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HSV-2 in conjunction with nerve pain?
I have had hsv-2 for about 1-2 years. My initial outbreak was pretty bad but since i have been on acyclovir i have only had mild itching around my vagina that never turned into full on sores. I always seem to get these super-mild "sores" near my period, this does not bother me so much but in the past 6 months it has been accompanied by awful lightening-like pains only in my left leg...(starting at my infections site, down my buttocks, my left back thigh, into my ankle and toes) it is causing me a great deal of pain and it is becoming mentally draining. i dont know what kind of doctor to go to and was wondering if this is all related to one another. i do have compressed lower back at times which has caused me nerve pain in the past but it seems that i get a breakout with it now. is this a coincidence? I am becoming increasingly distraught with the sharp pains and i am really worried it is going to affect my mental state as i am a recovering depression patient. Any advice would mean a great deal to me. Thanks.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Sorry I misunderstood the monthly symptoms.
The additional information doesn't change my opinion or advice. Most likely the nerve pains were coincidental with not taking acyclovir, especially since they now are continuing even though you are taking the drug.
Either your primary doc or your ObG should be able to recommend the right specialist to evaluate this problem.
The additional information doesn't change my opinion or advice. Most likely the nerve pains were coincidental with not taking acyclovir, especially since they now are continuing even though you are taking the drug.
Either your primary doc or your ObG should be able to recommend the right specialist to evaluate this problem.
Thank you greatly for responding so quickly to my inquiries.
Just to clarify...
I do not get outbreaks every month but I have been getting the nerve pains either every month or every couple of months close to my period. I am mainly associating the nerve pains with hsv2 because the pain is stemming from my vaginal "lips" downward.
There was a time i was not on the acyclovir ( i wasnt having sex & was asymptomatic) ...during this time i did have the tingling (the kind before an outbreak) ...and then boom...the nerve pains.
So what I would like no know is.... is it possible that my previous "compressed back" ,which was affecting the nerves in my toes, could be heightened by the herpes virus? Or is that totally unrelated?
Do you think it is better to go to primary health care provider? Or my obgyn?
Thank you.
-Rachel
Just to clarify...
I do not get outbreaks every month but I have been getting the nerve pains either every month or every couple of months close to my period. I am mainly associating the nerve pains with hsv2 because the pain is stemming from my vaginal "lips" downward.
There was a time i was not on the acyclovir ( i wasnt having sex & was asymptomatic) ...during this time i did have the tingling (the kind before an outbreak) ...and then boom...the nerve pains.
So what I would like no know is.... is it possible that my previous "compressed back" ,which was affecting the nerves in my toes, could be heightened by the herpes virus? Or is that totally unrelated?
Do you think it is better to go to primary health care provider? Or my obgyn?
Thank you.
-Rachel
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This is the right forum. Genital herpes questions are answered both here and in the herpes forum. I can pretty well guarantee that Terri Warren, the herpes forum moderator, would agree with my response.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum. I'll try to help.
To put your question into medical terminology, you are asking whether you might have postherpetic neuralgia, which I will abbreviate PHN. There are certainly theoretical reasons why it might be expected that HSV could cause nerve-related pain (neuralgia), even in the absence of an outbreak. However, there is no clear evidence that it actually does so; and if it does, it is rare. Since you have another apparent cause of the pains you describe -- your "compressed" lower back -- I believe that is a more likely explanation for the problem, and symptom relief is going to come from proper management of your spine.
My suggestion is that you first see a neurologist. An orthopedist or neurosurgeon also would be OK. Check first with your primary care provider and see who s/he recommends; the best person in your community might be in any of those specialties.
Here is another thread that goes into PHN in more detail. Please take a look and let me know if you still have questions about it: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/HSV2--PHN/show/491205
Going back to your description of your recurrent herpes, although this wasn't your main question: I am skeptical you really are having herpes outbreaks as often as once a month. Outbreaks are not triggered by menstruation (even though you can find some affected people on websites who believe they are), and real outbreaks rarely occur once a month -- especially when taking acyclovir. But you might discuss this with your primary care provider.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
To put your question into medical terminology, you are asking whether you might have postherpetic neuralgia, which I will abbreviate PHN. There are certainly theoretical reasons why it might be expected that HSV could cause nerve-related pain (neuralgia), even in the absence of an outbreak. However, there is no clear evidence that it actually does so; and if it does, it is rare. Since you have another apparent cause of the pains you describe -- your "compressed" lower back -- I believe that is a more likely explanation for the problem, and symptom relief is going to come from proper management of your spine.
My suggestion is that you first see a neurologist. An orthopedist or neurosurgeon also would be OK. Check first with your primary care provider and see who s/he recommends; the best person in your community might be in any of those specialties.
Here is another thread that goes into PHN in more detail. Please take a look and let me know if you still have questions about it: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/HSV2--PHN/show/491205
Going back to your description of your recurrent herpes, although this wasn't your main question: I am skeptical you really are having herpes outbreaks as often as once a month. Outbreaks are not triggered by menstruation (even though you can find some affected people on websites who believe they are), and real outbreaks rarely occur once a month -- especially when taking acyclovir. But you might discuss this with your primary care provider.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
I realize i have posted this in the wrong section but i have already paid :(
Could someone give me some advice? I am really upset.
Could someone give me some advice? I am really upset.
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
