Urethral herpes? Please help.

Hi all, I'm a mid 30s male that recently came down with some symptoms.  I've had a feeling I need to pee for the last three weeks and around two weeks ago I had a descent amount of stinging at the tip of my urethra.  I've never had any sores but just inside my urethra it was a bit red and irritated for a while.  I don't have any discharge and I feel perfectly healthy other than a soreness at the tip of my penis and a very mild burning sensation after urinating and sometimes in the middle of the night.  I've tested negative for GC and chlaymidia.  I'm waiting on the blood test results for herpes, but the concern over what is wrong is driving me nuts!  Any information on if this sounds like urethral herpes will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for taking your time to help out.

[Borat1]

I forgot to mention, I also tested negative for UTI.

Thanks again!

[gracefromHHP]

odds are this isn't due to herpes. continue to follow up on it with your provider and/or an urologist to try to get to the bottom of it better.

did they also ***** you for prostatitis?

grace

[Borat1]

Grace,
Thank you for you're reply.  You're like an angel on this website!  Here's a little more info.  The symptoms didn't start until 3 weeks after my last sexual contact, although I was "relieving myself" quite a bit the few days prior.  Last night I had a stinging all night at the tip that only felt better when I urinated.  Today things are a little warm feeling, but I did notice a first clear non smelly sperm like discharge after urination.  Since the symptoms didn't start for three weeks it shouldn't be chlamydia right?  I wad never tested for it but took 1000 mg of azrithomyicin and figured that would clear it if it was an issue.   Wondering if I hurt my urethra and it's taking this long to heal due to constant activity.  Thank you again for your help.

[gracefromHHP]

you said you tested negative for chlamydia and gonorrhea. did you have any std testing done?

grace

[Borat1]

Grace,
here's the latest with my condition.  I have tested negative for chlamydia and gonorrhea.  The doctor also checked me for prostitus and my prostrate seemed ok.  I haven't had any visible sores break out and there is  no discharge.  I really hope this isn't herpes, but Im starting to worry that it is urethral herpes and that is why I can't see any of the sores.  How is urethral herpes even possible, I thought you had to make skin to skin contact and that doesn't seem possible with regular sexual contact.  It's been over three weeks since these symptoms have starter, seems kind of long for what they call the outbreak period (thought they were only supposed to last 3 weeks).  I'm still waiting for the HSV blood tests to come back from the lab, but seeing how it's been less than 4 months since the time I may of contracted herpes I don't think the results will help much.  As Im sure you can guess, not knowing what is wrong and fearing it is herpes is driving me nuts.  Thank you again for your help and let me know if you've ever heard of a herpes case like mine or if you think it's something else.

[Borat1]

Grace,

My blood test results (taken 4 weeks after the sexual encounter) show negative.  I didn't get any other information other than the results were negative (no antibodie count).  How much faith can I have in a test taken 4 weeks from the time I may of contracted herpes?  The blood test was taken around a week and a half after the random symptoms mentioned above started.

Thanks,

[Borat1]

Grace?  Anyone?

[gracefromHHP]

I'm not sure why you keep thinking this has to be due to herpes?  

If you need peace of mind, repeat your blood test 4 months post encounter. Really nothing you've mentioned sounds like herpes though.

grace

[Borat1]

Hi Grace,

thanks again for your replies.  The reason Im concerned this could be herpetic urethritis is that when the symptoms started I had a red ulcer looking thing inside my urethra that the doc found.  It lasted aroun 2 days and was gone.  I've had mild discomfort ever since then with the symptoms mentioned above, but have never seen the red spot/ulcer return.  I haven't had any sores anywhere else either.  This post here has some similar symptoms http://www.racoon.com/dcforum/tech/2443.html#1
but Ive never had intense pain as a symptom, except the day they did a swab collection on me.  I just took another HSV test and will post back the results to help any others in the future.

Thanks

[Borat1]

My results for the 7 week STD test are all negative.  I've had some relief from the symptoms , but out of nowhere the stinging at the tip of my penis has returned.  

I've read in some cases it takes up to 4 months to test positive for HSV, but if this was herpes that was causing my symptoms I most likely would of tested positive at 7 weeks right?

Thanks for the help,

borat

[gracefromHHP]

just stinging at the tip of the penis is very unlikely to be due to herpes.

grace

[Borat1]

At week 7 I tested negative for HSV.  Does this mean I can most likely rule out herpes as the cause of my symptoms?  It's now been 2 months and I still have discomfort at the tip of my penis.  Sometimes it stings, sometimes it's a mild burn.  

[Borat1]

Sorry,  didn't realize the first post went through.  Thank you for the reply,  could I be causing these symptoms with my mind by stressing out?

[gracefromHHP]

it's not likely it's herpes causing your symptoms. continue to follow up on this with your provider if symptoms continue.

grace

[Borat1]

Grace,
after coresponding with mversous in his post, my symptoms have returned.  The post, burning at tip sounds just like my symptoms, however he is sure the girl he was with has HSV2.  My symptoms had seemed to recede with the knowledge that my 7 week negative test my be at least in the 60% accurate ballpark due to research on the herpeselect test.  As I read about the exact symptoms with a confirmed case, my anxiety level rose a great deal.  In about 3 hours my symptoms had returned and I had a stinging pain all night at the tip.  Late last night I noticed a pin size bump (very small) just inside my urethra.  

Here's my question, if I am HSV positive, could extreme anxiety cause a BO so quickly?  I still haven't had the normal external sores and such...  Just a burning/stinging at the tip.

Thanks for you help.

Borat

[gracefromHHP]

so how many times in this thread have I said to you it doesn't sound like herpes?

grace

[Borat1]

Grace,
sorry... But it looks there are a few of us with the same symptoms worried about HSV.  Please read "burning in urethra" and let me know what your opinion is.  I'd be ready to relax if he didn't have the same symptoms as me and just have been in a reltionshop with a girl that had a OB in the same week.

