To ask if there are any genital herpes sufferers out there

[Missingsandraohingreys]

I really hope my name change worked

Anyway have been diagnosed with this lovely , and have realised I have had it for years and not realised , only now it’s getting worse . And more frequent and way more
Painful

I was wondering if there were any other people with this (it’s meant to be really common) who I can ask for advice ?
Specifically around

Sore healing time
Triggers
Natural cures
What you do and don’t do during an outbreak
Others experiences

Thanks , I know it’s not an aibu but there is a real paucity of data out there . Trust me it’s been a full week of searching for other sufferers
Thanks

What have you tried so far ?

Speak to the herpes viruses association.

herpes.org.uk/

Kelly I tried aclivocar (sp) have taken a weeks course and whilst it’s gone down I still have one sore which hasn’t healed and hurts
I am worried that it’s getting worse not better and can’t figure out WHY

For even an aibu post to not garner feedback makes me think it’s not as common as the internet says !

Yes I did call them . And will brave again today . GUM were great but it’s a
Morning out of work and as I have the meds am more keen to get data and advice

Thanks

Sorry to be blunt are you wearing tight underwear ?

Increasingly worse outbreaks of GH can be a sign of immune suppression, so it would be worth seeing your gp.

Stress, lack of sleep and the weather can all be triggers

No sex during an outbreak, and if you get pro-dromal signs before the first blister such as sciatic type pain, no sex then either

I do althoughhave not had a breakout for a very very long time (decades) although there was a period where it was very active.

It was generally brought on by being very run down - burning candles at both ends - rather than any local factors (eg tight clothing)

It was very uncomfortable. I used to use neat tea tree oil applied with a cotton bud on affected areas together with aciclovir. That seemed to do the trick in getting it cleared up.

My doctor had suggested taking aciclovir daily if things did not improve - is that something that's been discussed.

It's very difficult because it's not something you can chat about with anyone really other than nearest and your dr! I did a lot of googling and did try to make sure I got plenty of sleep ate well multi bit etc especially after an attack.

Hope you feel better soon

Thanks , no cotton granny pants all the way !

I suspect that some major stress and cycling have triggered this . Just curious why they are getting worse not better

Also interested in natural cures (ie the tea tree oil) . Not that I won’t take the meds but want to save them and just want to get this last Fuxker healed up

Very worried about cycling as that’s my money , time and sanity saver

And yes you can’t discuss it ! That’s the bummer , despite having what feels like every nerve end in one small and inconvenient area throbbing

Question - for you did it always come back in one place /same
Place?

As far as I can remember it did come back in the same place (edge of a labia - ouch) cycling probably will not help while suffering an attack as I would try to give it as much (air) as possible.

I'm sure you are but make sure you change towels etc after every use etc whilst you've got it. Hairdryer not bad for drying that area !

Yes, and on arthritis meds which suppress immune system leading to outbreaks after having none for years.

I'm prescribed a low dose of acyclovir tablets to take every day, but don't bother as it's heavy duty stuff and only take it reactively if I have a flare up (less than once a year). Get cold sores more often for some reason.

Good luck.

Thanks
You see ideas like the hair dryer , when you are stressed innovation fades / perfect .

It’s definitely better than a week ago (when I had what looked like a testicle )

I just am freaked that’s it’s so so bad this time . Onwards

And would have refer to not have to take the drug permanently if I can manage it naturally

All these years of thinking I had thrush . Ha !

I had success with olive leaf supplement when I was getting frequent outbreaks, it went from being a monthly occurrence to a couple of times a year, again when very tired and run down.

Dont worry that people aren't responding because of low prevalence. A) there's massive stigma and shame around this condition and B) maybe move this to a health thread instead as it's not really AIBU

I work in sexual health (admin not medical) there are loads of people who have it, no one ever wants to talk about it. A lot of people take the aciclivor daily if you don’t then the important thing to do is start treatment as soon as you feel it flaring up as this can stop it taking hold ( i am not giving medical advice here this is anecdotal from patients who i have spoken to)

I think caffeine, alcohol etc are triggers

Yes same as everyone here: sleep, stress, boost nights and general health all relevant. The cycling won’t help (I wear no underwear and baggy cottons or a dress as much as poss with an outbreak) but you need to weigh up the benefits right now.

An amazing tip I was given by someone with cold sores: ice. There have been tests Which show that icing the area can massively reduce outbreak. At the tingle, 2 hours of ice can stop it emerging.

Wrap a cube in a food bag - twice at first as cold really hurts, once numb, use single layer. Two hours is nirmally two cubes. Do it at the first tingle (and whenever you feel a tingle after) and for me it stops it in its tracks.

I also take acyclovir prophylactically (400mg twice a day) for extended period where I know I’m going to be stressed or run down.

Keep yourself super fit. Eat well, sleep well especially, vitamins. Your stronger immune system will fight it off more easily.

But the ice really does work. Google it for details of the trials. Also great for cold sores for any sufferers!

Don’t feel alone either. It’s incredibly common but even I thought if name changing to reply. It’s very taboo still and that’s why people don’t talk about it. But it’s one of the most common stds and more people than you think have it.

Ps after this lockdown do get it checked out. Mine was v much more severe at the outset of contraction, and has got much less severe over the 25 odd years I’ve had it. I reckon the saddle is making it worse right now but do just get yourself checked to make sure no other underlying reasons for the particularly bad bout and for reassurance. We are all very stressed right now even if you dong feel it. It’s not surprising it’s a more severe outbreak in the circumstances. Try not to worry. Ice it snd get some acyclovir. 200mg 5 x a day will see relief in 24 hrs ime.