Just starting a life with herpes

[hockey12]

Hey,

I think I just got genital herpes (not diagnosis yet).  Long story short, on a bachelor party, I got a bj from a stripper and 2-4 days later I was tingling/itchy all over, especially my privates.  I still have not had any visual signs, but after reading a lot of articles and such, I believe that it is herpes.  I went to my dr, who prescribed my a 10 day supply of 400mg Acyclovir Three times per day.

I guess my question is more related to what I am in for next.  I read how terrible the initial outbreaks are, but just as often I read that people don't even know they have it.  If you don't know you have it, the initial outbreak must not have been that bad...  I started taking the medicine early, so I am hoping that helps the outbreak be less terrible.  I make a living being a semi-pro hockey player, and the season just started last week.  Will I be able to play through this?   

I have a 2 month old son at home, and I obviously want to do everything I can to keep him safe.  I am trying to touch him as little as possible, and washing my hands good after I go to the bathroom (which is quite frequently).  

Any advice is welcome

 

[JBnATL]

First off, go get tested.  You may have to wait until the 16 week mark since exposure to test but don't go living your life when you may not have it.  I have been on this website daily for over 6 years and have met many people who were POSITIVE they had herpes and later found out they did not.  Many of these people are like you, they had sex with a sex worker or cheated on their partner.  They are so guilt stricken that they imagine they have acquired the 2nd most common STD, herpes.  Your mind can conjure up symptoms even if there is no underlying cause.  I wish I had a $ for every person I met here who went through this only to discover later they were not a Herpster.

Even if you do have herpes, you can live a normal life.  There is no reason you can't do anything you want, I have had it a long time and it has never stopped me from doing anything or anyone I want.  If you do have it just keep your son away from you genitals and he will be save.  However, your son probably will get herpes from a kiss from a relative.  90% of all adults have hsv1 and it as a child from a kiss.

Go get tested.

JB

[hockey12]

absolutely going to get tested, they said without a blister and this early there is no test that will tell me.  Told me to come back once blisters appear.  Then also wait a couple months and do a blood test.  I understand it could not be herpes still, that's why I put that in there.

I know I will go on to live a normal life either way, just want to protect my loved ones.

[Sanguine108]

Well if you got something then you got it.  The plus side is that being an athlete will ramp up your immune's adaptation/evolution to be more effective in figuring out the virus.

 

The only thing I could think of that you might as well prepare for, even if it doesn't happen, is if you're chaffing.  Chaffing from your cup.  When I played once upon a time ago, I remember coming across this cup with silicone sides. Not like it bothered me before but definitely made skating around a tad more comfortable.

 

But a balm or salve for IF something does break out.  Or just to know what you could do if something does happen.  You could use:

-Aloe leaf - Yeah, aloe happens to be amazing for HSV, and is a healing powerhouse.

-Coconut oil - soothing and reduce the friction

Go on etsy and maybe find a salve/balm that has a combination of Shea butter, Calendula, St. John's Wort, Lemon Balm.... These herbs are soothing, regenerate flesh and nerves, are antiviral.  and the shea butter will provide a medium for reducing friction.

 

I only bring this up because the Liver channel (in chinese medicine) involves the genitalia.  This channel is intimate with the penis and testicles, and goes down the medial aspects of the legs.  so just as a breakout can occur anywhere along an infected nerve root (google dermatomes), it can also express out of the respective channel that's affected.   

 

Anyhow, keep us posted!  If it is HSV, then there's a good chance you got HSV1 from the stripper.  And that's a much better type to get on your genitals than type 2.  Especially if you're an athlete.

[hockey12]

Go on etsy and maybe find a salve/balm that has a combination of Shea butter, Calendula, St. John's Wort, Lemon Balm.... These herbs are soothing, regenerate flesh and nerves, are antiviral.  and the shea butter will provide a medium for reducing friction.

Do you know of anything on amazon or something?  I got that prime.