Thanks grace and have a great weekend!

Borat

[gracefromHHP]

I did glance at that post too.

Herpes really is not the cause of everything that goes on in between our legs I assure you.

grace

[Borat1]

Thanks grace,

I'm learning alot about HSV, but can't put my finger on what this is.  I'm guessing herpes out breaks don't spool up from stress in just a few hours?  

I'll try and chill out and will be counting down the days till I can take the 12 week igg test.

[gracefromHHP]

On all the boards we get posts similar to this - these symptoms without obvious herpes lesions. I really can't recall any of them that have ever come up as hsv2+ after enough time has passed for final testing in the 12 years I've been doing this online support.  

I've had urethral ob's myself even - they hurt like hell for a couple of days and then are gone.  There's a definite pattern to them with clear times of no symptoms in between.  Same goes with everyone else I know who has had urethral ob's.  

grace

[Borat1]

Thanks Grace,

I'm going to get another HSV 1/2 igg test done on Monday.  This will be the 11 week point.  I'll let you know how it goes...

I hope your having a great weekend,

Borat  

[Borat1]

Well,

I did my 11 week test today...  Hopefully I'll get the results back before the weekend.  One way or another, I'll be glad to have the results to end this anxiety.  Yesterday I ended up with a dingle very small red pimple on my penis head.  It has since gone down next to nothing and never broke open or turned into an ulcer.  I'm guessing if it was HSV making it's appearance after 11 weeks it would of Bern painful and turned into something worse.  I'll post the results on here when I get them, and in the meantime...  Thanks all for all of your help and info.  This web site does a wonderful job!  Thank you for what you all do!

Borat

[Borat1]

Damn iPhone...

Dingle=single

Bern=been

:)

[hopeful111]

Borat -

thanks much for your response in the thread i started. It's very encouraging to hear that you have very similar symptoms but have tested negative for HSV already. hope your 11 week test is the same.

My newest symptom was the very slight testicular sensation (i hesitate to call it a pain, it was just something that was noticeable on only my left testicle) coupled with the small amount of clear discharge.

I really hope this is nothing and just mental/anxiety.

[Borat1]

Update to urethratis....

My symptoms have withdrawn since starting to believe this is not herpes related.  Today my results came back negative for HSV 1 and 2 via igg.  This is the 11 week point...  not as good as a 4 month test, but still promising.  

It's hard to believe that symptoms that caused so much pain and discomfort can be attributed to the mind, but it seems so in this case.  I'll post back if anything changes and at my 4 month test to verify it's not HSV related, but it looks like Grace was right all along.

Thanks Grace and thanks medhelp staff, I can't thank you enough for what you do!

Borat

[gracefromHHP]

well you don't have to just start thinking that you are a headcase borat...lol.  Many things can cause issues down yonder - even too much caffeine and too many spicey foods etc.  Just if your symptoms return, stop thinking herpes and follow up on them with an urologist.  I wouldn't bother with any more herpes testing to be honest.  

grace

[Borat1]

Hi all,

I have a new update.  It's now a year after the possible exposure and I requested a HSV test so I could be sure of the results.  
In the last year my symptoms have virtually gone away and I haven't had a text book outbreak..  However, I have had fordyce spots ( http://www.fordycespots.com/ ) since puberty and a few weeks ago the raised bumps on the under side of my shaft and top of my scrotum turned red.  I had been doing a bunch of outside work in the heat and attributed it to a heat rash or friction.  I washed the area with soap and in one day they were back to normal with no blistering or scabbing.  I've also had some minor rectal itching from time to time, with no visable sores...  but whose butt doesn't itch every once in a while  :)

So Grace, before you can ask why I'm posting this and that it's not herpes ;)  What has me very worried is the results from the 1 year test.  I never did the 4 month test hoping the 11 week was long enough time to be confident that my symptoms were something else.  However, the 1 year test came back

Negative HSV1 IGG
Positive HSV2 IGG

Unfortunately I don't have the numerical data yet as I was told this by my Doc on Friday afternoon after the labs had closed.  For the 6 week and 11 week test, I asked my Doctor to use the herpeselect test as it is more reliable.  For this last one, I wasn't too concerned about it becoming positive, so I didn't have him put a request in.  My doc admitted that if a specific test is not requested, then they tend to use the cheapest one available.

I'm hoping for a false positive, but either way I will post the results here for those that are in a similar situation.  

I've read a good deal of research on False positive IGG tests including the Herpeselect test, and I'm hoping to get a clear result with the Western Blot (gold standard for HSV).

One last bit of information, my girlfriend that has been with me for the last year has reported no symptoms and we have been, as Borat would say, "sexing it up" for the last year.  It is her health that I am most concerned with and the reason I did the 1 year test for peace of mind.

Thanks all for your support over this last year, and please chime.  

Borat  

[gracefromHHP]

definitely call monday to see if there are numeric results. either way you still have to repeat it with confirmatory testing.

was your partner ever tested to know her status too?

[Borat1]

Grace,

Thanks for the reply!

As for my girlfriend, she was never tested as I cam back negative at 4, 7 and 11 weeks.  However she was tested a while back with no other sexual relations than me...  so if I contracted HSV it was from the girl a year ago that I have no background history on.
It would seem strange that 2 people would be asymptamatic for such a long time... Especially after I tested negative at 11weeks post encounter.  I would think one of us would have had an OB.  

As soon as I can get the numerical data, I'll let you know what I find out.

Additionally, I'm going to ask for a western blot.  If Im positive on that, then we will have her checked.  

My understanding with igg tests other than western blot is anything below 3.0 could be false positive.  Hopefully that's the case.

