a short span, I decided to take a 2 week suppressive dose of Famvir to see what would happen while on it and then after stopping the meds. I did not have another OB and when stopping after that 2 week period (approx.) I still did not have another OB...and currently remain OB free (fingers are crossed and I just knocked on wood, lol). Now does this have anything to do with my taking the Famvir daily for 2 weeks, I really don't know.

What I can say for sure is that some of us are indeed lucky enough to not have continual OB's. I'm estatic that I remain OB free at this point as I've heard when women are symptomatic and first diagnosed, it can be much worse than what I've experienced...some have OB's monthly....my heart goes out to those who have recurrent OB's. So again, for your g/f's sake, it's best that she find out whether she has the virus or not.

If it turns out she has the virus, there could be a real possibility she's asymptomatic if she's not having and still hasn't had any OB's...most especially if you've actually had sex in the past where you've had an open sore but didn't realize what it was. That would mean she's been exposed more than once to the virus but seems not to be reacting to it....either she's DARN lucky she wasn't infected by the virus when exposed to it, or she's indeed a carrier who thus far has had no visible OB.

At this point, if she does test positive, there is no way of knowing who may have passed it on to who, or for that matter, if it was either of you who passed it on to each other at all...that's another possibility.. So IF you are both indeed positive for HSV, unfortunately the "from who" and the "for how long" will likely never be answered. SO, if that part is an issue for either of you, my advice is to let it go and not focus on those aspects at all...won't do either of you any good.

So, there ya have it....a long reply, but I feel it's worth it. Every new person diagnosed and looking for answers and guidance should be well informed and if I can offer anything in that search for knowledge, that's why I'm here!

Good luck to you and your girlfriend...and welcome to the forum! It's really a caring and supportive bunch here!! :)

Thank you. Your message made me feel a lot better.
I am over the whole, who gave it to who thing. We had small arguements but that is over now. After I educated myself about this, I really did not care anymore about who had it or not. She has not had any problems so we are not pressing the issue of her getting treatment. Even her Dr said that tests are not that reliable and to just go about your life unless something appears.
I don't plan on taking Valtrex for a year either. I think another month and then see if my body can fight it on its own.

My biggest fear is that sex will cause another outbreak. I had my second oubreak around xmas, but the first was still not fully healed. We think we irritated by having sex to soon.
This time I am waiting till everthing is gone which it almost is. I am not putting anything further on it and the color is almost the same. I wil begin having sex again this week and then in a month come off Valtrex. I'm hoping for the best. My cold is gone, so I hope I am back to normal.
Well see.
Thanks

OK. Well, all visable signs of my second outbreak which really was connected to my first is gone. The color is just about back to normal. I am still on Valtrex, but plan on taking it every other day beginning this weekend, then every three days etc... until I'm off and hope for the best. I plan on having a session with my girlfriend.. very excited but nervous too. I hope the friction does not cause a problem again. that was the cause of the second outbreak. I don't think I waited long enough and I was not on anything either.
Wish me luck.
Do you think I will be OK.
I really hate this.