Cold sores - aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh

[naswm]

I contracted the herpes cold sore virus as a young child.

Cold sores on my lips, philtrum and nostrils have been the bane of my life.

Mine are triggered by other viruses (eg when I have a cold), hormones (often when I have my period), extreme stress or tiredness (say no more) and sunlight.

I have used many different conventional and complementary medicines. I think I am quite an expert at managing them. I just wish I could be cured of them They really do drag me down. Not only do they hurt, they also look disgusting and for me they are a permanent reminder of my past.

How do others deal with them? Either physically or emotionally?

TIA

Gosh what a lot of posts! Thanks everyone.

I have used Zovirax tablets in the past, but it didnt do much - GP thought it was because I had been using Zovirax in cream form since I was a child (and probably overdosing on it at times, esp as a teenager when pyschologically they really affected me).

Last night I thought that I had tried l-lysine, but I must has been thinking of somehting else - because since reading all the posts about it I know I havent tried it. So I will stop at the healthfood shop on the way to pick the DC up from school this afternoon. Thank you for that advice. Showing my ignorance here, am I looking for a liquid or tablets? -

I am feeling quite low about mine today, although I am trying to be upbeat. I have lots of 'issues' with how I contracted the virus and every time I get them it drags it all up for me, so I feel I can never rid myself of it. Which makes it hard for me to move on. I know that sounds pessimistic, but these wretched things are so vile in themselves, that when tied up with 'history' they often push me to the edge

Oh poor you

You know, all this cold weather and wind can be a trigger, as can stress, so anxiety can cause an outbreak, ironic if it's the outbreak you're nervous of and hence anxiety I know! If you are at the health shop, ask about lemonbalm (also called Melissa), it's calming on the nervous system, I used to drink it as a teas for stress, but also can be a topical cream for cold sores.

Look out for these Lysine tabs later It's an excellent brand.

Also, have a quick read of this, more info about cold sores and other recommended supplements at the bottom

thansk for those links lotster. I have just been googling actaully. I have tried lemonbalm before - it hurt iirc...

Brilliant ! Can't tell you how much I appreciate all your advice here - I suffer from the wretched things and would do "virtually" anything to be shot of them - definitely going to try some of these remedies.
Thank you !

lol doglover! If we both get the lysine maybe we can monitor each other's success? anyone else want to join us!?

Oh really? Not tried it myself, but the tea is really pleasant. When I think of all my worst outbreaks and re-occurences they were stress related or when I was run down. Is it like that for you or do they just attack randomly? Because I found that dealing with those issues helped a lot.

My best friend gets them on lips and nose at the same time and used to be so frequently. But that was when she was going out a lot, drinking more, eating on the go and generally overdoing it. Despite the sepearate stress and lack of sleep being a mum can bring, she's definately found her attacks fewer since life has calmed down a bit too with having a family. She used to take l-lysine too and thought it was good.

thansk for that lotster, I know that my 'life' plays a huge part in all of this. I am addressing that, but it is a slow process

I am hopeful today about the lysine - although shocked at the prices on the Holland and Barratt website... but, if it helps, then I will have to bite the bullet and get some.

Ok good luck

Once you find a supplement you like you can always find cheaper on the net.

good advice about the net - thanks!

bought some lysine tabs and cream - £10 altother

hope it helps...

Naswm, i still think you should go back to your gp for really bad breakouts. The one-off dose of Famvir (not sure of the generic name) is amazingly effective, it's actually mostly used for shingles but is brilliant at heading off coldsores too. I might be no harm to discuss some of your issues with coldsores, i'm sure they would be very sympathetic. Do give it a shot.

in the meantime i hope the lysine works for you, i find i build up immunity to it very quickly. I also use bio-propolis gel (again from the health store) which works if used very sparingly HTH

thanks wham -I usually avoid my GP like the plague, but maybe next time I feel one coming I will try to get an appointment. Re the 'issues' I wouldnt dream of discussing it with him, but maybe I should bring up with my therapist tomorrow?

I have had the accilovir tablets before - they didnt do much - GP said my system was prob too used to it. The money thing made me smile - they wont pay for therapy, I have to do that myself! (incidentally, I am not in therapy because of my coldsores - just in case you thought I was!)

wonder if my gp isnt as knowledgeable abou this? it was a long while ago though, so maybe time to try it again?

You are right re the memories btw - I didnt mean to be short with you before, got the DC climbing over me - but what I meant was they are not the reason for my problems, just one tiny symptom of them IYSWIM

I really appreciate your advice, thanks

They do make you feel so fed up don't they? I always get my glands up and feel generally bleurghhhh when I have one.

Hope you get on with the L-Lysine. I don't take it all the time, but shove as many down my neck as I can as soon as I think I'm getting a coldsore.

The last one I had I too the L-Lysine and put the Compeed patches on and it was gone in 2 days.

And if like me you're prone to mouth ulcers too when run down, I've found that Aloe Vera toothpaste works a treat on those.

ooo aloe vera toothpaste, not tried that! thansk

teabag?

I have treid coffee before

but not tea!

have you seent eh size of those tabs tho? they are HUUUUUGE

I get at least one cold sore a month and don't really get a "tingle" it just ruptures up on my face. Nothing I used worked, (Including zovirax & L-Lysine) until a pharmacist that also suffered recommended Fenistil. Now they are gone within 48 hours despite never catching at the "tingle" stage.

I think it depends on the sort of coldsore you get; I get the type that are like blisters, really bubbily and filled with gunk that spread really easily. Always on my lip/nose and very very sore and throbbing. Mine also seemed to be triggered by virtually anythiing (including salt and vinegar crisps!) They are really horrible when they appear and I'm so glad I found out about that cream - I know longer get sp stressed about them.

Hope this helps!

I always dab perfume on mine, right from early on. Won't necessarily stop it, but it dries out much quicker and doesn't last so long. I have a sample bottle of something from Avon I keep just for coldsores.

Dd1 contracted the virus from me, although is yet to have a coldsore - she had clear symptoms of primary infection though (sores in her mouth, generally unwell, etc around the time I had a coldsore) so I guess it's only a matter of time sadly. Dd2 clear so far and dh has never caught the virus from me.

thanks for the posts (starlight - ouch!) I havent taken one of the tablets yet (coward) but I asm using the lysine oitment. It tastes and smells funny!

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