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Could this be herpes? PLEASE HELP!

If someone could please help me I would appreciate it so much.  I am having extreme anxiety and I have been crying all night.  The last three or four days my vaginal region started getting extremely irritated and sore.  The sorest area started out with just a a couple tiny little bumps that you could only feel to the touch, and not see.  It has progressively gotten so bad that my entire vaginal and anal area and is now sore, (including the clitoris, weird, I know) and it now has a few slight cuts.  I am literally in so much pain that I am screaming and crying when I urinate (it even hurts when I have a bowel movement as well).  I have already been able to rule out that this is any type of yeast infection.  I started taking some antibiotics (Minocycline) about a week ago.  A few other things that may have caused this is I used shampoo down in my nether regions because I was out of soap, so I don't know if that could be causing a bad reaction.  Also, I use a heating pad for my back that extends below my legs under my buttocks, so I don't know if it has somehow been burning me and caused blistering.  Now, my HUGE fear is that this is herpes.  However, I have only been with one partner whom I have been with for the last six years.  He had only been with two partners before he met me and always wore condoms.  I totally trust him and I know he has not cheated on me.  He has never had any type of outbreak.  Is it possible for him to have gotten it while he was wearing a condom and have it lye dormant for ten years (when he last had sex)?  I don't know what this is but I am so frightened right now.  I have done so well not having multiple partners (after all I have only been with one person) and now I am having to deal with the very real fear that I may have herpes! I feel so hopeless about this.  If you kind people could please help shed some light on this for me I would be so grateful.  Thanks.
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101028 tn?1419603004
Even though no one ever wants to hear that they have genital herpes - at least now you know which type you have and can take control of things from here on out!!  Even though your bf doesn't recall ever having an obvious cold sore - over 60% of adults have hsv1 orally - only 20-40% of them ever get obvious cold sores to know that they are infected.  You don't have to have an obvious cold sore present to transmit the virus to a partner.  It's almost always transmitted thru oral sex.

If you had to chose - you'd want to have hsv1 genitally. In about 50% of folks - it never reoccurs. In those who do get recurrences - the average is 1 additional recurrence the first year and then 1 ob every other year. Only a small percentage of folks get ob's more often than that with hsv1 genitally.

Since your bf has hsv1 orally ( we presume since this really sounds like a classic primary for you ) pretty much the only precaution from a herpes standpoint is to avoid sex whenever you have obvious genital symptoms. His oral hsv1 infection gives him signficant protection from contracting hsv1 genitally from you so usually that's all the precaution it takes.

How are you 2 doing as a couple thru all this?  

I'm glad you are feeling better now :)  

grace

ps I'm not a doctor though I did play it a lot growing up ;)  I am however a medical professional who has been doing online herpes education and support for many years now :)  Oh and I did stay at a holiday inn express a few times too :D

