 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Herpes / June 2006prednisone and herpes?
I am going to be taking prednisone for a severe bronchitis problem. I am wondering if this will cause me to have outbreaks more frequently now? If so how long can I expect the outbreaks to increase? Thanks, Everyone is different, Al. I was on a three month course of pred and after I finished that, I was blessed with a month-long outbreak of the worst herpes I've ever experienced in my life. This was also when I developed neuralgia, which I had never had before. I could not move, sit, lie down. Wearing any clothes was painful. Bedsheets were too painful. I can not express to you how awful this outbreak was. I will never take pred again. I strongly recommend you get on valrex before you start and keep it up for a little while afterwards. Why would you need pred for a bronchitis problem? Bronchitis is generally either caused by: 1) bacteria--pred won't help 2) virus--pred won't help 3) allergies--pred may help. ar >I am going to be taking prednisone for a severe bronchitis problem. I > am wondering if this will cause me to have outbreaks more frequently > now? If so how long can I expect the outbreaks to increase? > > Thanks, Hi Ar, They are putting me on 10mg 2-4 times a day for 5 days and thats it. I have asthma and thats why I need it because I have asthmatic bronchitis. I am going to be out on Disability for a week and a half. I also am going to take zthromax for 3 days to counteract immune readiness problems, then mucinex and my usuals: Prevacid for acid reflux and Lexapro for depression and anxiety. I guess I could start taking valtrex starting tomorrow, but will that interfere with the benefits of prednisone? I really dont want anymore outbreaks. Another thing is that someone else in my family also has genital herpes i found out and she has been on prednisone for asthma, but I am not sure I ever heard her mention increase of outbreaks from the prednisone, but maybe she never mentioned it. I hope I am not in for a "treat" from herpes now. Al > Everyone is different, Al. > [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > > > Thanks, Hi Al, I really can't tell you what you may experience. I can only share with you the horror I dealt with. Remember, I was on it for three months. The valtrex, in my mind, would act much like the antibiotic. You're taking an antibiotic just in case you pick something up when they shut down your immune system. Well, the valtrex is the same thing, only with the virus instead of a bacteria. But I'm not a doctor! I can't imagine the valtrex interferring with the pred. I don't think they are related at all. But ask your doctor to be sure. ar > Hi Al, > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > interferring with the pred. I don't think they are related at all. But ask > your doctor to be sure. There is a cold sore med in prep that works on this sort of principle, a steroid to clear the inflammation of the lesion and the antiviral in the cream too to go for the virus. So the principle is sound. Just check the interaction potential with the doc :) Tim -- When playing rugby, its not the winning that counts, but the taking apart ICQ: 5178568 Hi everyone, Thanks for the info. I am actually working with a doctor that doesnt know about my herpes situation, but I have a large supply of valtrex at home anyway, so I can always take one for lets say the 5 days I am on prednisone. I'm going to call the pharmacy and see what they say. My asthma has gotten severe and I need to do something unless I want to die from pneumonia at the rate I am going. Well I need to lie down, I am very tired as this bronchitis has worn me out. Al > > Hi Al, > > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > When playing rugby, its not the winning that counts, but the taking apart > ICQ: 5178568 > Hi everyone, > > Thanks for the info. I am actually working with a doctor that doesnt > know about my herpes situation, but I have a large supply of valtrex at > home anyway, so I can always take one for lets say the 5 days I am on > prednisone. I'm going to call the pharmacy and see what they say. Al ~ you really need to tell your doctor what is going on so he/she can be aware of all of your health issues. How are they suppose to help you if they don't know about what it is you are going through? Maybe there are different ways to treat your conditions and since you have so many of them it's good for you to be honest so they can do the best to help you. If they do not have all the information how can you ever expect to have any relief in your life? > My asthma has gotten severe and I need to do something unless I want to > die from pneumonia at the rate I am going. Well I need to lie down, I > am very tired as this bronchitis has worn me out. It sounds like you are in a very bad place and I believe you should pick up the phone, call your doctor, and tell your doctor everything that is going on. You've been in too much pain for too long and with all sorts of different medical conditions according to what you have described over the last year. It's time to get your health under control... don't you think? Angela  Signature"By opening up to a partner and talking about an STD diagnosis you are showing that you respect and care about yourself as well as the other person." Herpes Help http://www.yoshi2me.com/index.html STD Message Board http://yoshi2me.com/phpbb/index.php Picking Up the Pieces http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html Hi Angela, Well yes that is true that I have a number of health problems...don't we all, maybe I have just a few more... I told the doctor that I am seeing for the asthma that I have hpv because once I think he was doing an exam and noticed it down there. I didnt tell him about me having herpes because i felt embarresed. I have however mentioned my herpes status to other doctors. I am starting to do better thankfully, but it is a slow process and the prednisone only seems to be making a slight difference in my breathing easily. I still go into these asthma spasms and attacks. I have an inhaler so I am pretty safe in that respect. Al > > Hi everyone, > > [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > Picking Up the Pieces > http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html Hope you will feel better soon. Angela Signature"By opening up to a partner and talking about an STD diagnosis you are showing that you respect and care about yourself as well as the other person." Herpes Help http://www.yoshi2me.com/index.html STD Message Board http://yoshi2me.com/phpbb/index.php Picking Up the Pieces http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html > Hi Angela, > [quoted text clipped - 61 lines] >> Picking Up the Pieces >> http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html Just a few thoughts here. I was prescribed Lotrisone by one of the physicians I saw when I went to see him, but the rash was pretty much gone by that point. It didn't help me at all, but it didn't make anything worse. I would say that if you have herpes though, steer clear of all oral or topical steroids. They tend to have an immunosuppressant effect. Strong topical steroids also thin the skin (reversibly) but depending on where this is applied this can also be undesirable too. My two cents on this, ~Eric Thanks Eric, I think I was prescribed Lotrisone cream once and I didnt notice anything as a result of that either. Well I am off the Prednisone now and it was a short treatment. I didnt want to mix all those pills so I chanced not taking the valtrex. I did notice a little achiness in the thighs and groin but nothing else happened. No new outbreaks at this point. The doctor put me on a steroidal inhaler called Flovent, and it works like Valtrex being suppressive therapy. The difference in my mind between this and valtrex is that valtrex is suppressive for shedding and comfort reasons, flovent for survival. Now I am just wondering if taking this for a long time will work like taking prednisone for a long time? I know that Flovent and Prednisone are both Cortico Steroids. I don't use topical steroidal skin creams like cortisone as I know that can cause outbreaks. Does anyone have any thoughts on the inhaled use of Flovent as a cortico Steroid and the likelyhood of increased outbreaks, or am I over reacting? Thanks, Al > Just a few thoughts here. I was prescribed Lotrisone by one of the > physicians I saw when I went to see him, but the rash was pretty much [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > ~Eric > Thanks Eric, I think I was prescribed Lotrisone cream once and I didnt > notice anything as a result of that either. Yeah, I would still not