Herpes Question - Lots of Tests/Still Weird Symptoms

[htxhelp]

In March, I had a boyfriend and one day I had a weird mark in the vaginal area.  I went to an Ob/gyn - was told this did not look like herpes.  Culture performed & came back negative. Doc said likely a scratch (that's what it looked like).  A couple weeks later, I developed an infection of some sort which felt like a combo of a yeast infection and a UTI.  I went back to the doctor 2x more, he did all sorts of tests/cultures; said that there was nothing wrong and sometimes people get infections that come and go.  
On 7/25/09, I first had intercourse with a new bf.  He took off protection when I wasn't paying attention.  This made me very nervous, given my worries earlier in the spring.. about 9 days later, I began to feel the same symptoms I had back in the spring.. sort of a yeast infection like feeling with no discharge.  So I went back to the same doctor, he looked and did a bunch of tests.  All came back negative, EXCEPT the IgM Hsv i/ii combination which was positive.  I freaked out, they didnt tell me anything useful, said come back in a few weeks.  I did some research - found out IgM is unreliable.  I went to a NEW ob/gyn and he confirmed.  Igg  came back negative.  I had my boyfriend take one as well and he was negative.  ( I took the test on 8/12 about 18 days after intercourse).  The only other possible exposure I can think of was 7/10 (33 days prior to igg test), when my friend stayed over, we had been drinking, but i would have had to have been passed out after 3 drinks (or drugged) not to remember, so i am sure I am just freaking out.
I was happy, but my symptoms continued.  Went back to the 2nd ob/gyn and he did all sorts of cultures, all negative.  He said that I should calm down, lots could cause this.  Everything went away a couple days later...but yesterday, I have been feeling the same way... not itchy, but some discomfort, my inner thighs kind of feel weird now too.  I have my yearly appt with the 2nd doctor coming up, but am scared.  Thoughts??

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the STD forum.  I'll try to help.

Contrary to popular beliefs, most herpes symptoms are quite typical.  When they are atypical, the blood test rules.  That is the situation here.  Some of the symptoms you describe conceivably could be caused by herpes, but they are not at all typical.  And other symptoms clearly cannot be caused by herpes, such as "inner thighs...feel weird".  It is also important that your doctors did not see anything that looked like herpes.  As you already know, your initially positive HSV IgM antibody test doesn't mean anything and can be completely ignored.  On top of all that, the only partner you have had recently clearly is not infected, so there is no way you could have acquired HSV-2.

In other words, I agree 100% with your second ObG and the reassurance he gave you -- and that indeed you should calm down about this. Don't assume that just because you have unexplained genital symptoms, herpes has to be the cause.  It has been proved beyond doubt you do not have it.

So stick with your wise second ObG and follow his advice about all this.  And put herpes out of your mind.

Regards--  HHH, MD

[htxhelp]

Thank you!  As much as I know that IgM test was worthless, it still just makes me nervous.  It was so scary to hear that result, that I just worry about every little itch and minor out of the ordinary issue now.  I am going back to the 2nd doctor for my yearly this week.. hopefully he can figure out what this issue actually is, as it is very annoying even when I am not worrying about what it is!  After a while of the general symptoms, my lower abdomen starts to hurt (could be nerves!), and that is where I am now.  I have been doing a lot of reading, and while I don't want to diagnose myself, it sounds like BV?  I have no idea, I just hope this issue can be solved quickly!

Thanks for your help.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You misunderstood what you read about BV symptoms, or you found an unreliable source.  BV causes no abdominal pain or any of the other symptoms you have described.  It only causes vaginal odor, often with increased discharge -- and even the discharge is not irritating, itchy, etc.

My guess is that your anxiety about the false IgM test is making you notice various symptoms and body sensations that are unimportant and perhaps entirely normal.  But do follow through with plans to discuss all this with your doctor during your yearly exam.