I'm in pain. I need advice.

[Anon111]

I started out with a high fever, chills, body  aches, diarrhea and discomfort in the vagina area. I went into the doctor's office and I was diagnosed yesterday by a doc and the irritation has only gotten worse today. He didn't say which type I have, but just the fact that I have herpes.. 

Swabs were taken for testing though. Is there anything I can do to make it less painful? I'm prescribed Acyclovir, and I started taking it today. It's painful to walk. Keeping me from functioning my daily routines. I can't stay home next week from work. Are there any home remedies that could assist me?

I've been devastated and embarrassed... I've been crying a lot. My emotions are all over the place. I'm scared, and I'm not very knowledged with this. I was in a long term relationship and was sexually inactive for two years after our break up. I was in the position of non consensual sex that was unprotected. I was a reck... I was inactive for another long while. Then friends talked me into allowing me myself to live little. Drunkenly, I had protected sex with 3 guys. Another drunken night I was offered birthday sex, unprotected. It was too late by the time I realized he didn't have a condom on. Two days later that's when my fever broke out and it's been worse every day since. I can't take back my decisions and actions... The sad part is, i never went looking for sex. I never cared for it.  I just went about my days and being intoxicated probably didn't help with my decision making. 

Doc says it doesn't need have to be the last person I've had contact with. So I'm not sure who I should speak to... I read that it could even happen a condom on? What should I do from here on out?

My sores are in the vaginal area, but I have a canker sore. I don't have any desire to have sex and I know I shouldn't with sores. Does this mean I shouldn't kiss someone neither for safety precautions? Not share any liquids? I have a roommate and I just want to make sure I can't transmit it to her neither.

Edited April 7, 2017 by Anon111
Details.

[WilsoInAus]

Welcome @Anon111 to the site.

There is a lot in what you describe as being consistent with a herpes infection. However you do need to await the results. If positive for HSV, you should request that your swab is properly typed if this has not already been done.

If you have herpes then there wouldn't be much doubt that the birthday sex unprotected incident is the source. If there was no other sex within say a week preceding this episode, you can be pretty much certain. Do not talk to anyone until you have your test result. When you do, and its positive, you may consider informing this last partner and tell them what they have and they should think about disclosure and protection in future. There is no need to inform any other previous partner, nor would it be helpful.

As for the immediate pain, try and have a couple of baths a day with Epsom salts and use a hair dryer to dry off thoroughly. Some people find a cream helpful (doesn't really matter which, something you find soothing) or even silicon gel they use on scars. Take your acyclovir once to twice a day as prescribed, same times each day. 

I doubt the oral sore is related, did you get cold sores as a kid for example?

[Anon111]

8 minutes ago, WilsoInAus said:

Welcome @Anon111 to the site.

There is a lot in what you describe as being consistent with a herpes infection. However you do need to await the results. If positive for HSV, you should request that your swab is properly typed if this has not already been done.

If you have herpes then there wouldn't be much doubt that the birthday sex unprotected incident is the source. If there was no other sex within say a week preceding this episode, you can be pretty much certain. Do not talk to anyone until you have your test result. When you do, and its positive, you may consider informing this last partner and tell them what they have and they should think about disclosure and protection in future. There is no need to inform any other previous partner, nor would it be helpful.

As for the immediate pain, try and have a couple of baths a day with Epsom salts and use a hair dryer to dry off thoroughly. Some people find a cream helpful (doesn't really matter which, something you find soothing) or even silicon gel they use on scars. Take your acyclovir once to twice a day as prescribed, same times each day. 

I doubt the oral sore is related, did you get cold sores as a kid for example?

Hi @WilsolnAus,

Thank you for responding. I haven't had any activity for more than a month. Is it possibly that it was just dormant and this is an outbreak? 

I did regularly, but there was oral sex as well.

 

[WilsoInAus]

The near ferocity of the outbreak is strongly suggestive of a recent infection where your immune system is essentially bare. If the infection was older, you'd expect your immune system to be active and limiting issues significantly.

I'd suggest its 95% plus that it is the birthday sex episode you describe that resulted in the infection.

If you have oral HSV-1 that gives you what we know as cold sores, then you cannot get HSV-1 again orally. It also means it would be unlikely to get oral HSV-2. Either way, for you, kissing poses a risk of transferring HSV-1 hence it is appropriate practice not to kiss if you have unexplained sores and consider disclosing even if you're symptom free.

[Anon111]

13 hours ago, WilsoInAus said:

The near ferocity of the outbreak is strongly suggestive of a recent infection where your immune system is essentially bare. If the infection was older, you'd expect your immune system to be active and limiting issues significantly.

I'd suggest its 95% plus that it is the birthday sex episode you describe that resulted in the infection.

