second try---forbidden topic?!

[jasmine]

herpes anyone? Am I the only woman cyclist out there struggling with this one? I haven't seen this topic dealt with anywhere? lets break the taboo!!!

[mtbdarby]

Jasmine, what are you struggling with specifically? I'm willing to chat....or PM me.

[Veronica]

I don't think it's a forbidden topic. Just not one (thankfully!) that I've had to deal with.

V.

[Nanci]

I knew a guy that had herpes that was a very active successful MTBer/triathlete. Unfortunately, he died this year. I don't know the circumstances of that. That's the only person I could think of to refer you to- and it's too late.

Nanci

[SadieKate]

jasmine, no topics are forbidden but this board has been spammed so many times that we get a little leary of someone's first post about any potential "odd" topic. Not to mention, you gave folks less than 24 hours to respond. We're not all sitting here waiting for your posts. Someone might have valuable info but she's on vacation right now or off riding. Be patient and in the mean time find the "Getting to Know You" thread and introduce yourself.

[Brandi]

I would like to know what is bothering you too. Are you getting raw when riding? And I don't think it is the exercise that is bothering it it is most of the time stress. I get cold sores on my mouth. Basically the same thing ( my grandmother had them, and when I was a kid I don't think we knew that kissing people when you had one would transmit it, so it is my grandmother's legacy). Through the years they have lessend. Unfortunatly gave them to my DH. And he get's these huge one's. I feel bad about it too. But after 19 years it happen's. But everytime he get's stressed it happen's. My frined suggests you just keep yourself (excuse my frankness here) well lubbed with an anti itch cream. Don't put it inside you. Just the outter parts. Hydrocortizon (however you spell it. she gets the little blister's and said tis works for her. Besides she said the med's cost more then they are worth unless you have really bad outbreaks? Then the med's should help. Do you breakout a lot?
And i agree with Sadiekate, you got to give us time. We all have busy lives and it is not always easy to comment right away. And it is true we are scared of spam here too! This is a good group of supportive women you just have to be patient with us sometimes. Besides yesterday was Monday and everyone seem's to be dealing with bad weather right now. Hope everyone is doing better today!

[mtbdarby]

Jasmine,
Sorry, I didn't see your first post. Sadly, I admit I have the same issue. The drugs or cream never worked for me and IMO weren't worth the money. I also find that my outbreaks are friction related, not stress related. Point in case - after my long ride this weekend I have a blister.

To prevent I agree with Brandi - keep the area well lubed and remove those shorts as soon as you're done and get the area dry. If you get an outbreak, keep the area dry. Believe it or not, my dr. recommended drying the area with a hair dryer after a shower/bath. It helps the healing process. Anti-itch creams help with the annoying itch. If the sores are internal, all the more reason to try and keep it dry. Feel free to go commando around the house if necessary.

As a tri athlete I think friction could be a big problem for you, but stress does play a part for some people. You need to identify your trigger and eliminate it. Some people will get a tingling feeling before an outbreak to warn you. Take note if you do. Obviously, no physical activities when you have an outbreak but I'm sure you know that.

Hope that helps some.

[Brandi]

MTBDARBY-Do you think friction causes the outbreak or just makes you feel it more?

[mtbdarby]

It causes it for me Brandi. The sores will always come in the same spots on your body - for me, I get them just above the clitoris (sorry if TMI). If I get too much external stimulation, if you get my drift, boom - a sore the next day. Believe it or not, I used to get them on my ring finger - go figure. We could never figure that out. It's called a herpactic whitlo (sp) and that was stress related. I would feel a tingling in the finger for a couple of days and then I got blisters and my finger would swell up so bad it looked like it would rip open. I haven't had that happen in over 5 years and trust me - I've had stress during that timeframe. So remission is also possible. That's why you need to find your trigger. I've heard that some people have outbreaks by eating certain foods - usually spicey foods. My ex used to get them in his nose when he got colds - friction from blowing/wiping his nose (different herpes strain, but same type of outbreaks).