pps come on over to the herpes forum!!!  http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/195
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Avatar universal
I wish I had seen your post a little sooner.  Another suggestion would have been Tucks pads - they are usually used for hemorrhoids, but also help immensely with pain from the lesions.  I just finished my first OB, which was just as painful as you were describing.   You were lucky enough to get to the dr, whereas for me - my medical insurance hasnt come through yet, so I was stuck with nothing except what I could get OTC.  Dermoplast and tucks were lifesavers.  The tucks pads really cut down on the chaffing, and even helped numb it for a little bit.  I, too, was lucky enough to start my period right in the middle of the OB.  Not a bit of fun, I sympathize with you!!  Glad that you are feeling better, and here's to no more painful OBs - and may ANY ob's be few and far between!!!!  
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Avatar universal
P.S.  Oh, I forgot to tell you.  Just like you said, the Valtrex kicked in and the pain has completely subsided.  That first outbreak is a doozy.  Now when I go to the bathroom, I feel like I am in heaven.  I never knew how much I had taken painless urination for granted.  I will never do it again.  Thanks again.
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Avatar universal
Hi everyone!  I just wanted to thank all of you for all of your sound advice and help.  You have all helped me through this more than you will ever know.  This has literally been one of the worst and most painful experiences of my life. (And I just went through a difficult knee surgery last month, so that should tell you something.)  Grace, I don't know what I would have done without you.   In addition to all of your advice, what you said to me about getting rid of the stigma of STD's helped me at a time I was feeling very down.  It helped change my perception and gave me a more positive attitude. : )   All of your suggestions helped me soooo much.  I am astounded that all of you, especially a doctor, would take the time out of your busy schedules to help others who are going through such a difficult circumstance.  It just shows what great people you all are!  I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.  We need more people out there in the world who are willing to help others just because they altruistic and caring.  Thanks again.  Now, I will finally update you on how I am doing.  You were all right, after waiting over a week for test results, it came back that I do have herpes.  I was diagnosed with herpes 1, the mouth kind, however it somehow got passed down to the genitalia.  It is weird though because my boyfriend has perfect skin and I have never seen him with mouth sores.  At first I didn't want to believe that this was what it could be due to my limited sexually history, however by the time the results came back I was basically expecting it to be herpes from what everyone was telling me.  I am still in shock though, about how easily this can be spread!  I literally thought I was completely safe since I have only been with one guy, and we have been in a relationship for six years.  ( And he has only been with two previous people and used condoms with both of them every time.)  It just goes to show you that NO ONE is safe.  I think there really needs to be more education about herpes and other STD's in general and that society needs to unattach the stigma.  As we can see, not everyone gets it by being promiscuous or unsafe, however I feel that if anyone were to ever find out that I have this they would assume that I was or view me in a negative way, and that is just plain not fair.  I have been reading up about this lately and read some stories of other women, and there are women who are just like me, or whose boyfriends cheated on them and they got totally screwed over.  So I think in general, along with many other things in life, we need to shift our judgments and change our thinking.  This has definitely taught me a lesson.  Another thing, when people hear that you have this, they immediately go into judgment, however they don't even stop to think about the utter HELL that you go through when you have this.  Maybe if they knew how utterly horrible and painful it was to go through this they would be more sympathetic and less judgmental.  I would not wish what I just went through on my worst enemy!  Well, I again thank all of you for being so sympathetic and helpful.  To state of confusion and RealRagtime I wish you both the best of luck and I thank you both for sharing you personal experiences and giving your great suggestions.  Grace, you are such an angel, I thank you so much for ALL of you help.  May somebody bestow all of you with the kindness you have bestowed upon me.  Happy Holidays everyone!  
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Avatar universal
I'm not a medical professional (or even much of an amateur) -- but I am someone who was recently diagnosed with herpes and I'm about 10 days ahead of you on recovering from my first outbreak.  Which, like yours, was just epicallly awful and painful.  

With that experience, I'm just writing to say that however bad this is now, it will pass.  About 12 days ago, I could barely walk from pain in my legs and feet and it hurt so much to urinate that I was doing it in the shower.  Today -- I feel almost 100% normal.  I took valtrex, but my doctor told me that it was likely to be less effective because the outbreak was already quite well-developed when I started taking it.  That may be the case with you as well.  Still, it's worth taking -- unpleasant side effects from the drug seem to be rare, and if it shortens that pain by even an hour, it's worth it!

Finally -- yes, it sounds gross, but when urination was most painful for me, I just peed in the shower under a stream of warm water -- it made a huge difference.  Some people, I understand, draw a bath and urinate in that.  either way, I think it's a good idea to get past that horrible first outbreak.

I hope you're feeling better now.
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101028 tn?1419603004
Yes it's normal that you aren't feeling a big difference at 5 days of taking valtrex with a newly acquired infection :(  The first ob lasts the longest and is the hardest to control unfortunately. Recurrences will be milder for the most part.

Follow up on this tomorrow.  If you are still having your period they might not be able to check you again for yeast and bacterial infection but them taking a looksee sounds better than them phoning in things over the phone that shouldn't be used :(  

Genital herpes doesn't mean that you are a skank ho!!!!  There are some folks who have never even actually had genital sex who are unlucky enough to contract it.  It says nothing about you as a person other than that you were in the wrong place at the right time and contracted herpes. Std's are incredibly common and folks should really be more surprised if they get thru life without one - not when they get one. It's just unfortunate that society has stigmatized them all so much like they have :(  

If you haven't already - be sure to watch the patient counseling video and read the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com. Both are good sources of information.

Has your partner been tested for herpes at all yet?

grace
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Avatar universal
This is the first time I have seen this particular gyno.  I was told she had just opened her practice which is why I was able to see her on the same day.  If what you say is true and fungus and yeast are the same thing, I am really concerned that she prescribed me something to get rid of fungus when she already did a test to rule out yeast.

I cannot decide whether I should see someone today.  I probably would have to go to an ER.  What will they be able to do without knowing what I have?  Will they only be able to give me a stronger anesthetic?  I would love something to help more with the pain, but I am going to have to go through a lot of pain taking a shower, getting ready, and making my way all the way over there.  I am not sure it will be worth it.  Any type of movement is excruciating.  If you think it could be really beneficial, I will go.

I indeed have been taking 1gm of Valtrex twice a day.  Today is the 5th day I have been taking it.  It has done nothing so far.  Is this normal?  Do you this is herpes for sure?  It seems like a longshot with the sexual historys of both my partner and me.  What are the odds this might be something else?  If I have herpes, I am going to feel dirty and ashamed of myself.  And I have only had one sexual partner!!

