please help. Oral cold sores ruining my life

[ireallyhatemylife]

Hello

I was recently diagnosed with HSV 1 orally back in March. I had my first episode in early march with blisters around my lower lip, swolen lymph nodes, etc. Doctor put me on Valtrex twice a day for 10 days. Medicine worked. I was also using Abreva. After about 6 weeks from the first episode, I got the second and for the past few weeks they have been non-stop. One would heal, within a few days, another one. I have on my lower lip now.I am still taking Valtrex (1Gram) twice  a day. In addition, I am taking a lot of Lysine tablets (8000+)
I am not sexually active and havent been for sometime. I tested negative for HSV2. I dont where I got it from.
I am so ashamed and depressed. I have not been able to go to work or even leave my house for days. I have lost 10 pounds. I can't eat very much. I am running out of sick time at work.

I feel so helpless.
I don't know whether I keep reinfecting myself or what. I wash my hands constantly. I hear stress is a big part but I cant get this thing out of my head

Please help

[ireallyhatemylife]

Thanks Petal

I finally got an appt with a dermatologist. It is 3 weeks out. It is difficult to see these specialists.

My current sore looks to be healing. It is day #8. The weird thing about this one is there was really no crusting or anything. There has not been much of a change for the past few days. There is this little round circle on my lip. It looks to be slightly raised. It looks to be darker than my skin tone. It just looks weird. I am still putting Abreva on there. Is that normal? Should I be doing something else? I would like this thing to go away

I have been taking 1g Valterx twice a day (2g total). Should I continue to take that now that current is starting to go away? Maybe go down 1g a day?

What about Lysine? Should I continue to take it?

[petal130]

I'm with Grace on this one - see a specialist. Even your doctor didn't know if this was herpes related, but a dermatologist or ENT has more specialized experience in determining the cause.

And as Grace said, you'd need to stop the antivirals to be able to be a good culture sampling next time you are symptomatic.

Valtrex won't help if it's not herpes.

[ireallyhatemylife]

Thanks Grace.
I went to go see my primary care doctor. He just did not tell me anything new. He just doesnt know why I keep getting OB's or if they are real cold sores. He said to continue taking the 1g Valtrex twice a day. He said also said to come in the next time I get a sore so he can see it.
He gave me some meds for anxiety. He thinks all the stress and the anxiety might be contributing. I am not sure if I want to take anxiety meds. I am worried about long term impacts and possibly getting hooked on them

He just does not know why taking all the Valtrex isn't reducing the OB's I am taking the max dosage.
The current is healing but still very visible and very ugly

thx

[gracefromHHP]

what doctor are you seeing today?

definitely time for consults to specialists to get to the bottom of this. You also might want to consider stopping all antivirals and when you get a fresh batch of symptoms, be seen that day for a lesion culture to confirm if they are even herpes related or not. Talk to your regular doctor about this and make arrangements so you can call and the clinic nurse can see you that day to do the culture. it's a simple swab of the lesions and it doesn't take a doctor to do it. usually  you can be seen faster if the nurse is doing it for you .

grace

[ireallyhatemylife]

Thank you all for your support. I was angry and tired when I wrote that last post. I will not let this stupid thing beat me.
I have an appt with the doctor tomorrow.
In terms of other issues - I don't have any other symptoms other than stress and anxiety about this thing. All I get are these cold sores on my lip. They do not hurt at all. No other physical symptoms

I keep reading about boosting immune system helping reduce OB's. How can I boost my immune system? I have started to stay away from unhealthy foods, I take a multivitamin, etc. I also completely stay away from chocolate, beanuts, oatmeal, etc



Thanks again for all the support

[gracefromHHP]

suicide is not the answer. Please contact your local suicide hotline the next time you feel like you need to end your life. http://suicidehotlines.com/  has national numbers as well as local numbers for you to call when you need support quickly.  

your body has not become immune to the medications.  If this isn't herpes causing your symptoms, all the herpes antivirals in the world aren't going to keep symptoms at bay. You could have another virus going on, a fungal infection, a bacterial infection or even an allergic reaction going on. A further work up is needed to get proper answers and treatments.  

grace

[petal130]

ENT is an ear, nose and throat doctor.

Stress is not a proven factor of herpes outbreaks. Quite honestly, those of us with herpes would all be constantly having OBs if that were the case.

We get enough lysine in our diets already, and even then it's not proven to do much for herpes. Abreva also doesn't give much bang for your buck.

Listen to what Grace is saying - most likely this is something else going on. You'll read frequently on the forum: just because you have herpes doesn't mean everything IS herpes.

[ireallyhatemylife]

Thank you for the reply gracefromhpp. What is an ENT?
I have tried to end my life but could go through with it last night. I now have an appt with the doctor for tomorrow.
Is it possible the virus adapted to my treatment - Lysine, Valtrex and Abreva?
What else should I try?
I am so stressed out from this and I know stress could be contributing to this but I don't know how to stop it

Thank you soo much

[gracefromHHP]

i recommend going back to be seen monday.  this is more than just oral herpes going on from the sounds of things. if your regular doctor is stumped, follow up with an ENT specialist.  

grace

[ireallyhatemylife]

Thank you for your reply. I am already taking 1g pills twice a day. I literally have not been able to eat a decent meal for days. I have been living on Ensure protien drinks. I am going insane. I have thought about killing myself numerous times. The doctor keeps telling me a lot of people have this virus and stop worrying so much. Stress will cause more outbreaks. But I do not know how to stop worrying about this.
The previous outbreaks would start to clear up literally within 2 days. I am on day 4 on the current OB and it looks like it is getting better

I can't take it anymore. I am so disgusted with myself

[katieh123]

Hey there,

I totally know how you feel.  I have the exact same problem.  

I am taking 500 mg Valtrex daily and it is working wonders....you might even have to take 1g per day (two pills) to stave off outbreaks.  I hope this helps...