Herpes and Urination/Bowel Issues

[sunnylee]

I have a question but let me give you a little background first.  

On May 2, I had unprotected sex with a guy and on May 7, I started having my first symptoms of an STD.  Based on what was occurring (painful urination, extreme;y watering discharge that was green but not smelly) I thought I had gonorrhea or chlamydia.  This was a Thursday and the symptoms progressed rapidly over the weekend.  I was able to make it into the Dr on the following Tuesday and was diagnosed with HSV-2 based on the appearance of open blisters around my anus, vagina, inside my vagina, and on my cervix.  From what I've read, that seemed to be a pretty bad breakout because of it being on my cervix.  She put me on Zovirax 5x per day for 5 days.  This seemed to help quite a bit.  Saturday was the las day of the medication.

I woke on Sunday and was not able to urinate.  After about 5 hours of being awake I was finally able to go but it was a normal morning pee meaning it took some coaxing to get out and my bladder didn't empty.  This continued throughout the day.  On Monday, it got a bit worse beings that I had to see, hear, or touch running water to pee.  And the frequency had decreased quite a bit even though my liquid consumption stayed the same.  On Tuesday, I actually had to get in a bath to pee...sounds gross I know...and Wednesday I couldn't go at all...nothing worked!  I went to the ER at my Drs direction and had a cath put in...they drained 2L of urine within the hour.  I felt very relieved.  

I gave them the full background on my herpes and medication and they asked if I had an bowel issues.  It dawned on me that I hadn't gone since Saturday and I am a regular once a day person.  In the meantime, I have had the constant urge to pee and defecate but just can't get it to come out.  The ER Dr called in a urologist and they explained to me that sometimes herpes can stun the nerves so to say and cause these problems.  I was sent home with a cath intact and taught how to cath myself which I still have to do one occasion.  

I can pee on my own now with a lot of coaxing but not if my bladder is too full and not for the morning pee.  I have defecate but I had to use a laxative to go.  I was looking on the internet and there doesn't seem to be a lot of discussion on this.  I am curious if anyone has had this issue and how long it lasted.  Its been a week now and I am curious how much longer I can expect before I regain use of my parts down below!!!

Sorry...long story I know but I am looking for someone to tell me they've had this too and when I can expect it to clear up!

Thanks...

[sunnylee]

Thanks for your help...it really is a big annoyance...It's been like this for a week and I am hoping that it ends soon!

[gracefromHHP]

Break the 800mg in half and take 1/2 3x/day.  Acyclovir has a very short half life so just taking it daily won't do it.  

Since you cleaned everything out down yonder yesterday you should be good for a few more days bowelwise :)  

Cath yourself 4x/day if you can't go on your own or if you are only going a teeny bit on your own ( sometimes the bladder doesn't empty out completely.  

Hope you are feeling better soon - this really sounds like a total annoyance ( censors don't let me say what I really want to say ).

grace

[sunnylee]

I just looked at my med bottle and I am on 800 mg...so do I only need to take 1 or 2 a day??

[sunnylee]

I didn't have a formal test although I am due to go back soon for a pap so I think I will have the blood test then.  I told the guy I was with and he is waiting for an appointment to get in to see the Dr.  I have a cath at home I have been doing...I try to go on my own but if I can't then I cath myself...can you do this too much??  I don't want to cause any damage.

I took a laxative yesterday and it seemed to clean everything out but now I have the pressure in my bum again...should I take another?  I always get plenty of fiber...I had hemmoroids in the past and don't want to go through that again!

I have some meds leftover and 5 refills on it...so continuing to take it is good??  If so, I will get on that!

[varmame]

I was wondering how Sunnylee is doing now.  I am having the same bowel and bladder problem and would love to know if yours resolved or is it an ongoing issue.  

[gracefromHHP]

This does sometimes happen with a newly acquired genital herpes infection :(  In time it will get better - hopefully within the next week or two.  I recommend calling your provider today and asking for another round of herpes medications - the acyclovir 200mg 5x/day is a pain in the butt - ask them to prescribe the 400mg 3x/day dose instead for another week or so.  You need to keep the herpes part out of all of this at this point.   Also do not hesitate to return to the doctor for more catherization if need be.  Increased pressure on the bladder just makes things worse. Also if you haven't started doing anything for your bowels, I recommend you do an enema to clean things out - the pressure of stool on the nerves doesn't help either.  Drinks loads of water and start on a stool softener too. If you haven't pooped on your own in another week after the enema, do another and consider taking a laxative every few days until things get back to normal.  I know, I know - you gotta act like you are a 90 year old lady for awhile - don't forget the bran muffins in the morning :)  

What testing did you have done? It doesn't have to be hsv2 just based on all many leisons you had - hsv1 genitally can also present that way. Also do you have a regular partner and if so did they get tested yet?

grace