Coping

[confusedyoungman]

I need methods to cope. I've been diagnosed for a few months now and although some days are better than others I still have trouble. I'm solitary by nature & so are my great pleasures: films and literature. I find that when I try to read or watch I find myself losing interest and hearing that little voice "you have herpes" over and over. I started exercising which has helped a bit but still find it hard putting this out of mind.

[Mistakeguy789]

How were you diagnosed? Which type do you have?

HSV isn't that big of a deal as it is really common.  HSV-1 Oral is extremely common.  You need to look at what this virus is... Microsopic and a coward.  

[confusedyoungman]

Hsv2. Diagnosed by blood test after initial ob. No problems since going on valtrex but can't stop thinking its there. Contracted it after a break up which isn't helping me cope. Know it's just circumstance but I can't help but read too much into it.

[Mistakeguy789]

Can you get us a copy of your results I want to verify you were propperly tested and that the numbers aren't in a range that may prove a false positive.  

[confusedyoungman]

I tested @ 1.4 igg type specific 1 month post exposure. Had a vicious ob after. Went on valtrex & nothing since. Wasn't retested cause I figured the ob verifies. Was tested a year ago & was negative.

[franklinandbash]

So your outbreak, was it cultured or looked at by a doctor?

[confusedyoungman]

Never looked at. Dr looked @ the blood test & wrote a script. Sure seemed like herpes though. Red base. Bumps that scabbed. Itched. Not bad but pretty typical.

[bobrope45]

CDC does not recommend visual diagnosis; all herpes outbreaks should be confirmed through proper exams. Besides, it`s always good to know what type of herpes you have, 1 or 2, since the prognosis is different.
Your blood test is in a range that often yields false positives. Besides, it seems like you had a negative one as well? For HSV2 igg?

Grace will probably advise you better, but it would be ideal to seek confirmatory testing. Since you are taking suppressive therapy (which might mess up results when taken right from onset), you would have to stop it and wait a few months, then seek a test like the WB.

Before "coping" you need to know your status better! We'll help you with that.

[franklinandbash]

Definitely listen to Grace about the advisement of a retest. The best thing to do when you have symptoms like an outbreak is to be seen by a doctor.  Some other illnesses can mimic herpes. There is no way to know for sure that your outbreak was really due to herpes.

[confusedyoungman]

No the igg was positive with 1.4. I had the restest debate with myself for awhile but then the ob happened & I pretty much gave up hope. The igg which was negative was in July 2010 & was less than 0.91. With the obvious symptoms I figure it's pretty much herpes type 2.

[confusedyoungman]

Also. Grace already helped me with this back in April. I suppose I just go to get the blisters swabbed. Didn't think it necessary due to the typical ob.

[Mistakeguy789]

Okay I read the advice from grace.  Your coping is right now I think needing the advice given to you in the past.  Being tested properly is going to help in telling you what you have or don't have.  Why say you have something when there is a chance you may not.  Consider the re-testing now and I would go as far as getting the WB at this point.

[confusedyoungman]

I just figured I should move past the denial phase. Was planning on a retest but didn't see the point after the ob. Do I get another igg or go for the wb?

[confusedyoungman]

Ok I have an appointment on Thursday for a follow up igg test. I'll post numbers when I get them. Thanks guys.

[franklinandbash]

Just come back and post the numbers when you do. If you have another low positive test you may need a WB  as mistakeguy has stated. I personally would skip the igg and go for it

[confusedyoungman]

I just wonder since most of the posts say that false positives are common with a lack of symptoms & I most certainly had them. Thanks for the advice though.

[franklinandbash]

You had symptoms, but you did not follow up and make sure that what you had was in fact herpes. You just diagnosed yourself. There is a good possibility it could very well have been herpes, but your igg blood test was low and you haven't had an outbreak since. Totally up to you on what you want to do. All we can do is give advice if we were in your shoes, we can't make you follow it

[Birka123]

Hey, don't despair. I know this is difficult for you but do yourself a favor and actually confirm your status first. You can bury yourself in the world of film and literature which I do as well these days but until you know your answer, don't get buried too deep :). Hang in there buddy, and hope for a positive resolution for you.

[confusedyoungman]

Thanks. I'll know soon. The 1st ob happened about a month after my positive igg test. Started small & then grew into about 10 small blisters. Lasted for 3 weeks. Anyone else had anything similar. Would almost clear then come back worse. Nothing since valtrex though.

[confusedyoungman]

Forgot to ask this. Would antivirals lower an igg count?

[Mistakeguy789]

Valtrex doesn't impact the immune system from making antibodies really.

[confusedyoungman]

Also. I've seen nurse Warren post confirmatory percentages for low positives. Anyone know the percentage for a 1.4 being truly positive.

[gracefromHHP]

it would be unusual for a recurrence to present with 10 lesions.

stop the valtrex at this point and go from there. I'm too tired to read through our past posting but 1.4 is low odds of being a true positive as I"m sure I advised you previously.  As I say frequently, just because it has feathers doesn't mean it's a duck - get proper testing to confirm your status - don't make assumptions. wouldn't you feel kinda silly if you wasted several months of your life being depressed over herpes and then find out you really didn't have it?

grace

[confusedyoungman]

I would feel very silly. No worries about not reviewing the previous posts. Everyone here has been great. Thank you grace, mistakeguy & all the rest for your prompt & informative replies. I had a rather negative experience on another forum. Too casual. No info.

[confusedyoungman]

Also. The blisters kept coming and going for three weeks. Started as 2. These scabbed in a week then came back as 4 these scabbed in a week then came back as 10 in a large cluster. These healed but left some white pin sized scars.