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Monday call Insights
Decoding Your Herpes IgG Test: Understanding Results and Next Steps
Understanding Your Herpes IgG Test Results: A Simple Guide
This week on the support group call, we had some questions about testing. Questions like, "Does this mean I'm positive, negative, or what the heck does equivocal mean?" Now, personally, I've shied away from really getting too nitty-gritty on these details because I'm not a doctor and I cannot diagnose you or even interpret your test results. However, what I can do is give you an overview of how we test, what the tests mean, and when…
Empowering Disclosure: Redefining Dating with Herpes
In our support group calls today, we delved deep into conversations about dating and disclosing—a journey all of us embark on from the moment we're faced with an HSV diagnosis. That initial day is a whirlwind of emotions, questions, and fears. Questions like, "Will I ever be loved again?" or "Can I have a normal sex life?" mix with worries such as, "Should I stay with my current partner?" and "How did this happen to me?" These thoughts are overwhelming, touching on fears of acceptance, love, a…
Unmasking Trauma: The Hidden Impact of a Herpes Diagnosis
Today in our support group, as always, we had some enlightening conversations. Both the morning and afternoon sessions delved into topics like acceptance, forgiveness, and the journey toward moving forward. While these discussions are undoubtedly important and have been covered in past blog posts, today I felt compelled to address the trauma that many of us carry following a herpes diagnosis. Some may liken this experience to PTSD, while others may recognize it as a manifestation of the body's…
Navigating Trauma and Healing: Insights from Elisabeth Kristof on the Role of the Nervous System
The Intersection of Trauma, Healing, and the Nervous System: Insights from Elisabeth Kristof
In recent conversations led by Elisabeth Kristof, the founder of Brain Based Wellness and an expert in neurosomatic intelligence, participants delved into the profound relationship between trauma, healing, and the nervous system. Through these discussions, valuable insights emerged, shedding light on the intricate mechanisms underlying our responses to stress and adversity.
Understanding the Nerv…
Exploring the Synergy of Supplements: Insights from Natural Cure Labs Founder, Damon
This week's support group call was particularly enlightening with Damon, the esteemed founder of Natural Cure Labs, gracing us with his presence. As someone who has collaborated with Damon since 2019, I can attest to his integrity, expertise, and unwavering commitment to providing supplements for individuals with immune issues. For those who had the opportunity to join our call, it was evident why Life With Herpes exclusively endorses and collaborates with Natural Cure Labs.
Damon discussed h…
Unveiling the Connection: Herpes, Thyroid, and Epstein Barr - A Personal Journey with Coach Sarah Joy
This week's support group call was truly transformative as we welcomed Coach Sarah Joy, a passionate advocate on a mission to unravel the complex correlations between herpes, thyroid issues, and Epstein Barr. Her personal journey, marked by struggles with 25 symptoms, shed light on the profound negative impact these conditions can have on our well-being.
As you know, I typically write a blog post that reflects on our call this week, I thought I'd outline the blog post a bit differently and do…
Navigating the Eeyore Phase: A Journey to Self-Love After Herpes Diagnosis
This week during our support group call and on social media, the recurring theme has been centered around the challenges of leaving a relationship or starting to date again after a herpes diagnosis. The initial fear of feeling unlovable often stems from past hurts, making the diagnosis seem like the ultimate confirmation of being cursed to a life of loneliness.
In this blog post, we'll address this common struggle and discuss what I refer to as the "Eeyore Phase." As we delved into this topic d…
A Story of Breaking from the Shame of Herpes
This past week’s support group call surpassed all expectations, marking a memorable moment for our community. We were thrilled to welcome Lindsey Ellyn, the celebrated author of "The Shame Game," and a previous guest on the Life With Herpes Podcast. Her presence brought an unparalleled level of engagement and insight, reflecting the essence of what we aim to achieve with our bi-weekly live support groups: fostering a supportive community and providing a platform for open dialogue and growth.
Th…
Forgiveness: Overcoming the Hurdle of Herpes in a Relationship
This week's support group discussions delved into profound healing conversations. Our morning group had so many people from all over the world and we shared experiences about the initial herpes diagnosis, while the evening call focused on the challenging journey of forgiveness and staying with a partner after contracting herpes. So for this week's blog post, we'll explore the complexities of overcoming the hurdle of forgiveness in the context of a herpes diagnosis within a relationship.
Lack …
Valentine's Day & Herpes
This week's icebreaker led us to explore feelings about Valentine's Day, particularly considering the impact it can have on those diagnosed with herpes, especially those who are recently diagnosed. The idea behind initiating this discussion was to recognize that the concept of love can be particularly triggering for individuals grappling with a herpes diagnosis.
Beyond the superficial aspects of the holiday—like cards, chocolates, or roses—I wanted to delve into the deeper realm of lo…