I am reading its most likely HSV1.  How bad should I expect the outbreak to be?  I am reading that some people cant even walk, but then I was told that is more women then men.

[Sanguine108]

Everyone is different.  I have oral and genital hsv1 and I didn't feel the genital symptoms until 3 weeks after exposure.

But HSV is a hot, eruptive condition.  Nervines are cooling, they settle and help heal the nerves that have erupted the virus.  I never had any visible genital lesions.  The first 3 days, I had pinprick burning stabbing pain on my shaft but, when I went to check, I found nothing. My pubic area would tingle and feel very hot.  I had extreme discomfort within my testicles.  Now, I just get this very slight tingling reminder on my shaft.  I've done a lot to work with it, herbally.  Anyhow, I can throw out a bunch of suggestions but I'm willing to bet a small amount of money that you'll be fine and probably not express much, especially as an athlete.  You'll be invoking so much circulation that you'll be helping your body clear up and heal exponentially better than others that sit and sulk in depression.

Well, I'm glad you asked about looking for a product on amazon because I found one that has blown my mind.
http://www.amazon.com/Lemon-Balm-Salve-1-oz/dp/B0002JSQKA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1441912959&sr=8-2&keywords=herpes+salve

Oh my goodness, the ingredients are an all-star lineup

Olive Oil Extracts of Lemon Balm, Black Walnut Hulls, Calendula Flowers, Comfrey, Echinacea, Plantain, Slippery Elm Bark, St. Johnswort, Essential Oils of Grapefruit && Tea Tree, Hyssop Flower Essenceamp;& Black Tourmaline Gem Essence.

I don't know where the Black Tourmaline Gem Essence comes fromm hahaha. But every herb is great.  Above and beyond great.  I'm going to buy it to try it out.

IF YOU DO have any testicular or heat, tingling issues, an internal remedy would be Echinacea Goldenseal from Gaia Herbs.  God forbid you're trying to sleep and all of a sudden you have something act up, this will quell it.

http://www.amazon.com/Gaia-Herbs-Echinacea-Goldenseal-Phyto-Capsules/dp/B00F1J78NM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441913560&sr=8-1&keywords=echinacea+goldenseal+gaia+herbs

Just to tell you what's going on with the formula.

Echinacea bumps up the immune system and also enhances the lymphatic flow, thereby enhancing the body's ability to remove the pathogen.

Goldenseal has been shown to increase blood circulation to the spleen.  Spleen is where antigens are presented to other immune cells for the adaptive immune cells to produce more lymphocytes that recognize whatever pathogen.  Goldenseal also clears inflammation/heat and enhances healing.

St. John's Wort - Don't even get me started.  I love this herb so much.  It's strongly antiviral, targets the nerves, stops HSV at the source/nerves, bumps up the immune system, helps detox the blood(enhances liver function) and clears heat.

Only take when symptoms occur.  You'll feel immediate results with this.   You don't want to take so many herbs, some of which can thin the blood and if you're getting checked or checking other then there could be some micro-hemorrhages.  It's unlikely, but just use them IF things really act up.   Even if you don't use it for potential hsv symptoms, it's a good thing to have your medicine cabinet.  And don't give it to your 2 month old (just in case he gets sick and you think it's a good idea.  This formula isn't suited for a 2month old.)

You being an athlete is the best medicine.

Feel free to message me if you have any other questions.

Edited September 10, 2015 by Sanguine108

[WilsoInAus]

We are getting way too far ahead of things here.

There's a bit of a rule here... if you're waiting for your primary outbreak, then you most likely haven't got herpes. 

If you are like 70% of the population with HSV-1 already, then there was no risk of a further HSV-1 infection. There really isn't much in your symptoms that suggests herpes and plenty to suggest other causes.

Reread JB's comments, we'd be very rich if people left behind $1 for this scenario only not to have herpes.

