How long does it last?

[Agony]

I've had itchy, painful lesions on my vulva for 5 weeks now. I use Vagisil a thousand times a day. It's the only ointment that cuts the itch somewhat, but then, of course, the lesions can't dry out. Baths, salt or no salt, hot or cold, are tortuous. The horrible thing is that I have been taking a suppressive dose of Valtrex for two years (when I had my last outbreak), and this outbreak is worse than ever. Has anyone ever had vaginal herpes for 5 weeks and counting?

[Silent_Angel]

Can't say that I have. Although I have type 1 and symptoms are much milder.

You need to try to keep the area dry and let the sores heal.

Also if I were you I would go back to my OBGYN to find another method. Or to have it looked at again.

My first outbreak was horrible and lasted for close to two weeks. I remember one of those weeks being extremely painful. Reoccurence OB's haven't been bad at all.

Go talk to you doctor. Maybe you need a different medicine.

[Agony]

Thanks for your imput. The depressing truth is that I've seen three different OBGYN's and a vulva specialist. I've gone on every suppressive drug there is. Nobody understands why each of my outbreaks is longer and more vicious than the last, since the first outbreak of a virus is supposed to be the worst, after which your system builds up antibodies. I've had blood tests for HIV and other immune-depressent diseases and the results have all come back negative. I feel like I'm the only person in the world who has a case this awful and longlasting. Today, 6 weeks since the first lesions, I'm finally getting some relief. I can actually sit down! But what if it comes back? The vulva specialist said, "Well, you come right back and see me," to which I said, "I'll have jumped off a bridge." He chuckled nervously. "Have you tried burro-sol baths?" he asked. Yes, I've tried salt baths, and it felt like I was sitting in motlen lava.

[Annie]

Agony, I deeply sympathise with you being in so much pain for so long. I don't get lesions but have had what I think is an outbreak now for nearly two months. Mine also seem to have become worse with time and I don't follow the usual pattern. I had very very mild symptoms to start with back in January. The doctors won't give me a definite herpes diagnosis because of a lack of lesions.

During this OB, each time I think I am finally better I get more tingling, lower abdominal discomfort and flu-type symptoms/fatigue. I've started taking lysine today and felt quite good compared to recently. Maybe its a placebo effect, who knows.

Maybe the vagisil is making you worse. I used to have chronic sinusitis a couple of years ago and became addicted to decongestant spray. When I was weaned off that my symptoms disappeared. It's hard to stop using the only thing that gives you relief but sometimes it's the only way to get better. If you look at the side effects of overuse of vagisil (on various drug retail sites) they actually include, blistering, swelling, reddening of the skin and intensification of the itch. Maybe this is why your OBs are getting worse and you aren't reacting to medication.

I hope you feel better soon. The one thing that is keeping me going is that this won't last forever and my body will heal in time. I am sure yours will too. Take care.

[Agony]

Annie -- Thank you so much for your sympathy...I entend you mine. I'm sure you're right about the Vagisil, but when I feel like I have razer blades in my vulva, I can't resist, Could you tell me how much Lysine you're taking. I've been taking 500 mg, once a day, suppressively, for years. Not a high enough dosage, obviously, at least in my case.

[Annie]

I took 1000mg of lysine and I felt better generally not just down there. It seems I'm not getting enough from food. I'm going to try seven days on and five days off as I've read somewhere on here that's a good idea.

Listen, maybe you should discuss the vagisil with your doctor. Maybe he/she can suggest an alternative which doesn't irritate your skin so much. Has anyone tried aloe vera say? you can put that in the fridge so it's cooling. and soothing, but shouldn't have the side effects of aggressive chemical solutions.