To be absolutely over life with genital herpes

[ChristmasGutPunch]

Was diagnosed just before Christmas and since then the symptoms haven't stopped for a single day. Not one! Can't have sex with my partner. Can't concentrate on my job because of the constant tingling and sciatica. Can't enjoy a holiday or a film or a book. Mumsnet was so kind to me at the time and I had a lot of hope but the people who were fine again quickly are on another planet from me. The weirdest part is it's HSV1, which is supposed to be milder!

Tried to get a follow up appointment at the GUM clinic but they are booked out so I need to call back in April to see what's available. I know they can't offer me anything more anyway. I think it makes them uncomfortable having to see patients like me became it's obviously just a depressing case of hope for the best/get used to a reduced quality of life.

If this is what my life is going to be like now I don't think I can do it. I know sex is just one part of life but being unable to be spontaneously intimate or even reliably sit down comfortably is just torment.

What a shitty, tawdry, pointless, ridiculous thing to have ruined my life. I actually cannot believe this has happened. Feel like I've gone mad. And I can't believe people still have carefree sex when this stupid thing is out there. I suppose it's not that bad for most people.

What's my aibu? That I can't live with something that doesn't seem to bother most others that much, I suppose.

Hi OP.. I'm sorry ots been so rough.. I got them 15 years ago from an unfaithful partner.. my symptoms were horrible, but I used Olive Leaf Extract (solgar do a very good one) ots a natural antiviral recommended to me by a nutritionist when I had shingles.. if you have already tried ignore me but they lessened the duration and recovery was shorter.
Hope this helps 🙏

Thanks, I appreciate it. I would just really like it my nerves could stop hurting. Cannot believe how suddenly I've gone from healthy to this basketcase.

Did you try the lidocaine?

Here

There's a 10% one too.

Thanks. It's not the pain that bothers me (they're not actually that sore) it's the fact that I'm constantly infectious and my body is struggling to control it. I'm on day whatever this is now or antivirals and really hope the spots die down.

@ChristmasGutPunch glad you're not in too much pain.

I posted earlier up thread about suppression therapy helping me. I just came back to reassure you that I was the same as you for the first year or so. Constantly in pain with it, only maybe short periods of relief. But I stuck with the antivirals and eventually it settled down. It still comes back, for example if I'm unwell etc. But I get many more days of no symptoms now than I do the bad days.

I just wanted to say that it does take time, it was ages for me....but eventually it settled down. I have an overactive immune system which probably explains why I suffered so much compared to the textbook response of people feeling better after a few days of antivirals. Sounds like you're similar

Thanks @shorttwoshot it is reassuring to know it's not just me. Are you off the antivirals now or do you take them long term?

I take them long term, it's been around 7 years now. I've tried to come off them a few times but it just flares up. The only way I've been able to keep it under control is with long term antivirals. Not ideal but better than the constant flares x

Totally agree. I've heard of some people coming off them, having an initial flare and then being ok after that but I am guessing if I am in this hyper reactive state at the moment that is optimistic thinking.

Can they retest you for which virus is causing this? Maybe the test came back with the wrong one, or you have more than one strain/ variant. Your case may be more responsive to other medication.
If you can afford the private tests, I would go for it. Long waits for GUM sounds plain stupid to me. I did not know that the NHS is running on fumes on that department too.