use it if you feel an ob coming on. > Well I am off the Prednisone now and it was a short treatment. I didnt > want to mix all those pills so I chanced not taking the valtrex. I did > notice a little achiness in the thighs and groin but nothing else > happened. No new outbreaks at this point. Your aches were probably normal. Glad to hear no new ob's though! > The doctor put me on a steroidal inhaler called Flovent, and it works > like Valtrex being suppressive therapy. The difference in my mind [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > don't use topical steroidal skin creams like cortisone as I know that > can cause outbreaks. Flovent is a corticosteroid (fluticasone) which is used the supress the immunological resonse which results in the contractions which cause asthma. Ask you doctor about taking it along with Valtrex, but most likely he will keep you on Valtrex to help suppress an ob while taking the Flovent. Check out emedicine for more details on Flovent. > Does anyone have any thoughts on the inhaled use of Flovent as a > cortico Steroid and the likelyhood of increased outbreaks, or am I over > reacting? Asi I just said it does have an effect on the immune system particularly in your lungs where it is inhaled, so I think you might be overreacting--again run it past your doc. ~Eric Okay, I'll talk to him about it. In general my herpes situation is recently much better and I am not sure why, but I seem to be getting few and far between outbreaks and the ones I get are very mild now. So I am very much better herpes wise. Now I just have to get my asthma situation on track. Al > Asi I just said it does have an effect on the immune system > particularly in your lungs where it is inhaled, so I think you might be > overreacting--again run it past your doc. > > ~Eric > Okay, I'll talk to him about it. In general my herpes situation is > recently much better and I am not sure why, but I seem to be getting > few and far between outbreaks and the ones I get are very mild now. So > I am very much better herpes wise. This is WONDERFUL news Al ! ! ! :) :) :) Angela Signature"By opening up to a partner and talking about an STD diagnosis you are showing that you respect and care about yourself as well as the other person." Herpes Help http://www.yoshi2me.com/index.html STD Message Board http://yoshi2me.com/phpbb/index.php Picking Up the Pieces http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html > Okay, I'll talk to him about it. In general my herpes situation is > recently much better and I am not sure why, but I seem to be getting [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Al That is good news! For once I actually agree with something Angela said..LOL. I'm not sure if I ever asked you what viral type you have. With HSV-1, I just read a primary article where shedding was 1% in males and this tapers off with time, just like HSV-2 does (except type-2 has a much higher shedding rate), both in the frequency and severity of ob's. So chances are it will only continue to get better! ~Eric Hi Eric and Angela, I have oral hsv-1 and genital hsv-2, and genital hpv (genital warts). My oral herpes are very mild, only to the extent of slight burning/tingling sensations and red areas, but no blisters maybe 2-3 times a year. Genitally it has been a lot more severe. As far as with the hpv I have had them come and gotten them removed and then come back. I've given up on getting them removed, so I have some now that I am just going to leave and say "the heck with this". I guess there is a rate of shedding associated with hpv as well as with herpes on both symtomatic and asymtomatic, although I don't know what that is. When you say that shedding is 1% in males with HSV-1, do you mean genitally? I am asking because I heard that orally HSV-1 has a pretty frequent shedding rate. So its very possible to give someone oral herpes on the other person lips, by kissing them even if no cold sores are present. Al > That is good news! For once I actually agree with something Angela > said..LOL. I'm not sure if I ever asked you what viral type you have. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > ~Eric > Hi Eric and Angela, > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Al Oral herpes is often very mild, heck I might have it orally and not even know it. I'm sorry to hear that your genital HSV-2 has been rougher. Don't get frustrated with the HPV..did they give you an HPV strain? Yes, HPV sheds too. I don't have any shedding data on that for you. I mean that I just read a primary article where they found genital HSV-1 to asymptomatically shed 1% of the time in males. The asympt. shedding rate of oral HSV-1 has been found to be up to about 20% I believe. Genital HSV-2 also has a high shedding rate somewhere around this. ~Eric > I have oral hsv-1 and genital hsv-2, and genital hpv (genital warts). > My oral herpes are very mild, only to the extent of slight [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > herpes on both symtomatic and asymtomatic, although I don't know what > that is. You know... I'm not as familiar with HPV as well as I am with HSV. I do know that it's possible to pass HPV even if there are no signs or symptoms present so I guess that would be there is some type of asymptomatic shedding going on with HPV. I can tell you that with HSV it's possible to have asymptomatic shedding before, during, and after an outbreak. For those that don't have outbreaks that they can see, feel, or recognize the asymptomatic shedding isn't as often but it's still there and it's why people are contracting these viruses without really knowing it and especially if people assume that they can't if there isn't anything that they can see or feel. > When you say that shedding is 1% in males with HSV-1, do you mean > genitally? I am asking because I heard that orally HSV-1 has a pretty > frequent shedding rate. So its very possible to give someone oral > herpes on the other person lips, by kissing them even if no cold sores > are present. A person with genital herpes type-1 OR oral herpes type-1 is going to have some asymptomatic shedding going on. People with oral herpes can pass it to somebody's mouth or somebody genitals through kissing and/or oral sex. So yes, it's always going to be possible to pass herpes even if there are no signs or symptoms present. Hope this helps, Angela :) Signature"By opening up to a partner and talking about an STD diagnosis you are showing that you respect and care about yourself as well as the other person." Herpes Help http://www.yoshi2me.com/index.html STD Message Board http://yoshi2me.com/phpbb/index.php Picking Up the Pieces http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html Hello Eric and Angela, > You know... I'm not as familiar with HPV as well as I am with HSV. I do know > that it's possible to pass HPV even if there are no signs or symptoms > present so I guess that would be there is some type of asymptomatic shedding > going on with HPV. Well I don't really know the rate of shedding with HPV either, but I have had it at least 10 years and it comes and goes. I have had it removed and it always manages to come back. I was told that mine is probably not cancer causing, but I don't know the strain. I have had two different types. One type looks like a single fleshy mole and seems to favor the groin area, another type looks like little waxy clusters of 6-8 in a group and those are right on my genitals. > A person with genital herpes type-1 OR oral herpes type-1 is going to have > some asymptomatic shedding going on. People with oral herpes can pass it to > somebody's mouth or somebody genitals through kissing and/or oral sex. So > yes, it's always going to be possible to pass herpes even if there are no > signs or symptoms present. I was kind of curious about this, because I know that HSV-1 oral is very common, as much at 65% I heard. So in order for it to be that common its probably due to a high asymtomatic shedding rate. Maybe 20% is about right, but I heard its also more easy to spread it from mouth to mouth than mouth to genitals or genital to genital in the case of HSV-1. >From what I understand; 65% of the US population has oral herpes, and 22% has genital herpes. About 20% has genital hpv. Then when you figure the type 6-7, varicella and EBV, your talking about 90-95% for each of those. So realistically 90% of the US population has types 6+7, varicella/shingles zoster, and epstein barr. Another 65% have oral simplex, and 25% or so have it genitally and also have genital hpv. I know I have varicella, EBV and the oral and genital herpes and hpv, not sure about 6+7, but most people aquire that by age 3 so its very possible. Al > Hello