All these shared experiences about living with STDs were contributed by real people. We hope to help you gain the confidence you need to manage STDs in your daily life.
Many people find comfort learning that others have similar experiences, especially when newly diagnosed. Inspire and help others by sharing your story! You can do it anonymously.
Many people associate any form of STI as being promiscuous, unfortunately, that is not the case and your life doesn't end when contract an STI. It is better to know about your condition and take necessary precautions than being ignorant.
For so many years, I thought that this day would never come that I would have the opportunity to share a success story. Well I'm here to share it in hopes of encouraging others in my situation. I contracted herpes back in 2007 from an ex. I was devastated. For over 6 years I pretty much tortured myself in so many ways by allowing this STD to define me as a woman and my overall life. I was so depressed and insecure and pretty much limited myself to dating online with people that shared my condition. It was horrible. For so many years I kept my status to myself because I was afraid of rejection and judgement from others. Atfer about 4 or 5 years, I couldn't take it any longer holding everything inside. So I began to open up to a few of my close friends. To my surprise 2 of my friends where living with HPV and another friend was dating someone with herpes! And I'm sitting here like wow! All this time I've been so afraid to talk about my situation and I have friends that can actually relate with me. And it only got better from that point forward. Last April, a guy friend that I've known for over 6 years came to visit me. He's always liked me, but I never gave him a chance because I was afraid to reveal to him my STD. Anyway to make a long story short, he came to visit me and admitted that he still liked me. I finally opened up to him about me having herpes. He accepted it and basically told me that he would have still accepted me 6 years ago when we were dating! On top of that he revealed to me that he was diagnosed with herpes as well about a year ago. We are now in a wonderful relationship and have been together for over a year now. He's the best thing that has happened to me. If I would not have opened up to him, we would not be together. My advice to others that are living with an STD is to never limit yourself or allow your past to define you. Living with an STD does have it's challenges and can be difficult at times, but just know that you are never alone.
. I watched so many friend died from aids in the late 80' and 90's and I considered myself lucky to have survived until I August of 2007 when I Was completely devastated and had spent the next 6 years just waiting to get sick and die.
I felt like a failure and that there was nothing else to live for as a result I isolated from my friends and family I just stopped living it affected my work and finances.
Last year I began to realize that the only person waiting for me to die was me. so I started to look for support and help. I have to say that it has not been easy but its getting better. I have come to realize that I'm not alone and that I have alot of people in my life that really care about me.
I just got a call from my girlfriend who is having symptoms I had when I got herpes. I feel like the worst person in the world right now since I never wanted anyone to feel what I felt and go through the suffering I went through when I was diagnosed. Especially since I love her so much and she is such a happy soul and I don't want this to affect her joy and happiness in life.
I'm having a hard time bearing my own thoughts about this and even though I've been living with the virus for over 9 years, I've gotten over it with myself, but I feel like a piece of s__t for transmitting it to her. She knows I have it and we've been careful to wash up afterwards, but this sucks so bad. It's almost worst than being diagnosed with it myself. If I could take it double onto myself, I would, if it means she doesn't get it.
I was diagnosed with hiv after being raped last year. It was very hard to deal with the emotions from the rape when having this to deal with to. Spent the last year in denial and avoided the doctors like the plague. I've decided to face up to it now and am going back to the Dr to see where I stand with this virus. I'm positive in my mind set and I can categorically tel you that this virus won't take my life. ..that ain't my destiny. ...
For my 20th birthday I found out I was HSV2 positive. When people find out they say wow that must suck because you’re still young and experiencing. But it doesn’t suck because of my age, it sucks because of the stigma on this skin condition is something the people who do not have it will never let go. It sucks because guys want to get with me will find out I have it and never want to talk to me again. It sucks because people make jokes about it like it’s funny when someone else has it. It sucks because the way I got it was in no way justified. But it doesn’t suck, really.