Thanks again and I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Cheers,

Borat

[flow1987]

Hey, you should probably check this out. Grace referred it to me in my post.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Confusing-Igg-Test-Results/show/771141

It discusses false positives and that kind of stuff. There's another post on here about the company that made the ELISA Herpes testing method. Apparently, the company was supposed to resubmit to the FDA to alter the positive, negative, and equivocal score to higher numbers, but they didn't do that because it would cost them money. (Tsk tsk tsk.)

It would probably be more like that 3.0 to 3.5 is equivocal in ELISA testing or something like that. 3.5+ would be a definite positive. Anything less than 3.5 should be confirmed.

You should probably read my thread as well:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Herpes/Weird-Genital-Herpes-Symptoms-Or-something-else/show/1327797
I have had weird symptoms just like you, but it's possible that I may have a false positive due to test cross-reaction or cross-contamination, because I don't have the classical symptoms of outbreaks either, and not only that, my score is a really low positive (at the time I thought it was 1.7, but it's actually 1.52 when I called the lab earlier today).

Labs are aware of false positives with the ELISA testing method, and I spoke to a woman at a popular testing center, and she said false positives in the ELISA method are very common among those with low titers.

I also have a horrible stress and anxiety disorder, so maybe both of our problems are just being caused by what is simply stress. I'm hoping for you too. buddy. The day I was told I had an STD that I would carry for the rest of my life was THE darkest day of my entire 23 years of living, and it changed me for the worst. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

Here's hoping you're A-OK. :)

[Borat1]

Flow1987,

Thanks for the reply and great comments.  Today is Sunday morning and since the news of the test results I've been concerned with having an OB.  

Here's my timeline.

Friday evening, doc catches me to say, "Hey, there were some issues withe the lab test I need you to come back in."  He tells me HSV1 negative HSV2 positive IgG.  I ask for the numerical data...  he tells me the lab is closed and we can't get any info until Monday morning...  For all the training Doc's go through, some of them can be pretty stupid :)  Waiting until Monday when he could of given me more information would of made this weekend much better.

Simular to your post, upon hearing these test results my anxiety level soars.  I hadn't thought about having HSV for some time.  After spending too much time on the internet, I go and have a few drinks with some friends, one who is a doctor that gets helps me relax by stating the test could be false positive and without any sores, the chance of a false positive is greater.

So I go to work the next day and try to put it out of my mind.  However, we know how that works.  At the end of the day, I am having a tingling feeling in my perineum.  I had this when I was first concerned with HSV, and I am worried that I'm having an outbreak (prodrome).  The tingling seems to go in a waves from the rear of my perineum to the my scrotum.  

This of coarse kicks off a intense search for any lesions.  There is nothing on my genitals, but I have a few zits (very small) on my butt cheeks and a few really small ones on my inner thighs.  As my rectum was itchy all day, I'm concerned that is the place of the impending OB.  In the past I have had some hemmroid like symptoms, with a vein pushing out and some blood on toilet paper after a big bowel movement, but never seen a sore.  
I've never had homosexual anal intercourse, so I have no reason to suspect that my rectum is the location of an OB, but I have read that OB's can happen anywhere, not just the location of the HSV contact.

I've done a lot of research into CPPS and pelvic floor disorder and they can cause this tingling, but the test results have me very concerned.  By the way, I do have some come and go pain in my left testicle.  

Realizing that I am just going to drive myself nuts by researching the internet and sitting in my room, I go out and head to a party that is going on.  After a few drinks, I completely forget about all of this and note no tingling.  

As I wake this morning, I'm happy to report there are no lesions, no visible OB, but as I start to stress about this the tingling comes back.

It doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to realize anxiety is playing a big part in my symptoms.

When I was HSV 1/2 negative....  the symptoms resolved.

Now that I've been told HSV 1 negative, HSV2 positive....

I'm having symptoms that I haven't had for over 4-5 months.

There is a great book out there called "A headache in the pelvis" that goes into detail on CPPS and treatments.  I had made a great recovery from where I was at the beginning of this, but with this test result, can't tell what is CPPS or if this anxiety is allowing HSV to dominate my immune system.

Time can't go by fast enough until I can get another confirmatory test.

One thing that really concerns me is that I'm HSV 1 negative.

From what I've read, that could reduce the chances of this being a false positive.

Keep me up to date with how you are doing and how your test comes out.  Regardless of if we have HSV 2, I think a lot of your and my symptoms are anxiety driven CPPS.

Oh yeah, one last bit of information...  I found out around a month ago I have a bilateral hernia and have been awaiting surgery.  I was hoping this was a possible cause for many of my symptoms, but now have to wait for a new test to confirm the role HSV is playing in this.  Here we go again :)

Cheers,

Borat

[Borat1]

Grace....

Please help me on this one.  My doc is having a hard time finding out what kind of test was being used and the numerical data.

He says the report says it was a Flow Immunoassay with a positive result.  Any idea what test that would be?

He also said the results that could come back were Positive, Negative and Equivocal.

I wasn't Equivocal so does that mean I'm higher than 3.5 and out of the false positive region ???

I still haven't had anything that resembled sores, other than what I mentioned above.  However, after hearing that my 1 year HSV 2 results are positive, I've been having tingling in my perineum and upper thighs.  Either this stress caused an outbreak or anxiety is messing with me again.

It's been over a year and I still don't have a definitive answer to whether I have HSV 2 or not.  Thank you so much for your time and support with this.

Cheers,

Borat

[gracefromHHP]

definitely go for the WB.  

[Borat1]

Grace,

I will get a WB done...  but my doctor is telling me it could take 2 weeks to set up the paperwork just to get one put out.  