Angela, > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > removed and it always manages to come back. I was told that mine is > probably not cancer causing, but I don't know the strain. That is correct... if you are getting the genital warts then you do not have the HPV type that can cause cervical cancer. There are 100+ strains of HPV. > I have had > two different types. One type looks like a single fleshy mole and seems > to favor the groin area, another type looks like little waxy clusters > of 6-8 in a group and those are right on my genitals. Just because the warts look different to you doesn't mean they are two different types of HPV. >> A person with genital herpes type-1 OR oral herpes type-1 is going to >> have [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > I was kind of curious about this, because I know that HSV-1 oral is > very common, as much at 65% I heard. Oral herpes is very common... doesn't really matter what the percentage is of people that have it... does it? Is the percentage really that important? Is knowing the percentage really going to change whether or not the person you are with has it or not? Don't you still have to find out if your partner has herpes in spite of percentages? > So in order for it to be that > common its probably due to a high asymtomatic shedding rate. Maybe 20% > is about right, The fact of the matter remains... there is going to be asymptomatic shedding... it might be often in one person and then not so often in another person. Some people might get oral herpes outbreaks all the time and others might not get oral herpes outbreaks as often. So each person is going to shed at a different rate and/or have outbreaks at a different rate. The thing about asymptomatic shedding is people can't possibly know when it's happening... which is why I can't for the life of me understand why so many people worship statistics sooo much. The fact remains... you may find a partner and you may want to know what her status is... etc. Statistics are good but if you use them or take them too far they can sometimes blind people. (make sense?) > but I heard its also more easy to spread it from mouth > to mouth than mouth to genitals or genital to genital in the case of > HSV-1. Tell that to somebody that contracted genital herpes type-1 via oral sex. All it took was one time for that individual to contract herpes. Do you think statistics mean THAT much to the person that contracted it in this way? It's always going to be possible and how does one person know if it will happen to them or not? Ultimately they don't know and even though we have statistics doesn't mean that it's never going to be possible to contract herpes in this way... (make sense?) > 22% has genital herpes. About 20% has genital hpv. Then when you figure > the type 6-7, varicella and EBV, your talking about 90-95% for each of > those. What point were you trying to make? > varicella/shingles zoster, and epstein barr. Another 65% have oral > simplex, and 25% or so have it genitally and also have genital hpv. I > know I have varicella, EBV and the oral and genital herpes and hpv, not > sure about 6+7, but most people aquire that by age 3 so its very > possible. What's possible Al ~ you lost me. Angela Signature"By opening up to a partner and talking about an STD diagnosis you are showing that you respect and care about yourself as well as the other person." Herpes Help http://www.yoshi2me.com/index.html STD Message Board http://yoshi2me.com/phpbb/index.php Picking Up the Pieces http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html Sorry Angela, I was just rambling on like I often do. I guess I was trying to justify that most people have herpes so I wouldnt get depressed as I do sometimes, but you know what? I'm a herpes hero! lol Are you?? :o) Al > > 22% has genital herpes. About 20% has genital hpv. Then when you figure > > the type 6-7, varicella and EBV, your talking about 90-95% for each of [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > Picking Up the Pieces > http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html I guess what I don't understand is how people get trapped into being depressed about having herpes... especially people that have had herpes for years and have had a chance to soak up all that information... ya know? I don't know if I would go so far as to call myself a herpes hero... I think I would rather stick to calling myself an H Pal :) http://www.yoshi2me.com/herpes-h-pals.html Angela :) Signature"By opening up to a partner and talking about an STD diagnosis you are showing that you respect and care about yourself as well as the other person." Herpes Help http://www.yoshi2me.com/index.html STD Message Board http://yoshi2me.com/phpbb/index.php Picking Up the Pieces http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html > Sorry Angela, I was just rambling on like I often do. I guess I was > trying to justify that most people have herpes so I wouldnt get [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] >> Picking Up the Pieces >> http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html Al and Angela, Just a few remarks scattered below. Hope I can help! > That is correct... if you are getting the genital warts then you do not have > the HPV type that can cause cervical cancer. There are 100+ strains of HPV. Perhaps they could culture it for you, Al. Odds are it's either 6 or 11, and they aren't the high-risk ones. > > I was kind of curious about this, because I know that HSV-1 oral is > > very common, as much at 65% I heard. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > you are with has it or not? Don't you still have to find out if your partner > has herpes in spite of percentages? My own view on this is I can't see how percentages don't matter. Statistics are just a numerical reflection of reality. Of course knowing a percentage isn't really going to change whether a particular person has it. But it shows the odds of that person already having it, and moreover, due to the high prevalence rates, it shows society's acceptance of the virus. The high percentage is why we came up with the cute little phrases "coldsores" or "fever blisters". The high percentage of HSV-1 makes for a great way to downplay the threat of HSV-1 to a partner when you are telling them. I think the statistics here are very important. > The fact of the matter remains... there is going to be asymptomatic > shedding... it might be often in one person and then not so often in another [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > good but if you use them or take them too far they can sometimes blind > people. (make sense?) The fact of the matter is that of course there is going to be asymptomatic shedding from HSV-1 orally. The last study I read indicated about a 1% shedding rate of genital HSV-1 in males. Other studies have given a 3% rate. The rates in both locations fall off with time. That's a maximum of 11 days out of the year there might be some virus present and this falls off with time! It's even more compelling when you put these statistics alongside the prevalance statistics. Knowing the statistics allows both you and your partner to make an accurate threat assessment and protect accordingly. > Tell that to somebody that contracted genital herpes type-1 via oral sex. > All it took was one time for that individual to contract herpes. Do you [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > have statistics doesn't mean that it's never going to be possible to > contract herpes in this way... (make sense?) I think I may have genital hsv-1. Yes, all it took was one time. Yes, it has been devastating to me. Yet I am not nearly as devastated as I would be I I were in the minority. Statistics mean everything to me. I use them to justify to myself that I am not nearly the only one out there with this disease. I also use statistics to reassure myself that I am in the majority of people with this virus. And I further use statistics to prove that genital hsv-1 is really a "sexually transmiSSIBLE" rather than "sexually transmiTTED" disease based on negligible shedding rates and through common sense protective measures. > What point were you trying to make? I think his point is that herpes viruses are ubiquitous. > > varicella/shingles zoster, and epstein barr. Another 65% have oral > > simplex, and 25% or so have it genitally and also have genital hpv. I [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > What's possible Al ~ you lost me. It's possible to have herpes an be in the majority. It's possible to have herpes and based on shedding and prevalance rates know how to tell and protect a partner accordingly. It's possible to work to erase the stigma of herpes