cycling and outbreaks

[snake8]

I'm in hell. I've just started workign out again after a fairly long stretch being sedentary. I got a bike trailer to pul my kid in and we've been riding a half hour every other day. I'm having outbreaks like mad. Now, not all of them have corresponded with the bike riding, but enough that I'm worried that I won't be able to ride anymore.

I can't run or do the treadmill, because I have a broken toe that causes me to limp. I felt like the bike was my last chance at fitness.

Has this happened to anyone before? Should I give up the bike and just lift weights in a circuit instead?

[tearsforfears]

Damn ,that sucks

I myself had just been getting into probally the best shape I've ever been

in(i'mm 44) and now this. I'm just going through my first OB,and it's the whole enjhillada,and it's been tough going to the gym.I have not ridden bikes so I can't relate/comment there,but I'm doing curcuit/weights and so far the OB has not gone ballistic.If I find that later on that triggers OB's

I just as well will probally become a big fat couch potato/start smoking again/drink heavyly and most likly if I'm lucky I'll die a year or 2 later.

And so will the virus..teach that bastard who's boss

[tohealth]

Is the bicycle seat irritating you? Friction can definitely trigger an OB in females, and likely males...

[swizzle]

I just had my first outbreak directly after going for a bike ride. I put up a post on another website and didn't get any replies. But I think the friction did cause it. It's little things like this that make you realize it isn't just a little annoying "skin condition". If you have to give up things you love, then it suck! Not to be pessimistic, but let's be honest!

[ouch]

wow, I never thought of this....I use to love bike riding and want to get back into it...(I ride motorcycles, no problem...but a bit different, right!?)

This might sound crazy, but what about wearing a big soft maxi pad when riding your bike? Maybe that would help??? With comfy panties or something???? worth a shot.....

And Swizzle is SO right...this is NOT merely a skin condition!!! I have HAD a skin condition since childhood! It is called ECZEMA...true blue eczema...not the bullshit doctors quickly call eczema today (because they are clueless and do not know WHAT to call a rash, they head it all under the generic term eczema. ) Eczema is a disease of the central nervous system. It is horrifically painful and itchy. It can affect most of the body, but usually only affects the arms, legs and trunk) HOWEVER, it is NOT contagious. One with it might look funny at times, but no one will catch it from you....it is contained only to the person who suffers it. Over the years, I have learned how to keep it at bay, with minimal or minor flare ups.

Herpes is HIGHLY contagious and exceedingly painful . so it is not just a "skin condition". You can give this to other people as well as spread it around on yourself. fun fun fun. I get very angry when folks take a lackadaisical approach to this disease. While I think it is unhealthy to perpetually dwell on it (which I do...but that is just me....I am ALWAYS worrying about it...I have kids, so I HAVE to be careful!) I also think it is good to be aware and conscious of what is going on with your body. Realistic in what we have.

And what we have is a damn disease that makes it hard for a lady to ride her bike. And that sucks. Like I said...maybe try the extra padding in the pants...it might help with the friction...thus, less outbreaks. Good luck to you and don't give up on staying healthy!

[heidi]

Ouch, I second everything you say! I can't stand the feeling that I'm over-reacting to this because it's "just" some minor discomfort. One of the thiings that I most love to do is go running; it keeps me both fit and sane. But with the outbreaks, it's hard to go for a run.

First of all there's the discomfort while running -- though I do love running, it's hard hard hard on some days, when I spend the whole run just waiting for it to be over (this doesn't happen every day of course!), so adding yet another pain to my burning legs and heaving lungs and sticky sweat is a real downer.

Second of all, I think that running exacerbates the OBs -- makes them longer and/or more frequent.

My relationship with this virus is still relatively new, so I'm still hoping that we can strike a deal with regard to my physical activity. If I have to give up running, my enjoyment of my life will be seriously diminished. It's NOT a small impact on me at all!

[ouch]

See this is what I mean. Here we have Heidi, a woman who loves to run/jog, and stupid herpes makes it difficult for her to do something she loves and enjoys and is GOOD for her! (my hats off to ya lady, I have been LAGGING in the exercise department for ohhhhh, two years!!! And I FEEL it, believe me.)

hopefully, as time goes on and the outbreaks lessen, the physical activity will actually act as a defense mechanism AGAINST further outbreaks. Do not give up hope. Run like the wind when not in outbreak mode, and maybe opt for a different, lighter form of exercise DURING outbreak mode. Swimming maybe?