Finding out I had herpes changed my life. Of course I was depressed the first several months or so, but wouldn’t be? Having herpes made me realize that there is more to relationships, or life, than just having sex with anyone because they want to, not because I wanted to. Do you know how many guys I let take advantage of me because they wanted something and I thought as a woman, it was my duty to please them? Not anymore, since I have herpes. Having herpes made me stop judging people in every way, because would I want them to judge me based on my flaws? Having herpes helped me become a better human being than I use to be. It helped me become a better friend than I used to be. Having herpes doesn’t suck, at all.
Of course I still get upset about it sometimes, not because I have it, but because I trusted a man who is a piss poor excuse for a human being, let alone a man. Of course I get upset when people talk about it. It’s me they’re talking about, me being nasty, me being a slut, me being untouchable; so they think. It’s not their fault they’re uneducated. The health classes in school don’t tell you all the facts, they just tell you the symptoms, and Google Images sucks ass at showing people what herpes looks like.
In the first three weeks, I thought my dating life was over for sure. But then after really getting to the bottom of it and thinking about it , it's not. This will not kill me. I think it actually makes you a better dater. I have actually dated more since I got it than before I got it. And 90 percent of the guys I have dated did not have it but we're accepting of it. I have not been shot down because of it, so don't give up. Life isn't over.
30 years since I was diagnosed. I have never passed it on to anyone - I would be devasted if I did. I have always been honest and had 'the talk' to prospective partners. Finding this site is wonderful, putting me in touch with others with the same problems, knowing that you are not alone and learning how others deal with the same issues - very comforting indeed. This site offers counseling which can be so helpful, also information on up to date treatments. Others can exchange information on how different treatments work for them.
I have met a wonderful lady who I have very strong feelings for, (and she me) but now things get a little complicated. Purely by chance she works for another company in the same niche industry that I do. People talk and stories get around in this business and if I tell her my status, and she runs a mile, I run the risk of my secret being exposed to the community. I would be destroyed. So I made a hard descision and called it off. damn, I was sure she was a keeper.
"Like Alice in Wonderland"
I don't recognize the world anymore, not since you lied to me and jumped into my hole knowing all along your positive status score.
I could never do to someone what you recklessly did to me,
Hopefully there is still someone honest left for life's journey.
Will I find a reassuring smiling face like the Cheshire cat,
Do they still make respectful individuals who dress as stylish as the Hatter's Mad hat.
No longer will I tolerate judgmental drama filled people in my life screaming "off with there head,"
I am going to have a positive attitude that matches my status and live everyday to its fullest instead.
So even though my world has been turned upside down ever since I've found out about what you gave me,
My life is not yet over so to live my life is what I choose to see.
To play the game of life with the new hand of cards chasing the clock of time that we have all been dealt,
through Positive Singles there are friends to support you at least we all here have been where and how you once felt.
Take a deep breath and eat some cake,
Return to the full size you once were and shake off the past and all prior mistake.
Slay this situation like Alice did the Dragon once again become the champion one,
Let nothing stop you from becoming the star you were meant to shine like the sun.
Written By,
Anthony Gayle
"The Talk!"
I have grown to really like you,
When I tell you what will you do?
In advance can I beg you to stay,
Regardless of what you hear or I say.
Should I tell you face to face?
Maybe if I told you at our favorite place?
I could tell you in an e-mail; a text, or in a song,
Either way I'm worried it'll feel wrong.
Will you tell others; ruin me, rumors spread.
So many worries in my head.
Someone gave me something,
A disease that you keep like a ring.
I'd appreciate it if our relationship continue,
But I'll understand if its too much for you.
I won't do to you what was done to me I'll be true
What I have will affect your health long term too.
Stay we'll get treated and get through it together,
We'll make it through all kinds of struggle & weather.
Written By,
Anthony L. Gayle
"So wrong & So strong"
For no apparent reason he decided to go astray,
What he had he gambled & he through it all away.
He was wrong, you are strong!
Over a person that doesn't even look as good as you,
There're promises that were broken and for who.
He was wrong, you are strong!
You dare put some else ahead of your family,
I've had thoughts where I hurt you but that hurts me.
He was wrong, you are strong!