using facts and statistics. ~Eric Hi Eric. Well at this point I am not too concerned about the strain, I know for a fact it is genital hpv and it hasnt gone away in over 10 years, so I guess I own it. I just tell people that I have herpes and hpv as if its common talk. I try not to make it dramatic, just make it look like something that I had to mention. I find that about 80% of people are accepting of either of them. > > That is correct... if you are getting the genital warts then you do not have > > the HPV type that can cause cervical cancer. There are 100+ strains of HPV. > > Perhaps they could culture it for you, Al. Odds are it's either 6 or > 11, and they aren't the high-risk ones. I guess I would consider myself an H pal also, although I don't have anywhere near the herpes knowledge that Angela has because she has been on top of it for a long time. I've probably had it as long as her, but have only known about it as being herpes and hpv for almost 2 years. I think knowing that you are not alone and there are alot of others with herpes and hpv really helps. Angela, As far as why I got depressed over it (and thats another reason alot of people might be taking things like Lexapro etc.) is because it is an incurable sexual disease. Even though I had it a long time it was a shock to learn what was going on instead of it being something like an allergic reaction. To make matters worse I unknowingly gave genital herpes to a woman I was dating shortly after I was infected, although now she is my best friend and we are very close anyway. She is a very special friend to me and thinking that I gave her herpes makes me feel very guilty and depressed. > It's possible to have herpes an be in the majority. It's possible to > have herpes and based on shedding and prevalance rates know how to tell > and protect a partner accordingly. It's possible to work to erase the > stigma of herpes using facts and statistics. Al, I'm surprised that you still show symptoms of HPV after all of this time. Many times the body can eradicate HPV. Like I said, I rely heavily of statistics because they are a numerical reflection of reality. I know some people on here are uncomfortable with statistics, so I guess they are uncomfortable with reality too. I would say she is a far cry from being "on the top of it" because I believe she has many misconceptions regarding hsv-1. I certainly respect the work and help she gives to the hsv-2 crowd though and I think she means well. Again, look to the statistics, Al, in spite of what people who aren't comfortable with reality might suggest. ~Eric You're a piece of work Eric... ::: shakes head ::: Angela Signature"By opening up to a partner and talking about an STD diagnosis you are showing that you respect and care about yourself as well as the other person." Herpes Help http://www.yoshi2me.com/index.html STD Message Board http://yoshi2me.com/phpbb/index.php Picking Up the Pieces http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html > Al, > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > ~Eric > Hi Eric. > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > something that I had to mention. I find that about 80% of people are > accepting of either of them. Al ~ believe it or not you are a blessing. I hope you know that. :) I read what you wrote here and couldn't help but smile and realize that all it took was ONE good person to love and accept me for who I am. ONE person to love ME in spite of my faults and in spite of my health issues. All it took was ONE awesome guy!! One day you are going to find the right one and she is going to love you for who you are and she won't care about the rest as much as she will about what's in your heart. It's all good. :) > I guess I would consider myself an H pal also, although I don't have > anywhere near the herpes knowledge that Angela has because she has been > on top of it for a long time. I've probably had it as long as her, but > have only known about it as being herpes and hpv for almost 2 years. I > think knowing that you are not alone and there are alot of others with > herpes and hpv really helps. Al ~ you have come such a long way believe it or not. I am proud of you for doing your best to grasp what you can so that you can move on with your life. This is a good thing. On a personal note ~ I realize I might be a bit over-the-top in my aproach but it's always for right reasons. You have come so far ~ you do realize that right? > Angela, As far as why I got depressed over it (and thats another reason > alot of people might be taking things like Lexapro etc.) is because it [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > special friend to me and thinking that I gave her herpes makes me feel > very guilty and depressed. You've got to stop beating yourself up over all of this... k? Just let it go. :) BTW ~ have you seen the slide show that I made for my husband on our 5 year anniversary? Angela :) Signature"By opening up to a partner and talking about an STD diagnosis you are showing that you respect and care about yourself as well as the other person." Herpes Help http://www.yoshi2me.com/index.html STD Message Board http://yoshi2me.com/phpbb/index.php Picking Up the Pieces http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html > Al ~ believe it or not you are a blessing. I hope you know that. :) > I read what you wrote here and couldn't help but smile and realize that all > it took was ONE good person to love and accept me for who I am. ONE person > to love ME in spite of my faults and in spite of my health issues. All it > took was ONE awesome guy!! Thank you, that made me feel good. I consider myself to be a really good person, although I have my faults also. > One day you are going to find the right one and she is going to love you for > who you are and she won't care about the rest as much as she will about > what's in your heart. > > It's all good. :) I hope so, because I am getting a little discouraged meeting women online and offline, herpes or no herpes, i cannot seem to find the right one yet. > Al ~ you have come such a long way believe it or not. I am proud of you for > doing your best to grasp what you can so that you can move on with your [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > but it's always for right reasons. You have come so far ~ you do realize > that right? Yes, and I have also made a determination on why I may be doing better with my outbreaks, not having one in 6 weeks! I determined that its a combination of less caffeine, less stress, sleeping more, eating better, not eating chocolate that much and do to being sick, i havent had any sex in a while. I think all of these have helped me avoid outbreaks. I'm sure I'll eat my words soon... > You've got to stop beating yourself up over all of this... k? Just let it > go. :) Yes I am doing better about it. I met this woman online that I am talking to and going to meet her this week, but I dread about telling her i have herpes. One person told me to wait until the third date as a golden rule. > BTW ~ have you seen the slide show that I made for my husband on our 5 year > anniversary? No I havent, but I will check out the PUP site to see it, or is it on Yoshi2me.com? I have my photos on PUP also, just me right now. You should go to Bobstock also, but its kind of far for you I think. I might not be able to go anyway, because of this darn bronchitis. Al >> BTW ~ have you seen the slide show that I made for my husband on our 5 >> year [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > should go to Bobstock also, but its kind of far for you I think. I > might not be able to go anyway, because of this darn bronchitis. www.herpes-help.blogspot.com Angela :) > > No I havent, but I will check out the PUP site to see it, or is it on > > Yoshi2me.com? I have my photos on PUP also, just me right now. You [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Angela :) That was a really nice slide show. Don is really lucky to have you, because you're a really exceptional person in alot of ways. I think Fiona is especially cute, especially the photo of her with the pig tails on the pup photo album area. I was amazed to learn that you lived in all those places in the US and Europe. I never went to Italy or Greece, and since they are both my ethnic backgrounds I should go sometime. You ought to visit RI sometime, the beaches and Newport are really nice, but Providence is getting a little over crowded, trafficated and the crime isnt that good. Have you ever thought of adding voice or sound to your slide show? Al > That was a really nice slide show. Don is really lucky to have you, > because you're a really exceptional person in alot of ways. Thanks Al! ;) I