still itchy after 3.5 weeks

[Jane13162]

Hi.  I started having a burning feeling in my vagina when I peed about 3.5 weeks ago.  Went to OBG who said I had a vaginal tear and yeast infection.  The burning got worse over the following few days, and expanded to my anus and vulva--I was in a lot of pain and also feeling feverish, weird aches and pains, etc. So back  to the doctor, who finally cultured me for herpes.  Results came back 6 days later--positive culture for type two herpes.  Thus it was nine days into the outbreak, I gather, before I got on Valtrax and since I thought I had hemeroids on my anus I had been using my hemoroid cream (hydrocortisone) which probably made things worse. So, finally got on my Valtrex and started to feel much better, but after 10 days on Valtrex still have a lot of itchiness in my vagina and at the base of my spine (top of *** crack).  FYI, my monogomous partner of six years admitted he was tested in March and tested positive for type II herpes but just didn't think it was something to tell me!

Anyhow, two questions:
1) Is it normal to be so itchy, after 3.5 months? Sometimes I can't even sleep at night! What helps?
2) Should I stay on valtrex? Most of my scars are healed but the doc says lets see how many outbreaks you have in the first year--but my concern is that I'm not really "over" the first outbreak?

Advice?

[Jane13162]

Hi, depressed lady.  I feel your pain!  The itchy sucks so much--sometimes I can't even sleep.  Warm baths are about the only thing that help my itchiness.  

I'm trying to be upbeat about all this, as loads of people I know have much worse problems than genital herpes.  But I am just tired of thinking about privates all the time.  Wish the itching would go away!  I do think between the lysine and the valtrex it is getting better.

[Jane13162]

I am taking Lysine--it does seem to help--and am back on the suppressive therapy as I'm just not sure I'm over the initiall outbreak (or maybe I had a recurrence--I have heard of folks having back-to-back outbreaks).  My doc says I should not stay on the suppressive therapy forever as it is better to try to let your body  build immunity to the virus.  So eventually I will wean myself off it (or try).  To be honest my first outbreak was so traumatic I am still shock up by that.  I still have scars that are still healing, a month later, so maybe that is why I'm itcy.  I guess only time will tell.

[DepressedLady]

I also had the same symptoms as you. I was still itching until about a week after it began and now whenever its around time for my period, it itches very badly. I searched why and it said my hormones. Today, the nerve in my left leg began hurting again. I had this sign right before my first outbreak. I started going heavy on the Lysine and taking my valtrex (generic brand). I keep watching to see any tears or bumps and nothing yet.

I am going to order Lysine liquid today bc I almost choke every time I take those pills and I cut them in half.

[ehbeedub]

I've heard of people who have a problem with continued itching, pain etc following an initial outbreak. It seems to clear up over time, but suppressive therapy may speed the process along. Are you planning to stay on Valtrex, since your monogamous partner is also positive?

[Jane13162]

Hi, Life.  Thanks.  My new OBGYN swears I have no yeast infection.  I'm under the impression some folks just do continue with the itchiness for awhile?  Also yes I do have hemoroids (which the herpes exploited, which is to say I had herpes lesions inside the hemoroids) and they are MUCH better now but still itchness at the base of my spine, as well.  It IS getting better but some days are worse than others.  I'm a healthy person, exercise, eat right, vegetarian, now taking Lysine, and just a little frustrated that I can't quite get back to normal!

[Life360_Dave]

Correction, 3 1/2 week not 3 months.

[Life360_Dave]

Hi and welcome. herpes sores generally heal up in a few weeks as the virus hits the surface and dies and scabs over. If your still having itchness 3 months later you need to back to the doctor as maybe you yeast is causing the itching. Yeast is an imbalance in you vaginal PH and many things can cause this from meds to stress. Also you might have hemorrhoids as well.