I get herpes outbreaks once a month - suggested herpes treatments?

Hi....... I'm new here.....

I don't know where to start, so i'll begin by saying that i've had herpes now for about 10 years.

I have tried everything and anything to ease discomfort and lessen outbreaks but unfortunately nothing works for me.

I have given up going to see the doctor, as there really isn't any more he can do.

I think I could be okay with H if it wasn't for the fact that I don't get an outbreak once a year.... I get an outbreak once a month.... at least.... and my latest has lasted 3 weeks now.

Unfortunately i have o/bs vaginally, around the anus and on my buttocks.

One area starts to clear up and another develops sores.

I just wanted to know if anyone has tried intravenous treatment?

I read somewhere that it's a possible treatment if nothing else works...

I don't know what else to try. I'm so fed up now......

Just needed to vent....

Thanks for reading x

Have you tried valacyclovir? How about suppressive therapy using acyclovir?

@SadGirl

So sorry you are having such a bad experience. Can you tell us what you have tried? There's no use us suggesting stuff that you have already done.

I'm wondering about the state of your Adrenals/immune system. By now you should have this at least to a point where OB's are tolerable. Can I assume your periods start it off? Have you had your hormones checked? Wondering if something is out of balance there?

Give us more info of what hasn't worked and maybe we can go from there..

(((HUGS)))

@WCSDancer2010

I just noticed you asked if periods start off the OB...can you elaborate a little, are OBs related to periods?

thanks!

I've tried different forms of contraception as I thought maybe the pill was having an effect on my hormones...... That hasn't made any difference....

I even stopped using contraceptive methods to see if that helped, but again it made no difference...

It comes on at any time, not specifically when my period starts...

I've also tried the following and more, but over the last 10 years I can't remember all of them... I just tried everything suggested on any website I read, no matter how ridiculous.

Aciclovir 800mg tablets 5 times a day

Lysine tablets

Ascorbic Acid powder

Echinacea

Tea tree oil

Accupuncture

Yoga

Lifestyle changes

Savlon

Anthisan

Sudocrem

I even tried Panoxyl acnegel ( a very strong cream for acne) which did help the sores heal, but then it got discontinued and the cream they replaced it with doesn't help at all.

I've had my thyroid checked and everything was fine.....

X

@dreamer

You period is a stressor on the body - and stress can cause outbreaks. Add the lovely moisture that is added during that time and you have a recipe for an outbreak.

@Sadgirl

Have you only tried an OBGYN or have you gone to a dermatologist and/or disease specialist??? I'm wondering if you have something else exacerbating the condition like a bacterial issue??? I have to run but I'll see if I can find the info I came across awhile back about a woman who was diagnosed with herpes who actually had some kind of yeast or bacterial issue and some other skin condition going on that was eluding diagnosis...

I haven't been to see anybody like that..... my doctor would need to refer me I think.... He's a bit useless to be honest.

Thanks for your help x

Change doctors then. Honest. You need someone who is on your side. You can try to demand that he refer you but if he won't, time to find a new GP :(

I agree with Dancer. You should really try and find a herpes expert. Most doctors don't get a lot of herpes specific training and after 10 years of what you've been dealing with I think now would be a great time to take a trip and see the best of the best. Consider it an investment in your health and your future.

I know Terri Warren at the Westover Heights Clinic in Portland has a pretty good reputation and network of herxperts. They might know of one near you. Of course, Adrial might have some recommendations as well. If your doctor is a dud, ditch him and find one who knows what they're doing.

Sadgirl,

I total understand your frustration. when my issue started in Oct. I was never in any pain. Just very red, irritation, swelling, 2 little bumps on my kitty kat, that spread after my doctor visit. I have tried most of the same things for have plus, aloe vera, Camu Camu. The meds made me feel like death warmed over me and had no effect. I had a yeast and bacterial culture at that time come back negative. So a week before Xmas, i finally get into doctor, same problem but. Parts of my kitty were bright red and vaginal opening & just about the clit were/are white, swollen.

My ob/gyn says probably yeast gives me more meds that are not helping and saw nothing "herpes like" that time and I'm hypersensitive.. He also said maybe I was having an allergic reaction to something causing the rash like bumps. So I stopped all supplements, herbs, etc. Has that and/or meds for yeast helping? No.

I am also severe hypoglemic, insulin resistant ant due to PCOS, I learned i was both of those things only a month ago. There is documentation that, that those 2 things aggravate and make managing herpes difficult. BTW, I had my thyroid tested and ultra sound too but is normal. ( hyperglycemia can do the same thing).

I firmly believe my problem is lichen planus or lichen sclerosis. i felt that when I left my doctors office and now. There has been some thought/suggestion the Herpes can trigger the lichen conditions. No studies to back that yet. Most cases in women who have those conditions also have herpes and they didnt have the symptoms of those condtions before contracting herpes.

Btw, if you have insurance and/or getting insurance on health marketplace, doctor refferals arent necessary. If insurance makes it a must, it cant after the 1st because of Obama Care laws. If you ddon't have insurance, Pm me and I will tell the one I got from market place that is very good with a very low premium. I would suggest an infectious disease doctor .

I am going to see an infectious disease and an womens clinic that only deals with vaginal related issues. I'm sorry I'm rambling again. That's the long answer to yes, there are other medical conditions that can aggravate herpes. I hopenyou find some answers and relief soon.

Aimee

Thank you so much guys x

Unfortunately I live in England..... So seeing someone in the states wouldn't be possible....

