Nuerotic, so bear with me...:) Just need reassurance

Okay here's my story...
I had unprotected vaginal and anal sex with an ex boyfriend almost exactly 12 weeks ago.  We had always had unprotected sex while in our relationship, but that was a couple of years ago.  I don't really know what he's done in the interim, and he doesn't know what I've been up to.  I don't make a habit of practicing unsafe sex, this just happened.  Stupid stupid stupid.  

Fast forward about 3 weeks later, I got a super small cut/fissure right at the bottom of my vaginal opening.  It stung to touch it, but that was about it.  It didn't hurt when I urinated.  It was never a blister.  I went to my gyno and had every STD test ran..this is now 4 weeks post sexual encounter.  Everything was negative, except HSV1, and he gave me Cleocin for nonspecific vanginitis (sp).  My numbers were IGG HSV1-- 5.56  IGG HSV2-- .04.
Around this time I started developing a nasty sciatica back pain thing that, to this day hasn't subsided for more than a week.  It's very strange though.  I get pain in my low low back, right underneath my buttocks...sometimes it's one sided, sometimes it's both sides.  My legs, below the knee get numb and tingly.    I read that this could be a neurelogia (sp) symptom (but....geez...for months????)  I had an MRI done, and they said I had a mild bulge in between L4-L5.  Can HSV1 do this??

I have since taken 2 more tests.  One at 8 weeks....
IGG HSV1 2.26  IGG HSV2  .10  and one just recently at 11 weeks.  IGG HSV1 >5  HSV2 <.9  No specific numbers.  
My gynecologist has since said I had a yeast infection (by inspection of a vaginal sample), and I've had no other cuts, or anything besides the yeast infection down yonder, but I still have this back thing going on (which I have an appt scheduled for)

My questions:  
1.  Can I put the HSV2 thing to bed after an 11 week test?
2.  Is it possible that I have HSV1 genitally and it's causing these nuerological symptoms?  And, my yeast infection?
3.  My HSV1 numbers...When they are high like over 5 does that mean anything as opposed to when they are lower like my 2.26 test?

Sorry that I went on and on, but you can't write an honest informative answer without all the facts, and I'm not sure what's important and what isn't.  
Thank you Dr.  I know I'm a bit of a nut, but I'm just scared.  This is a fantastic site.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You were right to be concerned about herpes based on the lesion you describe.  However, you can be confident it was not HSV-2; almost certainly your HSV-2 blood test would have turned positive within 11 weeks.  Conceivably the lesion was an HSV-1 infection.  It seems more likely that you have chronic oral HSV-1, probably acquired in childhood--but the timing (4 weeks after possible exposure, 1 week after onset of symptoms) is just barely enough time for the test to become positive.  But none of this has anything to do with your back and leg pain, and herpes cannot cause a bulging disc between your L4-5 vertebrae; the MRI result is strong evidence against herpes as a cause of those symptoms.  Your varying HSV-1 antibody numbers are meaningless.  For the HerpeSelect test, when numbers vary within the positive range, it is not primarily because of varying amounts of antibody in your blood; it has more to do with the chemistry and biology of the test procedure itself.

Bottom line:  Most likely the vaginal lesion was something other than herpes (maybe yeast?), but there is a slight chance it was due to HSV-1 (but not HSV-2)  Should you have a recurrence of a similar lesion, get it checked out right away--but most likely that won't happen.  None of this has anything to do with your back pain or the MRI findings.

The tone and style of your question doesn't seem particularly neurotic to me, compared to many others!  Good luck--

HHH, MD

[Pandagrrl]

Thank you Dr.  
I have actually had a couple of these small "cuts" at different times.  I only get one at a time, with no other symptoms... And, if I do get one, it always comes right after having intercourse. I have a very small opening (sorta kinda, hard to explain), which I had a perineoplasty (sp) to try to correct (which it has for the most part).  
I've had two separate cuts cultured, both times they were negative....  I know the uncertainty of culture tests though.
Anyways...being the psycho that I am, I'll probably take a 6 month test to be absolutely 100% positive that I'm negative of everything, in the meantime, I'll try to relax, mabye seek therapy..:) or get a hobby...
To anyone who is reading this, i'm sure you already know, but please please please be safe!!!  It will help you avoid a lot of anxiety and the feeling of wanting to smack yourself later.
I wish I could go back to my virgin self and knock some sense into her...sigh....I've learned my lesson!  

[DCworrier]

I've actually had similar "cuts" that you described.  I've gotten them tested multiple times (culture test) and 3 different gynos have told me that is it nothing to worry about, but I'm still convinced that I have herpes!  

Finally last year I got a blood test and actually test negative for both types of herpes.  For some reason I still think that I have herpes when the "cuts" return.  But like you said they don't have any pain/scab/anything.  Did your doctor give you any indication of what they could be?  I feel like I could relax if I know what they were verses what they are not...