important question

Why are there SOO many people on this board that have constant symptoms of something yet they don't get the obvious lesions that crust over and heal but they have the painful skin and nerve pain that NEVER goes away and nobody can help them. No doctor no specialist nothing they all treat you like its nothing and don't care about how much pain you're in or if you tell them "this looks different and its not going away, it didn't look like this before". Is everyone on here a hypochondriac fearing std's making symptoms up themselves? Lol like honestly is It bc people obsess and get scared after they make a mistake and regret it which causes weird stuff to manifest on your body? Cause I've honestly never examined my penis until I made a mistake and that's all I do now is think about it ALL day long wondering why I'm in pain and why my skin looks different, almost raw and sticky feeling like I could press the skin together and it would stick. I just don't get it at all makes no sense never heard of anyone going through this ever until I went on this website. Most depressing thing that can happen to a person.

[cbenj]

?

[Sunny2406]

Good question!

[stephl81]

People are overly paranoid. The stigma associated with herpes and STDS is really over whelming for a lot of people and they cant handle it. I obsess about if from time to time. Im a curious person and thats why I joined this forum; to gather information and gain insight from others. But all Ive really gained is that that people are way too paranoid and have major anxiety issues and need to seek therapy rather than an STD test. Just sayin....

[Sunny2406]

Anyone who comes here for support has at least some concern that they have contracted or had the potential to contract herpes. It is not all in their heads. I believe the physical symptoms bring them here and the mental stress magnifies the symptoms. The virus is sneaky and there is no classic case from what I read. I also believe that, unless properly diagnosed on inital outbreak through a swab, many people chase a diagnosis for a long time due to unreliable testing and atypical outbreaks and symptoms. The medical community isn't very educated about herpes and many suffer with pain and discomfort as they are told repeatedly that the nerve pain, small rashes, redness and irritation cannot be herpes. The longer it takes to get an answer, the more a person stresses and despairs.

[cbenj]

honestly though all the people with those symptoms that never go away should all just get on antivirals and bc if herpes is what it is and then it would stop and go back to normal because everything that you read says it is impossible for herpes to go on for months straight with symptoms blah blah every doctor says the same thing. Honestly I think its messed up that the medical field can't help people in these horrible situations instead u bounce from doctor to doctor spending money while getting no reliefe, no diagnosis, no answers, just throwing money around for absolutely nothing. I don't understand how there's this many ppl that don't know what's going on and go to doctor after doctor with zero help and live their lives in hell everyday and its not a big issue. It makes no sense at all to me, I just knew nothing of this until I came on this website. Its astonishing to be honest.

[cbenj]

There is literally zero reason to go on and live with these symptoms that never end and no answers and no doctor that cares to take the time to find what's wrong or do anything. There's just no reason to live so unhappy alone wondering why you're in pain everyday and can barely get around normal or wonder why you're skin is constantly red or raw and irritated and nothing looks the same the skin is different and unhealthy looking. No one wants to help no matter how much money you spend, I can't believe me or anyone else is in this bs situation. Idk about anyone else but my quality of life is completely gone - down the drain. I honestly can barely drag myself out of bed and I'm 21 yrs old and have never felt this in my entire life, all my hopes and dreams are gone.

[sunshineone]

I understand where you are coming from.  I also feel like there is just something different about my vagina.  I have believed in the past that it might be atypical herpes although I always get diagnosed with something else when I go to the Doctor's office.  Sometimes I find it hard to believe that all of a sudden in life my vagina has become susceptible to yeast and bv when I've never had frequent infections until the last year and a half.

At the same time, I have to stay positive.  I can't go back and change anything about the past.  All I can do is move forward and make the best possible choices in the future.  I know that you must be thinking why do you have to experience these problems when so many others don't have any of these issues.  Sometimes the luck of the draw in life can suck!  But, I'm sure that your life balances out and you have some great things going for you.

My advice is to try to stay positive.  Your hopes and dreams are not gone.  First of all, you don't know for sure that you even have herpes, it could be something else.  If it is herpes, maybe you can convince you Doctor to prescribe you an inexpensive anti-retroviral and if after taking it, you feel alot better, then you can maybe go on a daily therapy, taking an inexpensive generic brand.