think I'm pretty lucky to have Don too. He and I got together at a time where I had decided it was just going to be me and Lauren for the rest of my life. I didn't care if I ever got married etc. I had been by myself for about a year and quite content not to be in a relationship. I had worn the "screw me over and get away with it" for far too long before I met Don. > I think > Fiona is especially cute, especially the photo of her with the pig > tails on the pup photo album area. That picture was her two year picture taken in December. JC Penney does a really good job! :) > I was amazed to learn that you lived > in all those places in the US and Europe. I never went to Italy or > Greece, and since they are both my ethnic backgrounds I should go > sometime. The last time I was in Greece was in 1988. I lived in Germany for three years from 1988 - 1991. Spain and Italy were fantastic places to see! :) > You ought to visit RI sometime, the beaches and Newport are > really nice, but Providence is getting a little over crowded, > trafficated and the crime isnt that good. Have you ever thought of > adding voice or sound to your slide show? I have that exact slide show on myspace to some music. I would share it with you except that I'd have to stifle you first! lol ;) Angela :) PS I got your instant message. I will respond longer a little bit later. Hang in there and try and put it behind you. I > had worn the "screw me over and get away with it" for far too long before I > met Don. I still think I wear that "screw me over and get away with it" now. I am having a terrible time meeting the right person, and its not just because of having herpes, because most women I tell about my herpes are pretty accepting of it. I just keep meeting women who like cheating on guys. > I have that exact slide show on myspace to some music. I would share it with > you except that I'd have to stifle you first! lol ;) Okay, you can stifle me... I actually have a space on MySpace and on Yahoo 360, but I don't put much into them. They are just kind of out there. I like to add funny crime stories to my Little Rhody Web Site. The link is on your yoshi2me site under affiliated sites I think. > PS I got your instant message. I will respond longer a little bit later. > Hang in there and try and put it behind you. Thanks, I'm so hurt about what happened. I don't know what I should do at this point. I went on an eating bing last night because of it and ate a whopper with cheese and almost a whole chocolate cake! Al > Al and Angela, > My own view on this is I can't see how percentages don't matter. It's nice for a person to know what their odds are when they are trying to make important life decisions. But, even in those instances they can't make those important decisions if they are not given all of the facts. Each person will make their own choices based on themselves whether that stat is high OR whether the stat is low. Everybody is different. > Statistics are just a numerical reflection of reality. Of course > knowing a percentage isn't really going to change whether a particular > person has it. But it shows the odds of that person already having it, > and moreover, due to the high prevalence rates, it shows society's > acceptance of the virus. Statistics only show odds based on certain circumstances. Not all circumstances are the same, not all people are the same, etc. etc. etc. One individual can not speak for society as a whole either. You have to take each person's stance, their reasons, and go from there... If everybody believed one way we would all be miserable. > The high percentage is why we came up with the > cute little phrases "coldsores" or "fever blisters". The high > percentage of HSV-1 makes for a great way to downplay the threat of > HSV-1 to a partner when you are telling them. I think the statistics > here are very important. The high percentage has nothing to do with what a condition is called. (IMHO) Personally I don't find the terms "cold sores" or "fever blisters" to be cute at all. I don't really know of too many health issues that are "cute" atually... Knowing that there are high percentages of people that have herpes type-1 is *never* a reason to sugar coat the possibilities. Being straightforward and not pussy-footing around is the best approach but again...that my own take on it. > The fact of the matter is that of course there is going to be > asymptomatic shedding from HSV-1 orally. The last study I read > indicated about a 1% shedding rate of genital HSV-1 in males. Other > studies have given a 3% rate. The rates in both locations fall off with > time. That's a maximum of 11 days out of the year there might be some > virus present and this falls off with time! I'm not going to debate numbers because in the end all it takes is ONE time for the circumstances to be just right and everbody is different.. the situations are all different too.. as well as each individual's history with their virus. In any case... asymptomatic shedding OR not... nobody can tell when they are shedding. Asymptomatic shedding can take place before, during, and sometimes after an outbreak. Asymptomatic shedding takes place even when their are no outbreaks. There is no precise way to know which days out of the year a person is going to have asymptomatic shedding. So what it really boils down to for somebody that is trying to decide if they want to be the person... is 1.) Do they like you so much that they could care less about those rates 2.) Do they realize that they are just not that into you for whatever reason (personality perhaps) and decide that you aren't even worth that 1% risk? (This is just an example) People have a right to be able to decide what it is they would like to get themselves into whether they choose to believe it's a big deal OR not. All it takes is ONE time. All it takes is ONE person. All it takes is ONE oppurtunity. All it takes is ONE situation... to make a difference. (This is just my opinion) > It's even more compelling > when you put these statistics alongside the prevalance statistics. > Knowing the statistics allows both you and your partner to make an > accurate threat assessment and protect accordingly. Many couples will decide together how they wish to proceed. There are times that might be appropriate to use protection and other times when the couple might decide "together" that they could care less about using protection. Over the course of my time helping others it has been such a pleasure to see so many couples working through life's little hurdles together to overcome and not sweat the small stuff. > I think I may have genital hsv-1. What makes you "think" that you may h ave genital herpes type-1? > Yes, all it took was one time. Yes, > it has been devastating to me. Yet I am not nearly as devastated as I > would be I I were in the minority. Yes BUT whether you are in the majority OR in the minority makes no difference because you have it - right? > Statistics mean everything to me. Statistics don't change who you are and neither do viruses. Only YOU hold the keys to your own happiness. > I > use them to justify to myself that I am not nearly the only one out > there with this disease. You are not alone - that is for sure. There are many people that have herpes type-1 and there are many people that have herpes type-2. Having herpes doesn't define who you are. Can't you see that distinct difference? You are not your virus. You are not your STD. You are not your STI. You are not your coldsore. You are not your fever blister. You are not your Herpes. You are not your HSV. You are you. You are who you are. > I also use statistics to reassure myself that > I am in the majority of people with this virus. I'm starting to see a pattern here... Eric ~ were you a follower OR were you a leader back in high school? You know how the old saying goes... if the majority of the people that have herpes type-1 jumped off the empire state building... would you follow them? Were you the kid in high school that was always looking for approval from the accepted majority? Were you the kid always trying to people please? Were you the kid that was always worried about what other people are going to think? Are you the adult that is worried that you colleguegs are going to look down on you when they find out you have herpes? Should people with health conditions go through life feeling that self-rejection or that self-hatred? Do you hate yourself THAT much? > And I further use > statistics to prove that genital hsv-1 is really a "sexually > transmiSSIBLE" rather than "sexually transmiTTED" disease based on > negligible shedding rates and through common sense protective measures. ::: shakes head ::: > It's possible to have