[not-so-invinsible]

quite embarrassed to ask but does anyone know of any meds to take to prevent from having break outs ?

[CHANDLERS WISH]

Don't be embarrased, it's "cyber space" remember....

I don't think there are any that you can take... but i do believe that the main cause is actually "stress" for break outs, I had a friend a few years ago that discussed his problem there with me and that was what he was told.

Just try to keep a more balanced, stressless life, breathe deeply when you feel stress coming on, it's funny how we seriously can control things by using our minds more, than we believed that we could.

Plus, you don't want to take any medication for the rest of your life, for something that only breaks out on occasions..

Keep smiling.

CW

[delta]

Yes, there are meds your doc can prescribe that help with & prevent breakouts. Plz talk w/ your doc. CW is right that stress is a major trigger. You also may want to consider side effects and long term use. Don't be embarrased to talk w/ your doc,k. It's a very common thing & nothing to be embarassed about.

[Perkins34]

Valtrex is the most common prescription. You also might want to invest in some meditation exercises, they are quit helpful.

[kimsdaughter]

LIFE!!!!!!

Stress will definately bring on an outbreak, I didnt event know I had herpes until my oldest brother got killed (very stressful) i have been truly blessed because I dont really get outbreaks I get symptoms that feel like they are coming but when i feel this I keep powder on maybe it dries it out dont even know if it is a direct link but i do know every time i feel the tingle i do the same thing and i have not had a full blown outbreak. keep the stress to a minimum and listen to your body it will let you know when an outbreak is on the way! Good luck

[WildChild]

There are a zillion kinds of herpes virus's, including chicken pox and shingles. I'm not certain but I think pretty much any virus that causes a skin response is a 'herpes'. I've had shingles a couple of times and did some research, assuming that what works for one virus will work on another in the same 'family', this may help you. Viruses cannot reproduce on their own, instead they reproduce inside the host's cells, using amino acids from the host. If you can, without harming your health, create an environment in your body that inhibits the virus's ability to reproduce, it can't give you much trouble.

The amino acid that the virus needed to reproduce is found in large quantity in chocolate (sorry but it's true) and nuts, so cut those out of your diet - especially when you are highly stressed. Stress creates changes in your body that give the virus a better breeding ground. L-lysine inhibits the virus's reproduction, so you want to increase that in you body. You can buy L-lysine at the grocery. Take 100mg for every 30 lbs of body weight and take it a couple times a day. I don't know of any negative side effects to L-lysine but I'm sure that would be easily researched and couldn't be nearly as bad as those of anti-viral meds.

I had shingles on my face twice (came close to losing my sight) during some high stress times a few years back and whenever I feel that tell tale tingle, I change my diet and start taking L-lysine. When I'm really stressed I take the L-lysine. I have huge stress in my life right now but haven't had another out break.The doctors could offer nothing until there was an actual out break and then it was highly tocic drugs - heading it off at the pass is a better solution!