If you have oral HSV-1 that gives you what we know as cold sores, then you cannot get HSV-1 again orally. It also means it would be unlikely to get oral HSV-2. Either way, for you, kissing poses a risk of transferring HSV-1 hence it is appropriate practice not to kiss if you have unexplained sores and consider disclosing even if you're symptom free.

That's what I thought. My deepest regrets... I'll take precautions. 

[clairemn]

I'm sorry for what you are going through, but there is lots of support here waiting for you! I know how hard it is to be newly diagnosed. I get an outbreak once a year and I have found aloe vera is especially soothing if applied vaginally. Then if you use a tea tree essential oil (maybe 3-5 drops in a 1/4 cup of water), you can use this as a rinse in the shower. It helps that rawness and pain. I take ibuprofen every time I take my acyclovir pill and it helps with pain management as well. I promise it will get better. As WilsoInAus suggested, I would wait until you have received your results before speaking with anyone else. 

[Anon111]

On 4/8/2017 at 0:05 PM, clairemn said:

I'm sorry for what you are going through, but there is lots of support here waiting for you! I know how hard it is to be newly diagnosed. I get an outbreak once a year and I have found aloe vera is especially soothing if applied vaginally. Then if you use a tea tree essential oil (maybe 3-5 drops in a 1/4 cup of water), you can use this as a rinse in the shower. It helps that rawness and pain. I take ibuprofen every time I take my acyclovir pill and it helps with pain management as well. I promise it will get better. As WilsoInAus suggested, I would wait until you have received your results before speaking with anyone else. 

@clairemn Thank you for that. I hope I don't have that many outbreaks neither. Feeling sick for this long is horrific. I'll definitely go buy some of that stuff too. Can you please share on how it gets better? I thought I was starting to feel better yesterday, but I'm back in bed today. I'll definitely wait.. 

[Lisajd]

Also try an epsom salt bath.  

[luvurself16]

Destin ointment helps me. It makes the area feel better and I think it helps heal faster.  Look through thi website. There's beneficial information abut natural supplements that may help. My first year was brutal but the outbreaks are much better now.

[clairemn]

3 hours ago, Anon111 said:

@clairemn Thank you for that. I hope I don't have that many outbreaks neither. Feeling sick for this long is horrific. I'll definitely go buy some of that stuff too. Can you please share on how it gets better? I thought I was starting to feel better yesterday, but I'm back in bed today. I'll definitely wait.. 

Anon111... I know the first OB I felt my worst ever! I went through so much of what you are feeling. A doctor gave me great advice last year... "You are thinking about it too much. Most people have some type of HSV. It's just a cold sore. The stigma is what is hurting you and don't let it do that. It's no big deal." My first year..I was afraid to date! I was afraid to get out of a bad relationship (from the person who gave it to me), I went thru horrifying depression. I was afraid. I was paranoid to share drinks, to kiss anyone. I was just so scared and ashamed. What helped me a lot was confiding in a friend or two. They literally shrugged it off and were like, "That's it? That's all you had to tell me. Don't worry about it! Everyone has cold sores and almost everyone has had them! Yours are in another location that's the only difference!" That's how it gets better. Lift mental weights every day and you'll get stronger. Surround yourself with positivity.

Plus, I will tell you that if you get another OB it won't be so bad, the symptoms usually get lesser each time. The first time, I couldn't even get out of bed for a full week. I couldn't function. Now, I go to work and laugh and see people and study and go to school. This past week I have had an OB too and it felt like it got better, then I felt worse one morning but then I got WAY better. My "cure" to get through one is... avoid foods that help replicate the virus in your body (do some research but nuts such as walnuts amongst others, oats, and wheat are no help with HSV. I have felt a little better avoiding these this week!). I take 1 ibuprofen, 1 lysine supplement, 1 acyclovir - 3 times per day! Apply aloe as needed  I found out that I personally feel better when I talk about it. My very serious bf knows I have had it and I'm completely open about it and he has never judged me for it. Oh and also, you might worry you can never have sex again. While disclosure is up to you in the future, you'll be surprised at how forgiving people are and honesty is all you can have with others. Another FYI, my bf and I have never used a condom (I wouldn't recommend this of course) for 2 years and I have never transmitted HSV to him. Of course you should be safer than that and take more precautions, but I'm just trying to help you see that life goes on after HSV.

Long post ending here.... Feel free to inbox me if you want to talk. I know how painful going thru this is but I have found that most of it is a mental battle more than anything. I honestly forget I have HSV 11 months out of the year until April/May when I get my 1 OB per year.

xo 

[clairemn]

1 hour ago, luvurself16 said:

Destin ointment helps me. It makes the area feel better and I think it helps heal faster.  Look through thi website. There's beneficial information abut natural supplements that may help. My first year was brutal but the outbreaks are much better now.