herpes an be in the majority. Who cares? How is that really going to affect how you choose to live your life? > It's possible to > have herpes and based on shedding and prevalance rates know how to tell > and protect a partner accordingly. The shedding rates and one person's ideas of what the prevalance rates OR even what to call the condition do not change the root of a more seious issue... Issues of the Heart. Issues of self loathing. Issues of wanting to feel accepted. People pleasing issues. etc. etc. etc. > It's possible to work to erase the > stigma of herpes using facts and statistics. It's possible but some would rather drag their head in the sand and hide behind numbers. Again... this is just my opinion, Angela Signature"By opening up to a partner and talking about an STD diagnosis you are showing that you respect and care about yourself as well as the other person." Herpes Help http://www.yoshi2me.com/index.html STD Message Board http://yoshi2me.com/phpbb/index.php Picking Up the Pieces http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html Angela, I'm so happy to agree with you on some of these issues! This is great! Now if I could just get an apology from you for your crappy treatment of me.. ;-) LOL..my responses are scattered below. > It's nice for a person to know what their odds are when they are trying to > make important life decisions. But, even in those instances they can't make > those important decisions if they are not given all of the facts. Each > person will make their own choices based on themselves whether that stat is > high OR whether the stat is low. Everybody is different. Absolutely not, but statistics are facts. Each person needs the full picture in order to decide or himself or herself. > Statistics only show odds based on certain circumstances. Not all > circumstances are the same, not all people are the same, etc. etc. etc. One > individual can not speak for society as a whole either. You have to take > each person's stance, their reasons, and go from there... If everybody > believed one way we would all be miserable. Yes, and those circumstances are dependent on the study being conducted. The circumstances I quoted are shedding of HSV-1 in males with genital HSV-1 as detected by PCR. I would never presume to speak for society. But I really do support using statistics as part of educating a partner. Let them see how damn common herpes really is, ya know? > The high percentage has nothing to do with what a condition is called. > (IMHO) Personally I don't find the terms "cold sores" or "fever blisters" to [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Being straightforward and not pussy-footing around is the best approach but > again...that my own take on it. In my honest opinion, sure it does. For the same reason we have "chickenpox" instead of varicella-zoster. People embrace euphemisms and develop colloquial terms when a disease is as highly prevalent as hsv-1 or vzv. LOL, I agree I don't think they're all that cute..but they certainly are euphemisms. I agree with you on being straight-forward and giving them all of the facts, but this is much easier said than done. People don't want to know that they in all likelihood probably have herpes type-1. And people will fight you 'til their death vowing that their "coldsores" aren't "herpes". It's so sad, it really is. > I'm not going to debate numbers because in the end all it takes is ONE time > for the circumstances to be just right and everbody is different.. the > situations are all different too.. as well as each individual's history with > their virus. I already said that all it takes is one time. I can't agree with you more here. By statistics are crucial to properly educating oneself and a partner. Like I said, let them know how damn common this really is.. > People have a right to be able to decide what it is they would like to get > themselves into whether they choose to believe it's a big deal OR not. All > it takes is ONE time. All it takes is ONE person. All it takes is ONE > oppurtunity. All it takes is ONE situation... to make a difference. (This is > just my opinion) Well they don't have a right if they get it from somebody who doesn't know. Or somebody who doesn't want to know and resists education. Or somebody who knows but doesn't care. Again, I agree with you that all it takes is one time. But that is why we need statistics all the more to know how to protect those we care about! > Many couples will decide together how they wish to proceed. There are times > that might be appropriate to use protection and other times when the couple > might decide "together" that they could care less about using protection. > Over the course of my time helping others it has been such a pleasure to see > so many couples working through life's little hurdles together to overcome > and not sweat the small stuff. Yeah I agree with you. I think it's really awesome when a couple loves each other so much that they can put the whole issue aside. I think that's why herpes testing is very important and helpful because if I ever can find a girlfriend she can go get tested for type-1. But I would also say again that that is why statistics are important. If you can tell a partner "even if you get this you will be in the high majority of people and shedding is very low and recurrences follow the pattern of 40% never get another ob and 50% get 1-2 over the next 1-2 yrs. and only about 10% get more than that" it makes it that much easier to put the issue aside for both of us. > What makes you "think" that you may h ave genital herpes type-1? Possible recurrence about a week ago--sunburn-like redness and burning. > Yes BUT whether you are in the majority OR in the minority makes no > difference because you have it - right? Physically, no. The virus is mine. Psychologically and socially, it makes all of the difference in the world because there isn't as fierce a stigma attached to this type. Don't get me wrong, it's still bad :-( It also might make it a little easier for me to find a girlfriend because the majority of folks do already have the virus, but we'll see. > Statistics don't change who you are and neither do viruses. Only YOU hold > the keys to your own happiness. Wow, I agree with you totally here. I know I didn't do anything terribly wrong to get this virus. I'm just struggling very much to find the keys to my own happiness... > You are not alone - that is for sure. There are many people that have herpes > type-1 and there are many people that have herpes type-2. Having herpes > doesn't define who you are. Can't you see that distinct difference? You are > not your virus. You are not your STD. You are not your STI. You are not your > coldsore. You are not your fever blister. You are not your Herpes. You are > not your HSV. You are you. You are who you are. Yes I can see the difference. But the better question is, can other people see that difference. The fact that people are so unwilling to learn anything about herpes frightens me. I know I am who I am. But hsv-1 is a part of that. And it will define me, I pray to God only to a small extent, in the eyes of others. > Eric ~ were you a follower OR were you a leader back in high school? You > know how the old saying goes... if the majority of the people that have [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > health conditions go through life feeling that self-rejection or that > self-hatred? Do you hate yourself THAT much? Well I was very outspoken and loved to debate. ;-) Was I looking for approval? Not really. But in high school you can switch groups of friends, you can reinvent yourself. I'm not worried that colleagues are going to look down because they either won't know about it or if they do they'll be colleagues in medicine or research who know all of the facts about hsv-1. I'm worried about women here. They are at the crux of the problems in my life right now. They are the ones who are brutal and unaccepting and scutinizing to the point where marriage and children are impossible now. OMG, people with health conditions should never go though life feeling self-rejection and self-hatred. But it's no easy struggle to push aside those horrible feelings! I don't hate myself. I just can't see myself being successful right now..it's a horrible thing. > Who cares? How is that really going to affect how you choose to live your > life? Like I said, some social and psychological effects here. > The shedding rates and one person's ideas of what the prevalance rates OR > even what to call the condition do not change the root of a more seious > issue... > > Issues of the Heart. Issues of self loathing. Issues of wanting to feel > accepted. People pleasing