Edited September 17, 2015 by WilsoInAus

[Scared12345]

Sanguine! What is the dosage of St. John's wort to take. I think I am feeling an OB with Olive leaf. You have to take high dosages of it. Is St John's wort safe to take daily ?

[Scared12345]

I think I am getting an OB and am all down and depressed all over again just when I thought I was ok with all this! I don't even want a relationship because of this. It's taking over my life 

[Sanguine108]

Sanguine! What is the dosage of St. John's wort to take. I think I am feeling an OB with Olive leaf. You have to take high dosages of it. Is St John's wort safe to take daily ?

Everyone responds differently.  So I can't guarantee that you'll respond as you "should".   I like Gaia Herbs brand, they do a veg glycerine extraction of SJW. Each capsule is 750mg equiv of dried herb.  The bottle says to take it 3x a day.  I just take it 1x a day.  Like anything, observe how things are going and if you have any adverse reactions then stop.  But take 1 a day for 5-7 days.  Stop taking it and reassess where you're at.  Give it a few days and see what happens.  In taking SJW, we're inhibiting the virus at the root, regenerating any damage to the nerves, strengthening the nerves and detoxifying the body.  You may or may not notice effects immediately but after the 2nd day, they really show.  It's a powerful herb that works deep.

 

biogetica.com makes a formula called Hyperisince that has SJW as the chief ingredient but it's balanced with other herbs as well.  I have them both but I typically just use SJW, alone.  

[WilsoInAus]

Please I think there need to be more perspective on SJW here. It does not address herpes directly; there is no research that confirms that it does. In some people it is believed that SJW promotes wellbeing which is a good thing for addressing all viruses. However this is not uniform for all people.

[Sanguine108]

One should be aware of the contraindications/risks of taking SJW internally, please research them and consult your health care provider (not necessarily an MD) before use.  Research how people use this herb and the matter of quality.

 

*Homeopathic treatment for peripheral nerve regeneration: an experimental study in a rat sciatic nerve transection model.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22818230

 

Results: Functional study showed faster and better recovery of regenerated axons in Sil/Hypericum than in Sil group (P < 0.05). Gastrocnemius muscle mass in Sil/Hypericum was significantly greater than in Sil group. Morphometric indices of regenerated fibers showed number and diameter of the myelinated fibers in Sil/Hypericum were significantly higher than in control group. Immunohistochemistry, showed the location of reactions to S-100 in Sil/Hypericum was clearly more positive than in Sil group.

CONCLUSION:

Hypericum improves functional recovery of peripheral nerve regeneration in rats.

 

*St. John's Wort seed and feverfew flower extracts relieve painful diabetic neuropathy in a rat model of diabetes.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24125916
Acute administration of a SJW seed extract reversed mechanical hyperalgesia with a prolonged effect.

------

2.) SJW disrupts viruses with lipid coatings.  This is an argument for why SJW is so effective.  Because it creates an environment that virus lipid coating can't maintain itself, thereby disabling.

 

*Virucidal activity of hypericin against enveloped and non-enveloped DNA and RNA viruses. 

 

Hypericin is a polycyclic anthrone first isolated from the plant St. Johnswort and was shown to have dramatic anti-retroviral activity against Friend leukemia virus and radiation leukemia virus in mice. Hypericin displayed marginal activity (IC50 = 6 micrograms/ml) against Moloney murine leukemia virus (Mo-MuLV) in vitro. Hypericin did not display selective antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus, influenza A, adenovirus, or poliovirus. The 50% cytotoxic concentration was approximately 25 micrograms/ml. When virus was incubated with hypericin before infecting cells, the drug was virucidal to all enveloped viruses tested (herpes simplex, influenza virus A, and Mo-MuLV) at concentrations of 1.56 micrograms/ml to 25 micrograms/ml. Hypericin was not virucidal to the non-enveloped viruses tested (adenovirus and poliovirus). These data indicate that the mechanism of viral inactivation for hypericin is dependent upon the presence of a viral lipid envelope. 