By the way, thank you for the suggestion of Dermoplast.  It has really helped a lot.
Helpful - 0
101028 tn?1419603004
Fungal infections and yeast are the same thing.  I'd actually not use the product that she prescribed for you if they suspect this is actually herpes ( which is sounds like ). It has a topical steroid in it which can make herpes even worse :(     Also she already examined you and said no yeast so why prescribe a yeast treatment I have no idea?  I actually encourage you to go be seen somewhere this weekend to get better pain control than you do now and to get examined. I know it's not fun when you are on your period but trust me - they are used to it!

I also encourage you to drastically increase your fluid intake!!!  I understand why you are only trying to drink 1 glass of liquids a day - you think the less you pee the better it is but you are actually doing yourself more harm than good :(  You should actually double if not triple your normal fluid intake right now!!!  You need the extra fluids to keep the ph of your urine less acidic so that it doesn't burn as much when you urinate. You also want to keep your bladder flushed out so you don't risk a bacterial urinary infection.  You also need the fluids to keep your bowels soft so you don't get constipated which only puts more pressure on your already pissed off nerves in that area.  That way you don't have as much pain when you have a bowel movement and you aren't making a bad thing worse by having hard stool pressing on the nerves. Herpes can affect the nerves that control the bowels and the bladder so increasing fluid intake helps to keep yourself from running into trouble because of that.  

I know it's hard ( and pricey ) to be seen somewhere on a weekend if your usual clinic doesn't offer saturday hours.  If you chose not to go be seen somewhere this weekend try things instead like soak in the tubby and throw in 2 cups of vinegar to the water. When you get out, lay on a towel and "air dry" for 15-20 minutes to let cool, drying air get to your genital area. Both the vinegar and the cool air help to discourage yeast and bacterial overgrowth. The towel will catch any menstrual blood during that time.  Spray dermoplast liberally all over your genital area before getting dressed and even sprinkle a little cornstarch on your pad to help cut down on the friction of it rubbing over the lesions too.  Definitely make an effort to be seen on monday if you don't go this weekend.  

Are you taking 1gm twice a day valtrex?  

grace
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Avatar universal
Thank you both so much for your posts.  I just want to give you an update on what is happening.  Things appear to be getting worse, not better.  Everytime I have to urinate or have a bowel movement, I just want to die.  It is the worst pain I have ever felt.  It has now been 7 days since this started.  I have taken Valtrex for 4 days now and it hasn't done a thing.  I guess this is good and bad news.  The good news is that it might not be herpes.  The bad news is it isn't going away.  All the test results will come back Monday, so I have to make it through an excruciating weekend.  I have not gone to school all week and am drinking 1 small glass of liquids a day so I can urinate as little as possible.  I have small legions all over my vaginal/anal region and they continue to increase everyday.  I also have a white creamy substance all over and a pretty bad odor.  I have been on my period the last 5 days too which is only making things worse and I cannot use a tampon because it is too painful to insert.  The only thing I know for sure is that it is not yeast.  I called my gyno today and she prescribed me Nystatin/Triamcinolone cream, which I guess is for fungus.  I cannot decide if I should use it.  Putting any type of liquid/cream down there is living hell.  If it is not a fungus, it will all be for nothing.  On the other hand, if it is a fungus it may give me relief in the long run.  When I called the gyno, I wanted just something to give me temporary relief -- like this lidocaine that you guys are talking about it.  I wish she prescribed that.  Now it's Friday night and she cannot precribe me anything until Monday.  Perhaps I will try that Dermoplast.  Do you think that will help?  Any other thoughts or suggestions?  Thanks again for all your great wisdom.
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Avatar universal
LOL... yeah I guess I should have clarified that... not with a needle..just the plastic part of the syringe... no needles involved...LOL

but good to know about the Dermoplast.

And my lidocaine was less than $20.00, I think about $13.00 .. and it was weeeeelll over enough.

But thanks though!
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101028 tn?1419603004
You can buy topical lidocaine preparations otc that are far easier to use than what it sounds like you were doing!!!  ( really you should've been told to apply it with a q tip - not a syringe with a needle on it )  LMX is one brand as is topicaine. Both can be used on the genital area.  