I'm not sure why he's having such a hard time finding out more information on the HSV test that came back positive...  but to wait another month for a WB seems unbearable.

Any idea what a Flow Immunoassay is?  I haven't been able to match that up with any of the research I've done.

One last thing....

tingling that seems to move in a wave in the upper thigh and perineum and hemorrhoid like itching on and off...  could this be an outbreak?

[Borat1]

I found this for future reference....

This data is for the IgG Herpeselect test.

Reference range: 1.10 = positive.

Meaning I could still be in the false positive region.

[Borat1]

Somehow this didn't post correct earlier

Reference range:

1.10 = positive.

[Borat1]

Reference range:

less than 0.90 EIA Units = Negative,

0.90 to 1.10 = equivocal,

and  greater than 1.10 = positive.

[Borat1]

:) There we go...  looks like the great than and less than symbols were deleting the rest of the post.  

Hope this is helpful for someone out there.

Cheers,

Borat

[gracefromHHP]

there are 3 common herpes tests that are run that way.  one is made by focus but  the other 2 aren't.  they all differ in their accuracy.  

I know it's hard to wait but at this point it's the best thing to do to confirm your status.

grace

[Borat1]

Some more info on the results.... it was NOT sent to Quest, rather it was sent to Brook Army Medical Center.

I don't know much about Brook, but I can tell you military medicine is not always the best... especially at lab work.

[Borat1]

So here's where I'm at....  I can't get any information from Brook Army Hospital on the test results, but my doc has given me a prescription for a Western Blot.  I'm going to have it taken and sent tomorrow morning.

But in the mean time, I need some help.

I'm sorry to be another of the "does this sound like herpes" threads on here, but I'm a bit worried.

As I mentioned above, I was at about a 90% recovery of any symptoms by going to Physical Therapy for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome.  I believe the anxiety over this created alot of my initial symptoms and after my 11 week negative test things started to get better.  However, ever since receiving my 1 year positive test, I've been having the following symptoms.

Tingling in the perineum for almost 5 days

itching in my rectum

and lastly, some pimples on my buttocks (I've been sitting a lot a work, and I tend to get these).

No sores.

Could this be an outbreak, and if so would anxiety kick it off within 12 hours of me hearing about the test results?

Any info you can share will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Borat

[Borat1]

Update to post....

My doc talked to the lab at Brooks Army Medical Hospital and they said they had no titer number, that the test was either positive or negative and that it was a Immunoassay HSV IgG 1/2.

In the absence of a Biokit test being available, I've sent away a sample to UW for the Western Blot.  WB will be the determination on whether I have HSV 2 or not...  unless anything changes with the lack of sores.

I wanted to post this table here as it may help others in the future.  I don't know the score of my HSV2 positive, but if you have a positive result in the 1.0-3.5 region, this is why you need to retest.

http://biosearch.berkeley.edu/image.php?img=images%2Fopensearch%2Fartid%3D1276011%26blobname%3D1471-2334-5-84-1.jpg&pmid=16225691&fig=1

Grace, thanks for the info.

Cheers,

Borat.

[Borat1]

Can someone please help with what I have today?
All the prodrome like symptoms receded a around 5 days ago and Ive been doing better.  However, this morning I noticed a few small red dots on my left pelvis and a small red spot in my urethra.  It doesn't sting when I urinate and there is a chance that I rubbed it against my shorts earlier.  
If a herpes sore was to present itself if the urethral opening am I correct to think it should sting a bit when I urinate?  I've had no pain with it... But I have to admit it's freaking me out a little and any knowledge on this from those who know would be greatly appereciated while I wait for my test results.

Thank you and have q great weekend.

Borat

[Borat1]

Anyone???  

[flow1987]

When I was reading about urethral herpes after my false positive test in May, I read that it would sting pretty bad if you had urine pass by a herpes sore. Maybe the sore needs to ulcerate for it to sting, and the ulceration of the sore might take a few days. I believe it can also burn and sting to pass urine with CPPS as well.

You should present these to your doctor ASAP, see if it is herpes, and see if the doctor can PCR test the lesions (if they are lesions). I would do this before these sores heal, or you will not have an accurate result or even a test at all.

[Borat1]

Flow,
Thanks for the response and Im really happy to hear your latest test results turned out negative.  I should have my WB results back by Wednesday, so Ill have my results before I could get a swab done.

Since this morning the red spots on my pelvis seemed to have healed but the one in the urethral opening seems to be irritated.

Could be nothing, could be herpes....

I guess I was hoping for some reassurance that herpes would present itself in a more aggressive method...

It basically feels like a small cut on my urethral opening, but isn't very painful.

Time will tell.

[Borat1]

Well...  The "sore" in my urethral opening that popped up Friday has healed.  It showed up Friday, hung around on Saturday and then healed completely by Sunday morning.

If it was a OB, can they be that quick?  

Grace?

[Borat1]

I'm still waiting for the WB results.  I called yesterday but they were not in yet.  

As I looked back at some other posts I discovered I did do the 16 week test.

So for the record, I was negative at 4,7,11 and 16 weeks via Herpeselect for HSV 1/2.  I skipped the 6 month test that I planned to do.

1 year test performed at Brooks Military Hospital came up negative HSV 1 positive HSV 2.   There was no brand name or titer count, just that it was a immunoassay test.

I'm waiting for a Western Blot test that should be in by Wednesday (tomorrow) and will post here the results.

I'm hoping for a false positive.

Borat

[Borat1]

Grace,

Please answer this one for me as I'm a bit worried...

My girlfriend has some ear pain and a headache and what appears to be a swollen lymph node behind her left ear.

As I understand, if it was HSV-2 then the lymph nodes in the groin would be swollen, not ones in the upper body?

[Borat1]

Test result will not be available until Friday.