You lied and gave me this so you think I'll forever stay
I'm a Queen and I deserve better now outta my way.
He was wrong, you are strong!
Did you even think about your kids,
Its obvious which head's in control it wears no lids.
He was wrong, you are strong!
He said no one else would want you with this,
Mr know it all was unaware of P.S. it handles business.
He was wrong, you are strong!
So now you will be fine start life over a new,
You have options now; single men, women, couples too.
He was wrong, you are strong!
To my friend thank you for inspiring such poetic works,
Don't be concerned with all the past idiots & jerks
They were all so wrong, you are so strong!
Written By;
Anthony Gayle
I already fell !
When I first saw your smile,
I thought "I see me with her a while."
Then she spoke and hypnotised me,
Every waking became about she.
So when we had the talk,
I did not tuck tail and walk.
In love with her I fell wanting a family,
Fell so deep I cared not about an STD.
Sincerely,
Anthony Gayle
" Speak to the Problem"
I hate you so much right now,
I trusted you, but you tipped
Me over like an innocent cow.
Why did I give you my heart,
Why did you say you would
Love me from the very start.
I now address my situation,
You will not keep me down even if
Fake friends leave like an evacuation.
I have found a new crew who are true,
They are dealing with the very
Set of issues that I am going through.
PositiveSingles is a new start,
No longer alone with new friends
Now I rebuild me and my heart.
Written By:
Anthony Gayle
Hi! I just want to tell everyone diagnose with herpes2, NOT GIVE UP ON LIFE! IBEEN LIVING A NORMAL LIFE FOR 5 YEARS WITH NO BREAKOUTS! all you need to do is to go to doctor and explain your situation ask to prescribe you ACYCLOVIR (I TAKE 800MG every day before a go sleep and i have sex with negativepeople(clean of herpes2) and no one ever catch the virus from me! ;);)....The acyclovir pills dosent have any side effects and I living a happy normal life!.... when I recent contract the virus i make the mistake to tell my secret to a couple lovers and is a mistake! You dont have to tell nobody!that is your private think, keep it for yourself and that way you will not sufer pity from the others, Iam a 41 year beautiful single women and I find out that to tell less saves me a lot of trouble,Is your life! ENJOY IT! TAKE CARE... Maria Humble2009...God Bless everyone:).
I've had this for nearly 10 years and I've definitely had my fair share of ups and downs. I hate the feeling in the pit of your stomach when you have to tell someone new. This site has been so amazing in a lot of ways. I've never had a relationship that started here but I've made a lot of friends and had some amazing experiences. I've found that the more times you have the talk the more comfortable you get and the easier it becomes. In 10 years I've only had 3 people turn me down because of my STD. Never assume that people won't be ok with it.
I have had this for a year. The guy that give it to me ran ofg while i was at the doctors. I havent seen him since i moved. I relocated to the dallas area for a fresh start. None of my family or friends know about my condition. I was hurt and cried every day when i found out i had it. I have only had 1 ob and i am thankful . I dont take meds at this time because i have no need.
being on here helps. takes a lot of patience and understanding. Things get complicated but it really makes you focus on what you really want in life and that it could be worse. I know that sounds cliche and frusteating but sex is only one part of life.
I was diagnosed about 4 or 5 years ago now, at first it was like my whole life was over... no one would want me...all the emotions you go through... anger... depression and so on. I withdrew from life as well...But all these years on those feelings have kinda faded away... it has gotten a bit easier... im slowly starting to put myself back out there and meet people. So really its definitely not the end of the world. In fact i feel its kind of a blessing because it weeds out the possibility of meeting crappy people in future... its pretty cool if someone looks past the flaws and wants to get to know YOU as a person.. not for what you have or look like and so on....
Hey, I've just recently been diagnosed. I undertook research to educate myself and my friends about the virus. Too my surprise my friends of over 20 years have not shown much support at all. I'm not really close to any of my family to discuss my new and lifelong circumstance but I'm sure with the support from others in my situation I will learn how to live with the virus and not let it affect my standard of living in any way.