Hi. Looking for answers.

[oneway]

Hi, I'm 35 years old and have had genital herpes for about 9 years. My shame kept me from seeking help for a few years, but I finally got a diagnosis and started suppression therapy. Acyclovir and Famvir were not strong enough I guess, so my doctor put me on Valtrex. I took it for a year and was so happy. I only had a few outbreaks. I noticed that there's not any studies on using Valtrex for more than a year, so about 15 months into it I stopped taking it. Several years went by and I was doing ok, but the last year and a half, my outbreaks have been back with a vengence. The sores don't even bother me too much, it's the flu-like symptoms I get. I feel like I've been ran over and it's been increasingly hard to function in life (not to mention the depression that's crept in over this whole thing). My current doctor prescribed acyclovir again for me about 5 months ago. It's doing absolutely nothing for me, if anything I'm worse. I now have sores where I've never had them before and my outbreaks are continuous. I can't even tell you the last time I was free of an out break. I can't get Valtrex because I have no insurance and can't afford it, even though that seemed to be the only thing that worked. I tried to do that People's Prescription Assistance program, but I need an advocate and I can't find one. My doctor just runs a clinic and isn't willing to do that for anyone. I quit taking the acyclovir yesterday since it's obviously not helping. I am so sick of being sick. I can't believe how these outbreaks just wipe me out! Does anyone else get so wiped out too? I know it's not in my head, I have real physical symptoms all the time now. I know the difference between outbreak flu-like symptoms and just ordinary ailments. I guess I just need someone to talk to. I have kept this a secret from everyone I know. I've run out of options and I'm desperate for help. Please, if there's anyone out there who has experienced what I'm going through, please tell me how you're coping. I have a 15 year old and a 10 year old and I'm missing out on alot with them because of this. Thank you so much.

[Caliope]

I'm sorry to hear that you are having a really rough time of it. I'll give you my thoughts and a little advice.

Stress and hormonal changes can cause your ob's to increase. I don't know if you've changed your birth control methods but in the mid 30's our hormones start getting ready for the beginnings of menopause and it can wreak havok. Having teenagers in the home has it's own level of stress.

I'd really try to control this with diet and excercise if you can and add some vitamin supplements to help control the hsv.

Check out these links.

http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/amino-acid-lysine-for-herpes.html

http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/immune-system.htm

my best to you.

[TITANIC]

Do Not Despair

I am newly diagnosed and although it was tough when I got the news, I asked

myself, 3 Questions, 1. Was I dying from this? Is it going to kill me? How can I help someone else who is going through the same hell at the moment? It's funny , when I was in the drs office she shared with me about a 16 yr old with no mom,who had been diagnosed , had never had intercourse just oral sex, and the child was devestated. I would love to be able to talk to teenage girls about the real facts of life. I am mid life and I cannot imagine what it would be like to have gotten this at 16 and have no one to talk to. I have a daughter of my own and I worried about the child and I do not even know her. I would love to help a young person learn to cope. Life goes on but that is easy to say when you are 50. I say to any one ,especially young people, educate yourself, love yourself and you are going to get the upper hand on this. It has to come from within yourself. Be bigger than the disease, someone out there has it worse than you I promise, today they were told they had 6 months to live. go out there , make the world better for someone else, make a difference the world and the world will be a better place because of you. You are a gift!