[Borat1]

Well, it's almost Friday, but Quest told me today the results won't be in until next Friday.  Hopefully it's not a, "popped positive and they have to run a secondary test" deal.

And in the absence of anyone chiming in, Ill keep these up dates going for those that are in a similar position.  That and I like to hear the sound of my own voice in font :)

Mot really, just this forum is my only outlet right now.

Thanks for reading,

cheers,

Borat

[flow1987]

If you popped positive the first time around and they were told to do it a second time, you would have been told.

By the way Borat, if your test that came back positive didn't return any numbers, it's possible it was the Immunoblot test, which was the test I had done. However, since you said "Immunoassay", and the place where you had it done isn't really regarded for having excellent medical expertise, there's a possibility they ran the Herpes screening test (non-HerpesSelect or not Type-Specific) on you that was ran on me in May that triggered a false positive.

As far as your girlfriend goes, while those symptoms fall into SOME of the HSV symptoms, they are also classical symptoms of other common sicknesses and illnesses as well. So don't try to read into too much. Chances are that what is going on with her isn't even anything close to herpes.

[flow1987]

And when I say common sicknesses and illnesses, I mean stuff like colds, the flu, and/or the occasional headache that comes around from time to time.

[Borat1]

Flow,

thanks for you're reply.  It really does help
calm my nerves to hear from people that think I may not have HSV.  My greatest fear is that I have it, and after 8 months of believing I don't have it (i.e. Timframe since 16 week test) have transferred it to my girlfriend.  I can live with how my symptoms have been the last year, but it would be very hard to accept the my gf has to go through this because of me.

If I am positive, I hope it's not too late.

We did have sex once while that recent spot showed up inside my urethra.  I felt pretty confident that it wasn't herpes, but when she became ill, I thought the worst.

As You and I've read on here, urethral sores are supposed to sting like he'll
when you urinate.  Herpes can be different in each person...  All I can think is maybe mine don't.

Thanks again, and Im really glad to hear you are feeling better.

Cheers,

Borat

[Borat1]

Hi all,

My test results are in per Quest, but they will only release to my Doctor.  I can't get a hold of him, but will hopefully have them soon.

Here's an update....

I had surgery for a hernia I had been putting off.  

Obviously the test results will answer my question....  but two things I have going for me.

1. No flare up from abdominal surgery, I've been pretty relaxed recently and have done 2 CPPS PT sessions and feel good.  I was worried that the trauma of Hernia surgery would be the thing that would kick off my first initial true OB with sores.  Nothing so far.

2. If urethral herpes feels anything like what it does after they remove a urethra catheter, I haven't had anything close to that pain.  Even when I've had the red spots (2 times in the last year) in my urethal opening, there has been no pain on urination.

However, it's been feeling like I'm pissing firebolts for the last 24 hours since they removed the catheter.  

Thanks again all, and I'm hoping to post my results here later today.

Cheers,

Borat

[Still_Worried_]

Man, they've been making you jump through hoops!!!

Sorry to hear about pissing firebolts.  =/  I know my catheter was painful; I would imagine an urethra one would be 1000x worse.

Can't wait for your results!  I should buy some wine......or something.  Or an extinguisher to ship you for your firebolts.  =D  

[Borat1]

SW,

Thanks for your kind words!  You've been a big help these last few weeks!!!  

I got my results verbally from my Doc, and before I say what they were, I have to say that this last month has been an amazing test.

I don't mean to get too cheesy, but I feel all of these things happened for a reason.

First off:

1. Horoscope for August (I never read these things) says that in August a "former lover will resurface to cause complications."

2. On the first Friday of the month, my Doc tells me I tested positive for HSV-2 via IgG.

3. Constant tingling and burning symptoms in the upper thighs, groin and perineum.

4. Break out of pimples on thighs and butt.  Rectum is itchy.

5. This progresses to stinging pain in tip of urethra.

6. After 3 weeks, I notice a red spot that pops up in my urethra.  This scares the hell out of me as it lasts 2 days and looks like a urethral sore, although it could be due to an abrasion as I was in wet pants for 4 hours the previous day.

7. After sex with girlfriend, she comes down with severe headache, swollen lymph node below left ear and is very lethargic.

8. Despite a negative test at 4,7,11 and 16 weeks...  I'm 50/50 on whether or not I have herpes.  Everything on Medhelp.com says I don't...  Everything on herpes-coldsor.com forum says I do.  

I go to Physical Therapy for the first time in 3 months for CPPS.  According to my PT, I'm a mess.  Everything down there has tightened up and my penis tip has been stinging/hurting for a while.  She does some "unpleasant" good work, and I'm a bit better after.  After the next week, things have improved, and I've calmed down and accepted that whether I'm HSV positive or negative, life will go on.

I look back at everything that has happened in the last month, and without some kind of higher power being involved, it's hard to believed that things could line up like this if I wasn't HSV-2 positive.

My doc just called with the results.

HSV-1 neg HSV-2 neg via Western Blot test.

My 1 year test was a false positive, even with me being HSV-1 negative.

Everything that I've posted in here over the last year has been related to groin directed anxiety creating Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (AKA prostatitus)

The treatments I have received from my PT have done wonders in releasing this pain, and now that I know I'm negative, I hope to finish off for a full recovery.

The book "A Headache in the Pelvis" written by Dr Wise is the best source for anyone that is experiencing what I have listed above.  I will continue to stay active on this site and hope that I can help others with the experience I have been through.

Petal, Grace, flow, SW, JOE, Trojan, Terri, Doc HHH and all the others on this site...

Thank you so much for your support!!!

God bless!

Borat

[Still_Worried_]

WoooooooooHoooooo!    :: happy dance ::

See!  We all knew it.  =)

The best of luck to you & keep in touch!