Yes! Natural supplements are the way to go. Which ones do you take? I take lysine regularly (helps with acne too- win win!). I feel like most HSV long-time sufferers would consider lysine a holy grail. It seems to speed up and lessen the symptoms of my OBs!

[luvurself16]

18 minutes ago, clairemn said:

Yes! Natural supplements are the way to go. Which ones do you take? I take lysine regularly (helps with acne too- win win!). I feel like most HSV long-time sufferers would consider lysine a holy grail. It seems to speed up and lessen the symptoms of my OBs!

I never noticed any results from Lysine but I do take euchera (spelling?) supplements, B12, Vit D.

[clairemn]

58 minutes ago, luvurself16 said:

I never noticed any results from Lysine but I do take euchera (spelling?) supplements, B12, Vit D.

Oh interesting! Maybe it works more or less for different people  good to know about the other vitamins!! Thank you! 

[Tay2x]

On 4/6/2017 at 7:59 PM, Anon111 said:

I started out with a high fever, chills, body  aches, diarrhea and discomfort in the vagina area. I went into the doctor's office and I was diagnosed yesterday by a doc and the irritation has only gotten worse today. He didn't say which type I have, but just the fact that I have herpes.. 

Swabs were taken for testing though. Is there anything I can do to make it less painful? I'm prescribed Acyclovir, and I started taking it today. It's painful to walk. Keeping me from functioning my daily routines. I can't stay home next week from work. Are there any home remedies that could assist me?

I've been devastated and embarrassed... I've been crying a lot. My emotions are all over the place. I'm scared, and I'm not very knowledged with this. I was in a long term relationship and was sexually inactive for two years after our break up. I was in the position of non consensual sex that was unprotected. I was a reck... I was inactive for another long while. Then friends talked me into allowing me myself to live little. Drunkenly, I had protected sex with 3 guys. Another drunken night I was offered birthday sex, unprotected. It was too late by the time I realized he didn't have a condom on. Two days later that's when my fever broke out and it's been worse every day since. I can't take back my decisions and actions... The sad part is, i never went looking for sex. I never cared for it.  I just went about my days and being intoxicated probably didn't help with my decision making. 

Doc says it doesn't need have to be the last person I've had contact with. So I'm not sure who I should speak to... I read that it could even happen a condom on? What should I do from here on out?

My sores are in the vaginal area, but I have a canker sore. I don't have any desire to have sex and I know I shouldn't with sores. Does this mean I shouldn't kiss someone neither for safety precautions? Not share any liquids? I have a roommate and I just want to make sure I can't transmit it to her neither.

Look, I was just diagnosed a few weeks ago and it completely broke me down. There will be highs and lows but what you must remember is that you're not the only one and this is not the end of the world. You are still you and you will still go on to lead the life you want to lead. You can't be sure that the last guy is where it came from. Plenty of people who use condoms still get infected with this and various other things. Don't feel like a bad personal or like you made the wrong decisions because bottom line is it can happen to anyone at anytime. The ONLY way to avoid getting a STI is not NEVER have sex. People forget that condoms are definately not bulletproof. When you get your results back, tell all of your partners to get tested. Just so they know and can be safe. And explain to them that herpes is not tested for in standard STI tests, because I'm sure everyone's going to swear up and down that they're clean. I've been there, done that. Let everyone know so you can know where it came from, not knowing will only make it worse for you and drag out the process. Don't be afraid to tell them or friends. These moments when you're most scared to speak on it is exactly when you need to speak on it. Keeping silent will only further make you feel like there's this huge weight on your back, some scandalous secret that no one must know or life will be over. You're just like everyone else still, and some people down the road are going to be an ass, there's nothing we can do about that..but we also can't blame them, they're ignorant. Don't be afraid to open up, shutting yourself out from everyone else will only make it worse. Trust me. But I'm here if you ever need to talk...

[Tay2x]

On 4/6/2017 at 7:59 PM, Anon111 said:

I started out with a high fever, chills, body  aches, diarrhea and discomfort in the vagina area. I went into the doctor's office and I was diagnosed yesterday by a doc and the irritation has only gotten worse today. He didn't say which type I have, but just the fact that I have herpes.. 

Swabs were taken for testing though. Is there anything I can do to make it less painful? I'm prescribed Acyclovir, and I started taking it today. It's painful to walk. Keeping me from functioning my daily routines. I can't stay home next week from work. Are there any home remedies that could assist me?

