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I Am So Confused...
Hello - A little back story before my question... As far as I can troll I have never had an outbreak of either oral or genital herpes. I have always gotten bumps near my lips around my period that I attributed to acne and I have always had bumps in the hair on my genitals that I have attributed to the course hair (I learned a LONG time ago that shaving just created pain). Now, until recently I hadn't had a partner in 4 years. My current guy and I have been dating for a month. About two weeks into it I decided to get tested for std's and thankfully all came back negative except one. Herpes. Or at least the possibility of it.
My test results were possitive for the IgM but negative for for both type secific IgG's. I have read on here more than a few times that IgM tests should be ignored. And I would SO love to believe this. Since my last partner was 4 years ago - if my current guy comes back negetive is this a good sign?
I have an extreme anxiety issue and had to recently go on Xanex because of this stress - any help is appreciated!
My test results were possitive for the IgM but negative for for both type secific IgG's. I have read on here more than a few times that IgM tests should be ignored. And I would SO love to believe this. Since my last partner was 4 years ago - if my current guy comes back negetive is this a good sign?
I have an extreme anxiety issue and had to recently go on Xanex because of this stress - any help is appreciated!
Hi Grace,
Just a quick question... How probable is it to have hsv1 but never have a cold sore on the lips (never as far as I can remember), only a blemish on either corner of the upper lip (above the actual lip) - and the blemishes last for 2 weeks or longer? I seem to get these around my period after I wax my lip and there is tingling after the wax but the blemishes don't appear to be blisters, just pimples that last a LONG time.
Just a quick question... How probable is it to have hsv1 but never have a cold sore on the lips (never as far as I can remember), only a blemish on either corner of the upper lip (above the actual lip) - and the blemishes last for 2 weeks or longer? I seem to get these around my period after I wax my lip and there is tingling after the wax but the blemishes don't appear to be blisters, just pimples that last a LONG time.
Wow, there is a lot of activity going on here - you're a busy lady Grace!
Bump...
Bump...
I am going to pose the same question to you that I just posed to Terri.
I think my main fear and cause for anxiety is that I have had this for years and have been spreading it around without knowing it. In your professional opinion / experience would it be safe to assume that with my history / test results I do not have a previous infection?
I think that is where the anxiety stems from...
I think my main fear and cause for anxiety is that I have had this for years and have been spreading it around without knowing it. In your professional opinion / experience would it be safe to assume that with my history / test results I do not have a previous infection?
I think that is where the anxiety stems from...
Thank you Grace - I am done being annoying for today at least. ;oP Thank you again for your help, kindness and understanding with this particular neurotic nutcase. I am sending up a special prayer of blessings for you and the other volunteers on this site. I am so blessed to have found these forums.
could be fungal or even just irritation. sometimes our underwear literally rub us the wrong way - especially in hot summers!!
Thank you so much for your reassurance, Grace. Your wisdom and willingness to help neurotics such as myself will bring you MANY blessings. I think with all the anxiety I have developed a rash or something by not taking good care of myself + with all the checking I have been doing. There are a few red bumps in the crease between my thigh and groin which don't seem to be painful and really only itched or felt irritated while I was laying in bed yesterday and it was uncomfortably warm / sweaty. They also ended up feeling better and reducing in size / discomfort when I held a cool wet cloth against it. They haven't appeared to be blisters or ulcers and no fluid is apparent. They are right in the area where the pubic hair starts. From what I read on the dermatology forum this sounds like a fungal thing which would make sense considering the location.
Please tell me to stop worrying about this! I am seeing a GP tomorrow and if they aren't gone by then I will mention it to her but does this sound like herpes? I never get bumps INSIDE my vagina - always in the groin / thigh area and on the pubic mound. Does this mean anything?
Gosh, I just want to be done with this!!!!
Please tell me to stop worrying about this! I am seeing a GP tomorrow and if they aren't gone by then I will mention it to her but does this sound like herpes? I never get bumps INSIDE my vagina - always in the groin / thigh area and on the pubic mound. Does this mean anything?
Gosh, I just want to be done with this!!!!
learning to be calmer and to worry less about things is always a good thing :) This will not be the worst thing to happen to you in life and we all need skills to get us through the rough spots!
really not everything is herpes. just keep reminding yourself that :)
really not everything is herpes. just keep reminding yourself that :)
And so - the anxiety continues... but it is less severe than when I first started on this board. Reading all the posts tends to calm me down which is a good thing I guess. Plus talking to the therapist is slowly helping though the relaxation techniques are going to take some getting used to.
