MS? Herpes Simplex Myelitis?

Hi,
I've just had a second episode of fatigue with some neuro symptoms - mainly intercostal pain, tingling numbness in arms & hands, intermittent pain on swallowing - which has co-incided with a flare up of what I'm 99% sure are genital herpes symptoms (waiting on results).

This made me wonder if I have some kind of herpes myelitis. Or is it just that I'm run down? Do you get run down with MS flare-ups? I guess so, what with the fatigue and all.
I don't remember the herpes symptoms being there during my first episode, but it is possible.

Just to explain - I've had some mild symptoms for years -maybe 20 yrs- that I've suspected are herpes simplex 2. They are not the typical symptoms you read about, and docs have talked me out of having a swab for years. My GP finally now thinks it is genital herpes.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I just want to know what's happening.

Thanks, Zel.

[jensequitur]

I know how this waiting game can drive you crazy.  You can really end up grasping at straws because you want to know more.  

Well, I see here that you have more than one symptom, and it's in more than one place in your body.  Pain upon swallowing is due to the muscles of the throat (I've had that, very painful.)  You have intercostal pain (around your torso, right?)  and you have tingling numbness in your hands and arms.  

Transverse myelitis is inflammation that goes across the cord.  It can cause damage to the spinal cord if not treated.  So symptoms from that will be specifically related to that place in your spinal cord.  So just at a guess (and that's all I'm doing!) it's probably not transverse myelitis.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/transversemyelitis/detail_transversemyelitis.htm

The primary symptom for herpes simplex 2 is tingling, pain and burning around the you-know-what.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes_simplex

This wiki entry has some photographs that I thought were a little TMI, so beware!

[trdofbeingtrd]

Welcome to the site and the community. Although I am not able to help you with your specific question, please give it time. There will be
someone who cares and someone who can give you great advice. If you do not get a reply within two days, please repost your question/concern.
I know personally that this is a great place and it's all about people helping people, but because of every day life, sometimes with so many posts,
it is possible you might need to repost. If this is something that needs attention now, you can call for an appointment with your doctor, if it is not
an emergency go to urgent care (to save money) but if it is an emergency, please go to the ER. If this is something you are having anxiety over,
I have some basic but strong tips/techniques to use until you get help, please just message me and I will send them to you. Thank you and I
hope you are helped soon.

[sllowe]

Hi Zelda,

You've posted your question on the MS forum. Do you have MS? I hope your doctor gets to the bottom of your fatigue and symtoms (symptoms).

If you are undiagnosed, my initial thoughts are that what you describe is not MSish - hope that makes you feel better.

Wishing you good care w/your doc.
-Shell

[jensequitur]

Hmm...  without knowing what your GP is looking at, it's hard to say.  I've never heard of herpes myelitis.  I do know that transverse myelitis is caused by a virus entering the CNS and making lesions that go across the spinal cord - hence 'transverse.'  

I also know that any kind of ailment will cause a person with MS to feel more symptomatic.  

Sorry I can't be of more help - don't know enough about your situation.

[zeldazonk]

Thank you for your replies.

jensequitur - Yes, I meant transverse myelitis caused by the herpes virus entering the CNS.

sllowe - I haven't been diagnosed w MS but have had some strange symptoms that I thought possibly sounded like MS. Am going back to see my neurologist soon.

[jensequitur]

I know how this waiting game can drive you crazy.  You can really end up grasping at straws because you want to know more.  

Well, I see here that you have more than one symptom, and it's in more than one place in your body.  Pain upon swallowing is due to the muscles of the throat (I've had that, very painful.)  You have intercostal pain (around your torso, right?)  and you have tingling numbness in your hands and arms.  

Transverse myelitis is inflammation that goes across the cord.  It can cause damage to the spinal cord if not treated.  So symptoms from that will be specifically related to that place in your spinal cord.  So just at a guess (and that's all I'm doing!) it's probably not transverse myelitis.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/transversemyelitis/detail_transversemyelitis.htm

The primary symptom for herpes simplex 2 is tingling, pain and burning around the you-know-what.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes_simplex

This wiki entry has some photographs that I thought were a little TMI, so beware!

[summerluvr]

about 10 years ago I got Herpes I at a party when someone drank out of my water bottle.  In my case instead of just developing a cold sore, I had a severe systemic reaction that include high fevers, aches, fatigue confusion, and blisters orally (about 20 cold sores in and around my mouth, throat) nasally, and genital region.   I could not get out of bed for days, and could not eat or drink.

When I finally got strength to go to my doctor she said it was severe and like what they see in infants exposed.  They did immune system testing (hiv was negative) and shrugged it off after a large dose of valtrex and I did get better.  Haven't had many outbreatks but the few I had included fevers, nerve symptoms, and few blisters.  They've done blood test and swab and it is confirmed several times to be Herpes I.  Doctors don't really have much to say, other then it is not typical of this virus the only thing you can do is take vatrex or famvir to prevent it and keep your immune system healthy (low stress etc).  fast forward 10 years and I now have bone marrow cancer that affects my immune system, so perhaps this explains it.

If you have a rare presentation of the virus it is hard to get someone to diagnose it or figure out why.  Good luck.

[jensequitur]

I had a herpes cold sore virus get me, but it manifested on my hips!  Weird, huh?  Fortunately the treatment worked, and I haven't seen them since.

[zeldazonk]

Thanks very much for your posts.

I've just come back from my neuro and he didn't think it was related to herpes. He said that would show up more around the pelvis, like you said jensequitur.

Zel.