I have to remind myself of these same things too.  I focus on getting as healthy as possible, eating right, getting plenty of rest, and exercising.  I also focus on "getting the life that I want".  I have a picture in my head of the life that I want and I'm making a plan to get there.  Just stay positive.  If you are in that much pain then you need to demand that your Doctor does something to make you feel better, that is their job as a Doctor.  Ask if you can try a prescription for herpes medication on a trial basis to see if it makes you feel better as you could have an atypical case.  You have to be your best advocate.  Either way, stay positive.  There must be some way to improve your situation, you just have to figure out how and get there.  Your hopes and dreams really are not gone...please take that to heart!

Best Wishes!  

[gracefromHHP]

we've discussed your situation quite thoroughly previously.

why is it so hard for you to accept that not everything that goes on in the genital area is because of herpes????

grace

[mcCreerylvr21]

I have the same issue! I had a terrible BV infection and my doctor told me I was tingling bc of how high my vaginal acidity was. I then was diagnosed with shingles, which can asleo bring about the tingling. I've never had a sore or a blister and this is the first time I've ever had BV. I'm getting a blood test done just to be safe. But it IS very scary, I've had panic attacks about it, can't sleep or eat and I'm driving myself nuts! Which is making my shingles worse. We both need to breathe and realize that many things can cause tingling, and there is a possibility of a different cause besides herpes. Stay strong friend!

[cbenj]

Grace I understand but what are the other possibilities? I've had 3 months of hell I've always been a happy person and loved taking on life now I hate waking up to this its horrible. I just turned 21 and didn't even celebrate my birthday I'm so depressed and upset over this, I just want to feel back to myself that's all I care about. If you put 10 million dollars in front of me or feel back to yourself I'd pick back to myself in a split second haha. You never realize how feeling normal is such an amazing thing, I'm just losing hope as we speak. Thank you sunshine and mcgreevy for your posts I know where both of you are coming from its a horrible feeling your skin looking irritated and raw at all times not smooth like it was and constant hurting when you walk or try to run, see if I always been an athlete and idk how to handle any of this. Is it possible for this to never go away? What are other possible causes? I just don't get it.

[cbenj]

Will a biopsy solve anything? I was going to get one on thursday when I go to the urologist but I'm scared because of how painful itsgoing to be but I'm ready to do anything to get better so I can go out with friends and have peace of mind and be able to go for a jog or play basketball, all I've been doing is lifting weights and that's even hard for me. I'm not myself anymore, its been about 3 months now since possible exposure should I get another igg test?

[gracefromHHP]

biopsy's of the skin aren't very painful at all. they numb the area well and you get some mild burning after that wears off for a few hours.  tylenol takes care of the pain you get with them.

continue to follow up with a therapist for your depression too.  

[cbenj]

I mean honestly if this went on for 3 months and u didn't know what was wrong wouldn't you be depressed and scared too?

[cbenj]

I know the needle is probably the worst thing ever btw for the biopsy. What does the biopsy show? Can it show hpv and all that?

[gracefromHHP]

actually  I had genital issues for 1 1/2 years before I found out what was going on. They lasted for 4 years total almost non-stop and still are an issue periodically. they have nothing to do with my genital herpes.  I was never depressed or scared over them though I was p.o'd that I was thinking of my genitals 24/7/365!  I hauled my butt to a doctor every single month for years to deal with it until I got answers and found a treatment that works.

the biopsy would show any skin changes and often is fairly  helpful except for when it just shows general inflammation - then you still have to get to the bottom of what is causing the inflammation.

[cbenj]

The thing is how could any of this be happening when all I did was have unprotected and up to this point due to testing have no std? Did my mind and worries make me sick? I know girl parts are more fragile then guys are with yeast and bv and all that but the thing is I had unprotected sex one time and I've been suffering for 3 months. I can't go 1 and a half yrs like this I need my life back bc I can't function. Like literally I would do anything be myself again. I know your just here for herpes diagnosis but honestly what do u think could possibly be ailing me from all my symptoms ill list them to you okay thank you so much I have a urologist appt tomorrow btw

[cbenj]

