Hi Tumper,

I'm so very sorry that you are suffering so much!!!!  I hope that you can find
some relief.

You may need to up your dose and see if that helps.  Go to 1500mgs.  If it
doesn't help, then stop taking it.

Also, sunlight is a huge trigger for oral herpes, so you should consider wearing
a sunscreen lotion on your face all the time and covering up with a hat whenever
you are outside in sunlight.

Food can be a trigger for some people.  Please eliminate caffeine, chocolate,
nuts, and peanuts.  Give it a few months. If your situation doesn't improve,
then those foods aren't triggers for you.

You may want to have a food allergy test done as well as other allergy testing.
Allergies will lower your immune system.  Plus, allergies can come on suddenly
at all ages.

Also, take a look online at the arginine/lysine food chart.  I don't have a link
but a google search should show it.  See if you are eating foods too high in
arginine.  Perhaps you can cut a few out.

Take an honest look at your diet and exercise.  You need to help your immune
system.  However, boosting a disfunctional immune system is a bad idea.  So stay
away from products that promise that.  You are looking to balance your immune
system.  Packaged foods contain lots of chemicals and crap that can mess up your
body.  Start switching to a whole food diet - that means you eat foods you
prepare yourself that don't come from a box, bottle, bag, or can.  Lots of fresh
fruit and veggies.  Exercise is important, too.

Get a complete physical.  I believe that changes in our herpes status can
indicate other problems.  But that could also be hormonal as well as something
else.

Convince your doctor to try valtrex again.  It's clear you are suffering.  If
bumps on your hands return, stop taking the drug.  If your doctor refuses, find
another doctor.  I know it is difficult to do that sometimes, but you need to
try something else.

Also, look into stress relievers like meditation - which can also be a
motion-type meditation like walking or doing some sort of movement.

Oh, and don't forget to get plenty of rest.

Also, I have found for pain and swelling, good old ibuprofin works.  

Other than the tea tree oil (make sure you dilute it if using the oil), people
have had success with the original lysterine mouthwash - put it on your sores.
Also, a product called Milk of Magnesia - don't know if you can get it.  It
dries up the sores fast.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.

ar