issues. etc. etc. etc. Very, very difficult to put aside those issues. Takes time, support, and struggling to overcome them. Plus I think some antidepressants might help too. > It's possible but some would rather drag their head in the sand and hide > behind numbers. Well I don't want you to think that I'm hiding behind numbers. Statistics are offering me support in knowing what I am up against here, but I'm not hiding from reality. You can't hide from reality behind a numerical reflection of reality, you know? I honestly believe that statistics and numbers are great--let people see how damn common this is. Take care, ~Eric BTW: Where has Grant been? > Angela, > > I'm so happy to agree with you on some of these issues! This is great! > Now if I could just get an apology from you for your crappy treatment > of me.. ;-) LOL..my responses are scattered below. Sure! When Hell freezes over! LMAO :) >> It's nice for a person to know what their odds are when they are trying >> to [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Absolutely not, but statistics are facts. Each person needs the full > picture in order to decide or himself or herself. Statistics are not always black and white. They can sometimes go up (depending on circumstances) and they can sometimes go down (depending on circumstances). Until you are able to have 100% outcome there will always be a percentage of things or people that will not fall into the majority OR will not fall into the minority. Statistics are a good starting point but they are not the be-all and they are not to be used as a tool to manipulate others to suit your own personal agenda. Statistics are kinda like guidelines but should never be used as justification to lie or manipulate somebody.. it's just not right. (But that point is a mute and dead point with you anyway so I won't dwell on that with you any longer Eric) >> Statistics only show odds based on certain circumstances. Not all >> circumstances are the same, not all people are the same, etc. etc. etc. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > educating a partner. Let them see how damn common herpes really is, ya > know? Sure... give them the statistics and they get to decide how they would like to proceed. When I told Don I couldn't guarantee that he would never contract genital herpes from me - it was the honest thing to say. Why? Because there was no statistic anywhere that could make that guarantee no matter how long I had been on suppressive therapy OR how many condoms we used. He needed to decide if being with me was worth the risk. We made those decisions together based on reality and worst case scenarios. >> The high percentage has nothing to do with what a condition is called. >> (IMHO) Personally I don't find the terms "cold sores" or "fever blisters" [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > or vzv. LOL, I agree I don't think they're all that cute..but they > certainly are euphemisms. There isn't anything cute about any of it. In fact.. it's downright insulting that a "cold sore" commercial would show somebody trying to hide behind a newspaper so people couldn't see the herpes outbreak on their mouth. Illness sucks and not just the STD/STI variety. You can have a billion different names for Herpes and it's not going to change what it is: Herpes. > I agree with you on being straight-forward > and giving them all of the facts, but this is much easier said than > done. No, it's not an easy thing to do. It down right sucks and I sucked at telling Don that I have herpes. Rejection or the possibility of rejection sucks all the way around... but that's life and you go on and you do the best you can and you do your best to be honest and that's that. Life wasn't supposed to be easy. How you choose to react to life is what is kicking your butt right now... Sometimes I think that YOU are your worst enemy here... NOT the herpes. > People don't want to know that they in all likelihood probably > have herpes type-1. And people will fight you 'til their death vowing > that their "coldsores" aren't "herpes". It's so sad, it really is. Yup!! I call it exactly what it is: Herpes. >> I'm not going to debate numbers because in the end all it takes is ONE >> time [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > more here. By statistics are crucial to properly educating oneself and > a partner. Like I said, let them know how damn common this really is.. Just because it's "common" or "popular" in your eyes doesn't make it some sort of treat to have... >> People have a right to be able to decide what it is they would like to >> get [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > it takes is one time. But that is why we need statistics all the more > to know how to protect those we care about! I'm so glad to hear that you want to protect your potenital partners. I applaud you on that! You've come a long way baby! :) >> Many couples will decide together how they wish to proceed. There are >> times [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Yeah I agree with you. I think it's really awesome when a couple loves > each other so much that they can put the whole issue aside. Now if we can just get individuals to put herpes aside long enough to see the value in who they are so they can have better self esteem and be happy again... with themselves first of course. ;) > I think > that's why herpes testing is very important and helpful because if I > ever can find a girlfriend she can go get tested for type-1. Hopefully people are not limiting themselves to the type of herpes testing they should have. I would hope that people going into herpes testing would want to know if they have type-1, type-2, both, or nothing at all. That's what herpes type specific testing is all about. > But I > would also say again that that is why statistics are important. If you [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > yrs. and only about 10% get more than that" it makes it that much > easier to put the issue aside for both of us. You can't make any guarantees Eric. You can spout percentages and statistics until you are blue in the face and you can't predict what will actually happen. All you can do is guess at what you think might happen and in the end you won't really know until you cross that bridge and make it to the other side. By the time you do... your life will be over. >> What makes you "think" that you may h ave genital herpes type-1? > > Possible recurrence about a week ago--sunburn-like redness and burning. Did you get in within the first 24-48 hours to have a culture/typing test done? >> Yes BUT whether you are in the majority OR in the minority makes no >> difference because you have it - right? [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > It also might make it a little easier for me to find a girlfriend > because the majority of folks do already have the virus, but we'll see. Whatever... you say Eric. :::sigh::: >> Statistics don't change who you are and neither do viruses. Only YOU hold >> the keys to your own happiness. > > Wow, I agree with you totally here. I know I didn't do anything > terribly wrong to get this virus. I'm just struggling very much to find > the keys to my own happiness... I hope you are able to dig through all that mess and find them... I hope you are able to find them soon... It's so sad to see the hold that having herpes on you... >> You are not alone - that is for sure. There are many people that have >> herpes [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > hsv-1 is a part of that. And it will define me, I pray to God only to a > small extent, in the eyes of others. Whatever you say Eric... :::shakes head again::: >> Eric ~ were you a follower OR were you a leader back in high school? You >> know how the old saying goes... if the majority of the people that have [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > myself. I just can't see myself being successful right now..it's a > horrible thing. In other words... you choose not to see yourself happy and you believe that all women are dumb. ok.. I think I understand it now... >> Who cares? How is that really going to affect how you choose to live your >> life? [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > and struggling to overcome them. Plus I think some antidepressants > might help too. I totally agree!! But, you also need some counseling Eric. >> It's possible but some would rather drag their head in the sand and hide >> behind numbers. