Herpes

[Aellio]

Sweet Erika-
I didn't do a blood work test.. I thought wherever it showed up was what kind it was.. since I had it in my genital area I figured that was what kind I'd have too. Also I don't think I'll be on the pills constantly. But I will see about the pricing and dosages. I think my fwb is taking the regular stuff..maybe 200 mg per pill 5 times a day. Okay.. applesauce not expensive. I thought it was cause my parents rarely buy it. No, it doesn't matter much now.. I'm there for him and he's here for me. I'm not sure how the screening works or if they only screen people who show symptoms but I do know that sometimes herpes test wouldn't be included.


Knifeheart-Well my ex was having his blood tested anyway by a local hospital so I think it was easier for him. Since he has several other conditions as well he may have symptoms. But whatever the case he was able to get his blood tested. My fwb was swabbed and I was as well.

 

[Aellio]

Double post .

 

[SweetErika]

Sweet Erika-
I didn't do a blood work test.. I thought wherever it showed up was what kind it was.. since I had it in my genital area I figured that was what kind I'd have too.

It kind of is. You have genital herpes since that's the primary location, but if you have Type 1, you may get fewer outbreaks. It's not really a big deal, but you may want to find out which type you have at some point if it's not too expensive (like my insurance pays 80%, so I think my biggest lab bill has been $80, which was for a bunch of tests, including an expensive genetic screening during my pregnancy).

Also I don't think I'll be on the pills constantly. But I will see about the pricing and dosages.

Nope. It looks like most people who don't go the preventative route take Valtrex or Acyclovir constantly for the first year, then they only take it through outbreaks.

Still, it's worth figuring out pricing and patient assistance programs because if you can save a little or a lot here and there, you'll be able to pay your parents back quicker, which sounds like a big goal for you. Plus, I figure there's no reason to pay more than necessary if I can cut costs by doing a little homework, getting more supply, etc.

I think my fwb is taking the regular stuff..maybe 200 mg per pill 5 times a day.

Yep, that's what I've taken in the past when I've felt cold sores coming on or had one. It's a lot of pills, but way better than paying for Valtrex and/or expensive creams.

Okay.. applesauce not expensive. I thought it was cause my parents rarely buy it.

The single servings (like the little cups for kids' lunches) are very expensive, so don't bother with those. But if you get a bigger jar of the unsweetened kind (otherwise, you're taking in extra sugar unnecessarily), it's cheap. Or, if you can get really cheap/free apples, you can easily make your own and freeze it or whatever. Homemade chunky applesauce with spices and vanilla yogurt is soooo yummy, IMO.

No, it doesn't matter much now.. I'm there for him and he's here for me. I'm not sure how the screening works or if they only screen people who show symptoms but I do know that sometimes herpes test wouldn't be included.

No, they don't only screen people with symptoms. Like I said, it's included in the standard STI panel on my lab sheets. I could get tested today, even though I'm asymptomatic and I already know I have Type 1.

But because it's not included in some panels, people need to ask for it specifically if they don't know their current status. It's also important to know that men aren't tested for HPV unless they're symptomatic.

 

[Aellio]

At some point I may. I can't afford $80. Plus I'm not sure how much our insurance will cover.
True, very true. I don't want to have to owe my parents. I mean I'm supposed to be sort of supporting myself. I'm in college. Most kids have moved out. I'm a lucky girl who gets to stay at a very cheap price in a bedroom and .. yeah. The midnight curfew though... has got to go.
Yes, so I'd rather take a lot of pills and pay a little than take fewer pills and pay a whole heck of a lot.
I'll find some cheap applesauce.
Silly men.

 

[sweettreat601]

One more thought....

Perhaps the health department in your county could provide low cost (sliding scale based on income) care for you. Also many of the drug manufacturers have patient financial assistance programs based on income which can make medications low cost or even free. Best of luck to you!

 

[janeyl]

I am prone to cold sore outbreaks, especially when I am under stress. My Husband has never caught herpes from me and we've been together for 7 years now. If I have an outbreak we abstain from kissing and oral sex for a few days until everything is healed. His immune system is compromised so if anyone was going to catch it it would be him

I also take L-lysine and it has helped reduce the regularity of outbreaks, and if I feel a sore starting I double/triple the dose which seems to shorten the length of the outbreak and helps with healing.

I use Zovirax cream but it's very drying and tends to cause cracking and bleeding, so I don't use it that often. Twice/three times a day maximum during the worst of the sore, then I stop using it but keep up the larger dose of L-lysine for a couple more days.

http://www.skinmagazine.co.uk/liquorice_balm_cold_sores_23

Liquorice balm works well as a preventative and as a treatment-you can buy it online from here in the UK, the link is on the bottom of the article and I'm sure they ship internationally or you could find something locally. It does work really well for me especially in conjunction with L-Lysine and keeps your lips really moisturised too as I seem to be more prone to an outbreak when I let my lips get cracked and dry.

I also bought some saffron balm in the souk in Marrakesh which has similar properties but haven't been able to find it anywhere else!