[gracefromHHP]

One of the reasons the other website you mention isn't on our approved list of sites to reference here on medhelp is because it's not a good site in general and never has been.  they tell almost everyone they have herpes. they have little medical background. The kind of info given there in a regular basis is part of why I take the time to volunteer here and on a few other sites - to make sure there are free resources for accurate information about herpes for folks without gloom and doom attached to it.

I've been telling you for how long now you don't have herpes????  Now you have the proof :)   You better go celebrate !!!  Also if you don't mind, can you do a few ongoing journal articles under your name about your experiences with pelvic massage so others can read them?  I don't think folks realize just how easy it is to mess up your pelvic floor muscles with all the clenching , advanced yoga moves to examine your nether regions several times a day and such that they tend to do when they are worried and have pain.  I try to explain to folks that that tight feeling and the pain you get across your shoulders and neck when you've been spending far too much time in front of the computer also happens in their pelvis but of course they think I'm silly.  Perhaps they'd listen to you better :)  That would be terrific if you do that borat !

so what was your horoscope for september? he he  he

[Borat1]

Grace,

I would be happy to do a write up on PT for CPPS.  One of the things that really helped recently was when I found a post on the "tingling" that had been driving me nuts.  Of coarse constant tingling in the perineum that lasts for weeks isn't a sign on prodrome...  but for those of us who are in the anxiety period it can seem like it.

I found a post on here from 2005 that recommended the yoga Pigeon Pose to help relieve tension.  A simple search on Youtube.com gives details on how to do this stretch.  It helped relieve a good deal of my tension and made me realize it's most likely not herpes causing the tingling.

However, with that said, a positive HSV-2 result had me freaked no matter how much I tried to calm myself down.  

Thank you again for the knowledge on this site and helping me decide a Western Blot was the way to go to finally know my HSV status.

As for the horoscope for September, I'm not sure...  but it looks to be a lot more relaxing than August :)

[confusedbyresults]

Borat,

So happy to hear about your results! And I echo you sentiment about the work that Drs Handsfield, Hook, Grace and the rest of the team do via this site!

I, too, would be lost without the info and support available here.

Thanks again to the Drs & Staff and congrats on your test results!

God bless!

[hopeful111]

Hey Borat, so happy for you!

Been following your updates since day 1 back when I also was going through similar thing.

I'm so glad you got the negative results you needed. Let's now move fwd and put this behind us!! As I mentioned I was almost there, felt like 99% there back when you first posted your false positive result in Aug. and now a month later I can honestly say I am 100% there. It just happened as I kept living my life. It's so easy for us to fall back into the dark side as you experienced but I think that should serve as an example that we need to move up. as YOU said to me once, we are not bad people...we messed up one time and we should be thankful we were lucky to have gotten out of this ok in the end.

Wish you and everyone else that has gone through something similar the best! I would check into the forums from time to time but I think it's for the best to move on as well.

All the best to you and the entire medhelp staff. Let's move on my friend, life is too short.

[flow1987]

I'm VERY glad to hear about your false positive and confirmatory negative. Congrats!

[Borat1]

Grace,

I've been recovering from my recent surgery with the confidence in my Western Blot Results... and then this happened.

I started to get some itching between my left thigh and scrotum at night.  I'm sure I scratched it a few times that night, but when I woke up in the morning I was a bit concerned to see various size sores ranging from a few mm to around 2 cm's.  They were red and stung a little.

I had been wearing polyester board shorts the last 4 days as they seemed to be the only thing I could wear comfortably after the surgery.  It's been hot out and I've had a good deal of time on the couch or outside in the heat (100F +).  If these are heat rash, it looks kind of severe.

They don't hurt to touch, and if they blistered, they did it in that first night.

Is there a simple way I can tell if these would be HSV related.

I want to believe in my WB test results, but this is just way too herpe like to ignore even with the negative test results.

Should I get a PCR swab done?  They don't seem to ooze anything, but they also don't look to be healing yet in the last 2 days.

Do sores itch even after they have popped?

And yes, there is some tingling down there, but I'm ignoring that as anxiety.

Thanks,

Borat

[petal130]

OMG Borat, you're kidding, right?

Borat, this is the herpes forum. You do not have herpes. Seriously consider counseling at this point, as this is well beyond what this board can offer. I say this out of compassion and not criticism. I've utilized counseling/therapy in my life and it's helped a lot.

Move on from herpes. Be seen for symptoms if you're concerned, but realize there's nothing we can do here as this is the HERPES FORUM, and beyond that we can't be a substitute for your medical provider and a proper exam (for something that CLEARLY is non herpes related).

[JessyJames2010]

You sound like a person who has ground sence and have a head on your shoulders; also given the condition of being unlucky to have had a false positive for herpes I can see how these bumps are of concern.

You have a WB negative for more than one year post exposure.    

Give it some time.   I pesonally do NOT think you need counciling.

[Borat1]

Jesse,

Thank you for your kind words.  I have to admit I was regretting writing this post, but when you look down at your genitals and see the first thing that truly looks like an outbreak, it's hard to just ignore it.

Petal,

I understand where you are coming from, but I'm not making this up, I have open red sores on my left inner thigh and on my scrotum.  I searched for a non HSV related cause, and heat rash is about as close as I can get, although it's a stretch.

I'm going to see my doc tomorrow, but was hoping to rule out HSV from the expertise that people like you and Grace provide on here.

I hope to report back a different cause for this outbreak after seeing my doc.

and then you can lock me up in the loony bin  :)

[petal130]

JessyJames, clearly you play into some stigma that counseling means a "person doesn't have ground sense or a good head on their shoulders". Seeking counseling doesn't mean a person is crazy or nutty. It means they're dealing with something like anxiety, OCD, or say depression, as examples, which can happen to any of us at some point in our lives. It can be highly beneficial and any good clinician would recommend it.

