First OB-Day 17 and counting...

[Colleen]

Really getting frustrated at this point. I know the first OB is the longest, but this is just REDICULOUS! It's day 17 & although the swelling is subsiding, I'm still only half normal. My bumps never did burst or scab over...they are just there. The first ones are almost gone, but the subsequent ones seem to be comfortable and don't want to leave.

I can understand all the frustrations I've read here now. Although I know I will feel normal again eventually, it feels like never right now. On top of it, it is my PMS week and I'm just not handling this very well with my hormones on a rollercoaster.

How long did everyone else's first OB take?

Thank you...Colleen

[Christie]

Sorry to hear you're having such a rough time. My first OB was 3 weeks long. Even after all the herpes sores went away I still itched terribly for about a week after that. But it did get better finally! I can understand why you're so stressed out! I've read that for many people the first outbreak is the worst (I know that was true for me), my herpes has pretty much become non-existant since my first OB. I am on suppressive therapy (Valtrex) and I think thats helped enormously. Are you taking any antiviral medication? If not, you might want to look into that because it helps the outbreak clear up faster. If you're in a lot of pain or discomfort, taking a warm bath helps with that...it really worked for me. When I had my first OB, I wasn't just experiencing sores, I felt like I had the flu for 3 weeks...my body hurt all over. My Dr. told me to take lots of Motrin IB if I was in pain, and that helped as well. I'd definately suggest that to you if you are feeling the was I was. Don't lose hope! I've been there, and I know EXACTLY how you feel. You will get to feeling better!

[Colleen]

Thanks Christie for responding.

I did do Valtrex for 3 days, but I'm sure I waited to long to start it. I wasn't really sure what was going on and had a hard time getting in touch with my doctor's office. He doesn't want to put me on suppressive therapy until I develop a pattern of OBs. I have already been exposed to HSV1, so I may not have too much of a problem with OBs...we shall see. Although this OB is lasting extremely long, I think my prior exposure to HSV1 has kept my symptoms mild. Thank God I haven't experienced flu-like symptoms (like you) or pain that I can't handle.

How long have you had this? How many OBs do you get in a year? How long do they last?

Thanks again...Colleen

[Christie]

I've only had herpes for about six months...but it took only 2 days after I was exposed for my first outbreak to happen. So far I haven't had any others. When I first came down with it, I only had one sore and I thought it was a UTI and that I had the flu or something. I go to college and I went to the campus doctor and she was basically telling me I was faking it to get out of classes. OH that made me mad. I eventually started feeling so bad I couldn't even stand to go to class...just too painful. So I went untreated for about a week and a half until I finally found another doctor and she told me what it really was. I started Valtrex late also. My gynecologist suggested for me to take it daily for up to a year. I was told that a lot of people who do this never have another outbreak and are much less contagious. So far it's worked for me! I know how you feel about not knowing what's going on...I had to figure my herpes out on my own and it can be scary, the doctors weren't much help for a while. If you have any questions or just need someone to talk to, I'd be happy to help! I really hope you get to feeling better! Your OB WILL go away...hopfully soon!

[Colleen]

Wow...only 2 days?! Had you had any prior HSV exposure?

I really want to go on suppressive therapy. I am in a new relationship and I know he wants to be with me sexually, but I have a hard time coping with the fact that he will always be at risk to some degree. I've read so many things that say suppressive therapy reduces the risk of transmission. I think my doctor may be thinking that I might not have HSV2 since my bloodwork only showed HSV1 antibodies, but I know I do. I'm possitive of where and when, etc. It takes a few months for the body to build antibodies, which is why they didn't show up in my blood for HSV2. I wanted to deny I was having an OB at all in the beginning, but I am possitive now. Perhaps I should call him again and re-request supressive. I hope he doesn't demand a culture, because I've heard that can be painful and my bumps aren't open sores (and I don't want them to be!).

Well, it sucks what you had to go through before you got help. It sounds as if you have a good doctor now.

Take care...Colleen

[Christie]

I think I had a "classic" case of HSV transmission. I had never had any HSV exposure prior to that. (I've only had one sexual partner) I did some research and read that 2-3 days after exposure is when symptoms start to show in a lot of cases.

If you want to be with your new partner sexually, I would definately suggest suppressive therapy. Not only would it help lower the risk of transmission to him, but it would help OB's for you. I also felt a lot better emotionally after going on Valtrex, it helped me feel like I had more control over my herpes and that it wouldn't rule my life.