Dermoplast is also a topical anesthetic that is much cheaper and easily found on store shelves which is why I recommend it. No insurance and lidocaine is $$ even if you buy the non-prescription brands of it :(

grace
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Avatar universal
My doctor prescribed me 2% lidocaine.  It's really an oral suspension, but she told me to use it on/in the infected area.  For me it was next to heaven to be able to sit with out pain for more than 30 minutes and to be able to potty with out wanting to shout!  It 'numbs' the affected areas.  I was told that I could either lay in the bath tub and squeeze the solution on 'me' or use a syringe and actually apply it to the inner parts of the labia minora, NOT actually 'INJECT' it.  AND careful to throw away the used syringe each time.  THAT was wonderful for me.  You should at least ask your doctor if she thinks it would be okay for you too... the worst your doctor can say is no and it certianly doesnt hurt to ask..right?  

She gave me a valtrex IN the office when she suspected it was HSV and with in a few minutes I was feeling a sense of ease (dont' really know if it was the meds or the fact that I just KNEW what was going on)... I had a 10 day supply (twice a day), by the end of the 2nd day pain and discomfort started to go away VERY noticabely.  By day 4 I didn't have to use the lidocaine anymore... so by day 5 my most painful symptoms were gone.  But of course it's important to finish the WHOLE prescription and I did.  

Oh, forgot to mention she told me to take Aleve when ever I needed it for pain and she suggested the liquid gels because they release a little faster
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101028 tn?1419603004
I don't recommend continuing to use neosporin on your genital area ( and am clueless as to why your gyn recommended it too ). First of all neosporin is an antibiotic cream which is useless for herpes which is a viral infection. 2nd of all - many folks are very sensitive to neosporin in the genital area and it can make  a bad thing worse :(

The dose of valtrex should be 1gm 2x/day for 10 days.  Is that what they prescribed for you? Unfortunately it will probably still be a couple of days yet before you start feeling any significant relief from the valtrex :(   If this is a newly acquired hsv infection for you it takes the longest to run its course and the antivirals do help to shorten things but not as quick as you'd like them too unfortunately.  

Meanwhile do things like the aveeno bath. Also pick up a topical anesthetic like dermoplast spray ( the blue can for the genital area, not the red can ).  There are also many anesthetic creams out there for the genital area - just don't use any that have steroids in them.  I like the dermoplast because you can spray it on without having to touch your lesions or try to dig cream out from under your fingernails ( you can apply the creams with a q tip too of course but I'm lazy...he he he ).  

Also don't hesitate to use an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas ( peas will scrunch around your genital area better than ice cubes in a baggie ). Some folks say that really helps a lot with the pain too.

Also unless you have a medical reason not to - you can alternate tylenol with ibuprofen to get pain relief comparable to some narcotics - ie 1000mg tylenol at 6am, 600mg ibuprofen at 9am, tylenol at noon, ibuprofen at 3pm etc.   If that doesn't help - don't hesitate to call your doctor and ask for something stronger.

www.westoverheights.com has a terrific patient counseling video as well as the herpes handbook on their site. I encourage you to view both to learn more about herpes.

Also your partner is going to need to get a type specific herpes igg blood test. He can get it done now while you are waiting for your culture results so that you can know who has what.

grace
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the advice so far.  I was able to go to the gynecologist today.  She told me that it was most likely either a yeast infection or herpes.  She called me back later today and said it was not yeast.  However I have to wait a week until I get my herpes test back.  This is going to be the most agonizing week ever.  She prescribed me Valtrax for the meantime just in case.  Does anyone know how long it takes for the Valtrax to start working because I am still in TREMENDOUS agony.  I am not able to go to work or anything because of this.  I can barely move I am in so much pain.  Does anyone know how to relieve the pain?  She suggested an Aveeno Oatmeal Bath and Neosporin and it only made things worse.  I am so disheartened because I have been so safe having only one sexual partner.  Should I hold out any hope that this could be anything else, or am I doomed??
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101028 tn?1419603004
You need to go be seen by a medical professional today to find out what is going on. You need your vaginal secretions tested for yeast and bacterial infections. You also need your cuts in your skin swabbed for herpes.  Once you find out what is going on then you and your partner can go thru additional testing to find out who had what.  Don't keep sitting at home trying to figure this out on your own - go be seen and get properly tested for everything.

grace
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Avatar universal
i don't know what kind of advice to offer other than get check out.  I can say that my boyfriend and I had been together for about 3 or 4 years off and on.  Earlier this month I was diagnosed with genital herped... I asked him about it (as he was the last person I had sex with about 5 days prior to my diagnosis).  He told me then that he's 'had cold sores before', but 'didn't have one when we had sex, nor did he feel any tingle or start of a cold sore'.   I say that to say... it is quite possible that your partner did/does have HSV and not know it, and have passed it to you via asymptomatic shedding.   I was trying to treat what I thought was a 'bad yeast infection', but ended up going to get checked out and BAM diagnosis of HSV...  get yourself checked out darlin...
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