Borat, you've posted for over a year on this topic, the whole entire time grace stating her constant doubt about herpes. Dr. H has told you even more firmly that it's NOT herpes (please, do post on his board again - perhaps his words will have more an effect!) Finally you have a DEFINITIVE test that says it's not herpes, and two days later you have symptoms that make you once again think you have herpes. There's a logic here, realize that.

Indeed, see your doctor if you have symptoms.  And perhaps post on the dermatology board, as in fact your issue is beyond herpes at this point.

[Borat1]

Petal,

Thank you for all of your replies.  Just to be clear, I hope you don't take the joke about the loony bin at the end of my post the wrong way.  I am a full supporter of using counseling...  and although I know you guys are here to help with more medical terms...

Grace, you and many others on medhelp have been counseling me for the last year.  Just being able to chat on this forum has been a big help and release.

Thanks again, and I hope you're right.  I'll check with dermatology and see how that goes.

Cheers,

Borat

[dex96]

See a dermatologist and ask him about a staph infection.  I am going through an "initial herpes scare" and had a bout of sores on buttocks, upper thighs and lower abdomen, some of them quite large (5-7mm).  Doc treated me for staph with doxycycline.  Sores were gone within a week.

[Borat1]

So,

I went in today.  It has been 4 days with this "rash" and I don't think it is a herpes outbreak.  The spots don't hurt at all, it itches a bunch and doesn't seem to be dug into the skin, rather has a red oval rash that varies in size.  I had asked to get a PCR swab done, but as I showed the area to my doc, he said there wasn't anything he could swab.  He's not a dermatologist or STD doc, but has seen and tested herpes sores and said there is usually a dug out ulcer that is wet enough to swab.  I've had no such thing, so....

My doc thinks jock itch.  I've never had it before, so I don't know how to compare, but the symptoms I've read online are pretty close.  I don't think herpes itches this much after the prodrome period so I tend to agree.  He gave me some anti fungal cream and a dose of fluconazole to see if that helps.

If no improvement after a 5 days, I'm going to try the steriod cream he gave me.  I hope it's not herpes, and with the result of a negative Western Blot I have to stop thinking herpes.

I'll post my final results when this thing resolves.  

[Borat1]

Update....

This rash is not herpes.  It is instead a very stubborn case of jock itch.  The little red spots eventually joined and formed a red rash around 2 inches long on my inner thigh between my scrotum and thigh.  I've been fighting it with anti-fungals, and have reduced the itching a good amount and it looks to be in recession.  Having never had an outbreak of jock itch, I have a feeling that I've had a few minor issues with it, as it would explain some of the burning and itching that I've felt over the last year.  It looks like the broad spectrum antibiotic, surgery and sweating on the couch in recovery finally gave the fungus the advantage it needed to get a good foothold.

The Western Blot HSV test was accurate and this is not herpes related.

Sorry to cry wolf, but after that false positive test, I was still pretty spooled up.

Thanks again all for the help and support.

Cheers,

Borat

[Borat1]

To help out with others who have my symptoms and are concerned about possibility of HSV, I'm going to update this post.  I've continued to experience discomfort and last month had a few strange bumps on my penis head with some red areas on my shaft.  These bumps went away after 2 days without any blistering or scabbing.  
I ordered an Herpeselect IGG test yesterday and will post the results when they come in.  I have not had any encounters since 2009 that would be at risk for HSV.  
If this test is negative, the question of herpes in the back of my head will finally be answered.

[Intheclub]

Dear Lord Borat1!

I just read this entire thread.  I am on a similar journey myself right now.  Sure hope mine doesn't last over 2 years like yours!

I too have had negative tests at 3, 7, and 11 weeks.  But am still not confident in the slightest that I don't have herpes.  I do think my symptoms have been more troubling than yours though, and my thread with Dr. Warren isn't encouraging.  My AB counts at .48, .52, and .35 are a red flag according to her.

Hope your next test is negative and you can move on!

[Borat1]

Intheclub,
Hang in there buddy.  Yes, this has been going on for 2 years now, but I feel I'm at the end of the road finally.  One way or another, this herpeselect test will be the answer.
Hopefully my experience will make your duration a bit shorter.  I really hope you stay negative!

[jts40]

Glad to see you are still around. You and I both have similar stories. I had an 11 week negative test for hsv2 and so did the person that I made the mistake with too. After my encounter I started experiencing some of the same symptoms you have been dealing with that lasted for 6-7 weeks or so. From time to time I may have slight pain for a day or so around my perinium as well well as my penis but it only last for a day or two. Everyone on here and the doctors that I've seen in person believe that I shouldnt be worried about hsv2 but is still in the back of my min and I'm afraid to retest due to what I've read about false positives or if  truely positive by now. My urologist believed I was/am experiencing CPPS but it is still, as I said, the fear of hsv2 in the back of my mind. Dr. HHH and dr. Hook said that for us to have urethral herpes that you would virtually always have external lesions, which I've never had. If you get a minute, read over my post and I will definitely keep an eye out for your results.

[Borat1]

Jts40,
We are not alone in our symptoms, that's for sure.  Hopefully I'll test negative with this last test and can provide a light at the end of the tunnel for you guys.  
I've had the pain described above, but it's the bumps I had a few weeks ago the really worried me.  If the WB is truly 99% accurate, I would hope that it would be enough after testing at the 1 year mark, but with these symptoms, an additional IGG test at 2.4 years will be the final answer.

[Borat1]

JTS40,

I just read your posts.  You and I went through a very similar scenario.

As Grace mentioned before, she hasn't seen one of us with mild skin symptoms and negative tests turn positive.

If mine is negative, I'm going to completely focus on getting rid of CPPS.