I am tired of worrying about every bump I find - my IgG's came back negative with a 4 year stint in between partners... I have about had it! I just want to move forward. Oh, but I just can't... *sigh - God willing this will be over soon and I can leave this herpes scare BEHIND!
I am tired of worrying about every bump I find - my IgG's came back negative with a 4 year stint in between partners... I have about had it! I just want to move forward. Oh, but I just can't... *sigh - God willing this will be over soon and I can leave this herpes scare BEHIND!
when can your bf repeat his own test results to be sure of his own status for sure?
You are a Godsend - you know that? I have been sitting here fretting about this... ok, I will calm down. It could be anything, right? My IgG came back negative and I should hold onto that thought, right?
you have a history of skin issues in the genital area. Perhaps at this point seeing a dermatologist regularly will help you figure out what is going on better and keep you from worrying so much about everything that goes on down yonder?
It says my brand new post was done 5hrs ago? I am just bumping this because it wasn't showing on the list...
Ok - I know y'all are going to get tired of me sooner or later...
Just for my peace of mind, there was a pimple like bump a week or so ago that when I messed with it, it popped and out came a clear liquid and promptly went away leaving a red mark behind. It looked like it may have been an ingrown hair but it was in the crease between my thigh and pubic area so I couldn't really see. It didn't scab or blister (though messing with it made it bleed a little) and it was gone within 2 days. Am I overthinking this? It seems to have acted like the pimples I get on my face (clear liquid and all). It wasn't painful either.
Is my overactive, obsessive imagination getting the best of me???? I keep telling myself that my IgG's came back negative so its just a pimple but hearing (or seeing) you agree would put this obsessive thought to rest, I think.
Your help and patience is much appreciated!
Just for my peace of mind, there was a pimple like bump a week or so ago that when I messed with it, it popped and out came a clear liquid and promptly went away leaving a red mark behind. It looked like it may have been an ingrown hair but it was in the crease between my thigh and pubic area so I couldn't really see. It didn't scab or blister (though messing with it made it bleed a little) and it was gone within 2 days. Am I overthinking this? It seems to have acted like the pimples I get on my face (clear liquid and all). It wasn't painful either.
Is my overactive, obsessive imagination getting the best of me???? I keep telling myself that my IgG's came back negative so its just a pimple but hearing (or seeing) you agree would put this obsessive thought to rest, I think.
Your help and patience is much appreciated!
I assume you will continue to work with the therapist that you saw recently? Unfortunately we can't do much more here to convince you logically/scientifically that you don't have herpes.
At this point it's all about working to overcome the mental issue that's impacting you. I urge you - from my own experience - to be sure you continue to work (and this could take weeks/months, not just a onsie/twosie visit) with a therapist/counselor here. As I said, this is out of compassion not criticism. I've been in that black hole that I felt I could never get out of (unrelated to herpes). It's serious and needs the attention of working with someone. Also, speak with your therapist and regular doctor too if they see a need for medication while you and your therapist work through this.
At this point it's all about working to overcome the mental issue that's impacting you. I urge you - from my own experience - to be sure you continue to work (and this could take weeks/months, not just a onsie/twosie visit) with a therapist/counselor here. As I said, this is out of compassion not criticism. I've been in that black hole that I felt I could never get out of (unrelated to herpes). It's serious and needs the attention of working with someone. Also, speak with your therapist and regular doctor too if they see a need for medication while you and your therapist work through this.
Hi Grace (and everyone out there),
Well, this weekend has had its ups and downs but the downs have been pretty bad. Every little itch or twitch makes me paranoid and I have been waking myself up every other hour worried about this. I know its silly - I do, really - my IgG's came back negative so the likelihood of me having herpes after 4 years without a partner is pretty much nil. But its stuck in my head and I can't get it out. :o( I am so tired and worn out. My depression has gotten to a new low through this and I would love nothing more than to pick myself up, dust myself off and move on. I can't wait for that day.
Grace (and all who have been confirmed with herpes),
I want to apologize for making it seem like this is the end of my life. I know its not HIV and leading a 'normal' life (as normal as anyone's) is obviously relatively easy. Please forgive any insensitivity on my part - it is SO not intended. Keep rocking on...
