Why still itching?

[mistake1]

I have writen to you before but I still am very worried. I had unprotected sex with a stranger mid July.  I then freaked out took antibiotics and washed like crazy so I thought nothing of it when I got a yeast infection a week later.  So I used a one day over the counter treatment.  The symptoms were still there so I bought a 3 day treatment.  The symptoms never really went away so I had a pap Aug 22 and told the doc so he prescribe diflucan.  The symptoms went away for about 2 days and came back.  I then found out I had an abnormal pap he said it was probably HPV.  I was only with one other person before I made this dreadful mistake.  I then went to my GP she isn't worried about the abnormal pap and I am schedualed for a colposcopy.  I also informed her I was still having this yeast infection so she prescribed me a higher dose of diflucan and Miconazole cream.  The itching became worse but I finished everything.  I am not sure if this matters or not but in the middle of this treatment I had Anaphylactic Shock to Ibuprofen.  Was treated in the ER for that.  When the itching got so intense I couldn't stand it so I went to an Obgyn and he said I was having a sever allergic reaction so he took me off the miconazole and put me a steriod cream. He also put me on a differnt oral medicine.  He did another pap which came back saying MODERATE GROWTH OF CANDIDA ALBICANS.  Well the itching, redness and increase vaginal discharge continued.  So I went back to him and he said nothing was wrong with me and I looked healthy to stop worrying.  Well the redness was getting so much worse so I went to my GP again and she figured out that the steriod cream he had put me also contained Miconazole but in a smaller dose.  So she took me off that and put me on Schederma cream. It was helping a little but this itching was just unbearable.  So then she called to see if it was better which it was not so she had me come in and get a steriod shot.  Initially the shot worked but the itching and increased vaginal secretion is back (which is clear I might add).  It looks as though the redness is getting better though. My doctors swear I don't have Herpes but I keep coming back to that.  I wrote in before titled "will I pay for this mistake the rest of my life".  If I forget to tell you anything.  I am sorry to keep bugging you but I am really uncomfortable and would stop freaking out if I could get to the bottom of this and stop having all these symptoms. I should aslo add I tested negative for BV, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia.  I still have no sores.

-I have read that HPV can cause changes in the pH of vagina..do you think that is related to my increase discharge and irritation.

-Could HPV be causing me to have a cronic yeast infection

-Does this sound as though it could be Herpes misdiagnosed?  I know that you said no to this before but I was wondering could I have herpes and my symptoms presisted this long due to all the treatments?  Could I just be aggravating the problem?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Since you had an abnormal pap smear, it wasn't "probably" HPV; almost certainly it was HPV, which is responsible for almost all abnormal pap smears.  However, there is no relationship at all with yeast.  Many women have chronic or recurrent vaginal yeast infections.  It rarely indicates any kind of serious underlying health problem.  Your symptoms don't particularly sound like herpes either.



There are treatments that can help prevent recurrent candida (yeast) infections, such as taking a single oral dose of the drug fluconazole (Diflucan) once a week.  Discuss it with your provider.  But don't worry about the other problems, unless your own doc is concerned about them.



Note that there is a limit of 2 new questions on the forum in any 6 month period.



Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[mistake1]

Sorry doc but one more thing I thought of...sorry to bother you again.  I was wondering when Herpes does present as yeast infection symptoms dose it eventually go away? or do the symptoms remain constant?  I am still having the symptoms and it has been 67 days.  None stop.  I am sorry I am obsessing I just can't figure out what is wrong with me.

[mistake1]

Sorry doc but one more thing I thought of...sorry to bother you.  I was wondering when Herpes does present as yeast infection symptoms dose it eventually go away? or do the symptoms remain constant?  I am still having the symptoms and it has been 67 days.  one stop.  I am sorry I am obsessing I just can't figure out what is wrong with me.

[needitresolved]

Did you mean to say "none stop"?



In any case, no. No herpes symptoms would last for 67 days straight. According to the doctor, the first outbreak can last for some time with a "waxing and waning course" for up to six weeks, but subsequent outbreaks generally settle down; lasting now longer than a couple of weeks and usually around 7-10 days.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Herpes never lasts as long as your itching has.  Herpes is not the cause of your symptoms, period.  Accept it and move on.  I won't have any further replies.



HHH, MD