Herpes Pain - every time?!

[wanderer329]

Hi all,
So my girlfriend got the gift, from me. It is her first outbreak and she is in agonizing pain it is killing me to see her go through it.
She knew I had it, we are in love, she took the risk and now she is the one calming ME down... anyway,

My outbreaks are different, I get them always in one spot, below my abdomen, comes and goes with no pain whatsoever!
She is hurting when urinating, walking, etc...
She was late into starting acyclovir because she was not sure.

I want to know from females who have it, is it always painful!?!!?! will she always have to deal with this pain with every outbreak!?!?! I know it gets better with time, but how much better?!

Another question - Since we both have it now, what is the risk from engaging in intercourse when one or both have an outbreak? I know we cannot get re-infected, but could we spread the infection to another area?

Thank you helpers!

[wanderer329]

That's too many! Thanks for sharing Grace.
Can anyone else share their experiences please?

[gracefromHHP]

I've always noticed my recurrences.

I used to have 20 ob's a year at one point.  last time I was off suppressive therapy I had 7 in 6 months.  I stopped suppressive therapy a few months ago and have had 2 recurrences in I guess it's 5 months now.  

I had both my kids c section. first was due to my  herpes and the 2nd was because my daughter had other ideas of her own that didn't include non-surgical delivery...lol.  

no, you won't transmit the virus easily to other areas at this point.

[wanderer329]

Oh! I didn't know you had it Grace! Thanks for sharing your experience and helping out. May I ask you a few more questions if you don't mind?

- So, you confirm it is no longer painful (after having it for 25 years) but "only annoying"? Have you ever had it and it was so mild you barely noticed it?

- Since you had it for such a long time, did your outbreak recurrences drop as they say? how many per year do you have now?

- Are you on suppressive medicine? or only take the pills when you have an outbreak?

- How much on average do your outbreaks last (with the pills)?

- Have you delivered before? if yes, C-Section or normal?

- Since we both have it now, what is the risk from engaging in intercourse when one or both have an outbreak? I know we cannot get re-infected, but could we spread the infection to another area?

Thanks again Grace!

[gracefromHHP]

no that's fine to start the acyclovir then. the first ob takes the longest to run its course, even with acyclovir :(

if she's having trouble getting in the 200mg every 3 hours while awake, she can discuss switching to 400mg 3x/day for 7-10 days instead which is easier to take.  

well it certainly isn't fun when urine runs over an open wound in the genital area.  do I miss work or look in pain when I have recurrences, no I do not.  they are annoying more than anything.

[wanderer329]

Thanks Grace.
Yes, she was checked, no other issues.
She had the outbreak on Tuesday and did not start with the Acyclovir until Friday (too late I guess..)
5x200mg per day, for 5 days.

Herpes recurrences are not fun indeed.

I would like to know from those who have it if they still experience the pain every time they get an outbreak please - How long have you had it? How much pain do you still get today?

Thanks!

[gracefromHHP]

herpes recurrences aren't fun but they typically are not as extensive as the first ob is. she can soak in the tubby with epsom salts thrown in as well as dermoplast spray ( the blue can for the genital area, not the red can ) is also typically helpful to spray on the actual lesions for pain control.   Some other ideas in the free herpes handbook too.  

did they also test her for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally when she was seen?

what dose of acyclovir did they give her? how long into things did she start it?

grace

[wollogong]

Sorry some words misspelt IM using predictive text on my mobile phone.

[wollogong]

IM wondering the same thing. I was I'm hospital from the pain. I couldn't even go to the toilet at all. My body physically couldn't go. I was given activity by drop in the arm also.
I was told it wouldn't be so bad next time. I haven't had next time yet so I guess it's just a ticking time bomb.
As to Wethers it spreads as far as I'm aware it can. IM trying to be extra careful etc. but constant hand washing is driving me nuts. I worry I'm spreading it even this morning I scratched my leg and I've convinced myself maybe I scratched my genitals on my sleep and the sharp scratch from my fingernail has spread it.
I think maybe it's not so painful next time but it comes with risks for life.