I'm not really sure about how a herpes culture works, my doctor just had to look at my sores to know what it was. She said if she did a cultre, it would be too painful for me. Maybe a blood test would work as well...if there has been enough time for the HSV 2 antibodies to be built up.

I hope everything works out! Good luck with your new boyfriend!

[Gayla]

My first...

lasted about three weeks. I made matters worse though by applying creams that made matters much worse and the outbreak last longer than it would have normally.

Now I get anywhere from 1 to 4 a year. If I can keep my stress levels low, I don't have to worry about outbreaks.

I do keep a script of Acyclovir on hand though just to take when I do get stressed in hopes of preventing outbreaks from happening. Seems to work rather nicely.

You aren't trying to self treat yourself are you? Sometimes things that make sense to treat herpes with are the WORST things you can do.

Gayla

[Colleen]

Hi Gayla,

No...I am not self-medicating at all. Just trying to stay clean and dry.

Both of you are giving me hope that this may be over soon. Today is day 19. I haven't changed much in the last few days, or maybe I'm just not noticing the difference.

I just called my doctor to speak with him about suppressive therapy. Hopefully he will call back soon.

Thanks again...Colleen

[flicka164]

Hi there, Colleen. My name's Sara...I just read your conversation with Gayla and Christie and...I was wondering if you could help me?

I'm 16 years old, and a week ago exactly, I went to the movies with this guy that I've known for a while. All we did was "make out". I told some of my friends about it the Tuesday after, and they told me that he had herpes. He never told me anything about it...I didn't see any cold sores/blisters/bumps on his lips, but he did have a tongue ring and a lip ring. When I asked him about it, he said that it wasn't a for sure thing because he's never broken out anywhere, and he says he's kissed other girls before me, and nothing happened to them. I know one of the girls that he kissed before me, and I've never seen anything on her, and she says that she has not broken out at all, and she says that I have nothing to worry about.

I've heard that being overly stressed out and anxious all the time can cause weird things to happen, but would I be considered paranoid if I am worried about these miniscule, tiny, smallest things EVER on my upper lip...they are white and they just appeared yesterday. No tingling, no pain, or itchyness...they haven't gotten worse at all, and they still don't hurt, itch, or tingle.

I've been SO stressed out about this lately...and I've looked up everything I could, and nothing has seemed to help. I was wondering if maybe you could? Please...

[Colleen]

Hi Sweetie...

There are lots of people out there carrying around HSV1. Someone correct me, but I think it's 80%-90%? Most of them don't know, because they have no symptoms. I was one of these people. My blood tested possitive for HSV1 antibodies (during my testing for HSV2) and my doctor thinks I was probably exposed in childhood, as most people were.

I would suggest strongly that you go to your family doctor. They can look at what's going on with you and you can explain your concerns. If the places around your mouth are HSV, then the doctor can test them with a swab. If you just contracted HSV from this boy, then they cannot acurately test your blood for antibodies, because it takes a few months for them to show up after exposure. So...if you really feel he did give you HSV, then you should have your blood tested in a few months. In the meantime, if you see breakouts that you are unsure of, it is best to play it safe, and try not to engage in contact that would spread it until you know for sure.

Do you have a parent you can share your concerns with or another adult that can help you seek medical attention? How about the nurse at school?

Mostly, do not freak or stress out until you know what the real deal is. That just won't help anything

Colleen

[flicka164]

hey, thank you so much for the help

yes i have been talking to my mother about it...and just like everyone else, she thinks that i don't have it. we've made an appointment with the doctor and i hope i am going on thursday, so hopefully something will be able to be figured out. i am sooo tired of being worried all the time. i'm thinking about going to the school nurse tomorrow. maybe she could help.

a lot of my friends really think that i don't have it. he wasn't broken out on his mouth at all, and people say (and so does he) that he doesn't even have it on his mouth, just on the genitals. people can have only one type can't they?

update: my "microscopic dots" aren't any worse today. they still don't itch, hurt, or tingle. so maybe i will be fine? what do you think?

again...thank you SO much.

[Colleen]

Super...good news then. You also seem more calm. I think you'll be fine

he wasn't broken out on his mouth at all, and people say (and so does he) that he doesn't even have it on his mouth, just on the genitals. people can have only one type can't they

No...I have both, even though I've never had an HSV1 break out that I know of. Lots of people don't. You don't have to have visable signs to pass the virus.

Keep us updated...Colleen

[Colleen]

Great news...

Finally got my doc to put me on suppressive therapy! I think I will feel so much better knowing I'm doing everything I can.

Colleen = Happy Camper

[Christie]

YaY Colleen! Hope you're feeling better!