I found out I had HSV2 about five years ago. The frequency of my outbreaks has declined somewhat. The pain has also decreased, however I still get inflamed lymph nodes prior to and during the early stages of an outbreak. I, too, get sensations in my leg, usually referred to as tingling, except that my skin gets quite sore to touch or sit on for a day or two. The prodrome (the sensations before the outbreak) is usually on my thigh, and it moves around a bit. I suppose it sort of tingles, but my skin is more painful than anything else. I was so ashamed when I first found out I had it, and disgusted with myself, but, hey, I'm human. I'm an intelligent and educated woman. This could happen to anyone, including you.

I was diagnosed over 15 years ago. My outbreaks were few and far between for many years, but lately they are more frequent. I think it's stress related as my stress level has been up in the last year. My GYN prescribed acyclovir and I was using it to lessen the symptoms, not following the prescription. I'm finally using it correctly and hoping that the outbreaks will decrease. My symptoms are a tingling sensation about 24 hours before the blister appears. It takes about a week before the blister goes away.

I was first diagnosed with herpes when I was 17 years old. I am now 34 and until this past year, I rarely had outbreaks. In the past when I was stressed, I often developed mouth sores and only occasionally I would have a rectal lesion. My outbreaks were short in duration, cleared up within a few days on Valtrex. About four months ago, I had a severe outbreak with sores in both my mouth and my vagina. The episode began with a sore throat, swollen glands (throat), fever, chills, body aches and fatigue. Around the third day of this, I developed canker sores on my cheeks and tongue, and one or two vaginal lesions. I even had a lesion inside my vagina, which I couldn't feel until I had sex with my husband. Since that episode, I have had three more, each worse than the prior and lasting longer, too. The lesions were more painful and seemed to be bigger, covering the lining of my inner labia as well as two blisters on the skin near my anus. That was also the first time that it hurt to urinate, sit and even walk. These more severe outbreaks lasted 10 days to three weeks. I have noticed that stress brings them on, and I always have the flu-like symptoms before the outbreak.

I got genital herpes less than a year ago because of my ex-boyfriend of nine months. He said he would leave if I didn't have sex with him, so I did. Regardless of my story, I have found that I tend to get sick before an outbreak. I may get a fever or flu like symptoms before sores appear.

I just got diagnosed today after two years of getting only one sore twice. I haven't had sex in two years so I have no idea who gave them to me.

I am 21 years old and I was with my ex for almost eight years until we broke up, yet even after our break up we still had sex on occasion. I started noticing these irritating bumps and itchiness in my no-no area and thought nothing of it. I thought it may have been an ingrown hair. When I awoke the next day I was so swollen and bumps had spread clear from my bottom all the way forward. I went to the doctor and all she said when she saw them was, "Oh, honey…" in a sad voice and I knew then the news wasn't good. I feel so low, I have a one year old daughter with a man that isn't my ex and now I can't even get back with my baby's father because of the guilt, shame and disgust I feel about myself.

I've had genital herpes for over 25 years. It has been a long and painful experience and I am miserable with agonizing pain when I urinate or wipe or wash over the area. I have aches in my groin area, lower abdomen and tops of my thighs. I am headachy and very cranky, extremely tired. Sitting or walking is painful. It has not gotten any milder over the years but it does not happen as often. It used to happen every month, now it is just a few times a year. I am still ashamed that I have it and get very depressed with each breakout.

I was diagnosed three days ago. It has to be the worst and most frustrating pain to go through in that area. At first I thought I had scratched myself as it felt like it did a after I had given birth. The next day was worse and I couldn't go to the toilet without crying in pain. Thankfully my friend took me to my local clinic and was diagnosed an hour later. The only thing that helps is the anesthetic cream. I apply before going to the toilet and it makes such a difference. I struggle with walking and sitting. I also find it frustrating to know that I could only have picked this virus up just over 12 months ago! He is now settled into another relationship with a baby on the way.