sick of worrying

[beenherebefore94]

Hello Doctor(s)... Situation is I had a 2 month long relationship with a man after 16 year marital breakup. 2 times were protected and 1 time the condom broke. 4 days after that I went to get checked and was visually checked and swabbed then given a urine test for gon/chlam. Dr apparently went on vacation and wasn't advised that I was gon + for 2 weeks. I had never heard much less had a urine test for those before and understand they are quite sensitive. I have since taken the rocephin shot, 4 zpacks, 2 of which were 2 gram doses, clindamycin, tindmax, 3 seperate scripts of diflucan. I've went to 3 different dr's to be retested all swabbed & visually checked & was negative. I redid urine test in 8 days & was negative. All of these pills and dr appts over a 2 month period 1st 3 dr's appt 2 weeks apart each. 1 dr said something about hsv2 & that has stuck in my mind. I had a problem with discharge watery then milky & what felt like an irritation in vulva area between labias. Went back to my gyno & explained and expressed concern over hsv2 and he did not recommend blood test after doing visual check and checking my cervix asked me if I had had any lesions or blisters previous to the visit. I have checked 2 to 5 times a day with various mirrors religously for about 4 months now and have not seen anything. I'm mid 30's did have gon when I was 17 from a cheating boyfriend and could tell from the frothy type discharge & odor something was wrong. No such symptoms this time. Am I being ridiculous? Would you recommend hsv2 testing in this instance? I just want to move past this. I should mention the dr that said something about hsv2 and had I ever been tested and that I had no symptoms but apparently everyone in the world has no symptoms. Whatever she said stuck with me & I had the irritation symptoms after that. Mainly because she said it can be mistaken for yeast & I thought I was getting yeast infections which came back negative. The few times I have convinced myself I did not have it I had really no symptoms if I'm being honest. The discharge up until that time was my only concern. No odor, but I had no symptoms of gon in the first place and I think this threw me off. No idea what to look for. I know the med's and dr appt's are excessive. This was a devastating shock to me and I'm trying to work through that. I should mention the man was about 10 years my junior and with an apparent hearty appetite with sex (partners). He also told me he had been tested and was clean and we dated for about a month before anything happened. I now regret anything ever did. Please advise.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to help. I would suggest that you take a look at the ASHA web site on issues of sexual health.  It may help you in moving forward. Take care.  EWH

[beenherebefore94]

I thank you for your time Dr Hook. The thought of Hsv2 never entered my mind until the one Dr brought it up and she was from planned parenthood. This is what happens when you involve numerous people in issue you get several different takes. I saw my regular gyno 3 times. And 3 other Dr's in between. She was the last of the 3. I was scared because of the discharge just didn't and still doesn't seem right but honestly I don't know I'd know the difference being that I'm hyperfocused on it right now. After she mentioned it I started having the irritation, tingling, various other things (because I don't know what I'm looking for other than lesions/blisters) I never had any & I know somewhere inside I never will. The internet is the downfall & it will have you thinking that herpes is like God-EVERYWHERE. The hurdle now is the unclean feeling and the knowledge now that this can happen to anyone at any age and the risk that its out there and this hinders me. Its very scary and I think I'd like to keep my parts to myself for now. I know you can't help me with the psychological aspects of my events, that will take time. It is very nice though to speak to a medical professional about the worries after living in my own private hell for months. No one knows except my regular gyno who diagnosed me. So I thank you so much for your time and your ear or eye on this. I trust in the opinion of this board (since I have followed it so closely now) and am starting to have trust in the many Dr's who have seen me now. I truly want to be free of this and will take the steps now to do so. The stigma of these things is the downfall. I'm aware of all this. I'm amazed at myself that I could get so stuck on this. If this were a friend I would say its not a big deal but its me so its different apparently. I appreciate your kind words. Thank you!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, you can resume your sex life at this time with confidence that the STDs you know you had were fully and successfully treated and that there is no evidence that you have the others (like herpes) that have been occupying your mind


Regarding your (lack of) desire to engage in sexual activities with others, I hope you can get by this.  STDs happen but typically they are transmitted by people who are unaware that they have them and they can be successfully diagnosed an managed when present.  You've been unlucky, that's all.  You didn’t do anything wrong.    EWH

[beenherebefore94]

I so appreciate you taking the time to answer and so quickly. I have been reading this site for 4 months literally in tears going crazy thinking if I got this why not the other. Yours and Dr Hansfields posts have helped me tremendously. So it is safe to assume (if and when I ever want to again) I can resume a sex life? I have to be honest and say this has dramtically reduced any want to have sex with or even be close with anyone at this time. I will work on this should a desire to do so ever return. This really helps me. You really have no idea how much and I appreciate that you could make sense out of all that. Whew! Typing all this out also helps to see how obsessive I have gotten on this. I really have to let this go now.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  I will make a few comments in the hopes that they will help you to move forward from this.  You ha the misfortune to acquire gonorrhea. Since then you have been treated with medications that would cure gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichamonas, syphilis an bacterial vaginosis. Following all of this therapy you can be confident that none of those STDs are your problem.  

Now you have lingering concerns that you could have herpes.  I would urge you not to worry about this. You have not had lesions typical of herpes an you have been examined on several occasions by trained clinicians with no evidence of infection.  At this time, I would not suggest a herpes blood test.  In your situation, there is no evidence to be worried about HSV and your risk of having a falsely positive test is higher than your risk of having HSV.  It's time to put this behind you, to be confient that you infection is cured and to move forward and put your misfortune behind you.  I hope my comments will help you to do so.  EWH

[beenherebefore94]

I should also mention that I have not gone to a doctor since I last saw my regular gyno & he was the last dr I saw and is the original who diagnosed me. Other dr's are in between. This occured 5 months ago. I'm sorry if its not all clear. Posting these questions are a lot harder than appears.