need advice with herpes and neurological issues

[worriedmomintexasusa]

I had unprotected sex with a sexually active male (I found out later) 3 1/2 weeks ago. (I have been married for a very long time and this is the only exposure other than my faithful husband).  Within several days of the event, I had flu-like symptoms - night sweats, swollen glands, low grade fevers, facial tingling/numbness, fatigue.  This lasted for about a 10 days.  I have had 3 negative HIV tests (NAAT and PCR and antigen).  I have been told these are conclusive.  I was treated for gonorrhea and chlamydia within 10 days of exposure with rocefin shot and 2 grams of azithro (at the same time I might add).  I was also supposed to use metrozindole vaginal cream (the same night), but used it once and woke up with excruciating pain in esophagus so I discontinued as I didn't have any discharge or signs at that time.  Not sure if that is from the "overdose" of antibiotics within 24 hours or the fact that I drank alcohol with it.  Anyway  . . .

25 days after exposure I now have a white thick vaginal discharge.  I'm struggling with neuropathy (tingling and numbness in hands and facial numbness/tingling/flushing), brain fog, scalp tightness/tingling, buzzing/ringing in ears since the incident.  It is to the point that I can't work/function.

Just a little background, I am healthy and go to the gym 3-5 times a week.  I do yoga, pilates, total fit classes, cardio classes.  I have a physical every year - my only issue is hypothyroidism which I stay on top of and take 60mg of synthroid daily.  I am VERY healthy 40+ year old  (125 pounds) . . . until now.I

I am worried about herpes and viral meningitis, but I've only had one bad headache one night this week.  It was solved with two Excedrin migraine.

I really don't know what to think.  Please help me!!!!  I'm most worried about the neurological issues as I need to keep my job!

[gracefromHHP]

for help with hiv testing, post on the hiv forum.

all I can suggest is to continue to see your provider regularly for your symptoms to try to get better answers.

[worriedmomintexasusa]

I'm having all kinds of irritation between thighs, strange vaginal tingling, electric shocks through entire body (mostly lower body though) and muscle spasms.  Still have extreme buzzing in ears that hasn't stopped for 5 weeks along with ear fullness (like they need to pop but won't) and scalp tingling.  My husband was gone out of the country and just got back.  We had sex two days ago and now he had night sweats last night.  What do I do??  

I had a negative NAT test at 16 days post-exposure.  Is this good enough to rule out HIV?  

Herpes negative at 4 weeks (.05 and .06 for 1 and 2).  I know I can't rule that out but the numbers are very low. W

What do you think?

[gracefromHHP]

no , this doesn't sound like shingles.

continue to follow up with your providers as needed. really nothing else I can help you with at this point to be honest.

[worriedmomintexasusa]

I'm worried about CMV, meningitis, or some kind of herpes.  I did have a little rash on my stomach and back last week - small red spots that were a little raised.  My skin was also very tender to the touch and my face feels like it is burning.  I never had a horrible rash though or a high fever.  Could this be shingles?

[worriedmomintexasusa]

I am feeling worse and no one is helping me.  Neurologist said CT normal.  I have all of these strange sensations - especially in my head.  The buzzing and fullness in ears is really bad.  I woke up today so confused with head/face numb.  I couldn't function until I took Valtrex . . . so confused.

[worriedmomintexasusa]

Strangely though, every time i take 1 gm of Valtrex, my head clears for awhile and i don't feel horrible - not great, but not horrible.

[gracefromHHP]

did you go and be seen and get a proper exam as I suggested?

valtrex doesn't work that quickly.

[worriedmomintexasusa]

My IGg at 3.5 weeks was .05 for HSV1 and .06 for HSV2.  These are very low numbers - is this a good sign?

I know this is early.  Now that I am at 4 weeks, would the PCR test be more accurate?  

What is very strange is that I had Valtrex in my cabinet from someone else in the family (cold sores).  I took a 1000 mg last night and  felt better nerve-wise within 4-5 hours.  The ringing in my ears subsided and I could feel my head/face again.  Actually, my head had been so numb that I hadn't even had a headache in a month from all of this and then after the Valtrex, I had an excruciating headache solved with one Excedrin migraine.  What is this about?  My head felt so much clearer and I actually felt normal for a little while.

[worriedmomintexasusa]

Do these early (2 days afterwards) flu-like symptoms sometimes come along with Herpes 2?  Also, aren't neurological issues common with herpes as well?

If I'm having an outbreak, would I be really itchy/irritated if it is on my cervix or internally?  Could this be causing the discharge?  If I am having an OB, would I show positive on the igg blood test?  I took one again yesterday.

[gracefromHHP]

you need to return to be seen again and get retested for vaginal infections to see if anything is causing your discharge.  

herpes igg blood testing can't be done until 3 months post encounter.

your other symptoms sound like a viral infection, non-std related. follow up on those with your provider also.

grace