Genital Herpes, Please help!

[Samb0]

Hey everyone, (27 F) here. I’ll make it short and sweet.

I went to the doctors with vaginal discharge, lumps and flu symptoms, they told me it was folliculitus, antibiotics didn’t work so they told me it’s herpes and started me on 400mg of aciclovir 3 times daily.

I have blisters on my vagina and anus, there’s ALOT of them, weeping, so painful I can barely walk. It hurts to go to the toilet (number 2) and I have achy legs, I’m on my 3rd day of the antiviral meds tomorrow and the only improvement I’m seeing is the blisters are becoming like scabs, however the pain is getting much worse. The pain is almost severe at times, I’ve screamed in pain. I keep taking paracetamol every 4 hours. Please how long will this last, what is the healing stage? I feel like my life will never go back to normal, I feel like I’m never going to be able to do normal things again. I feel sick to my stomach from all the meds, if I move it hurts, if I stay still it hurts.

Sounds like the primary infection. Sounds horrific. Could the gp prescribe anything stronger for the pain?

You need decent pain relief - get on the phone to the GP now. In the meantime you could try taking both paracetamol and ibuprofen. Warm salt baths will help with the pain and make it easier to wee. Keep a cup by the loo and pour warm water over yourself when peeing to stop the urine aggravating the blisters.

Make sure you are drinking lots and peeing as normal, as sometimes genital herpes can cause retention of urine due to the pain.

I really feel for you, it’s a horrendous thing to have to go through. If it’s any consolation, further outbreaks should not be as severe as the primary infection. Genital herpes is common, it doesn’t define you and will not rule your life, though it doesn’t seem like it now things will improve x

Agree with putting some salt in a bath and getting some better pain relief.

Peeing in the bath helps too if wearing on the toilet is too painful.

Sounds like you're beginning to heal though at least

Sounds bizarre. I was diagnosed with it once, many years ago, but it was nothing like that. Just a bit of itching which didn't last long, and never came back. Either I didn't really have it, or you've got something different.

@dementedpixie @DojoCat @LepersofRuggedIsland

Thankyou for your replies! Today is more or less the same. I was sick last night, today it’s been really painful feels like my skin down below is getting tighter which I’m assuming is the ulcers healing. I’m having sharp shooting burning pains right now for the last hour and a half, it’s excruciating. It feels like this is never going to end. Tomorrow is my 4th day on the antiviral meds, I thought it would have improved by now 😢

It’s still early days OP, I’d expect things to be much better after around 7 days, probably closer to 10 before you start to feel back to normal. The first or primary HSV2 infection can be extremely vicious so don’t panic, it’s normal. The antivirals help lessen the duration and reduce the severity of an attack that’s about it. You may have been much worse without them.

Keep eating small meals and snacks to line your stomach, take the paracetamol every 4 hours and get some rest. Xx

Start taking l-lysine if you're not already

I didn’t know just how vicious this virus is, I completely underestimated it. Today I feel a little better, I can walk and it’s not a continuous pain, does this mean things are improving? I don’t want to get my hopes up and then it ends up getting worse again. Last day on the antiviral meds and the lesions are still there, just scabbing over now. Still have pain but not as excruciating as yesterday x

The ones on your anus you can use antiviral cream on too. It helps.

Propovir is the best thing for them. Works amazingly. Try some ibuprofen instead of Panadol.

And take a high dose vitamin C.

I had my first break-out 4 years ago and I remember how horrible it was, I really sympathise. To me it does sound like it's getting better especially if it's scabbing, but the scabbing can still be sore. I have never had to take anything other than aclicovir so can't recommend anything other than that, but I find making sure the area is clean and dry stops it from being so irritable.

I have only ever had two other times where it came back and both times were manageable, mainly just really itchy. Hope you feel better soon OP x

Really sorry it's so painful op. My first outbreak was horrendous and after a week or so of antivirals did get better. But it's usually 2 weeks until it goes. Subsequent outbreaks are no where near as bad, I barely notice them now so don't worry it won't be like this everytime.

You can manage and reduce outbreaks with diet, take a look at the yoni nutritionist, high lysine low arginine (avoid chocolate and peanut butter mainly!) Also try to avoid stress as thar can be a trigger.

For now, get some good pain relief, keep up with the antivirals and get plenty of rest. Usually if I feel an outbreak coming on I take a sick day and sleep and it wards it off. Drink plenty of water and try and keep the area clean and dry. Also a life saver for me was lemon balm, you can get it off amazon and it's amazing. Instantly helps with pain and itching!

I had my first outbreak 14 years ago and sounds exactly like yours. Mine was also in my bum,
I thought it was a infection from shaving at first I was only 18 and got it from my then boyfriend. I couldn’t walk either tbh I’ve never in my life experience pain like it is was excruciating. Took about two weeks to fully heal

Like others have said you will never get another outbreak like that again. I didn’t have one for 7 years after that but unfortunately the last few years it’s come back a lot I took the anti virals daily for suppression but sometimes it is still triggered by my period and stress.

But saying that they are very mild last a few days and I can barely feel them it’s more leg aches for me. Never ever has anything remotely like the first one

Hi, I’m in the exact same situation. I’m in pure agony. I don’t think I’ve ever felt depression until this. Please, please tell me there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
I’m on day 3 of taking Aciclovor and also Flucloxcillin. Docs said worst case she’s ever seen.
I’m past the point of having to feel
Embarrassed or ashamed. I simply want to feel well again.

Hi, new here!

on my 4th day of taking aciclovir and tomorrow will be a week since my symptoms started. Weeing is getting a little better but the pain around my bum area is unbearable. Trying to do a number 2 had me screaming and biting on a towel. Walking and trying to sit down makes me want to cry
not sure how much longer I can take this, hoping every morning I’ll feel better but it doesn’t happen 😔

if anyone can give some reassurance I’ll be so grateful

Hello! Im the OP of this post from almost 2 years ago, just received a notification through my emails of your reply.

I’ll tell you that I totally sympathise with your pain, it is truly awful. When I had this the pain was excruciating, but I promise you it will get better, mine went after a week, you will be absolutely fine, it doesn’t seem it right now because of the pain. Mine has cleared and not come back since. Hold on in there, it’s almost over. Each day you are healing more and more.

Thank you for your kind words OP 🖤
On day 9 since symptoms started and day 7 of aciclovir. Starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel! Still quite sore around the bum area but can move around a lot easier than earlier this week.
Thank you for this thread OP, has really helped me feel less alone