I had many of the same symptoms you described and the only thing that helped for a long time was ice, no matter how many demratologists and gynecologists I went to see. Finally I went to a gynecological oncologist, who did a biopsy, and I was finally diagnosed with Hypertrophic Dystrophy, which basically means a thickening of the skin in the vulvar area. I was prescribed Desonide cream, which is a corticosteroid, and I have been healing rapidly ever since. It is a skin condition I will always have, but it is extremely manageable now. I urge you to have a biopsy done right away, and I sympathize with what you are going through. Good luck. :)
Okay, I'll try it. Thanks Dr. Rockoff.
BTW, I saw my dr. yesterday as the labia had swelled to nearly double the abnormal size for approx. 24 hrs, then went back down to it's abnormal size. She spoke with the gynocologist immediately. He saw me today and believes it is some kind of allergy as well and is treating it accordingly. Your advice is greatly appreciated. You do wonderful things for people on this site. =)
I'm really not sure. Hives generally don't hurt. If you haven't tried OTC pain relievers (Tylenol, Advil), perhaps you should.
Dr. Rockoff
Thank you Dr. Rockoff. I appreciate your time, concern and immediate response. I will advise my Dr. about the possibility of hives and request a referral to a dermatologist. My herpes result came back negative, but the swab was taken more than 3 days after the initial pimple.
Dr. Rockoff, do you have any advice on what I can do to alleviate some of the pain? I have not been in to work as it requires me to sit at my computer 9 - 10 hrs/day; an inflatable o-ring pillow hasn't helped.
Thanks again.
I sympathize with both your symptoms and your perplexity. However, I doubt you have herpes. I have not seen cases like yours in women, but I have seen several men with intermittent swelling of the penis (sometimes extreme swelling), which occurs at widely-spaced and random intervals. It appears to be variant of hives, which are not allergic, but of no known cause. Of course, I can't be sure that's what you have, but it's what it reminds me of, at first thought. Treatment consists of oral cortisone and antihistamines.
I advise you to consult a dermatologist. Potentially useful tests include skin biopsy and culture at the first sign of recirrence (which will involve establishing a relationship with a physician who will see you right away at the first sign of recirrence.)
If nothing else, you should be able to eliminate herpes from your list of concerns.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff