Painful genital bumps

[Can_U_Help]

I have had painful bumps around my vagina and thighs for several years. About 4 years ago I went to the local Health Department for my annual check up and I talked to the nurse practitioner about it. She said that they were probably hair follicles and that I should leave them alone. The only problem is they are very painful. They do not rupture. I have to squeeze them to release the puss, which is usually white or just blood. If I don’t squeeze them they are excruciatingly painful so much so that I can barely walk. I asked the nurse if she thought they looked like herpes and she said no. There is no rash or blisters like the pictures I have seen online of herpes. Where are lymph nods in your legs? I also get hard knots in the tops of my legs at my inner thigh, which is very painful. Is that lymph nods? I noticed some comments online that the lymph nods in the top of your legs get swollen. The nurse did not culture the bump. Is a culture of an outbreak the only way to test for the herpes virus or is there a blood test for if you don’t have an outbreak at the time of your appointment? I have read a few articles online that genital ulcers are commonly misdiagnosed. I am calling the health department tomorrow and scheduling an appointment. It is time for my annual check up anyway and I will talk to the nurse about it but any thoughts would be greatly appreciated and I would kind of like to know if I should be adamant about testing for the herpes virus if they try to blow me off again. This is about to worry me to death. I am not a promiscuous person. I have been married for 20 years and have only had 4 partners. My husband was my first and only for 10 years then I found out he was cheating and I left. We were separated for about 3 years and got back together. I was only sexually active with 3 partners while we were separated and 2 were one-night stands. My husband and I have been back together for 6 years now and I have been with no one but him. If I had been infected with an STD during our separation wouldn’t I have had symptoms within 2 to 3 years?

[Can_U_Help]

Thanks Aj

: )

[auntiejessi]

Yeah, that will work.  :)

I'm sorry its so frustrating.

Aj

[Can_U_Help]

I do understand what your saying. It is kind of frustrating wondering how long it's goin to take to get rid of this or if I even can. They say some people can and some can't. Lord I just pray I'm in the some that can. But that's pretty much what my doctor told me too, we just have to see if it comes back. If it doesn't then you know you got rid of it. It is kind of a stinky prognosis, but it goes with it I suppose. It makes me mad sometimes but not at anyone, just at the situation. You know what I mean? I sure hope that eventually something can be found to get a more deffinate prognosis this stuff is awful. Not only is it bad for your health and skin it's mentally anguishing too always wondering if you're going to get rid of it.

I guess I don't qualify for any type of medical programs. I just recertified for the kids medical cards which is the KCHIP program (KY Child Health Insurance Program) and they didn't tell me I did, but I didn't ask either. I did qualify for the medassist program at the hospital lab which paid the 448 bill for the culture and sensitivity test thank goodness. Right now I've paid out 2 office visits at 65 each and the meds which was only 13 each. I have spent more on the gauze, bandages, tape, lysol, hand sanitizer and clorox whips than I have on the meds.

I have started using liquid detergent with color safe bleach in it, do you think that will help with the laundry?

[gracefromHHP]

I know it's easy for me to say this but time will tell if this 2nd round takes care of it or not. Hang in there - hopefully this is all cleared up soon!  

Do you qualify for any state medical programs for some health insurance of some sort?

grace

[Can_U_Help]

Hi Garce. Sorry I didn't respond to this sooner. I have just been very busy with work and trying to fit in going to the doctor. I did go back because there were two bumps which came up on the inside of my thighs. They have not broken out into a huge spot like the one on the calf of my leg but they are very sensitive and I am not bothering them. Just doing what the doctor said and washing them with antibacterial soap and applying neosporin. No one mentioned it to me but I was concerned about the bar soap also, so I just went with my instinct and got the liquid, guess it's a good thing I did. : ) At first I didn't but now I am putting all my clothes in a bag and washing them by themselves, the doctor said it probably isn't necessary but if I felt better doing it as an extra precaution it would not hurt anything. It doesn't create a lot of extra work so I thought why not. I know I am probably over stressing with this but I can't help it I just want to prevent giving this to someone else if I possibly can. I have lysol, clorox whips and hand sanitizer wish I am using very liberally along with bleach. I bleach the tub everytime I take a shower or wash the sore on my leg and I spray down all the faucets. I hope I'm doing enough. Everyone has been telling me to uncover the sore and let it air out but instinct tells me to keep it covered up until the draining subsides a little more and then let it dry out. It seems like it drains more when it's uncovered than when it's covered. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing but common sense tells me to keep it covered up if it's draining alot because there is less chance of it coming in contact with someone else. I'm taking my antibiotics everyday and doing everything I can to get rid of it so hopefully it will work. When I went back to the doctor over the new little bumps on my thighs she gave me another perscription for tetracycline to take after this course is up so this will be 20 days of it. But if there's a bump again close to the 20 days I'm going back. They didn't charge me less still cost me the same as a regular office visit but I will mention it if I do have to go back after the 20 days. It never hurts to ask I suppose. One thing I'm a little concerned about is what if there are no signs (like bumps) when the 20 days is up and we think we got it but we didn't. What are the chances of this bacteria being resistant to tetracycline if I have to start all over again? Also, if you don't get it all, is it like starting all over again and again until it just never comes back? I really do appreciate you sharing your knowledge on this. There doesn't seem to be a lot of people out there who are very familar with this.
Hope you have a great evening!

[gracefromHHP]

I can help you with some MRSA info :)

Community acquired MRSA is most likely the strain of it you have. It usually doesn't take IV antibiotics.  Usually we use bactrim but since you are allergic to that they are using the tetracycline which is fine.  

As far as your family - you need to be sure to wash your clothing in HOT water and use the dryer on high until you are done with antibiotics. There is some info on not sharing bar soap either when you have active mrsa going on too.  

Because you've potentially been walking around with this for awhile now it might take several trips back to the doctor for treatment.  I know that's rough when you are paying out of pocket but if they bill it as a follow up appointment it will be cheaper or even no charge each time since it's still the same original infection.

grace