Coldsore help please!

[EyesoreColdsore]

I haven't had a coldsore in years, but one sprang up yesterday, and today has become the worst I have ever had, and I look and feel hideous (luckily wfh today). Went to the chemist, he suggested I ask my GP for acyclovir, as well as buying the otc creams and patches, as it's so bad! GP just called and I have thr prescription, so trying to attack this horrible beast from all angles.

I am googling now, and have seen this:

https://www.boots.com/herpotherm-neo-heat-pen-for-cold-sores-10352561?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjws-S-BhD2ARIsALssG0bMj4jIsREtzXmxpY0qcaRSTZa6VwcjBcA78WKSaZJfhk9yvve89P4aAm10EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Has anyone used it? Any feedback? No reviews on the Boots page yet.

I've been having cold sores since my 30s, triggered by a bout of impetigo. Aciclovir was a game changer. Until then, I'd just applied lots of aciclovir lotion, which didn't make a big difference. But I find the tablets really effective, especially if you take them as soon as you feel the tingle. I always request another packet as soon as I use up the first.

Good to know! I am definitely going to do that. Thank you.

Could be hormonal cold sores, perimenopausal? I take x3 really strong lycene tablets if I think one is about to erupt for about 3 days. Then I try to remember to take them dayly after that.

I am two and a half years past menopause. I think it's stress, more than anything, plus a very recent traumatic trip to the dentist.

I have ordered the Lysine tablets, and will keep them topped up from now on.

Herpotherm heat pen thing has arrived, I have had a go. Would have been optimal to use before I broke out in blistery grossness, but may still help reduce things. The blisters already seem to have gone, whereas before they would still be blistering and bubbling on Day 2, I can only think it was the tablets from the GP that have helped the most, potentially the cream and patches, a new brand I've not used before.
Skin under my lips where it has/had spread to looks red raw and unsightly, but DEFINITELY grateful there's no crusty blisters. If it had been contained to just on my lips, it wouldn't be that noticeable.
Don't want to count my chickens re later on, really hope I am now over the starting phase and heading in to the healing phase. Pen was very hot but not burning, could definitely feel it, though as my lip/mouth was already sore, it already stung anyway.
Fingers crossed.

Just thought I'd update.

It's been a full week, and usually I am half way through having an awful coldsore on my lip, but it has mostly gone already - I now just have a very small scab that could pass as a bad scratch rather than the remnants of a coldsore, and then a little slightly pink patch where the worst of the scabs were under my lip - this is a MUCH faster recovery than usual. I feel like the pink patch under my mouth will have faded enough tomorrow to be barely there at all. And maybe one more day after that for there to be no sign of the little scab on my actual lip.
I did throw everything at it, but my instinct is telling me that the acyclovir tablets were the key thing in helping me clear this up faster. I am glad I bought the machine from my first post, it makes me feel ready for any more (though hopefully never again). I have just put in a request with my GP for a repeat prescription of the ytablets too, so hopefully they will approve that and then I have those ready too.

I am also taking the lycene vitamins, three a day, which I will continue to take to hopefully keep me dosed up, maybe not three a day though, hopefully one will be sufficient.

Good luck to everyone battling coldsores.

Very pleased to hear you're recovering quickly, @EyesoreColdsore. The aciclovir tablets have definitely made a big difference, especially if you take them at the first sign of a cold sore. I used to despair every time I started a new coldsore, knowing I faced a week or more of a weeping, ugly sore, followed by an unsightly scab. It was especially miserable if I was going out to a social event and wanting to look my best. Now I'm confident that I can minimise or prevent the coldsore enough that it can be disguised.

Thank you. I haven't managed to convince the GP receptionist to get me an on the day phonecall even with the GP though, to get the tablets ready for the next time. Next phone appointment is mid-April. I explained that it was no good me getting the tingle at 6pm Friday, and having to wait til Monday morning to try to get through for an appointment for the prescription. Hopefully the GP will be accommodating when I speak with them in a few weeks, and hopefully I don't get a coldsore between now and then (well, ideally never again!).
I am taking the lysine vitamins, and that's the best I can hope for right now.
That and that heat machine I posted in my OP, which may or may not help.

I am so glad you have reduced symptoms with the tablets too, amazing stuff. Just wish they'd find us a cure.

@EyesoreColdsore- that's so frustrating about the prescription. As you say, you need to have the tablets at hand, not three days after you get the cold sore!

But hopefully you won't get another cold sore for ages. I go months and months without one and forget it's even an issue until an illness or stress triggers it again.

Same here I get one every sunny/ overtired day but since taking lysine every day no longer have any :)

Exactly. They were most unhelpful. I really think the tablets helped, so would like to keep a stash ready. Too late if it's two or three days after the first tingle.

Yes, same - I think it's been nearly ten years for me. I have been particularly stressed, I need to manage that better.

How much lysine do you take? I have the tablets that say 2-3 a day, I felt sick on that many (I also take other supplements), and have already gone down to just one a day in the hope that is enough to stave off the coldsores.

I am so glad it is working for you.

You can also get a private prescription for Aciclover. I used Superdrug online doctor. Usually buy a huge pack as works out good value and I don’t worry about taking one if I feel a tingle, as even if it’s a false alarm I have lots left.

Thanks for info.

Currently have a massive one too!

When you get the tingle/zap, are you meant to take x3 Lysine tablets all at once? Or spread through the day?

Also, if I see my GP for the tablets on prescription, will it stop the blistering and will just die down?

Thank you!!