1)My skin feels raw and irritated all over. 2) the skin has literally changed its almost thinner and it feels sticky if I squeeze the skin together it like sticks and shrivels up never was like that was smooth before 3) hurts when I walk esp going upstairs and I get stinging feelings on inside of my thighs sometimes down to my feet 4) skin irritation has caused the fordyce to look more noticeable and inflamed 5) if I happen to have to "relieve" myself(masterbation (masturbation)) to keeo my sanity the foreskin and head gets extremely red like fire red and lotion and stuff irritates it really bad 5) when I pee now it dribbles and I can never get it all out same with ejaculation 6) the urethra looks like it has almost enlarged in size and looks very irritated at all times (stings) doesn't burn to pee though, 7) I've recently had groin pains to but I'm thinking most of the body aches have to do with anxiety and stress I've been extremely stressed and scared. I've been looking into some diagnosis that could maybe be it, Is prostatis possible? I'm just really confused.

[jts40]

I've been dealing with a lot of unexplainable symptoms as well. Unfortunately my horrible mistake has cost me my marriage and my family and I'm hoping that whatever I may have hasn't been given to my wife the one time we had sex during this time. Talk to your urologist tomorrow about CPPS. If you haven't researched it yet take a look. My urologist believes that is what I have been experiencing. You basically tense up all the muscles in that area without really knowing that your doing it and it causes urethtral pains due to inflammation. This affects your urine stream as well as ejaculation issues. I too have never had any issue with burning during urination. I hope that is a plus when it comes to herpes but who really knows when it comes to herpes. I will be going in for my 12 week HSV2 test at the end of next week. I pray to God that it is negative but with all of my research on this site it seems that some people have it and may not show antibodies for up to 6 months. This is the darkest time in my life. I can not believe that one drunken night has caused a lifetime of hurt for me and others. My life is all but over because of this. Good luck  tomorrow.

[cbenj]

I'm so sorry man everyone makes mistakes including me. Is ccps cureable? And I did have 2 sports hernia surgeries when I was 10 and 12 I am 21 now and I noticed when I workout and get my mind off things the pain and stuff seems to go away. I have noticed I favor walking so my penis doesn't hit my boxers and I clench my muscles. I used to get shooting pains in my abdomen and groins sometimes after my hernia surgeries, could it have something bc of that? I thought I had another hernia a little ways back but just forgot about it. Maybe all the stress after my "mistake" to that region made this underlying issue come out? I have no ideaaa.

[gracefromHHP]

yes we have treatments for cpps. search the std experts forum - HHH has made many posts on it and has 2 websites he recommends for reading on it that he mentions repeatedly.

can your mind be causing most of this? Oh indeed!  Look for a therapist who specializes in biofeedback - they can really be helpful to help you redirect yourself :)  

[cbenj]

Okay ill look into it. Is any of this symptoms of hiv or something? I might sound dumb lol I just never dealt with any of this. You wouldn't have these symptoms would u isn't it just an immunity thing...? Anyways I went to the urologist he told me he didn't see anything std related and that if there was some kind of skin thing going on that I noticed that he'd refer me to a derm, he reassured me nothing that is going on is std's and that it could just be something as simple as dermatitis? He also said anxiety and stress in this area of the body cause cause lots of problems, he wrote me up a catscan so they look inside and that was it. Checked my urine told me It was fine.

[gracefromHHP]

no reason to think you have hiv.

RELAX!!!!!  You are on your own worse enemy with all of this!!!

[cbenj]

Does it not do this to u?

[gracefromHHP]

I think depression is your main issue at this point more than anything.

[cbenj]

Honestly you don't get tingly feelings 24/7 in your thighs and in the whole general area and weird raw scaly skin on your private part because of depression. Idk what to do I'm so alone no one can help me I guess

[gracefromHHP]

we are limited to how we can help you online. you are being followed by trained medical providers. continue to follow up with them. no reason to think you have hiv.

[cbenj]

I never really said I had hiv I was just wondering does hiv have this effect on a person like are my symptoms similar to what It does is what I was asking

[gracefromHHP]

nothing you've mentioned sounds like hiv related symptoms either.

[cbenj]

Okay just not having a diagnosis freaks u out makes u think the worst atleast me anyways. Symptoms of hiv seem really vague so my fault I know it doesn't have to do with down there really.

