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. 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.