In Extreme Pain

[exhausted25]

Any advice on my symptoms would be greatly, greatly appreciated

I am a 25 year old female and 2 weeks ago I had unprotected- unsolicited- vaginal intercourse with a man who I feel incredibly concerned with regards to his sexual history and safe sex practices. As far as I know I have no prior exposure to HSV- cold sores, or otherwise

Approximately 2 days later I began experiencing irritation within my urinary tract- a quivering if you will- that absolutely felt abnormal. I was tired, achey, the like. Also important to note at that time I took the Plan B contraceptive pill to prevent the obvious

Moving into the following days I was feeling lethargic, a tingly hot and itchy feeling in my vaginal area in general
I was experiencing cramping in my lower abdomen, similar to menstruation
I then begin experiencing my most concerning and intense symptoms- severe and persistent lower back and tailbone pain. A deep, deep tense pain that at times felt almost tingly at the tip of my tailbone.
The very next morning-6 days after taking the Plan B I woke up with menstruation- a heavy flow which lasted approximately 48 hours and I assumed was spotting from the Plan B pill
In the meantime, sore throat, diarrhea, ongoing lower back and tailbone pain and a frequent need to urinate
To date my need to urinate is constant though I have not experienced painful urination per se- just full and heavy bladder

I then began experiencing itchiness and irritation in my rectal area. Like an internal pain as well as a skin contact pain running from my anus to my lower back. Keep in mind the deep and terrible back pain has not like up for a full week now. My skin itself was irritated, red almost a burning pain but no visible sores, spots lesions. Post this exposure I have seen one small whitehead and one small redish bump directly on my anus. Otherwise no markings

I have been using tea tree oil- something I do frequently- on my anal and vaginal area to combat the itching- could it have caused the burning and irritation? I am prone to frequent ingrown hairs and blemishes near my mid section anyway- so the whitehead and small bump were confusing?

Of course all the standard symptoms have accompanied- dry mouth, no appetite, incredibly tired, irritated, worried and the like. I went to the DR yesterday for a full screening. Did all STI testing except blood work as it really is too soon. He did not have immediate concern for HSV though did perform a swab- but did not send me away with any meds?
Urine culture came back fine. Yeast infection appeared present and I was given a Diflucan script. Took swab for G and C and I will have to wait for all of these to come back. No swollen lymph nodes, no temperature.

Today has been the worst. The back pain is just unbearable, I have deep shooting pains in my urinary tract and inside my vagina and I am so tired I barely work through the full day. Shooting pains in my buttocks, thighs and legs. Headache, diarrhea, sore throat. I am lost. I am nearly positive I have contracted HSV though I am so confused about the "outbreak". I have been feeling bad and consistently worse for 11 days now and I am exhausted. I feel like an outbreak should come on my now. Is it possible I would just have this physical symptoms and no lesions or genital outbreak?

I am so exhausted. Mentally and physically, and in such pain.

[exhausted25]

I would like to check back in here and receive your feedback if I could.

I am now one year post the incident of potential exposure and still experiencing odd, reoccurring symptoms limited to my anal area. On occasion a burning, irritated, itching sensation that lasts for a few days at a time and appears to be accompanied by a few small white head type bumps- though it is difficult for me to see due to their location.

I had igg specific testing done in February of this year- 7 months post the potential exposure. The bloodwork was negative.

What gives? What is this and how do I diagnose this? Would you advise repeat bloodwork now at one year of you
Many thanks

[gracefromHHP]

you started suppressive therapy pretty early into things which can affect igg blood testing.   at this point, i'd stop the acyclovir completely. should you get a return of symptoms, be seen within 48 hours of their appearance for a lesion culture and typing. otherwise give it another 2 months and repeat your type specific igg blood testing again.

[exhausted25]

Hoping you can offer some advice about my IGG type specific test results-

I recently tested at 13 weeks post exposure- 100 days post exposure.
I had blood work for HIV Syphilis Hepatitis and HSV all of which came back negative.

Since my potential exposure 13 weeks ago I have experienced a range of symptoms that have not be easily explainable- or definitively presenting as herpes.

I have had 2 skin swab cultures taken- earlier on- both negative. I also had an initial HSV IGG type specific test early on that was also negative

Based on description of symptoms alone, to my GYNO, she believed I had contracted genital herpes. I began Acyclovir 800mg daily approximately 10 weeks ago- though in the last 2 weeks I have not been consistent in taking the medication, for one reason or another.

