Persistent cold sores

[doodlejump1980]

Any suggestions as to what to take to stop my ever-present cold sores? I’m so fed up of them :(
Been to the docs and got acyclovir tablets (800mg, 3 times a day for two days), but they don’t do anything. Don’t wear make-up so there’s no cross-contamination with brushes/sponges/lip stuff. Constantly buying new lip balms to no avail. They’re triggered by the cold weather, sunshine…
I eat healthily and exercise. What more can I do? I’ve tried everything! Thanks

Have you tried acyclovir as suppression therapy?

Like an every day type thing to keep it at bay? Asked doc and they said no. I’ve also had shingles 3 times on my face and they won’t give me the shingles vaccine either as I’m too young.

Lysine tablets would be worth trying. One a day. You get them in holland and barratt

I was recommended L-lysine supplements (I might have got that name slightly wrong). They worked wonders for my friend. I haven't been able to try them yet because of contraindications.

Mine are often tiredness/stress related.

I second lysine! There used to be a great lysine lip balm for cold sores but seems to have been discontinued.

I also recommend Herpotherm (AWFUL name) which is a heated device you apply to your lip as soon as you feel a tingle. It can stop one developing if you use it early enough but even for active sores it dries them up and speeds the healing process hugely. You can get them on Amazon.

@doodlejump1980 - yes I take it twice a day. I pay for it privately though - approx £60 for 3 months. To me, it’s worth it. I’ve Also considered the lysine but not tried it yet.

I've suffered with cold sores all my life. I take L Lysine daily alongside Vitamin C. I also apply factor 50 to my lips daily and repeatedly when outdoors. This limits my outbreaks but I still get them though less frequently. Also apply Vaseline as a barrier during the day and when I get one this seems to contain it somewhat.

Thanks everyone, will look into the lysine and see if I can get back to the go about a rolling acyclovir prescription. It would be fine if it was just one, but they come in clusters of about 10 or more. Gah!

I was getting cold sores every 3 weeks for several years. Up my nose and round my mouth. 3 years ago I removed myself from a very unhappy and stressful marriage and they have cut right back to maybe once or twice a year. Maybe it's a coincidence but I like to count it as another advantage to leaving! I have tried lysine but I can't say I found they helped me. The doctor prescribed me with anti viral tablets but I haven't needed to try them yet as all seems fairly under control now. I hope you find something that helps, they are awful things to have to suffer.

I had this when I started taking vitD and apparently it’s a side effect, I stopped taking it and started taking vitB and I now get them very rarely.

i also stopped using lip balm and use normal moisturiser instead and I don’t have dry lips, and if I get a cold sore I use a liquid called ‘old sore and it clears it immediately

My GP was very sniffy about recurrent herpes. It was awful, I was never well. Insist on a stabilising daily dose of acyclovir to hold it at bay and ask for a referral to a specialist, herpes can be a dangerous and fatal virus. Nobody should have to put up with that. Insist.

Herstat lip salve has been a huge benefit to me. You can get it on Amazon.
I also found stress to be a factor. Hope you find something that works for you. It can be truely miserable.

I had cold sores all my adult life and they were so depressing. For my 40th birthday celebrations I had 4 at once! It was awful. Anyway I'm actually glad I had so many as I went to my GP nearly crying and he prescribed aciclovir daily. I have taken one or two aciclovir daily now for the past 9 years and haven't had a cold sore since. I would ask your GP again for prophylactic aciclovir and if they refuse again try and get it from an online doctor as they are amazing!
I tried everything before aciclovir and nothing worked.