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Constant Symptoms
I am a 42 year old female diagnosed with HSV-2 (by culture and IgG blood test) in May of this year. My OB-GYN started me on 500mg of Valtrex twice daily for seven days, followed by 500mg once daily for suppressive therapy. My initial blisters healed in about 3 weeks, but I continued to experience ongoing symptoms--irritation, discomfort, sensitivity and the feeling of bugs crawling under my skin. After reading here on the forum about other people in similar situations, I went back to my doctor to rule out some other type of infection. I went back in June and July both, but I have tested negative for other infections. Some days my symptoms would be obvious...other days I only had an awareness that something was not quite right. In July, my doctor increased my daily suppressive therapy to 1gm once daily of Valtrex.
I did not have another outbreak of blisters until the beginning of August. It lasted about 12 days, and following that, I actuallly felt pretty good for about 3 weeks.
The second week in September, I sat on a plane for several hours, and the discomfort started all over again. With a vengeance. These symptoms haven't stopped since then. I have read on the forum that Herpes outbreaks last for a certain length of time and then are followed by a period of NO symptoms, but I haven't really had much time without any symptoms since diagnosis.
I will have a day where I feel almost normal, and then the next day, I will feel a pinching or burning sensation...or I will have a feeling of pain. When I do self exams, I can't see anything. Sometimes there will be a slight redness or what looks like it might be a slightly raised area, but nothing obvious. I should mention also that when I've gone to see the doctor to be tested for other infections, she has examined me and said it doesn't look like I'm having an outbreak.
Now she's talking about the possibility of vulvodynia because I don't think she has any other explanation. I am a healthy woman, physically fit...I eat a healthy diet. I don't do drugs or smoke or drink. What could be causing my ongoing symptoms? I've seen it suggested for people to keep going back to their provider, but what should I be asking for or looking for?
I am experiencing extreme anxiety most days. When my symptoms are mild, I feel like I have a handle on this....but then it comes back. I have not resumed sexual relations with my boyfriend (intercourse anyway) but would very much like to. But if I'm having some kind of ongoing symptoms, does it mean that I am having ongoing contstant outbreaks? If that's the case, I'm never going to be able to have sex again. If this is vulvodynia, then I can at least try to move forward in our sexual relationship.
I'm exhausted by this. I've tried Aquaphor as a skin protectant (someone here recommended it as working for her); I used it for two days, and it seemed to help, but then I started experiencing a burning, and I was worried that maybe using it was going to cause a yeast infection or BV.
Any help would be very appreciated.
I did not have another outbreak of blisters until the beginning of August. It lasted about 12 days, and following that, I actuallly felt pretty good for about 3 weeks.
The second week in September, I sat on a plane for several hours, and the discomfort started all over again. With a vengeance. These symptoms haven't stopped since then. I have read on the forum that Herpes outbreaks last for a certain length of time and then are followed by a period of NO symptoms, but I haven't really had much time without any symptoms since diagnosis.
I will have a day where I feel almost normal, and then the next day, I will feel a pinching or burning sensation...or I will have a feeling of pain. When I do self exams, I can't see anything. Sometimes there will be a slight redness or what looks like it might be a slightly raised area, but nothing obvious. I should mention also that when I've gone to see the doctor to be tested for other infections, she has examined me and said it doesn't look like I'm having an outbreak.
Now she's talking about the possibility of vulvodynia because I don't think she has any other explanation. I am a healthy woman, physically fit...I eat a healthy diet. I don't do drugs or smoke or drink. What could be causing my ongoing symptoms? I've seen it suggested for people to keep going back to their provider, but what should I be asking for or looking for?
I am experiencing extreme anxiety most days. When my symptoms are mild, I feel like I have a handle on this....but then it comes back. I have not resumed sexual relations with my boyfriend (intercourse anyway) but would very much like to. But if I'm having some kind of ongoing symptoms, does it mean that I am having ongoing contstant outbreaks? If that's the case, I'm never going to be able to have sex again. If this is vulvodynia, then I can at least try to move forward in our sexual relationship.