The stastic is that something outrageous like 25% of people have genital herpes and it's even higher for HSV-1. A lot of people have it and don't know. Someone with a cold sore can give someone else genital herpes. There are some good websites out there so maybe do some researching and see what works for you.

http://www.herpes.com/overview.shtml

http://www.herpeshelp.com/

[Brandi]

Wow i am glad it is not caused by friction for me. I will check out the websites too. My friend gets it in her eyelid. Her eyelid swells up.
It is funny you mentioned getting it on your finger. I every once in a while get a blister on my index finger? It doesn't swell but itches. I wonder if it is the same thing.

[jasmine]

Thank all of you wonderful women for your responses, they are very helpful. I do admit that I have a personality change when I have an outbreak!!! I just get so frustrated and I haven't been able to get sport specific info! I just found this forum and got a bit overly excited that I might actually get some support!!! I think my outbreaks are both stress and friction related, also if I worry that I am going to get one, like before a big race, of course I get one!!! I will try the advice of lubing, lubing, lubing. I have tried alternative tx's such as Christine Northrup's advice and Susan Weed, herbalist---but honestly they don't really help.. when they are bad I reach for Valtrex, which helps but I do not like to take it ( but I like having an outbreak even less!)
THanks again everyone and I really am a nice person!!

[Nanci]

Hi Jasmine,

Sorry I can't be of any help, and even though I don't have that problem, I can certainly sympathize with you! After riding 325ish miles this weekend, with 50 more still to go, I was reduced to standing up, grabbing at my crotch, screaming obscenities, swerving wildly about as I tried to find _some_ sort of relief...(Luckily, the pain seems to come and go, so I was able to finish the ride in relative composure.) Yeah, anything you can do to keep that area in compliance is of utmost importance.

Nanci

[profàvélo]

Nanci, I know it wasn't funny at the time, but I just got a hilarious image of you standing, screaming, and crotch-grabbing on the swerving bike. :D That must take some practice!

And by the way, big-time congratulations and kudos for your big ride. That's amazing!

As for the original topic, I get cold sores (Abreva helps with those), which are bad enough, so I really feel for those of you dealing with the genital version.

[CorsairMac]

Good Morning All:

L-Lysine seems to be a huge help in relieving the uncomfortableness of herpes. I'm just wondering tho: have you tried a diet change? I was also diagnosed with herpes and given a 'script to Valtrex. When I changed my diet and removed all yeast products, the herpes "outbreaks" went away. Now I only have problems when I eat too much of something I"m allergic to, and L-Lysine, acidopholus (sp) and herbal yeast-cleansers take care of me. That and NOT eating whatever caused the outbreak.

Just another thought.

[Brandi]

Wow! I never thought about yeast being a factor? I am going to look into this! Thanks Corsairmac.

[VenusdeVelo]

Jasmine,
Also try and find out from your doctor/dermatologist if you can use something like Zovirax cream on your...ummm...."nether regions". ;) Zovirax is an antiviral cream (also Denavir is another brand), available only by prescription in the US I believe. It's used for cold sores, and also the sores you get from any herpes-related visrus, such as the chicken pox virus (it's latent and shows up years later in areas where you have nerve bundles, like lower back area) and manifests in similar sores.

It's an alternative to Valtrex, and although you need to put it on about 2x a day, it may be a good option over taking drugs. I just don't know if it can be used everywhere.

Your breakouts, even if they occur after friction of some sort, are still body stress related. Anytime you irritate skin, it stresses your body and you are likely to get a breakout. A virus does not flare from friction only, but it's just your body's reaction to the skin irritation, ie at a reduced immunity point. For ex, your period will often cause breakouts -- it's still your body under stress of some sort. So a bad workweek, hard training, poor sleep, periods....all of it can cause it.

[fixedgeargirl]

Like CorsairMac, I was wondering if L-Lysiene would help. I get cold sores and feel tingling when one is coming on. I have found taking a Lysiene compund from Quantum Foods helps immensely. The sooner I take it the better, like at the first tingle. I take a large initial dose, then a maintanance dose for several days. I don't ususally avoid the sore altogether, but definitely shorten the lifespan and size. This product has several herbs together with the lysiene. I have not had the same success with lysiene alone.

I've also identified several triggers (wind, sun, aerobic exertion and coffee are among them), and find that a combination of three generally guarantees an outbreak, while being exposed to one or two doesn't cause a problem.