 

*Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Antiviral Effects of Hypericin, a Derivative of St. John's Wort Plant, in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection 

Hypericin (4,5,7,4′,5′,7′-hexa-hydroxy 2,2′ dimethyl-mesonaphthodianthron) is a natural compound found in the stems and petals of members of the genus Hypericum, including the common St. Johns wort plant Hypericum perforatum (32). It has shown in vitro activity against a variety of viruses, including murine Friend leukemia virus (22), Rauscher leukemia virus (30), equine infectious anemia virus (14), murine immunodeficiency virus (16), murine cytomegalovirus (P. L. Barnard, J. H. Huffmann, and S. G. Wood, Prog. Abstr. 30th Intersci. Conf. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., abstr. 1093, 1990), influenza virus (30), vesiculostomatitis virus (18), Sendai virus (18),herpes viruses (30), and duck hepatitis B virus (23). Although hypericin has in vitro antiviral activity without light activation, this activity is enhanced by exposure to light (11, 16, 30). Furthermore, hypericin was effective against Friend leukemia virus and herpes simplex virus type 1 in mice (16, 30).

 

Edited September 11, 2015 by Sanguine108

[hockey12]

I am starting to get red bumps all over my mouth. Nothing below the belt.  What should I do to speed up the outbreak? Could I have gotten hsv1 oral and had itchy privates? Or did I probably get oral and genital?

[Sanguine108]

Did you kiss the stripper?

[hockey12]

It's possible I was very drunk...

[Sanguine108]

Sores on your lips or within/on the walls of your mouth?  There's a mouthwash made by Theraneem and it has a bunch of healing, heat clearing, flesh regenerating, antiviral herbs in it...  Get that and start swishing.  Taking echinacea goldenseal may help...   but since you're an athlete and in a very physical sport, I think you should go see a practitioner who can see and help you personally.  You'll be best-served if you find an acupuncturist who also has an herbal medicine practice.  But get the mouthwash, it'll help tremendously.

If they bumps are on the lips, get Super Lysine Plus Cold Sore ointment by Quantum.   Next to a bunch of healing herbs, it has goldenseal in it which will clear the inflammation/heat/redness and deflate the bumps.

[hockey12]

I can't seem to find the herbal stuff anywhere. I got some abreva, how do you guys think it works? 

[Sanguine108]

Might need to check out a health food store for the other stuff.  CVS, walgreens should have the super lysine.

One of my friends loves abreva for her outbreaks.

[someguysdo]

We are getting way too far ahead of things here.

There's a bit of a rule here... if you're waiting for your primary outbreak, then you most likely haven't got herpes. 

If you are like 70% of the population with HSV-1 already, then there was no risk of a further HSV1 infection. There really isn't much in your symptoms that suggests herpes and plenty to suggest other causes.

Reread JB's comments, we'd be very rich if people left behind $1 for this scenario only not to have herpes.

WRONG! This myth about immunity to ghsv1 after having it for years orally has got to stop.See silly brains recent posts and my post under the test and diagnostic section.There is too much they can't explain about this virus to use the words always/never to either the symptoms or the risks.

 

 

[Guy12]

"Experts" don't know a thing about this. I've learned that anyone whom speaks in absolutes about anything is a charleton. 

They say constant symptoms don't occur due to H  or one can't catch hsv1 genitally after having it orally yet a simple google search reveals many stories of those who've done so. 

Get Tested Hockey...that's the best you can do...if you have any type of lesion try to get in and get it swabbed...you'll find blood tests are often blurry especially for HSV1......contrary to what you hear on this forum, CONTEXT  IS EVERYTHING....if you had an unprotected exposure with a stripper...you then develop some type of genital symptoms you've not had ever before....you NEED to get yourself tested.

 

Edited September 17, 2015 by Guy12
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