I'm exhausted by this. I've tried Aquaphor as a skin protectant (someone here recommended it as working for her); I used it for two days, and it seemed to help, but then I started experiencing a burning, and I was worried that maybe using it was going to cause a yeast infection or BV.
Any help would be very appreciated.
almost all antidepressants in the right dose will also help with pain. at this point, no reason to switch what you are on. better choices than cymbalta also for using them for pain.
Thanks so much Grace. I really appreciate it. I'm willing to try anything at this point.
As for the Cymbalta suggestion, I was planning on talking to my doctor about it. He has me on another anti-depressant right now, but I would be open to switching for the added benefits.
Thank you to everyone.
As for the Cymbalta suggestion, I was planning on talking to my doctor about it. He has me on another anti-depressant right now, but I would be open to switching for the added benefits.
Thank you to everyone.
I had been on acyclovir for 16 years when I switched to valtrex. I switched because I was having other issues down yonder that were triggering humdingers of recurrences for me. I had side effects with valtrex I had never had with acyclovir but it took me months to figure out that my neuralgia I was having might be related. Finally stopped the valtrex and took nothing for a few weeks and then started back up on my acyclovir without issue.
aquaphor is fine to use as is any other barrier cream made for a baby's butt. When the skin is overly sensitive, anything that protects it usually helps.
aquaphor is fine to use as is any other barrier cream made for a baby's butt. When the skin is overly sensitive, anything that protects it usually helps.
Hi,
i'm still not sure if i have it but have had burning thigh pain for 2 wks. that increases in the night. i use tea trea oil that i found in rite-aid (not sure where you are in the country) but it's like CVS or walgreen's...i found that advice on some other website. it works...i got the last bottle...seems others use it too. it just stinks and i don't put it on during day. i've also read some ppl use Cymbalta which can be used for fibromayalgia (sp?) and diabetic nerve pain. the pain is the same for herpes so see about getting on those meds and see how it helps. i may go to that if i can't deal with the pain myself.
i'm still not sure if i have it but have had burning thigh pain for 2 wks. that increases in the night. i use tea trea oil that i found in rite-aid (not sure where you are in the country) but it's like CVS or walgreen's...i found that advice on some other website. it works...i got the last bottle...seems others use it too. it just stinks and i don't put it on during day. i've also read some ppl use Cymbalta which can be used for fibromayalgia (sp?) and diabetic nerve pain. the pain is the same for herpes so see about getting on those meds and see how it helps. i may go to that if i can't deal with the pain myself.
Grace, when you say you stopped the Valtrex and noticed a change fairly quickly, did you stop Valtrex and immediately start the acyclovir and notice the change then? Or did you just come off of the Valtrex and see a change?
Just wanted to clarify. And thank you so much for your input....it means so much to me (and a lot of others too, I'm sure) that you take the time to hold our hands here.
Just wanted to clarify. And thank you so much for your input....it means so much to me (and a lot of others too, I'm sure) that you take the time to hold our hands here.
My partner tested with a low positive of 1.2 for Type 2. Our last sexual encounter was several weeks before I experienced symptoms, and he was just tested last month. (He works offshore.) He's going to get tested again and possibly do a Western Blot at the end of this month. I would think that because of the length of time between exposure and testing, he would have seroconverted by the time he took the test, but....? And if he had it first from a while back and didn't know it, wouldn't his number be higher? (We've together four years.)
Funny, first his doctor called him and told him he was negative, and then called by two days later and told him he was positive for type 2. I made him call back and get his numbers.
I am tempted to try switching to another antiviral based on what you're saying. Last night the sensitivity was fairly bad in the evening...used topical lidocaine, and had peace. Today, the symptoms weren't too bad until the evening again. Anyone else notice increased symptoms in the evening? I'm sure part of it is that I'm more focused on it.
Has anyone else tried the Eucerin Aquaphor that someone else had recommended? My OB-GYN also believes that part of my increased sensitivity is that I'm simply more prone to irritation from soap, friction, etc. I use unscented everything. Not sure what else to try.
