postherpetic pain in the vagina

[terianne]

one year ago, i contracted hsv 1 in genital area from longtime boyfriend.  unwittingly i douched soon after and think i spread it all over down there.  blisters on buttocks also and inside the rectum.  burning rash down backs of legs, stabbing pains in legs, vagina, rectum.  soon after symptoms appeared in my nose and mouth.  in a few weeks, i had stabbing pains and itching in my hands that lasted 7 weeks. these symptoms have all gone away pretty much except i have had stabbing pains, itching, and soreness in the genital area for over a year.  now  i just have vaginal pain (soreness like a rawness in the vagina) and it's a little sore when i pee.  sometimes i get stabbing pains again in the vagina.  it is very painful to have intercourse.  needless to say i don't have intercourse which is the problem.  my bf wants intercourse.  can this be post herpetic pain and what can be done about it?  the doc put me on neurontin but i can't tolerate the side effects.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

This symptom that you have described may indeed be to post-herpetic neuralgia and the best way to treat this is through nerve medications such as neurontin.  If you cannot tolerate side effects, there are other drugs such as pregabalin (lyrica) which can be discussed with your doctor.  Other options may include topical anesthetics (called EMLA) and in very severe cases, nerve blocks that can be performed by an anesthesiologist.  I suggest you discuss all of these options with your doctor and hopefully come up with an acceptable solution.

REgards and God bless.