[cbenj]

Had a catscan done yesterday ill post what the results came back as in here.

[AzaleaSea]

Hmm, why? Because if you are anything like me, you googled "tingling", "burning" "itching" and/or other trigger words.
And the first thing that came up was Herpes. And after that, it wasn't just Herpes, it was "Incurable" and "Herpes". And not only that, but the more you searched, the more you came across symptoms and statistics and some very (VERY) upset people. You can almost feel the anger and fear coming through the page.
Anxiety is powerful. I have a long, long history of anxiety but this is the first time it's been about health issues (strange huh?). Naturally, it had to be herpes.
Anxiety has driven people to emergency rooms and a whole host of other things. And anxiety can cause some preeeetty weird things in the body too. I'm convinced that it can actually cause serious health issues in and of itself (high adrenalin levels for extended periods of time.)
You're not alone right now though, I'm also convinced that I have herpes.
Go figure. Even my logic is failing me.
As my sister pointed out "you can't catch diseases over the internet, ya know."
No, no you cant, but you can cause similar sensations in the body to said disease. The mind is a powerful, powerful thing. Placebos are very good examples of this.
(and yes, I still think I have herpes.)

[cbenj]

Yeah man I'm torn right now, I just can't understand if the mind could possibly make this happen. I guess the mind is a realy strong thing. If I get this next blood test at 3 months and I'm negative again where do I go from there?

[AzaleaSea]

If it's negative (again?), you carry on with your life and find out the status' of any future partners. The same would apply if it's positive though.
Don't dwell on this for much longer. It's been 11 months for me, of anxiety, 6 of which has been spent in emotional/physical turmoil.
Probably worse than actually having herpes.
Really, truly, get tested and believe the tests and then relax.

[cbenj]

Sorry I didn't realize u were female til I looked at your profile! Yeah that anxiety is honestly the worst part of all of it, anxiety over this makes me tired 24/7, makes my body hurt, hard to get out of bed, I find myself withdrawing from social stuff now, overall unhappiness is the worst thing anyone can feel. Its been 3 months of complete turmoil for me and I can say honestly its been the worst time of my life. Like I said I'm gonna test soon because I'm at the 3 month mark and if they all come back negative I'm definitely going to need to talk to someone after this because of how traumatizing its been for me in every sense of the word. I would never wish this upon anyone.

[AzaleaSea]

My profile says I'm male, for some reason. I'm female I just don't know how to change that on my profile.
Talking to someone may be a good idea yes, if you feel psychologically drained.
I've been on anti-anxiety medications over this herpes thing for a while now. Testing isn't an option for me right now.
But yes, anxiety over herpes or any other health issue is hell and hopefully we find different, healthier ways to cope with it yeah.

[cbenj]

It sucks its scary as ****. Why can't u test right now??

[AzaleaSea]

My medical aid is drained from having had surgery on my leg (I broke it in 3 places and fractured it in 4). Simply no money to do so. Have to just deal with it till I can afford the tests. Just hoping it's negative so I can move on from this.

[cbenj]

Ugh that's ridiculoussss. Call your parents and ask!? I feel so bad:/. This whole thing is so exhausting I can barely breathe at times the anxiety is insane this isn't what life is supposed to be about:(

[TiredOfGirlyProblems]

Omg cbenj you say that your skin is sticky and shrivels??? I get that!!!! I think it's over use on soap or something! The only thing that helps is washing with water mixed with baking soda!

[cbenj]

Ugh I don't understand any of this like I've never had any of these problems before. Its the most depressing thing ever the anxiety is gonna kill me honestly, r we all crazy or something?

[AzaleaSea]

Nah, we're not crazy. Just a bit unstable at the moment. Inevitably it will pass, as does everything.
We hope at least.

[cbenj]

I hope it does. I'm literally losing my mind. L i t e r a l l y.

[AzaleaSea]

I feel like that too, yup.

[TiredOfGirlyProblems]

I know how you feel!!! This yeast came back full blown!!!! I'm going to b like this when I see my bf!!! I'm so depressed!!! We won't b able to have sex!!! I can't believe this!! I just want to b normal!!! I'm calling my gyno tomorrow!! Hopefully she can prescribe something for me.

