Cold Sores Everyday

[teddybears]

I am 21 years old.  About 4 years ago I contracted HSV1 orally from my partner.  My initial contraction of it was severe but subsided in about a week.  Since then I have had roughly 2 to 4 outbreaks per year, which I have been able to deal with.  In those cases I used over the counter medications and experienced results quickly.  However, ever since December 2009 I have been experiencing chronic outbreaks of cold sores.  I sought medical attention this past February and was put on Valtrex.  I noticed that the sores were getting more severe around the time of my period.  Several doctors told me that going on a low hormone birth control (ortho tri cyclen lo) would be the solution.  It has definitely decreased the severity of the sores during the time of my period.  But even when I do not have my period I still have small sores that pop up almost every day.  I take been taking between 2 and 4 grams of Valtrex everyday for more than 4 months.  I have done extensive research, seen doctors, gynecologists, and a dermatologist.  The only thing anyone can tell me is to take Valtrex.  If the drug is supposed to prevent the sores and eradicate them why am I still getting them- almost daily?  Since December I would say that in total I have had less than 20 days of clear lips.

I also take Lysine supplement (2000mg), Vitamin C (500 mg), Zinc (50 mg) everyday which I have heard helps. I use Zovirax as well.   I avoid direct sunlight and use a lip balm with SPF when outside, do light exercise, and I stay away from caffeine and all foods high in arginine (chocolate, grapes, nuts, etc). and I drink a ton of water everyday.  Also, despite being 21 I rarely engage in consuming alcohol.   I take extreme care to not touch my lips or spread the sores.  Any time I apply a cream I use cotton swabs.  I really feel that I'm doing all of the right things.  Doctors have asked me if I am stressed, and sometimes I am but if anything I feel that my stress level has decreased since last winter

Have you ever heard of this happening?  What am I doing wrong?  Why is this happening to me?  How can I become a normal person again?


I know that this is definitely HSV1 because I tested positive for it in a blood test. They said that the levels of it or antibodies or something in my blood were very high at the time (I think 3.6??) I used to think one little cold sore a few times a year was the end of the world but I would give anything to have my life go back to that.  PLEASE help me.  I'm absolutely desperate.

[gracefromHHP]

this could be an allergic reaction, a bacterial infection, a fungal infection or any number of things going on.  upping the doseage isn't what you need at this point, you need a better work up because it just doesn't follow this pattern like this.  You will not get new symptoms every day with oral herpes.  

grace

[teddybears]

thanks grace.  i really know that this is definitely hsv1 though since i have already been tested and i know what having a cold sore feels like.  it itches and tingles constantly and spreads.. i don't think that there's anything else that it could be.  the valtrex does help but it just hasnt stopped it completely.  my dermatologist told me that if i'm not clear by my next visit we will have to up the dosage, but i can't imagine being on an everyday dosage higher than this.  

[gracefromHHP]

pick a different dermatologist who doesn't get hung up on knowing you have oral herpes and so therefore doesn't do a proper work up on you. This isn't likely to be your herpes all going on at this point.  Honestly I'd stop the antivirals and make them start doing lesion cultures to see if herpes even shows up at this point to help convince them that it's not just herpes.

grace