Hello everyone :) So - I was just diagnosed today with herpes. This sucks. (obviously) But I was preparing myself mentally for the test results for the past week. I had been seeing this guy - and we both got flu like symptoms around the same exact time. Then I noticed what felt like I cut myself shaving - "down there". I've never had any vaginal problems, so of course I kind of freaked out. A few days later I had a full blown outbreak. Immediately I thought it was herpes - somehow. So, I got tested, and found out today, that I am indeed positive. I said we should both remain calm and not try to dole out blame, because who knows which one of us gave it to whom...what with not knowing you have it being possible and all. I'm really upset too, but I'm at least trying to be level headed and fair about it all. :confused:

After reading so much of the info on this board - I'm so scared at all the possibilities with herpes, that all I can do is just try not to think about it and see what happens, I guess. There is just so much scary stuff that could/might happen!

I got put on Valtrex, which seems to be clearing this all right up - good! But damn, I don't want to lose hair :x And I wonder how frequent my own outbreaks will be etc.

Anyway, enough with the novel, I just wanted to kind of introduce myself...and get some things off my chest I guess :)

Welcome to the boards. These boards are a good introduction into the life and experiences of genital herpes and everyones road is different, some of us have a rockier road than others when we start off on this new life. Most of our initial o/b's where not good experiences and what makes it worse is facing the fact that you have this virus and it's with you for life. On the other hand, if you read contributions from some of the people who have had this for a fairly lengthy period of time you will realise that in majority of cases things will calm down, the shock wears off and you learn coping strategies and mechanisms.

You boyfriend's attitude is plain awful and you shouldn't have to be worrying over who gave it to who, arguing, blaming, facing a break up at the same time as your first o/b. Who knows, he may be the type who calms down and faces facts and decides to join you in dealing with it together, but if truth be told it might be best if he stays away if he is going to continue like this. His behaviour is the last thing you need right now.

There are more than enough suggestions on this board to help you and when you feel able to you ought to read the "Happy Couples" thread. Dont ever give up hope of meeting someone new or even of reconciling with him if he calms down as you have to also factor in that males and females react to this virus in different ways. He might still come good.

For me it feels like yesterday that i was told i had this and yet it's 2yrs and 2 months. At first i was so focused on noting down and keeping tabs of every single o/b, duration etc and that is not advisable, just let them happen and learn instead how to lessen the symptoms/duration. In time you will learn what triggers yours eg: it could be hormonal, low immune system, diet, medication etc. As for hair loss when taking herpes medication, well most drugs have hair loss as a side effect but not everyone loses hair. I never went on medication b/c i wanted my body to get used to this virus without relying on med's.

All the best with your progress :)

Well thank you very much Audrey :) That was a wonderful welcome!

I only cried really the day I found out. After that, I have been pretty calm about it, and just researching ways to lessen the duration of outbreaks/prevent them. So I take a multivitamin as usual, work out, and now I'm also taking echinacea, lysine, and vitamin c regularly.

As for the guy I was seeing, he still is in shock I guess, but he has calmed down some. We're on speaking terms now at least...and we did actually hang out the other day. Who knows if he'll come around more than that, but if he doesn't I don't need him. I told him when I found out - I'm not going lower my standards on dating, or life in general just because of this.

Oh, ps - reading the happy couples thread was one of the first things I did when I found this board haha

Anyway, thank you Audrey :)

HI,
I had to giggle at how came about your discovery because it was exactly how I DID!! LOL! I thought I had cut myself shaving as well and then a few days later started with itching and thought oh no I"ve got a yeast infection now too.. LOL.. I Just had my first OB in December so I'm still new too.. I'm also on valtrex with no hairloss so far.. LOL..
Hopefully your boyfriend will come around..
Kat

Yep, sounds exactly the same! lol :) Now that I think back, that "cut myself shaving feeling" had lasted for days, actually...and it didn't feel like it was healing. That sucked! :p