First Outbreak-having a lot of trouble!! - Herpes Message Board

poindxtr · 11-17-2002, 08:44 AM

Please help- I am 22 and had my first, primary outbreak of genital HSV-1 a month ago, yet I am still having symptoms. My dr. did not put me on any meds, as she said it would not help since I had active lesions for a few days already. Anyway, here are my questions. The sores have been healed for approx. 2 weeks. Just after they healed I started itching really abd, and just thought it was part of the healing process. Then I got a really bad vaginal discharge, may have mistaken it for a yeast infection. Now, 2 weeks later, I feel dry/raw around my vaginal opening and anus. I swear I haven't felt normal in over a month! When will this torture end?? Please help. I am also a bit paranoid, as I check myself about 3 times a day with a mirror, I know I should stop because it just stresses me out. I am also worried about giving it to mu husband, who thus far has had no symptoms. (I get canker sores in my mouth at least once a month and just got that diagnosed as HSV-1 as well, so through oral sex, I inadvertantly gave it to myself. Nice, huh?) Also, I picked up L-Lysine, 500mg tablets. How much should I be taking, and has anyone had any benefits from this? Thank you so much in advance.

TheOneInFour · 11-17-2002, 05:48 PM

Hi Poindxtr,

I'm so sorry to hear you are having such a hard time of it.

I think antiviral meds can still help you. Your doctor is right that, after a few days they won't help THAT outbreak, but they can minimise the frequency of recurrent infections.

It sounds like your body is having a hard time fighting it off, so it is remaining in an active state and infecting other places around the genital area. This is unfortunately very common when one first contracts herpes. The first year is often the hardest, as the body struggles to build up antibodies. But I don't know if the same is true if you just transfer the infection from one location to another (e.g., oral to genital). Is it possible you've just contracted HSV-2?

I would suggest you go back to your doctor and ask her about going on a daily suppressive dosage of antivirals for a while to see if that helps. This is now recommended for the first year after primary infection, to help you adjust (mentally and physically) to having herpes. There is an excellent interview with herpes researcher Terri Warren on herpes.org (listed in this forum's "Resource Links") in which she talks about this strategy.

I've seen mixed reviews about L-lysine, but most people who report success with it seem to use it with other remedies, drugs, etc. I'm not sure of the recommended dosage but an internet search about it should give you some ideas.

Do some reading up on Herpes. One excellent book is "The Truth About Herpes" by Dr. Stephen Sacks. ASHA (Amer. Social Health Assn.) also has a book "Managing Herpes" that is considered by some to be one of the best.

Good luck!

TheOneInFour

poindxtr · 11-17-2002, 05:50 PM

I forgot to mention- last Sunday I noticed a blister in the crease of my thigh, but it healed very quickly so I didn't think about it. Well this afternoon, after not feeling well, I now have another blister. The other one is almost completely gone. Am I having back to back outbreaks or is this still a part of the first one which I am beginning to think I have never healed from?

poindxtr · 11-17-2002, 05:57 PM

Thank you for responding. I had a viral culture done, and it came back positive for only HSV-1. The dr. actually "scraped" a blister and took a sample from the fluid, so I am sure that it is not HSV-2. I have done tremendous research on the Internet, which is how I found this board, and is probably why I am so confused. So many different theories and statistics! I am just having a hard time dealing with it emotionally, and my biggest fear is passing it on to my hubby. But I have read that it is uncommon, though possible of course, to pass HSV-1 genital to genital. Anyway, thank you again, and I am calling the dr tommorow. Hopefully she will put me on medicine, which I am thinking she should have done in the first place to speed healing. Take care.

TheOneInFour · 11-17-2002, 06:45 PM

Get your hubby to take a type-specific (very important) blood test to see if he already has HSV-1 (or HSV-2). Most of the population gets HSV-1 orally in childhood so chances are he'll test positive, but knowing the facts could help the two of you figure out what kinds of precautions to take in terms of sexual contact. If he already has it, it will sometimes help prevent reinfection elsewhere on the body...even though that apparently hasn't been the case for you.

The most basic ruler of thumb to avoid passing it on is to avoid sexual contact while you're having an OB, but be aware that you can also be contagious in between OBs. If your body is throwing up frequent blisters, it would probably be a good idea for a while to assume you're contagious with or without the blister.

But every couple decides what level of risk is best for them. If he already has HSV-1 (cold sores), he's not likely to be at much further risk for giving you oral sex, for instance. For that matter, he might have it in both locations already which might be why it's spreading on you. If your OBs continue to be bad, even with the antivirals, and if he tests positive for HSV-1, you two might want to consider putting HIM on antivirals for a while to see if your system calms down a bit. I'm speculating here (and I'm not a medical professional), but it might be worth considering in an extreme case scenario if nothing else seems to work.

I know what you mean about conflicting, confusing information on the internet. Herpes.org is a good website for information that's pretty up-to-date. There are other good sites listed in this forum's "Resource Links" (in the blue bar at the top of the screen on the herpes topics page). And those books I mentioned have pretty reliable information.

But there's so much we still don't know about herpes and new ideas for treatments abound. It helps to know what's fact and what's theory, though, so you can decide what strategy is right for you.

I wonder if your immune system might be dragging a big, if you're getting so many OBs, both orally and genitally. You might want to check out some strategies to boost your immune system: megavitamins, herbal stuff like astragalus and garlic capsules, exercise, meditation and other stress reduction techniques. It might be worthwhile to consult a naturopath in your area who can guide you, since some herbal remedies can create problems if you don't know what you're doing.

Just a thought. Good luck!

TheOneInFour