I've been devastated and embarrassed... I've been crying a lot. My emotions are all over the place. I'm scared, and I'm not very knowledged with this. I was in a long term relationship and was sexually inactive for two years after our break up. I was in the position of non consensual sex that was unprotected. I was a reck... I was inactive for another long while. Then friends talked me into allowing me myself to live little. Drunkenly, I had protected sex with 3 guys. Another drunken night I was offered birthday sex, unprotected. It was too late by the time I realized he didn't have a condom on. Two days later that's when my fever broke out and it's been worse every day since. I can't take back my decisions and actions... The sad part is, i never went looking for sex. I never cared for it.  I just went about my days and being intoxicated probably didn't help with my decision making. 

Doc says it doesn't need have to be the last person I've had contact with. So I'm not sure who I should speak to... I read that it could even happen a condom on? What should I do from here on out?

My sores are in the vaginal area, but I have a canker sore. I don't have any desire to have sex and I know I shouldn't with sores. Does this mean I shouldn't kiss someone neither for safety precautions? Not share any liquids? I have a roommate and I just want to make sure I can't transmit it to her neither.

And also for the pain, stay on top of your medicine. But baths are the best thing to do, wash warm water over yourself while peeing to avoid that awful burning sensation. KEEP DRY DOWN THERE!! It will burn but what I found helped was I took a bath and then applied some aloe Vera gel down there and slept bare so that the sores would dry out because that's what they need to do to heal. It will sting but the next day they were not nearly as painful. Also for some odd reason, (if your in pain moving around, walking, etc. like i was ) panty liners work MAGIC. I know it sounds super weird but they saved my life honestly. And I don't know if you are into recreational drugs but a lot of people have found that marijuana helps clear it up quicker too. Just a little suggestion. 

[Anon111]

On 4/14/2017 at 9:48 AM, Tay2x said:And also for the pain, stay on top of your medicine. But baths are the best thing to do, wash warm water over yourself while peeing to avoid that awful burning sensation. KEEP DRY DOWN THERE!! It will burn but what I found helped was I took a bath and then applied some aloe Vera gel down there and slept bare so that the sores would dry out because that's what they need to do to heal. It will sting but the next day they were not nearly as painful. Also for some odd reason, (if your in pain moving around, walking, etc. like i was ) panty liners work MAGIC. I know it sounds super weird but they saved my life honestly. And I don't know if you are into recreational drugs but a lot of people have found that marijuana helps clear it up quicker too. Just a little suggestion. 

I definitely will probably take up that offer on talking to you until I build up the courage to talk to friend/s. I feel Iike it helps talking to someone that understands what I'm going through. 

 I found out my results today, type 2. At least now I know which one I have. I just have to have the conversations with the past partners next. I've been silent and I know it made the situation worse. I'm glad I found this site because I found some sort of easement at least from here. I feel like a bad person.. because I never had one night stands, but I had drunkenly had 3 different ones in a small time frame of 5 months and now I'm diagnosis with this. It's just like I've lost myself and I'm not sure who I am anymore. Reality check is what it is maybe. I know it gets easier overtime. I'm just wrapping my head around it right now and trying to accept it all and continue focusing on career path/life. 

My outbreak pain has eased down! I couldn't be happier.... i just forced myself back into work when I could walk with less pain, but now I can function and walk without the pain (sucked so bad to walk!) I was a potato for the duration of two weeks. Ive lost 5 lbs plus. I've had people tell me I look unhealthy now, but that's okay. I'll start eating again normally eventually.

The pantyliners oddly didn't help me. It kept rubbing against the sores I think. And it stuck to my sores so when I had to took off the pantyliner it hurt whenever it peeled from the sore. I took painkillers with my prescription and that seemed to help. It seems hopelessly never ending, but the first outbreak is now at rest!

I'll remember your advices for the next time. I've tried marijuana before, but I only used it times when I was depressed or when my anxiety gets bad. I completely forgot during the two weeks and a half to use marijuana. I'll try that too next time.

[WilsoInAus]

Please check that the swab was properly typed, many are just assumed to be HSV-2 because of the genital location.

In these circumstances, there is no need to inform past partners, it just will not help anything very much. One of them has it and probably knows or suspects. If you feel you need to tell a past partner, I would only tell the 'birthday episode' person and await and see what transpires. (I really do not recommend this however).

[Anon111]

 

On 4/18/2017 at 2:51 PM, WilsoInAus said:

Please check that the swab was properly typed, many are just assumed to be HSV-2 because of the genital location.

In these circumstances, there is no need to inform past partners, it just will not help anything very much. One of them has it and probably knows or suspects. If you feel you need to tell a past partner, I would only tell the 'birthday episode' person and await and see what transpires. (I really do not recommend this however).

I'll have to go back in to talk to the doc then. I hope they didn't assume being that HSV-1 can be transmitted by inanimated objects.... 

If that's the case, I won't. I'd rather avoid having that conversation if there's a chance this person already knows.

I do have a question though. Is it normal to feel weakened or feel weakened for awhile? Does it take awhile to get back to full strength/health or do you not get back to full strength from your experience?