When my symptoms act up like this, it instantly makes me anxious. HSV is bad enough but to be so CONSCIOUS of it ALL THE TIME really stinks. It's frustrating and depressing. I never thought I would spend this much time and energy thinking about and catering to my genital region...and not even in a pleasurable way!!!!
Funny, first his doctor called him and told him he was negative, and then called by two days later and told him he was positive for type 2. I made him call back and get his numbers.
I am tempted to try switching to another antiviral based on what you're saying. Last night the sensitivity was fairly bad in the evening...used topical lidocaine, and had peace. Today, the symptoms weren't too bad until the evening again. Anyone else notice increased symptoms in the evening? I'm sure part of it is that I'm more focused on it.
Has anyone else tried the Eucerin Aquaphor that someone else had recommended? My OB-GYN also believes that part of my increased sensitivity is that I'm simply more prone to irritation from soap, friction, etc. I use unscented everything. Not sure what else to try.
When my symptoms act up like this, it instantly makes me anxious. HSV is bad enough but to be so CONSCIOUS of it ALL THE TIME really stinks. It's frustrating and depressing. I never thought I would spend this much time and energy thinking about and catering to my genital region...and not even in a pleasurable way!!!!
has your current partner had herpes testing to know his own status?
I've had issues with valtrex myself.I tolerate acyclovir much better. when I stopped the valtrex, I had a significant change in symptoms within a week. Odds are if this is also an issue for you, you'd notice things were better in a week or two. no change in symptoms, resume daily suppressive therapy with one of the 3 herpes antivirals and go from there.
I've had issues with valtrex myself.I tolerate acyclovir much better. when I stopped the valtrex, I had a significant change in symptoms within a week. Odds are if this is also an issue for you, you'd notice things were better in a week or two. no change in symptoms, resume daily suppressive therapy with one of the 3 herpes antivirals and go from there.
I've had a similar problem. Stopped acyclovir 2 days ago.No blisters yet but cracking pain on the penile skin.Watching... Waiting. Try Grace's suggestion. HSV has no cure, lets try homegrown therapy but b sure not 2 go to the extreme.
Meant to say, if there's cervical involvment, I would NOT see those blisters....
Thanks for your reply Grace. I wondered about that...I guess I'm just afraid of doing anything at this point that might make it even worse than it is. I had also considered that perhaps the Valtrex wasn't effective and i should try another type of antiviral.
I just feel so frustrated that so many people seem to have infrequent outbreaks, and then there's me....feeling sorry for myself, yes, but like I said, I feel like I am getting a handle on things, and then I get a worsening of symptoms.
And I really want to have sex again. I feel physically comfortable with the idea of it some days...but how do I know if I'm having an outbreak or not if I don't present with traditional symptoms and seem to have some kind of symptom all the time? I don't want to increase the risk to my boyfriend by mistakenly having sex during an outbreak. (For example, if there's cervical involvement, i would see those blisters, although I would guess that would make sex painful if we attempted it.)
Would the Valtrex be giving me irritation as well? I feel like the symptoms I feel in between outbreaks with blisters are worse than what I feel during a blister OB.
I just feel so frustrated that so many people seem to have infrequent outbreaks, and then there's me....feeling sorry for myself, yes, but like I said, I feel like I am getting a handle on things, and then I get a worsening of symptoms.
And I really want to have sex again. I feel physically comfortable with the idea of it some days...but how do I know if I'm having an outbreak or not if I don't present with traditional symptoms and seem to have some kind of symptom all the time? I don't want to increase the risk to my boyfriend by mistakenly having sex during an outbreak. (For example, if there's cervical involvement, i would see those blisters, although I would guess that would make sex painful if we attempted it.)
Would the Valtrex be giving me irritation as well? I feel like the symptoms I feel in between outbreaks with blisters are worse than what I feel during a blister OB.
have you tried stopping suppressive therapy to see if these sensations go away? might be worth it at this point. some folks do get neuralgia from valtrex.
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
