Oral Herpes Support Group

You sound like you have some pretty bad outbreaks. I agree - it is more than a nuisance. It is painful, ugly and emotionally draining to be without kisses from the family. In the past with my outbreaks, my entire face would feel different - more oil, sensitive. I would feel tired and a little feverish. I know this affects my body, so it is more than a nuisance. I'm guessing your doctor never had to deal with it!!
I used to be affected frequently and severely. Not only would I get the sores, but I would swell at the site too.
On this discussion board, I shared my 'cure'. I use the Herpecin lip balm. Check out that discussion topic. I know it sounds unlikley, but that stuff has saved me. It's OTC and relatively cheap. Good Luck!

Thank you KatA, I have tried that and I can guaranty that I have tried everything you see on the internet and all the home remidies. You name it, I've tried it. The only thing I haven't done is see if I can find a doctor who treats them with a laser which I know is out there but I have no idea if it really works. I just don't know if it would help me because it occures so often. I have spent thousands on hopeful treatments but so far nothing has really worked. I get about 3 outbreaks a month so it's almost constant, as soon as I have a clear day I am waiting for the next one to start. I just wish someone would find a cure, or that I could at least figure out what my triggers are so I can avoid them. I've already given up all the foods that are on the bad list, I'm otherwise very healthy so I just can't figure out why I get them so often. It's heartbreaking.

After only 5 clear days I'm starting again. My holiday and vacation are ruined. God hates me. I don't want to live this life.

Keep up the remedies..I know something will work for you! Have you talked to a doctor about the aldara cream? I think the way it works is to irritate the virus affected area to make your immune system kick in. Maybe this is a possibility, but I don't know how much it is used for oral herpes- if at all. Good Luck and let me know how you are doing.

I've tried everything and I am currently in the middle of the worst breakout ever. I have it on my entire lower lip, gums and inside mylip. I can't eat and can hardly drink. I went to the doctor today and he changed me from Valtrex to Zovirex but I have little hope that it will work. I'm starting to think I should forget it - finish this life and start a new one.

you sound very desperate. please, get yourself some help coping with this. maybe a counselor? how about some anti-depressant or anti-anxiety drugs? those could help you cope and lower your stress - which might even help your outbreaks.
have you tried a different doctor? i'm sure your doctor is great, but maybe another doctor will have a different idea which could help. are there viral specialists? dermatologist maybe? just an idea.
keep me posted.

Well after my last outbreak I had one clear day. It was like heaven, I felt like I had my life back and everything was going to be okay. Then I woke up this morning and it's starting all over again. Something is wroong. I have seen a derm and a counseler. Everyone tells me its just a simple virus and a nuisance. I'm on Xanax and have been on other meds for stress and it doesn't help. I feel great unless I have a break out which is now all the time. It's getting worse and worse and I feel like it's over. I don't know what to do. My family is getting sick of listening to me complain and tell me to ignore it but it's a constant reminder of the fact that I'm contagious and can't kiss my kids, have to watch my glass and be sure no one touches it. It's painful and hateful and I know something is wrong with me. Why should it happen all the time like this? I feel very desperate. If it wasn't for my family I'd end it. This is too much.

have you had a second opinion from another doctor? i know it's more than 'just a nuisance to be ignored'!!!! argh! how angry that makes me. you have a real complaint. it's painful and ugly and contagious. don't give up this fight. get another opinion, have tests to see if you are lacking something. i'm not a doctor, so i don't know what can be done for you, but there has to be something more. i'm not tired of hearing you complain. please vent on here if it helps you. i will listen.

I went to a new dentist today for a new OB on my gums. He did the IPL laser treatment and I'm waiting to see if it helps. Last week I went to a Viral specialist who basically said the same thing - "there is nothing I can do" he took a bunch of blood tests but doesn't think anything will come of them. I'll let you know how it goes.
Life was good for a couple weeks this month - I was OB free for the first time in 2 years but that ended today. I'm trying to keep my spirits up but it's hard to keep smiling when I feel like there is something wrong and no one will isten. I have never heard of another person suffering from constant OB's, not even on this site. I do feel alone but it's nice to have someone to talk to.

Katie,

you are not at all alone. I have basically constant outbreaks. I am clear for a day or two, then right back to the life of a social outcast. There arn't many like us but you are not alone at all. But you need to know that God does not hate you. There are faaarrrr worse things in this life than oral herpes. If oral herpes are your biggest issue then you should feel blessed. I constantly try new remedies and prescription medication with no results. The only I have come to realize is that I can delay my time between outbreaks with inner peace. Realize that there is no cure (now, hopefully) so stop getting your hopes up with each doctor visit. That sounds like a major source of stress creation to me.

If you run into any good solutions, please pass on the news.