Doctor SWORE it was Herpes - negative culture?

My history:

Oct. 24th: blood/urine lab tests conducted for 7 most common STIs; HSV 1 only one to come back positive @ 1.36 H (IgG antibodies)
Nov. 20-27th: sleep with partner of almost 1 year w/o protection; suspect possible infidelity afterwards
Dec. 15th: awake after wearing nylon panties 2 nights in a row w/jeans (no showering during this time) - horrible itching and reddened (inflamed), irratated skin arround buttocks. Shower, switch to cotton panties, symptoms fade after 1 day
Dec. 28th: sleep with partner using Trojan "Pleasure Pack" condoms; almost immediately after notice the skin around buttocks becoming irratated
Dec. 31st: Still apparent skin irratation - feels almost chapped and when itched at peels like a sunburn and rubs off
Jan. 7th: awake in the night (wearing jeans) feeling same itching sensation in genital area
Jan. 7th: go to physician where I am told by my doctor with much certainty I have HERPES lesions around the area of constant irratation; herpes viral culture taken
Jan. 9th: Herpes viral culture negative; no abnormal pap, no vaginal bacteria/infection, clear of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis

???? WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THAT ???

My physician has been of no help - not until I mentioned the possibility of a false-negative viral culture did they mention I should keep an eye on things and get re-checked in a few months time. I called Planned Parenthood to see if someone there would talk over my recent history, being that my physician was of no aid, and they refused b/c of liability issues. I feel very alone and am going out of my mind since my doctor swore up and down that I had herpes lesions.

The biggest confusion for me is that I did not have irratation around the buttock area until the nylon underwear incident and after using a lubricated latex condom w/spermicide. My friend who is a nurse mentioned that nylon underwear restricts airflow, thus resulting in a rash and itching; also, she thought I might have a latex allergy or reaction to a lubricant and/or the spermicide (since the skin seemed to peel like a sunburn).

I do not shave the area regularly. I go to the gym nearly 5 days a week, often sleep in jeans, and work standing up 8 hours a day. I never (through constant inspection w/hand mirror) noticed lesions and/or blisters. There hasn't been any evident "healing" to my knowledge and the irratation has not been constant since the start. If anything I thought there were tiny read bumps directly located under the hair follicles but my doctor SWORE I had herpes lesions.

Now the culture is negative. I know if not caught immediately the chances of a false negative are likely. My partner claims he has not been with anyone since he met me, but I'm nervous since "symptoms" appeared a few weeks after sleeping together post-exam.

My mother suggested I sleep in the same nylon underwear to "test" if it was the possible culprit. I have been in them now for 1 night and did wake up with an itching sensation in the same area as before...

1) Is visual diagnosis for herpes REALLY that accurate?
2) Due to my history, should I have confidence in the culture and try to move on w/o constantly believing I have HSV 2?
3) How soon can I get a blood test for HSV again to see if there are antibodies for HSV 2 or raised levels of HSV 1? (last test done Oct. 24th)

EXTREMELY frustrated! No help, no reasoning offered for skin irratation.
Just want to start feeling better....

Constant Worrier

[gracefromHHP]

Visual diagnosis is often wrong which is why follow up testing is always recommended. At this point I recommend that you get your partner tested for herpes to see what their status is and go from there.  

grace

[constant_worrier]

Thank you, Grace.
My partner just got back to me with his results - he is clear.
It is extremely frustrating to have a physician look you in the eyes while you're sobbing, saying that she is almost positive you have herpes, and then have to disregard her claim.
She offered no other explanation for my so-called "lesions" nor did she tell me anything regarding false-negatives, having a follow up exam, etc.
To say the least, I feel I'll be paying off this bill for the next few months and am not at all satisfied with the service I was shown at my local clinic! :S
Best,
Constant Worrier

[gracefromHHP]

You are negative for hsv2.  Your partner is negative for hsv2. It's most likely a dermatological issue so follow up on it with a dermatologist if it reoccur.

grace

[constant_worrier]

Any ideas on what else it could be? As in a dermatoligical issue?

[constant_worrier]

I have been researching dermatitis. Since I seemed to only be irritated after (stupidly) wearing nylon underwear for a prolonged period and then after using condoms, could this be a possible explanation? I wore the same pair of underwear again for 2 nights as a "test" and did have repeat irritation (yet not as pronounced as the first time). I read that dermatitis (contact or allergic) can produce rashes, itching, reddened skin, and all sorts of skin lesion/sores. We are using a different laundry soap at home (we have used Tide up until now, and that's 20 some years), and I did have strong allergies as a child along with a high-sensitivity to soaps in my genital area.
Apologize for the repeat posting. I am just trying to make sense out of this mess!

[gracefromHHP]

It could be dermatitis - from the underwear, from the latex in the underwear, in a new product you are using etc. following up on this with a dermatologist is the next step.

grace

[constant_worrier]

Unfortunately I have to wait for my medical insurance to start until I can make another appointment. I find I have been having headaches all the time and now I'm getting extremely worn down. Random feelings of nausea, too. Took a pregnancy test - negative. Plus, the sore my doctor swabbed is around my anus/buttocks and it hasn't gone away. That is where the irratation is, too. Going to keep on eye on it and get re-checked, but I don't know what to do about the cumulating effects I am now noticing besides the strange occurrence below the belt.