Herpes outbreak from antibiotics and steroids?

[Rachel1116]

First, a quick rundown on everything that has happened since May 1st:
- Minor bacterial infection from new partner (we both tested negative for STDs)
- Was told to take Metronidazole but developed a severe allergic reaction 3 days later
- Was put on steroids for 2 weeks to halt the reaction (I have been off them for about a month now)
- Developed cervicitis since I never finished the Metronidazole, and had to take antibiotics for that
- Two bd yeast infections following this entire ordeal, usually a few days after sex

I recently read that a DORMANT case of genital herpes can suddenly flare up after antibiotics and steroids. I have never in my life had a lesion or any of the symptoms, but over a week ago I began feeling minor pain in my buttocks and down both legs, and occasionally my lower back. Since herpes can affect the sciatic nerve, this freaked me out.

Also, I keep feeling a burning sensation around my labia minora, but the clinicians I've seen have all said it's because of the yeast infection I am treating right now.

I check several times a day and see no sores or lesions, and as far as I can tell my lymph nodes and glands are not swollen. Could I be having a flare-up WITHOUT sores due to the meds and steroids?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't know if I'm being paranoid or have a legit reason to worry.

[gracefromHHP]

very well could be an issue with your sciatic nerve and unrelated to sex completely. Hard to follow up on things right now between it being the weekend now and the holiday week coming up but follow up on the pain with your regular provider and/or a neurologist to get better answers.  A physical therapist is also often very helpful with pain like this as well as a chiropractor or professional therapist massage therapist can also help :)

best of luck getting to the bottom of it all!  I've had sciatica before and it sucks :(

[Rachel1116]

Turns out he got the blood test back in December and it was negative. Mine just came back negative as well. Very relieved! Still not sure why I am feeling the sciatic-type pain, as well as a "full-feeling" abdomen. It's all new to me because I normally have no health issues.

[gracefromHHP]

make sure your partner gets herpes igg blood testing done too. odds are they didn't have it done either. a newly acquired herpes infection wouldn't show up in your blood testing this early potentially so knowing a partner's status is just as important.

[Rachel1116]

Hi Grace,

I always get bloodwork done but apparently that was not included in the bloodwork. I am getting a blood test today.

[gracefromHHP]

did you and your partner get tested for herpes as part of your std testing?

grace