Today is the anniversary of my first OB. I did not realize it was an OB for a few days. Thought I cut myself shaving but still felt a bump a few days latter. I showed my husband and he said "that is herpes". I thought it couldn't be herpes becuse it did not hurt that much, only when touched. We were away on vacation so I was upset, did not have a hand mirror for close inspection and could not see my doctor for a few more days and did not have unlimited access to internet for research so I just had to try to relax until I got home. By the time I got back, there was still something for the doctor to see (8 days after OB). After the bump went away, I had post herpetic nuralgia (PHN)for about 3 weeks. She put me on Valtrex because she assumed I'd get it every month with my period.

I went off Valtrex at end of July just to see if I indeed would get frequent outbreaks and planned to just take it as needed. I only needed it twice since then.

To summarize, I had 5 definite OB in first year and 5 very mild ones. The mild ones either lasted a day or were very barely noticable--maybe some were something else--just itchy---can't tell. Ten sounds like a lot but sometimes I went a couple of months with nothing then had back to back mild and definate so it was not really bad. Some "OB" only lasted a day or two. Also the most recent ones overall were shorter and milder. I only had PHN after the first 2 OB.

I'm looking forward to fewer and milder this year.

I hope this is encouraging to people who just found out they have it so they know things can get better.

And it is not nice to have the boards to vent on since face it, who else can we tell this stuff to.

I appreciated your review of the last year. I had my first OB almost 2 months ago, and I often wonder when and if I will get another. I have mild tingling in the evenings but that's about it so far. My first outbreak was horrible. Again, thanks! :)