Continuous Herpes II Sufferer

My wife has had a daily continuous bout of Genital Herpes for the 20 years we have been married (it's made a sexual life a non-part of our marriage).  She contracted the disease about 26 years ago from a previous marriage (her then husband fooled around and gave it to her).  We both have read that over the years, the virus outbreaks usually are farther and farther apart, but in my wife's case, she is having them daily.  She is really suffering.  Last month, she had burning in both legs, and all over the lower half of her body.  Today, she found a 1" diameter herpes patch on her right buttock.  What is happening to her?  She was crying today, saying this was a lifelong curse and that she wanted to end it all.  I don't know what to tell her or how I can help her.  She took Acyclovir for the first few years after she contracted herpes, but it made her sick and it seemed to cause her immune system to go low since she was sick a lot following taking the medication.  She hadn't taken it since.  It's gotten so bad that I went and filled a Acyclovir prescription that her gynecologist just gave her.  I'm hoping it will help.  Is there nothing she can do to get these outbreaks to lessen?  HELP PLEASE!!!

[LeapofFaith]

I'm sorry to hear your wife is suffering so.  It's very strange to hear that your wife has daily symptoms.  Genital Herpes generally presents with OB spaced out between months, years, and sometimes, but not commonly, weeks.  The fact that your wife suffers daily may point to some other form of infection.  The facts you researched were correct: over the years Genital Herpes outbreaks show a trend of decrease, with more time in between individual OBs.  Which is all the more indicative of some other form of infection.

It is unfortunate your wife has adverse immunological reactions to Acyclivor.  She may want to see her doctor and discuss her options.  There are a great deal more variety of GH medications these days.  If Acyclivor doesn't work, see if the other brands do.  Also, rather than attribute every daily symptom your wife experiences to Herpes, she may want to see a doctor / gyno / dermatologist.  It can't to explore the option that her daily suffering is unrelated to GH.  

Also, it may be wise to have your wife seek counseling, especially if she seems suicidal.

[petal130]

Even if your wife has genital herpes, this is not herpes going on constantly. Surely she's been seen to find out what's going on at this point? If not, she needs to be!! She needs an exam and a full work-up - current herpes testing, bacterial/fungal testing.

[gracefromHHP]

Definitely your wife needs better doctors. Herpes will not cause daily symptoms let alone daily symptoms for this long. She might have genital herpes, but she also has something else going on.

she should also try the acyclovir again. She can try 200mg 3x/day if she wasn't tolerating 400mg 3x/day for ob's.

grace