Help understanding my herpes prodrome

Hi,

I had my first outbreak of genital HSV1 about 9 weeks ago (culture was positive): small pain whist passing urine and feces (almost dioreha, followed up by 4-5 cuts / pimples where were for the most part completely painless. No other symptoms at all.

Over the past three-four weeks I have experienced some other symptoms which I would like some help on whether they are purely prodrome stuff. I thought prodrome should only last 2-3 days which makes this weird:

About 4 weeks ago, I experienced a very sudden testicle pain which coincided with drinking some pretty strong alcohol. Since then, I have sporadic tingling in penis and groin which often concludes with me feeling like I am discharging yet I see no real evidence of any (boxers sometimes damp). The tingling doesn't occur every day. Sometimes I have noticed my groin muscles feeling tight and week. Also, I have had some shooting pains in my penis (on the inside) and some weird almost pinching pains on the outside.

About 4 days ago, I notice ONE pimple on my penis which looks similar to the ones which tested positive to HSV1. The pimple is painless, looks white-ish as if its filled with puss. Then two nights ago, I experienced a severe tingling in my penis during the night and pain in several spots on the outside of my skin as if lesions might be coming through. But nothing happens (at this stage I was worried so I got up, applied iodine pads and began 5 day valtrex program - I needed to get a handle on this as I was in middle of exams and quite stressed).

What do you think? Is all this prodrome? I saw a Doctor in a post say that it only lasts a couple of days but mine went on for about 5 weeks. And is it right that I would only have ONE lesion/pimple? I would like to better understand my prodrome so in the future I can take valtrex the second I feel a symptom.

Thanks
RCPTO

[slacker101]

Interesting but I don't think all of these symptoms are do to herpes. What did the lesion look like that was cultured? What you need to do is go see a Urologist ASAP. Seems like you have a Prostate issue (Prstatisis) issue going on here. Do a google search on this and you will learn what this is all about but seeing a Urologist should be your next step!!!

[rcpto]

The lesions definitely did not look like herpes legions. They really weren't sure what I had (they even brought in 2 or 3 other doctors) because they just looked like big cuts or pimples which we opened when I took a shower. I had no other herpes symptoms whatsoever (nodes weren't swollen, no discharge at the time, no pain, nothing) but two cultures taken on different days both indicate HSV1. So, the doctor said that they are confident that what i had was herpes but he doubted it was a recurrent herpes. Yet since then, I have had the other symptoms that I discussed in the previous post.

[gracefromHHP]

I know it's a pain but the next time you get these lesions, go be seen and get them cultured again. if it's hsv1 again from them then I recommend daily suppressive therapy. if you don't have good prescription coverage then consider acyclovir instead of valtrex since it's way cheaper.

Just to make things easier for you - when you treat a herpes ob do valtrex 500mg 2x/day for 3 days. works the same as 5 days and just simpler for you :)

grace

[rcpto]

Hi Grace

Do the symptoms that I have mentioned above indicate a need to go to a urologist?

The skin on the head of my penis still hasn't healed properly (its very red/purple and wrinkly and I even have papules now which I never used to), the seems to be lots more varicose veins on my shaft, and some of the veins look much bigger and more raised than they ever used to.

I am just wondering whether what I am experiencing are additional outbreaks brought on by stress (I can almost feel a warm heat from my lower back being activated when I stress) and last night I felt the symptoms of an outbreak (a hot pulse from inside my penis tube) though no actual lesions/pimples surfaced although I feel pinches in the skins as if something is trying to break through.

[gracefromHHP]

It sounds like you are paying an awfully lot of attention to your genital area right now.  You might also have a fungal infection or something going on. follow up with your provider but try to stop thinking that everything that goes on in the genital area has to be due to herpes - usually it's not.

grace