[VenusdeVelo]

From a site I subscribe to...acyclovir is the active ingredient in anti-viral creams like Denavir and Zovirax...

Tea Tree Oil/Melaleuca

Tea tree oil has some interesting research demonstrating it to be an effective antimicrobial agent. The Journal of Applied Microbiology (January 2000, pages 170–175) stated that "The essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Its mode of action against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli AG100, the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 8325, and the yeast Candida albicans has been investigated using a range of methods.... The ability of tea tree oil to disrupt the permeability barrier of cell membrane structures and the accompanying loss of chemiosmotic control is the most likely source of its lethal action at minimum inhibitory levels." In addition, "In a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study of tea tree oil in the treatment of herpes cold sores, tea tree oil was found to have similar degree of activity as 5% acyclovir" (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, May 2001, page 450).

[mtbdarby]

Venus,
Interesting article. Have you tried tea tree oil? I've tried acyclovir and Zovirax with very limited success so I don't even bother anymore. I've been told tea tree oil works well for scars (was recommended for my cs scar).

FGG, do you know what the other compounds are with the L-Lysiene or have a link to a site for it? I may want to give that a try.

Thanks!

[fixedgeargirl]

FGG, do you know what the other compounds are with the L-Lysiene or have a link to a site for it? I may want to give that a try.

Thanks!

I'm at work, so I can't go read the bottle, but I know that it contains goldenseal and other antiviral/antibacterial herbs. They also make a topical that comes in a squeeze tube and a lipbalm with spf 15 with the same ingredients. I get palliative relief from the balms that I don't get from any other cream/chapstick/oil/butter that I've tried, but it's taking a mega-dose (two tablets) of the oral at the first tingle that really seems to stop an outbreak in its tracks.

Found a link:
http://www.quantumhealth.com/

[CorsairMac]

The herbal yeast-cleanser I use has tea tree oil in it, amongst other things. I have found it to work the best so far to get me back in balance. I'm not surprised to read it reacts the same as a prescription!

[jasmine]

I went out and bought the Super Lysine plus made by Quantum, just seems like an all around good immune booster it has Vit C, garlic, echinacea,licorice,goldenseal.propolis---all good stuff. I also boughtan essential oil mixture made by Simplers called Herp Aid, that has tea tree, lavender, mellissa in an olive oil base---I am determined to figure this out. I'll let you know....I have used tea tree oil for all kinds of things including tick bites, pimples, weird rashes etc---seems to work well.

[Brandi]

I would like to know if tis oil you bought works too. Please let me know. I am outta town as of next Tuesday and gone till the end of te month Pm me if you have any results worth sharing that way i won't miss the thread.

[jeannierides]

Embarrasing subject, but evidentally affects more people that I'd ever imagined! :eek: According to my gyn, HSV1 that is transmitted to the genital area is still HSV1.

[mtbdarby]

Alright, since we are "out of the closet" on this I'm going for broke and feel the need to ask this question:

For those that are single with this, how do you discuss this with your SO? I've been seeing someone for a little while now and dread the day this conversation has to take place. How do you bring it up? Do you bring it up, etc? The only guy other than my ex I told, and I felt like pond scum for having it in the first place. Any thoughts, ideas, etc would be appreciated.

Jasmine, aren't you glad you asked????:p

[mmelindas]

Well, I am no longer single, but once was not long ago...

You see, since having a disease is NOT necessarily your fault, (you could have gotten it without knowing), you should do the SO the favor and medical courtesy of telling him immediately, since you can transmit Herpes without even having symptoms.

He needs to use condoms, avoid oral sex or he will end up with it also, and then he could be angry about it...:mad: Since you know you have it, it is your responsibility to protect him by informing him....:(

You have no more reason to be ashamed to tell any potential sexual partner about Herpes than you would be to tell them if you had cancer, diabetes, or any disease... you didn't choose to have it, did you? Probably NOT!!:D

[CorsairMac]

Darby: like anything else - don't feel "guilty" because you have it. It happens. But you do need to tell him.....if he truly cares for you, he'll understand and accept it as part of who you are.

and jeannie: I'm not sure the diagnosis was correct. I wasn't "tested" for it she just gave me the script (which didn't work) based on my description of the problem. I never went to see her when I had a flare-up either. But I also don't manifest the normal yeast infection symptoms and once I cut out the yeast and sugar products, the symptoms that I was having which seemed to resemble herpes, went away. Now I only have flare-ups when I'm not careful of my diet or my immune system is compromised ie: major bad sinus infection.