There is a study that was released recently on the benefits of an alpha-blocker called Rapaflo in relieving tension in the pelvic floor.

Here's a link to the study, this link is a pharmaceutical company, but my doctor looked up the actual journal and it looked pretty good.

http://drugstorenews.com/article/rapaflo-reduces-cpcpps-symptoms-improve-outcomes-among-men-mid-stage-trial

Hang in there and try to relax.  I hope things are good with you and your wife.

[cbenj]

This thread is insane.

[Borat1]

You're telling me... Hang in there, things will get better for you.

[Joe239]

Borat,

It has been awhile since we last spoke. I am sorry to here this is still lingering for you. The problems have also continued for me as well. Why I ask well the answers was because it keeps coming back. It is herpes. I have it we believe in three locations genital oral and on my fingers/forearm. I tested 11 X through serology. Herpeselect, Immuoblot, Captiva, and  Western Blot 2X's. All were negative. I also did a week of PCR swabing and was negative. I still could not let this thing go. Unfortunatley before I did what I am about to mention, I gave it to someone else. When my long time partner of 25 years started to have regular symptoms always around her period well she tested and guess what. The problem was I still tested negative. I finally did a bunch of daily swabbing. This cost me a small fortune in time and effort and I found out what I had suspected I have GHSV1 and OHSV1. The only thing I could not confirm 100% was what the blisters I had on my finger and forearm a couple years ago when all this was happening. Never thought of getting them swabbed back then. This one the doctors and I are guessing is herpes.  

Handsfield made an interesting point that if the HerpeSelect does not show a positive to the antibodies it is even less likely the WB would pick up on it either. In one of his threads I read the confirmatory testing is even less sensitive. Whether it is or not there is no disbuting the PCR results. I hope your test comes back negative. For me it came back negative on the last IgG test I took at the 2 year mark and then I started the swab testing.

I truly believe many people are positive they just do not have enough detectable antibodies for the test to pick up. This seems to be more prevelant with HSV1 than HSV2.  But I have read cases where peopel with HSV2 have the same issue positive swab negative serology. Remember nothing is 0% and nothing is 100%.

When dealing with herpes you play a numbers game probablilty and statistics. What is the likely hood to get infected on a onetime encounter sure it is probably 1 in 1000 or 1 in 10000 but think how many people are having sex everyday ALOT! so that means there are people being infected all the time. Many probably show up here because everyone is at a loss to what is happening to their bodies.

[Borat1]

Joe,
Good to hear from you, I just wish it was over better circumstances.  
So, let me get this straight.
You were negative for 2 years via Western Blot, yet tested positive for HSV via PCR swab?  And you had no other sexual partners between the one that tested HSV 1-2 positive and your partner of 25 years?
Have you retested via WB?  Since showing positive via PCR?
What symptoms ate you having?
Sores, burning only, etc.

How did you self swab for HSV? Who did the lab work?

It would seem if you do have HSV, it defies all the rules that modern medicine had come up with for this disease.

I'm sorry to hear about your partner... I take it she tested positive?

My partner that I have been with is negative and still not showing symptoms after 2+ years, but if I did have it and tested negative, my biggest fear is I could give it to her.

If I'm negative via this latest test, I'm going to seek answers that are not herpes related.

Borat.

[Borat1]

Joe,
One last question.  Have you tried viral suppressives and does that help your symptoms?

[Borat1]

Here's an update to this thread.

2 1/2 years post encounter I just tested negative for GSV 1 and 2 via herpeselect, both results less than .9

This test is enough for me to finally close the book on the question of herpes as a cause.

I'm going to try the rapaflo and see if it helps with the CPPS symptoms.

If anyone is going through a similar condition as this post, here's what helped me.


Hot baths or jacuzzi that release the pelvic floor muscles

Cutting out alchohol and other drinks foods that cause inflammation.

Swimming with an emphasis on kicking

Wearing cotton boxer briefs vice the old baggy boxers I used to wear

Staying positive.

Thank you to all that have helped me out and as Grace keeps saying, not everything beneath your legs is herpes.

God bless,

Borat

[Borat1]

Typo: GSH = HSV

[jts40]

Congrats! That's great news for you. I do have a question for you if you get the chance. Did you ever have pain while pressing on your penis on the side (underneath) where the urethra is located? Also do you still experience mild discomfort around the area of the perinium? I've noticed that since my encounter that almost anytime I get an erection that I have Precum leakage whereas in the past that would only happen rarely. Did you or have you experienced that? I'm not sure if I dealing with some prostate issues or not. I just pray to God it isn't herpes that wasn't picked up by the test or doctors. I've had colds sores in the past so I'm hoping I don't have hsv1 genitally too or hsv2 that wasn't picked up by the blood test. Again never had any blisters just dull pains. Im hoping that when they describe pain that it is from the lesions that hsv produces and not just dull pain throughout the genital area. Hope to here from you and again congrats.

[Borat1]

Jts40,
Yes, I've had everything you mention above.  I hadn't experienced pre-cum since I was a teenager and I've had it a few time in the past few years.  What's more noticeable is the post ejaculation sperm that can come out hours after and the incontinence (dribbling after urination).

Check out this symptom survey and I think you'll be surprised how your symptoms fit.
http://www.prostatitis.org/symptomindex.html

I'll be here if you have any other questions.

[jts40]

Thanks for the website. After my visit to the urologist a few months ago he believed I was dealing with CPPS and if you had the same symptoms and negative test I'm going to try my best to get hsv out of my mind. I was doing so good until a few days ago and I just have a "strange" feeling going on down there right now. (perinium area) what's weird about it is sometimes its almost like when I ejaculate it feels like it doesn't all come out. (weird) I pray to God its just some issue with my prostate. Thanks for your help.