I am highly confused, I thought for certain I would test positive at this point for HSV. My GYNO is informed, right off the bat she provided me with The Herpes Handbook and ordered the correct testing (I can confirm specifics tomorrow when I pick up the paperwork from her office). I trust her and the testing she has ordered

What does this mean? is 13 weeks to soon to tell? Is the negative test answer not conclusive?

My GYNO said I could technically follow up on testing at the 6 month time frame but that a negative test at this stage is very reassuring. Her words were your HSV test is "still negative" and it seems to me that you in fact dont have the virus.

I would love to hear your opinion. Any and all advice is so appreciated

[gracefromHHP]

supplements aren't effective for herpes.

no reason to avoid acyclovir. your body already build up its protection weeks ago. all the antivirals do is disrupt the viral replication process so that if there is any active herpes virus, it reproduces less often to cause less obvious recurrences. acyclovir doesn't impede your bodies natural immune system at all.

[exhausted25]

Hello

Checking back in on this previous post for some advice. It has been 5 weeks post this incident of unprotected sex and 5 weeks of physical issues that frankly have left me terrified.

I have had what I believe to be 2 outbreaks in this time frame and besides feeling physically unwell, I am a mental state of disrepair.

My Gyno informed me that though the initial swab done was negative for herpes, she believes in fact I am infected. Her diagnosis came about as I listed the various symptoms I have been experiencing.

All other basic STD screenings have come back negative and I had a CBC which indicated no issue with kidneys, liver, thyroid, mono, etc.

I did have a rapid HIV test completed which was negative- though I realize it is too soon for proper HSV, Hepatitis and HIV testing and conclusive results.

I am going tomorrow for blood work to determine my current HSV status- simply to potentially narrow down if this is a recent exposure.

I need advice. I need to know how to deal with this and how to stop looking at myself and my body as this foreign "thing" that is ill and does not belong to me. I have an appointment with a therapist to discuss my overwhelming sadness. It is difficult as I wake up everyday and feel "unwell" and spend most all of my day obsessing about this infection.

My Gyno started me on 800mg daily of Acyclovir and she would like me to stick with this for the first 6 months as my body begins to adjust to this virus. It feels so odd to start this medication knowing it isnt really going to "fix" anything.

I am wondering, is it okay to take the Acyclovir? Should I avoid it entirely and try to allow my body to build its own defense? Also, can I take this medication in conjunction with 1000mg daily vitamin C and 1000mg daily L-Lysine. Is it better to just choose one or the other? Or do most folks take the suppressive meds and supplements combined?
I also take a daily womens multi vitamin.

I am so lost. If you would be so kind as to provide me any kind of direction right now, I just need to know what I am up against. I have told no one about this and am not planning on doing so. I have no where to turn for answers?

This is such an incredibly low time and I am so afraid.

Thank you

[exhausted25]

Grace

Thank you for your response. I appreciate your advice and will take heed if today becomes unbearable.

I suppose I am more specifically wondering, is lower back pain and tailbone pain a pre cursor to an outbreak for some?

Is it a prodromal symptom? and in your experienced opinion- how long do prodromal symptoms last before an official outbreak (lesions) occur?

My thought process is, I have been experiencing onset symptoms for 11 days now and at any minute I will finally break out with lesions- i.e. the worst pain is yet to come

Certainly our minds are very powerful and can reek havoc in situations of physical distress. I have considered this and try to keep panic at bay. I know my primary interest has to lie in discovering what it is that is causing me such discomfort.

I suppose too that I felt my DR would be more attentive or assertive in beginning suppressive medication at the time of my visit. I feel I essentially left there empty handed.

Do you have even the slightest inkling what these symptoms (specifically the urinary frequency, back and tailbone pain, anal irritation) might be related to you? Does your first thought jump to HSV?

Thank you, for your time and advice

[gracefromHHP]

it would be unusual to have all these symptoms be herpes related and not have any obvious lesions.  since the pain is worse, I recommend going to be seen again somewhere. Hard to do on a saturday I know but if you have to go to an ER, do so.

since this was an unprotected encounter, you have to wait 6 weeks for syphilis testing and 3 months for herpes, hepatitis and hiv testing.  Be sure to complete the testing at the proper times to properly cover your bases.

Hope you get answers and feel better soon :)

grace