[mtbdarby]

Corsair and Melinda,
I know I have to tell him (he's a paramedic - I don't know if that makes this easier for him or not to understand), but it's the HOW do I bring it up? I've had this for about 15 years (from a cheating bf) and back then we were told you couldn't transmit it unless you had a sore. Now they say you can for a couple weeks of shedding skin after an outbreak. My ex had no problem with it and choose not to use protection and he never got it. To me it's a touchy subject - heck, it's an std! So yeah, I do feel guilty about it because if I had used protection I wouldn't have it, kwim? I'm not the most tactful person in the world so thought maybe someone had ideas of how to broach the subject.

[Brandi]

You tell him exactly that. You got it from a cheating boyfriend. I have delt with this situation with another friend of mine. Her boyfriend had it. Had not had an outbreak but still Gave it to her. He didn't know that by not having an outbreak you could still pass it on. Well she started having problems about a year after they were going out. Both went to the Dr. THe Dr asked her who she had been with, which made her mad cause she hadn't been with anyone else sence this one guy. And then the Dr asked Him and that's when it came out. She understood why he thought it was dormant. And trusted him enough to know he wasn't cheating on her. But they had to go through a lot to get to that point. But the funny thing is she said oh well I have it now so they didn't need to use condoms. and now they have been married for over 12 years.
I guess what I am saying is you don't want him to have a problem then accuse you of cheating. That would really suck!!! Oh and by the way that person is me. Ok I am out of the closet now too. Damn i can't lie to you people! Anyway. My outbreaks where bad in the begining and have calmed down quite a bit. But please tell him so you don't have to go through what I did. And i was using kind words when the dr asked who I had shared myself with. She was a little more rude then that. We never went back to her. And my husband and I are going on 20 years with eachother by the way.

[mmelindas]

Honesty is always the best policy! I totally agree with you Brandi and commend you for honesty and openness. :D

If this person loves you he would accept your medical condition just as he should accept diabetes, cancer, and any condition. Just because you have an STD doesn't mean YOU SLEPT AROUND!! It means you were a victim and don't want him to become one either.:eek:

Just have a quiet talk with him alone and SOON!! You don't want anyone who doesn't accept you completely..Better to know now where he really stands on that issue. :cool:

Unconditional love is necessary for any relationship to survive.........:)

[jeannierides]

Corsair, I'm surprised that your gyn would just assume a diagnosis and give you a prescription! At any rate, if the herbals and diet changes work, that's great!

[jasmine]

Wow, I am so happy all this is out in the open! When I was first diagnosed with herpes I had been married for @ 15 years and was shocked. It definetly rocked our world a bit with each one of us thinking the other had fooled around. I did a ton of research and discovered that the herpes virus can be dormant in your systen for a long time and then for some reason gets triggered. So I figured out an old, old bf who I probably got it from........ anyway my gyn said she had treated 80 year old widows who suddenly had outbreaks and had not been sexually active for years!!
I still believe in the toilet seat theory---well not really but who knows.
Anyway I agree with everyone else, if this is a keeper relationship you will survive this, just tell and get it over with!!
Good Luck!
jasmine

[mtbdarby]

You'll all be happy to know I told him last night (in my not-so-tactfully way!). I tried my best to soften it up but he was shocked of course. We talked a bit, cuddled, and talked some more. He's a paramedic so his medical background does help him understand. He told me has has HUGE respect for me for telling him instead of doing what was done to me. We've only been going out for 3 weeks so I think it's a bit early to be asking for unconditional love (or any love at all) but we do care about each other deeply already. But he told me I was too good of a catch to let get away....so the guys got brains, lol. Seriously, he is pretty darn amazing so I'm hoping this has a happy ending.

Thanks for your support everyone and for opening up the thread Jasmine!