Please help, I'm freaking out.

[ChiGrl27]

I just got back from a trip to the immediate care yesterday at which time I had a few tests run.  This all started about a week ago when I started to experience some external vaginal itching.  The skin appeared to be red and irritated.  It seemed like I noticed this after receiving oral sex.  The itching seemed to be getting worse, so I tried to apply some monistat cream.  The monistat cream did not appear to make the area worse.... I started applying antibiotic ointment and it seemed like the area became raised and irritated (almost ulcer-like in appearance).  This was when I decided to go to the doctor.  The doctor tested me for several things... she determined that I might have a bladder infection and that I have gardnerella vaginosis.  She gave me medication for the vaginosis and we are still waiting on the bladder infection test.  The nurse had called me and said that they had examined some cells under a scope that caused them to be concerned that I may have herpes.  Does this sound like herpes to anyone?  Could this irritation be caused by the vaginosis?  It just seems weird to me that the skin reacted like this after the application of the antibiotic ointment.  Any information is appreciated.  Thanks!

[DidisMirage]

Yeah, the only thing that can confirm herpes is a positive IgG or culture. Let's hope it comes back negative but if it doesn't, there are many ways to live with it as it is more of an inconvenience/annoyance and definitely NOT fatal :}

[ChiGrl27]

Thanks... That helps to ease my mind a bit.  I was on the phone with a nurse earlier who wasn't answering my questions very well.  They had done a wet prep and she had said that they had seen some suspicious cells that may confirm herpes.  I spoke to a friend that's a nurse and he told me that a wet prep can only rule out herpes, not confirm it. They had me start Valtrex just in case.  Anyway, I appreciate the advice and I'll keep my fingers crossed that the test comes back negative.  :)

[DidisMirage]

Vaginosis doesn't cause ulcers. BV, trich, and yeast infections (ESPECIALLY YEAST INFECTIONS UGH!!) can cause itching. Yeast infections can become so severe that your whole vagina is swollen and itching. I was on a heavy course of antibiotics after a surgery and I had the worst yeast infection where when the doctor came back in the room, he told me not only are there many buds of yeast.. the buds had many "baby" yeast growing on them too!

One thing vaginitis/vaginosis doesn't cause are ulcers. Ulcers/blisters/lesions are mostly symptoms of herpes. If the ulcer is fresh, you can get it swabbed and sent to culture. But it can be too late and it can come back false negative. 3 months post exposure is the good mark for viral STD's. I don't really think you have herpes, but any ulcer is a bit suspicious. I think you might just have a bad case of vaginosis.

[ChiGrl27]

They put me on clindamycin for the vaginosis.  Are you saying to go back and get tested again in 12 weeks if it comes back negative?  I'm not familiar with how this works.  I know that the vaginosis itched like crazy, which is why I think that I may have actually contributed to the ulcer type skin to appear.  I had almost an identical experience a couple of months ago, but left the area alone instead of putting something on it.  That time, there wasn't any kind of ulcer or indication that anything was wrong except the itching.  It always seems like it happens after oral sex..... not quite sure if these details help at all.    

[DidisMirage]

Itching is definitely a symptom of vaginosis along with unusual odor/discharge. Itching is also a symptom of herpes right before an outbreak. If it blisters, you can get it swabbed and checked but the best way is to get blood tested for herpes but it'll only come back accurately after 12 weeks, you can try at 8 though. What meds are you on for your vaginosis? Metro?