I was diagnosed at the age of 18

Hi

I know you get a lot of emails but I just wanted to say how grateful I am that someone has created this website. I cried last night as I read the stories. I guess I was crying for myself a bit but also with hope and just knowing I am not alone with this inner turmoil.

I was diagnosed at the age of 18(18!!!), after a stupid one-night stand. I am now 26 and an attractive and successful lawyer - so at least some things in my life are going well!!

I was in denial for quite a long time. It was only a year ago that I told my 2 best friends, they were very supportive and have been wonderful. I am dating someone at the moment and may tell him if I feel that he is right, I wouldn’t never knowingly give this to someone.

Its just so hard, I have told one person before and he ran for the hills, but I told him 2 soon I realized. I just find the stigma so hard to deal with and my other friends make comments unknowingly about things and I do get a bit upset. But that’s life I suppose, I wish people were more educated. People quite often say about me how they would sleep with me without condoms because they know I wouldn’t have anything - little do they know.

I just hope that one day I will wake up and my condition is not the first thing I think about. My outbreaks aren’t bad, its been 5 months since my last. Its just the stigma.

Anyway, just wanted to share my story. Hopefully I will have a happy ending like you.

Thanks so much for this, the real-life stories are a great help. Some do not have happy endings, but then nor do ‘regular’ people. I am confident I will meet someone as great as your husband. Thanks, Anon x