outbreaks lasting months at a time

[h8outbreaks]

In Sept of last year I tested positive for herpes and for the past 10 months I've had the longest outbreak ever. The blisters will heal then others will pop up, this has been going on for the past 10 months. I know that an outbreak should last about 3 weeks, I then start to clear up. But then it's time for my monthly period and the outbreak starts all over again. So I get 2 to 3 days with no blisters at all then bam, the outbreak is back. Like I said this has been going on for 10 months and hello, like anyone else I would love to have sex. I don't know what to do, if there is anything I can do. I am willing to do anything at this point for the pain to be gone for awhile. Can someone please help me.

[gracefromHHP]

sorry to hear that you are still having issues :(  Glad to hear though that you have finally gotten to see the gyn and it sounds like they are trying to get to the bottom of this finally for you!!  Keep me posted :)

grace

[gracefromHHP]

You too need to pursue a further work up. Usually when suppressive therapy isn't working - it's because it's more than just herpes going on.  Go see your gyn and get a thorough work up - testing for yeast and bacterial infections. Get your genital skin checked to see if it's thining and needs topical estrogen to help strengthen it. Also lube, lube and more lube. it's well worth a good quality lube for sex to help protect our tender genital skin.

grace

[Boopala]

You are so right!  I sounds like you and I are going through a very similiar situation!  Like you, every month I have this outbreak when I menstruate!  Still taking the meds every day though and though it does help there's nothing I can do to stop the outbreak when the period is triggering it.  But once it does clear up and I have sex with my husband.. BAM!  another outbreak.  so frustrating...

[h8outbreaks]

OK I got in to see my OBGYN this past Friday (Sept 28th), she said that it does not look like "classic herpes", I don't know how to take that. She is running 8 different tests on me to find out what is going on with me and promises that she will get to the bottom of it. She did some swabs along with the pap and sent me to have blood work done. She will not be sure until the tests come back but she feels that I have some "bad" type of bacteria infection that is not letting the valtrex work the way it should. I have an appointment on Oct 8th to find out the results of the tests, I will post then to let ya know what's going on with me. (It only took 3 months to get in to see the doc...that's a long wait)
Angela

[gracefromHHP]

If you are still having this many problems - I'd haul yourself back to the doctor to see if your  bv cleared up just to err on the side of caution. Also I had recommended that you start off on the valtrex twice a day because you'll need the higher dose with having monthly ob's.  More than 9 ob's a year and you need either the 1gm daily dose or the 500mg twice a day dose. I recommend the twice a day dose for now until things settle down and then give the once daily 1gm dose a try.   If you continue to have blisters like this even on the higher dose then it's time for an even further work up to make sure that what you are attributing to herpes is actually even herpes going on too.  

And thank you for taking the time to keep adding these questions to your original post - it is soooooooo helpful to be able to review everything. I can't even remember what I ate last night for dinner most times let alone recall all the details for everyone over so many months!!

Oh and sweetie - take a whole pitcher of lemon drop martini's and call me in the morning - you deserve them!! ( yes I really have a hankerin for them this week...he he he )

grace

[h8outbreaks]

read all the posts before you answer please...this has been going on for a full year so I don't want to hear it last 2 weeks...and my question was to grace, thank u