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > BTW: Where has Grant been? I'm willing to guess that she is around and will probably pick up when she sees I'm done with this discussion. ;) Have a nice weekend... Angela :) Signature"By opening up to a partner and talking about an STD diagnosis you are showing that you respect and care about yourself as well as the other person." Herpes Help http://www.yoshi2me.com/index.html STD Message Board http://yoshi2me.com/phpbb/index.php Picking Up the Pieces http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html >> BTW: Where has Grant been? > > I'm willing to guess that she is around and will probably pick up when she > sees I'm done with this discussion. ;) Yep. I made it perfectly clear that I would not continue any discussion where Angela was being bashed. And there you have it. ar > >> BTW: Where has Grant been? > > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Yep. I made it perfectly clear that I would not continue any discussion > where Angela was being bashed. And there you have it. Well hop back in because I am by no means in love w/ her, but our last few messages have been much more agreeable. No more Angela bashing :-)..I'm still waiting for an apology from her though..LOL. ~Eric > Sure! When Hell freezes over! LMAO :) You know, just when I thought you might have seen how terrible you were to me, you say that. Shame on you.. :-) > Statistics are not always black and white. They can sometimes go up > (depending on circumstances) and they can sometimes go down (depending on [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > somebody.. it's just not right. (But that point is a mute and dead point > with you anyway so I won't dwell on that with you any longer Eric) There is nothing in life that is certain. We all know that. Statistics look at probablities, not certainties. Telling partners the facts and statistics isn't manipulating them, it's educating them so they can then decide for themselves whether the risk is worth it. In the end, nothing is certain, but the idea is to try to prevent transmission as much as humanly possible. > Sure... give them the statistics and they get to decide how they would like > to proceed. When I told Don I couldn't guarantee that he would never [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > used. He needed to decide if being with me was worth the risk. We made those > decisions together based on reality and worst case scenarios. I like your story. I just don't see how discussing stats goes against anything you did. Like I said, nothing in life is certain. There always going to be some amount of risk. Stats just help quantify that risk. That's all.. > There isn't anything cute about any of it. In fact.. it's downright > insulting that a "cold sore" commercial would show somebody trying to hide > behind a newspaper so people couldn't see the herpes outbreak on their > mouth. Illness sucks and not just the STD/STI variety. You can have a > billion different names for Herpes and it's not going to change what it is: > Herpes. Well the commercial is just marketing. They love to exploit people's fears and insecurities..and if you don't have any, they'll be happy to give you a few ;-) > No, it's not an easy thing to do. It down right sucks and I sucked at > telling Don that I have herpes. Rejection or the possibility of rejection [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > butt right now... Sometimes I think that YOU are your worst enemy here... > NOT the herpes. I know. You either go on and tell people or you go on and don't tell people. It's sad that people would choose the latter. I know life wasn't supposed to be easy..but I think it takes some time and some healing to rebound from this. > Just because it's "common" or "popular" in your eyes doesn't make it some > sort of treat to have... Gosh, I never said it was a treat..I just said it's common. > I'm so glad to hear that you want to protect your potenital partners. I > applaud you on that! You've come a long way baby! :) I'm working hard to overcome this. It isn't easy. It takes time, support, and healing. > Now if we can just get individuals to put herpes aside long enough to see > the value in who they are so they can have better self esteem and be happy > again... with themselves first of course. ;) Yes, but again this isn't easy. This takes time, healing, and support from great people. > Hopefully people are not limiting themselves to the type of herpes testing > they should have. I would hope that people going into herpes testing would > want to know if they have type-1, type-2, both, or nothing at all. That's > what herpes type specific testing is all about. Can't agree with you more. Type-specific testing is indispensable. > You can't make any guarantees Eric. You can spout percentages and statistics > until you are blue in the face and you can't predict what will actually > happen. All you can do is guess at what you think might happen and in the > end you won't really know until you cross that bridge and make it to the > other side. By the time you do... your life will be over. I know I can't. I wouldn't claim to ever--like I said nothing is certain. But percentages and statistics are helpful to show a partner such things as how many people already have this and how many ob's they generally get and what risk is generally associated with things such as shedding. It's part of educating them in my opinion. > Did you get in within the first 24-48 hours to have a culture/typing test > done? Nope..health insurance is in the process of getting straightened out. That aside, there has never ever been any blisters or ulcers at all for them to culture. Perhaps a PCR might work, but mega-$ and I don't know where they even do it at. > I hope you are able to dig through all that mess and find them... > > I hope you are able to find them soon... > > It's so sad to see the hold that having herpes on you... Well women are unforgivingly scrutinizing. Once I have a stable relationship, this almost disappears as an issue. Once married, it is a non-issue. So the hard part is going to be getting there.. > In other words... you choose not to see yourself happy and you believe that > all women are dumb. ok.. I think I understand it now... No, I choose to see myself happy. I just can't see myself happily married. Of course not all women are dumb. But they are all very scrutinizing of guys. They are much, much more selective in choosing a guy then guys are in choosing a girl. Guys are much more forgiving of flaws and tend to look for someone who will love them. Women look for love, money, looks, brains, money, lack of STDs, confidence, stability, money..LOL ;-) > I totally agree!! But, you also need some counseling Eric. Yep. But how expensive is that? Not too much $ here.. > I'm willing to guess that she is around and will probably pick up when she > sees I'm done with this discussion. ;) Well I hope she returns soon. ~Eric > > I totally agree!! But, you also need some counseling Eric. > > Yep. But how expensive is that? Not too much $ here.. Hi Eric, I actually go to a counselor myself and I think alot of people go to them. It helps me with life issues, dating, and herpes. My health insurance pays for most of it and it only costs about $15.00 per 1 hour session so its pretty reasonable. Al > No, I choose to see myself happy. I just can't see myself happily > married. Of course not all women are dumb. But they are all very [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > love, money, looks, brains, money, lack of STDs, confidence, stability, > money..LOL ;-) Really? When was the last time you dated a man? You got it wrong, Eric. Men aren't like that at all. I have yet to find one, other than my husband, who was forgiving of anything. Let alone, not a jerk. Point being, people are people. We all have our flaws. But to think that men are easier about this than women...you should just drop that line of thought because it just ain't going to fly. ar > I am going to be taking prednisone for a severe bronchitis problem. I > am wondering if this will cause me to have outbreaks more frequently > now? It's possible you may get an outbreak as a result of taking the prednisone. It's also possible that you may not get an outbreak from the prednisone. > If so how long can I expect the outbreaks to increase? Since everybody is so different it's really hard to know what the virus is going to do w/you. Only you can tell what will happen ~ IF anything does happen. What did your doctor say? Are you taking anything to treat your herpes outbreaks? Angela Signature"By opening up to a partner and talking about an STD diagnosis you are showing that you respect and care about yourself as well as the other person." Herpes Help http://www.yoshi2me.com/index.html STD Message Board http://yoshi2me.com/phpbb/index.php Picking Up the Pieces http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.