Why not? There are airplanes that fly across the pond many times a day. 6 hours from London to New York and I've done it many times. And, the prices aren't too bad right now.

Contrary to what you read in the news we're not all walking around packing heat and wearing ten gallon hats. We've forgiven and forgotten that whole Revolution thing (Or, as they say in Liverpool "The Colonial Temper Tantrum") and we would love to have you visit.

Of course, you could also contact this group. They're in London and might be able to recommend a doctor nearer to you. http://www.herpes.org.uk/pro.html

I will try to get some money together but at the moment it's not possible..... I'll take a look at the website.

Thank you so much for your help guys x

Ah - the National Health Service. NOW I understand. OK - here's the deal.

You will have to pitch a fit with your family Dr to refer you to the BEST dermatologist you can get to. Tell him/her you will NOT leave until they do. I'm guessing with your acne issues that it is complicating your immunity...perhaps the drug you take for it is exacerbating it :/

I lived in the UK for 12 years and I had a run in with my Dr after I had my first child by Cesarean thanks to herpes and an ignorant Dr. Found out it wasn't necessary but he was determined to do the same thing in for my second. I had to completely pitch a fit to be transferred to a friendlier and more modern Dr.

This is the problem with a National Healthcare system... your choice is removed so you have to put up with whoever you are given....or be willing to do your own research and go head to head with them :/

Got doctors appointment tomorrow so fingers crossed :)

I'll be putting the vibes out to the Universe. Be strong and don't leave until you get a satisfactory answer/result from the Dr :)

@sadgirl Hello :) I am new here too and I totally understand what you are going through as recently I have had almost 2 OB / month and I noticed the medication wasn't helping meat all and I tried the stuff you mentioned. So I am going the natural holistic route and trying to find what gifts mother nature has that can help us live in peace with the H. I have currently purchased a bottle of Lemon Balm oil, I have researched and read a lot about its strong anti viral characteristics, I started using it on my last OB bu dabbing a cotton ball and whipping the area there every time I go to the toilet. Now the OB has cleared but I read the using it daily on the area and on the lower back and spinal chord can help prevent OBs and this is what I am trying now. It should not have any side effects its just an oil that smells like lemon and it gets absorbed very quickly so no stains. I honestly can say that OB cleared out much faster as for the prevention I can not vouch yet as I need to see how long I am going to be without OBs since starting this method. I will check back again and let you know. :) Hope u get a breakthrough with your Dr. All the positive vibes from me to you.

Well my doctor wasn't free so had to see another..... She looked at me like shit when i told her my problem, said she couldn't refer me to a dermatologist or a gyneacologist as it was neither a derm or gynea issue.... She said i couldn't take aciclovir daily as it's side effects are bad for the immune system and i must have a terrible immune system because I caught "it".... So she gave me the number of a sexual health clinic and a 10 day course if aciclovir and told me to come back if I needed anything else..... I am so angry!

I am sorry to hear that and I know the last thing you want to hear is someone telling you to calm down but getting angry will only make your H worse, I don't know how to advise you as your health care system is totally different from the one in my country, but I did notice that whenever I get angry or frustrated or over think or worry I instantly get H, it's my indication that I am mentally or physically unwell and I need to tend to myself. From my experience after 10 days of aciclovir you should be cleared out from your OB try to eat healthy (no sugars, white flour, nuts especially peanuts, chocolates) eat lots of proteins and grains and diary (cheese and yogurt) exercise I found running to be amazing it totally distresses the mind and makes the immune system stronger. And try the lemon balm ointment or oil. Again I am not a doctor or anything I am just telling you what works for me from one person who suffers 2 obs a month to another. If you need anything else please feel free to talk to me I would love to hear you out. I hope you can get around to your Dr. though :(

Hi @SadGirl

I'm from the UK too so understand the nightmare you are having trying to get a prescription for supressive therapy, think you have been unlucky to have found some pretty unsympatetic docs to be honest - particularly the last doc you saw. I have managed to find two good ones at my surgery although one works part time and the other is off on maternity leave at the moment! At the moment, I'm on my second 2 month course of Acyclovir.

I agree with @WCSDancer2010 if you cannot find a more understanding doc you are going to have to pitch a fit.

Saying that though the GUM/sexual health clinic might be more helpful, get an app there first as they know what they are talking about when it comes to H... you will probably find they have a better bedside manner than the docs you have seen to date! I was told I could get referred to a dematologist by my understanding GP and a nice doc at the GUM as well!

You would hope that doctors would be more understanding but they are just people like the rest of us, some are understanding and others are not so try not let it get to you and don't let their attitude make you give up. The main doctor I see said something that has always stuck with me, I was really sad at the time... she said; ''You haven't done anything wrong or anything different from anyone else. You have just been really unlucky.'' It really comforted me at the time but might sound silly.

Let us know how you get on, and definitely don't give up :)

Got an appointment on Monday...... I'll let you know how I get on : /

You know I am thankful that I have a great doctor and his LPN is amazing also. I have had my doctor all my life. Since I was a kid, now he is my Gyn and my family doctor. He is sooo helpful along with everyone else in the clinic also. Just sometimes doctors visits is not enough.

Well....... My ob continues into the fourth week........ Guess it's quite handy considering i've got an appointment at the GUM clinic on Monday..... but seriously..... I'm so fed up : (

(((HUGS))) SadGirl .... I hope they help you on Monday.... I can hear your frustration... rightly so. Glad you are going to get help.....

I'll keep you guys updated as to what happens on Monday...... Feeling nervous.....