Cold sores and Endo?

[CLN1986]

Does anyone else suffer from cold sores? Could it be related to Endo flare ups? This last year I’ve had one pretty much every other month! It’s starting to become a pain... any advice? Thanks in advance.

[weekari]

I have a history of regular cold sores. My guess is that it's related to our immune system. Apparently endo affects our immune system function.

It's the gift that keeps giving!

[CLN1986 in reply to weekari]

Haha! Aren’t we the lucky ones! I really don’t mind if Endo doesn’t want to gift us anymore! Donyou take any supplements to try and help? x

[weekari in reply to CLN1986]

I've tried EVERYTHING!

I actually don't get cold sores as much as I used to. It really was about every month before and they'd be huge monsters that would cause half of my face to swell but now it's much less often and less severe. I think for me it's been about managing my stress (and cortisol) levels. I've had to stop working completely, I had a very stressful job and I've got chronic fatigue and have completely burned out my to work through it all. I didn't listen to my body. I now try to keep my level of activity really low. I basically avoid stress as much as possible just now. Any time I start to get active again, in any way, I get that little lip tingle and I know I've over done it. But if I immediately stop and properly rest while sticking on a compede cold sore patch, I usually can avoid them.

I also try to release my emotions as much as possible. This may sound a bit odd but I think a lot of my stress has come from me suppressing a lot of emotions and stress, I had that 'just getting on with it' type of attitude. I use a technique called EFT (tapping) to release anything and it really helps. If you're interested, Brad Yates videos on YouTube are great. It's a great technique.

I also meditate most days and do yoga which I think helps keep my system from getting too worked up.

I think all of the things I do, really just helping me manage my out of balance hormone system. I think as soon as my cortisol (stress hormone) rises, things just quickly become really bad for me. I think the underlying problem is estrogen dominance (too much estrogen, often caused by not enough progesterone). I do all of the healthy lifestyle things but its still bad so I'm about to start using a progesterone cream. I start on Wednesday.

I also take supplements but I'm not sure how much they actually do anything. When I run out, I dont notice any difference. But I do still take them. I take magnesium, b12, d3, calcium, kelp and a probiotic. I think my body is in top much of a mess for any supplements to actually make a difference!

I'm a big believer in listening to your body. Mine was screaming at me to stop!

[princessk09]

Hey, I don’t think they are related. I used to get cold sores all the time, normally when I’m stressed xx

[WeeJacs]

Me too, I have suffered since age of 16. I can time them to a t, always raising their head around my cycle time x

[girli1111]

Hi, try taking a folic acid supplement. I always used to get cold sores and mouth ulcers, I now have to take a medication for an autoimmune condition and am prescribed a big folic acid supplement to take alongside. If I ever forget my folic acid The cold sores and mouth ulcers return.

[Henley13 in reply to girli1111]

That's interesting. Just found this thread when searching cold sores and endo as I have a flare up of sores on my nose. My folic acid comes back low when I have blood tests so they put my on high dose for a few weeks but not on them at the moment. Do you mind me asking which autoimmune condition you were diagnosed with? I have various other health issues including endo and can't seem to get to the bottom of things. Thanks

[girli1111 in reply to Henley13]

I have rheumatoid arthritis. One med I inject weekly is methotrexate, this works against folic acid, hence me needing a prescription strength supplement.

[Henley13 in reply to girli1111]

Thanks for your reply. So sorry you have to struggle with both RA and endo. I become more and more convinced that endo itself is autoimmune related but very frustrating we have no answers as to the cause. I wish you well with managing your conditions.

[girli1111 in reply to Henley13]

Thank you. Actually since having both my ovaries removed because of endometromas and dermoid cyst I fortunately have no endo symptoms at the moment, so not all bad! 😊

[Strawberryal]

Yes, I have suffered from coldsores when my endo had flared up. I have read that it's to do with the imbalance of the bodies natural immunities. In the case of coldsores, it's L-lysine. I have taken these supplements once I feel a bit run down or when have a cold sore starting. It has cut down the healing time massively.

[CLN1986]

Thanks for all your replies. I’m on folic acid and iron supplements at the moment. I might try an extra dosage of folic acid for a few days to see if that helps?

I read an article about licquorice lip balm, it’s meant to really improve/reduce the amount of cold sores, so I’ve just purchased one of these.

I think it’s all definately linked to a low immune system. xx

[luthien]

endo can affect our immune system as the symptoms are tireness, which affects our stress levels all of which makes us sleep differently and thus our immune system weakens.

Although cold sores are part of the Herpes virus range, once you have them they do stay in your body, a good immune system will reduce flare ups. Obviously stress / lack of sleep is known to cause flare ups so yes endo can cause it to happen more often.

There are various medications you can use to supposedly help your immune system but the best thing is to know your symptoms and manage those.

Above all don't stress - I know easier said than done - I've found yoga helps and mindfulness; it's helped me to see each day and my life differently so I'm not so bogged down with my endo.