Also, sometimes herpes is a way of telling us we are lacking something in our system....like REST...so if you are overdoing it, relax and do stretches, swim, go to a SPA!!! get a back/neck massage!!! something to make you feel fabulous!

[mrstaylor5]

WOW. I've had herpes for 16 years and cycling doesn't affect if I get an o/b...

IF i HAD one at the time..NO I wouldn't go cycling.but never has it brought one on for me.

[jeninla]

WOW. I've had herpes for 16 years and cycling doesn't affect if I get an o/b...

IF i HAD one at the time..NO I wouldn't go cycling.but never has it brought one on for me.

Friction does seem to be a trigger for outbreaks so it makes sense. Also, I have recently had to curtail my spinning classes b/c of my OB. Lesions and mounting a bike are not particularly comfy. BUT, I believe exercise plays an major role in controlling OB's. Lift weights or if you do ride, spend lots of time "out of the saddle"

[WaxedWrong]

swimming is where its at.

nice cool water, on a hot day, and you can just float when you get tired, plus swimming is one hell of a workout.

[heartU]

Friction does seem to be a trigger for outbreaks so it makes sense. Also, I have recently had to curtail my spinning classes b/c of my OB. Lesions and mounting a bike are not particularly comfy. BUT, I believe exercise plays an major role in controlling OB's. Lift weights or if you do ride, spend lots of time "out of the saddle"

i wouldnt be surprised if exercise would keep the OB away, good circulation and all never hurts. clean blood and well oxygenated tissues are healthier. also, when you ride you want the contact point on the seat to be your "sits bones" or ischial tuberosity which is located on the inferior part of your pelvis & not the soft tissue of your private bits.

http://www.lollylegs.com/images/pelvisposterior.jpg

[Ultra Violet]

get some cycling nix

Padded cycle pants (in Oz we call them cycle nix...not sure what they are called elsewhere) should reduce the friction and discomfort.

[bluebell]

I think you might be right

Hi there

I think that it causes outbreaks too. I have started to cycle and have got an outbreak. I think that the exposure to the sun at this time of year is a factor as well. I like the idea of the padded pants and sanitory towel. I will try it. I also think I will get a new bike , like those old fashioned ones, that puts you in a more upright poisition , more on your bum and maybe there will not be as much pressure on pubic area/friction etc.

There is now way I can give up the cycling, and are we not surposed to be keeping healthy.

[loverly19]

I had my first outbreak after biking for an hour on a stationary bike! SO CRAZY! I never even thought that would cause one! I run now and bike sometimes, but only for 30 mins. I love to run but need to mix it up on the bike every now and then!

[Evelyn Jane Doe]

I had more or less a weekly recurrence over the summer for several months until I stopped biking (I used to bike ~7 miles a day, along occasionally slightly bumpy terrain to get to work, 3 days a week). It's pretty sunny where I live. Once I made the potential connection between the friction, and how that can be a source of OB for some, and the biking, I stopped biking, and ultimately my OBs stopped completely. I had also tried wearing padded bike shorts, but that didn't make a difference. I did not try that biking friction cream stuff, but I never felt like there wasn't that much rubbing.

That winter I tried biking once more, to see if maybe it was the sun/UV exposure more than the biking that had caused the OBs in the summer. Unfortunately, two days into very light commuter biking on less bumpy terrain, I again felt an OB coming on. This time it was confounded by my period having had started around the same time, which can also be a trigger for some. Thus, I still can't prove that biking is related to OBs for me, but it sure keeps showing up at the same time.

What can I say, it sucks - I had deeply loved biking for the few years since I had discovered it. I suppose I will try biking one more time when I'm definitely not going to have other confounding factors present.

For reference, I have HSV1 and this is the first year I have it. My hope is that in writing this out, some people can confirm their experiences, and hopefully a professional cross-sectional study can be done on this topic to potentially add this to the list of OB triggers.