Thanx for letting me vent...
Well, this weekend has had its ups and downs but the downs have been pretty bad. Every little itch or twitch makes me paranoid and I have been waking myself up every other hour worried about this. I know its silly - I do, really - my IgG's came back negative so the likelihood of me having herpes after 4 years without a partner is pretty much nil. But its stuck in my head and I can't get it out. :o( I am so tired and worn out. My depression has gotten to a new low through this and I would love nothing more than to pick myself up, dust myself off and move on. I can't wait for that day.
Grace (and all who have been confirmed with herpes),
I want to apologize for making it seem like this is the end of my life. I know its not HIV and leading a 'normal' life (as normal as anyone's) is obviously relatively easy. Please forgive any insensitivity on my part - it is SO not intended. Keep rocking on...
Thanx for letting me vent...
I have seen you on at least one other forum (can't remember which one) - you must be one busy lady. Thank you for all your knowledge and keeping up on the latest.
Man, I am TIRED! ZZZZZzzzzzzzz
Man, I am TIRED! ZZZZZzzzzzzzz
both were related to herpes and hpv related concerns of posters on another forum. Kinda boring....he he he
LOL- Considering all the stress I have put myself through lately I would think it would create a HUGE outbreak but all is clear... I really can't wait to get passed this. Hopefully the therapist can help me...
At least my appetite seems to have returned.
Oh - the poster you co-presented... what was it about? Anything specific about herpes?
At least my appetite seems to have returned.
Oh - the poster you co-presented... what was it about? Anything specific about herpes?
sometimes an uti is really just an uti. same with many things can cause bumps. So many things can go wrong with our bodies that aren't std related and certainly aren't herpes related I assure you :)
Well, I know I have appreciated your advice and while I still struggle with those obssessive thoughts (which is why I am awake right now - blech) I feel calmer that you, petal AND Terri Warren + two doctors here (oh my goodness am I really THAT thick headed??) say I don't have it.
I think one of my issues is that I think back to what I think may have been symptoms (a couple of instances of weird bumps and a HORRIBLE bladder infection, though I can't say if they happened at the same time. It was years ago.) and I just don't wanna give myself false hope + I don't want to continue to spread something I didn't know I had.
Yep, thick headed, I know... *sighsigh
I think one of my issues is that I think back to what I think may have been symptoms (a couple of instances of weird bumps and a HORRIBLE bladder infection, though I can't say if they happened at the same time. It was years ago.) and I just don't wanna give myself false hope + I don't want to continue to spread something I didn't know I had.
Yep, thick headed, I know... *sighsigh
I've never bought into the stigma and it's never really been an issue for me. Honestly I was just thankful it was just herpes when I was diagnosed all those years ago...lol.
I think it's way easier for me in part because I see so many things every single day that are just so much worse than my herpes could ever be. I can control my herpes with a pill or two a day and it's not really an issue for me. I went from 20 ob's a year to 4 with daily suppressive therapy and just never really thought much about it again until I started dating again and realized I didn't know much about my herpes and felt it was rather irresponsible of me. took it upon myself to better educate myself, got involved in the online forums to be a patient advocate and just kept on going in the world of herpes. I even co-presented a poster at the last 2 cdc std conferences :) So many folks have so many questions that they are either reluctant to ask of their regular provider or their regular provider just doesn't know about. I am a firm believer in folks needing a safe place to talk about these sorts of things as well as get educated advice at :) it also keeps me from having to get out of pj's and go do volunteer work outside of my house and gives me a reason to talk about sex, a lot...he he he
I think it's way easier for me in part because I see so many things every single day that are just so much worse than my herpes could ever be. I can control my herpes with a pill or two a day and it's not really an issue for me. I went from 20 ob's a year to 4 with daily suppressive therapy and just never really thought much about it again until I started dating again and realized I didn't know much about my herpes and felt it was rather irresponsible of me. took it upon myself to better educate myself, got involved in the online forums to be a patient advocate and just kept on going in the world of herpes. I even co-presented a poster at the last 2 cdc std conferences :) So many folks have so many questions that they are either reluctant to ask of their regular provider or their regular provider just doesn't know about. I am a firm believer in folks needing a safe place to talk about these sorts of things as well as get educated advice at :) it also keeps me from having to get out of pj's and go do volunteer work outside of my house and gives me a reason to talk about sex, a lot...he he he
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
