Totally Freaking out

[smilez121]

Hello,
I'm totally new to this whole forum thing, just randomly found it online, considering I research std stuff almost everyday. Im going crazy i swear. so heres my story...

Ive only had sex with one guy, two times. Once 2 yrs ago when i lost my virg. and once in nov.05. i have not had sex since. I had not given oral sex in the past 2.5 yrs either. and when I did, it was once three yrs ago and once two yrs ago. I have had, however, received oral sex 4-5 times since 2-3 yrs, but not in the past 7-8 months. anyway, in june i went to gyno and noticed bumps, which she said were genital warts. i took aldara and some went away. she said they were at opening of vagina, called them kissing warts, anyway i purchased aldara again and now for past two weeks, they seem to be gone, yet am having extreme irritation from it-lots of redness and itching constantly. also, in past ive had little cuts towards bottom of vagina, near opening- just above anus. id say right in middle between opening and anus- anyway i have two little cut like lesions there, that are painful when touching. i also have two on one side, close by and one or two on other side close by. they have been hurting since i got back on the aldara cream, and have lots of redness down there as well. is this herpes? if so, how is this possible/ I used a condom both times when I had sex with this guy>? i dont understand. also- is it just a form of hpv thats being irritated due to the cream?
-- if not, they tend to keep hurting- dont go away in a couple days...unlike herpes- they last for weeks. ive never had redness before until i got back on aldara.
--im going crazy. My gyno said in June there was no possible way I had herpes, but maybe its worse now? i dont know?
-- do i continue putting the aldara cream on them?
-- when i pull the lesions apart they hurt, and sometimes r irritating when working out, or in certain clothing.
-- what is the pain assoc. with herpes?
and whats with the scabbing? ive never had that before. do u mean LITERALLY scabbing? Like brown scabs from a cut? im confused, upset and a complete wreck.
Please help.

Thanks
Confused.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

No online expert can make a more accurate diagnosis than a provider who actually has examined someone.  But it certainly sounds like you have genital warts.  More likely they were acquired during one of your two episodes of vaginal sex.  This is the first time I have ever heard the term "kissing warts".  It is theoretically possible to acquire genital warts from oral sex, but unlikely.

As far as the "cuts" are concerned, herpes might be possible.  If your gynecologist said "impossible" because he examined the lesions, s/he might be right.  If it was because you supposedly were not at risk, I would point out that unlike HPV, herpes is often acquired by oral sex.  But it could be yeast, or just irritation from the Aldara.  In any case, the way to find out is to have a blood test for herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2; and to have a culture test when you have a fresh, new "cut" or similar genital lesion.

Herpes lesions on dry skin typically scab over.  In moist areas, a typical scab usually does not form.  But do not try to figure it out based only on descriptions of usual or typical herpes lesions.  There is too much variation from one person to another.  Only laboratory testing will tell.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[smilez121]

Also,
I asked him about stds and etc and he swears he doesn't have anything. But how in the world did I get in contact with the HPV regardless? could it have been from the one or two times I gave oral sex 3-4 yrs ago? Or was it defin from him, since he was the only person I had sex with, twice? confused. please help

[smilez121]

sorry i keep posting on my own comment wall.
so i just spoke to my gyno. she said i was negative for hpv, but had atypical something, and that the warts or whatever were prob because of yeast or something-shes not sure,but wanted me to come in for a biopsy. 2ndly, i explained my situation with sores, and that theyve been going on for the past 2.5 weeks and she said its prob intensifying due to the aldara cream. am i freaking out for my reason? I have sworn to myself i have herpes.  i dont know how its possssssssible, but for somereason i swear i have it--- what are the odds?
also, are these sores normal because of the cream, or am i treating something i dont have, because i do haveeeee herpes. ah hell meeeeeeeeee :(

[Englishman]

I'm not an expert but I would get a second opinion because you might not have either. I would have thought the chances are very low because of the limited exposure you describe, no symptoms in the bloke you slept with and he sais he doesn't have anything. Best of luck.

[smilez121]

Hi, thanks for your reply. she meant "kissing" not through kissing, but they were called kissing warts, where they were lined on walls of side vagina and are touching...or "kissing" as she called them. If, God forbid, I were to have contracted the herpes, could it only have been because of him? Can someone giving me oral sex have given it to me, or would I have to give it to someone? I'm confused. also, is there such a thing as having open sores due to the aldara?

[smilez121]

Also if this irritation has been going on for about 3 weeks now, is this an outbreak? dont herpes go from 7=10 days? or something. Lord.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

That explanation suggests your provider has pretty good STD knowledge.  Indeed STD experts often refer to "kissing" lesions when an infection is believed to auto-inoculate between surfaces in contact with each other.  Classically used with chancroid, now a rare STD--but perhaps possible with warts.

Imiquimod (Aldara) indeed can cause open sores.  If you have been continuing to use that treatment since the sores started, that seems a very good possibility.  Indeed recurrent herpes lesions don't usually last so long.  (New herpes can last that long, but you haven't been exposed recently, so if you have herpes, it must be a recurrence.)

Check with your provider about whether you should stop Aldara temporarily, and perhaps try other treatments for the warts.

HHH, MD

[smilez121]

well lets say it is herpes...ive had this sort of irritation before. even when i went in june i brought it up, because i had a minor, what felt like a "cut" or two. when using the aldara i did not put it in that area, only where the "kissing" warts were present. But, 2nd time around, I'm using aldara for now 2.5 weeks and i have been applying it directly to these areas with sores, and they're very red..irritating, hurt a little when I urinate, and are uncomfortable..sometimes, that is. But it has been going on for a while and I just figured it was due to the aldara and it was an irritation...I feel a little better knowing aldara can cause open sores... How could I distinguish this from herpes? how would i have contracted herpes anyway???? I'm meeting my gyno on the 18 of october for another papsmear. is this too late? am i overreacting for no reason? what if the pain persists and irritation does not go away? DO I immediately go see her? Lets say another 2 weeks pass by and its still irritated? is it defin not herpes?? I just need some reassurance. If you can possibly give me other ideas of what this could by or how this COULDNT be herpes, please do tell. I know you're not sure because you're not here to tell me, but a general idea would be helpful.thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

It is not justified to just "say it is herpes".  Don't speculate, talk to your provider about specific testing.  Herpes is easy to diagnose with the proper tests.  I won't have any other comments until/unless you report whether the diagnosis is confirmed or not.

HHH, MD