[cbenj]

Grace I was just wondering, have you ever like heard of continuous symptoms that a lot of ppl have on this board? Have any doctors u work with or have u ever brought it up to them? Is it an issue there? I'm just wondering bc none of it really makes sense

[gracefromHHP]

many of the posters on the board are experiencing psychosomatic symptoms.  Most find their symptoms disappear completely once they get their negative test results back.  

your symptoms are more consistent with a fungal infection than a std though some bacterial infections can also cause stickiness. continuing to follow up on symptoms with a dermatologist at this point is the best course of action.

[cbenj]

I was using nystatin and diflucan though wouldn't it of been gone? What do u use to treat bacterial infections? Plus how would that explain the weird chafing feeling on the inside of my thighs too? None of it makes sensee to meee atleast ppl with herpes have an outbreak then it goes away. This is never ending symptoms.

[gracefromHHP]

getting rid of fungal infections can be an ordeal sometimes :(   I know I myself have already needed to treat for a few months to get them gone as well as I have patients who have fungal infections constantly.  

no reason to think any of this is herpes. Absolutely none of your symptoms are herpes related.

[cbenj]

So u think this is fungal? Isn't it easier to go away for guys though? Everytime I go to a doctor tho they don't even test for fungus, how do u run a test for that so I know its that and I can treat it. Do I just need more then 2 days of diflucan? That's all I had b4. What about the chafing feeling somwthing on inside of my thighs

[cbenj]

So u think this is fungal? Isn't it easier to go away for guys though? Everytime I go to a doctor tho they don't even test for fungus, how do u run a test for that so I know its that and I can treat it. Do I just need more then 2 days of diflucan? That's all I had b4. What about the chafing feeling sometimes on inside of my thighs

[gracefromHHP]

A dermatologist can do a skin scraping and look for fungus under the microscope very easily ( it's not at all painful even though it sounds like it should be ! ).

[cbenj]

Why does this never end.

[Borat1]

First off....

Grace, thank you for still helping those in need.  You are truly an angel for those of us in a bad place!

cbenj,

To follow up from your PM,

I've felt those same symptoms....

sticky skin, tingles (mine start at the perineum and run up forward), raw skin.

I, like you, have never had text book spots to blister to ulcers to scabs.

What I have had has scared the hell out of me.  Red splotch spots, sticky/grey skin, fordyce spots that are bright red and much bigger, sensitive bladder, strange (not painful) urination.

This has been going on 2 years now.  Grace helped me a bunch.

I had herpe select tests at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, all negative.

I made a mistake and allowed a my doc to send a 1 year test (non-herpe select) to the military lab....    it came back HSV 1 neg HSV 2 pos.

Guess what, all my sypmtoms came right back.

I waited and did a Western Blot Test (99% acc.)

It came back negative for both.  My symptoms went down seriously.  

I discovered CPPS and started treatment for it.  The book "A headache in the penis" is a great book....  terrible title :)

Just last week, I went for a long run.  The next day my fordyce spots became enraged and my skin was very sensitive for the last 3 days.  I put some A&D ointment on it 2 days ago, and it helped.  

What is so frustrating with herpes is the reports you hear about the people who have it that just have small bumps or irritation....

It would seem that classification wouldn't fit a HSV positive description on medhelp.

I don't think I have herpes.  I have many tests that indicate I don't...  and one very old one with a high false positive rate that indicates I do.

I can't say you do or don't, as I still don't know my state until I take another herpeselect test.....  to be sure.

But I can tell you this.  The people here who know herpes inside and out say you don't have it....  and even if you (and I) do....  whatever it is, it get's better.  

You will run again....

You will live without pain again....

You will have a great life.

Don't let the hell you are going through drag you down......

Try to get your mind off it. Go outside, away from a computer and you may discover, as I did...  you can have a moment you aren't afraid.

Happy New Year my friend.... it will be a better one.

Cheers,

Borat.

[Borat1]

Correction...

Book title is "A headache in the Pelvis" DR Wise

[cbenj]

But you've been dealing with this for 2 years and have been in pain and uncomfortability not like yourself for that long? That's what Is so scary...