Constant nerve pain & tingling is this normal? Am I constantly shedding HSV 2?

[CaucasianFemale]

I am 27 years old, have only slept with a handful of guys, I slept with a guy in January this year (unprotected) within 2 or 3 days I had sores & flu like symptoms, itching & extreme discomfort. I went to the GUM clinic & was diognosed with Herpes HSV 2, I then went back 3 months later for further tests and fortunately I was negative for HIV.
To top it off, the guy who I slept with obviously had no intention of seeing me again even though I had known him quite a while. So I never communicated to him about the Herpes. Anyway the medical issue I am experiencing is that since the initial outbreak I have been on Aciclivior and taking multivitamins, I haven't had any more lesions, well none obvious enough to see or feel however I have been experiencing constant prodome symptoms, tingling, itchy legs, sharp nerve pains all down my legs and thighs, nerve pain in my buttocks & slight irritation all over from my pelvis downwards. I have decided to remain celibate for a year to see if this improves. I will try different herbal remedies also but I would like to know if 1. This is normal? 2. Does this mean I am constantly shedding? 3. Is there anything to relief this? 4. Will I ever have sex again?

Any enlightenment on this would be appreciated, I really hope researchers find a cure for this. Also school's don't talk about these STD's nearly half as much as they should. I didn't even know about herpes other than it existed.

Thanks :-)

[ETS1]

I have been experiencing all-over-body nerve tingling for about 10 months now, after a strangely over the top outbreak of cold sores (HSV1) on my chin, nose, upper lip. The tingling happens: scalp, ears, eyelids, temples, arms, hands, groin, knees, feet, all over the place. Normally, throughout my teenage years, I would just get a single cold sore on one lip, thought nothing of it, but this outbreak had multiple small spots, lasted longer, and they were quite painful. I also seemed to get a spot on my arm, and then a big cluster on the sole of my foot a few months later. Then the nerve tingling/prickling began - and I have not been able to shake it for 10 months now. Can anyone else who's experienced this tell me if the tingling/prickling sensation is permanent? It sometimes turns into nerve pain - not what I would call serious pain at this point, but it's distracting to the point of driving me mad. It's difficult to just get on with life with this ticking away in the background all the time, sometimes getting worse, sometimes abating slightly, but never going away.

I'm reading that lysine may help, have been taking that for a while now. A neurologist put me on B/B12 vitamin therapy as sometimes that improves parathesia - I couldn't really feel it making an impact to be honest.

I am also taking valacyclovir - but it doesn't seem to stop the tingling, and it didn't seem to stop the cluster outbreak on my foot.

To recap, my questions are:
1. Have other people found this to be permanent? Or does/can it go away?
2. Does the lysine help other people? How much should I take?
3. Is taking the valacyclovir helping? Has anyone had the valacyclovir/valtrex intravenously? If so did it help?

Thanks.

[RIGUY15]

Hi - I got HSV-1 and HSV-2 about 15 months ago.  The issues I am concerned about are:

1. I can't tell if I have HSV-1 in my mouth or just genitals.  I am on daily Valtrex and get occasional 'cuts' in my mouth but have never had a cold sore.  

2. My bigger concern is I have had a headache and tingling in nose and groin for a year straight.  Have had MRIs, CT scans and no one knows what is going on.  I am really struggling to find answers.  I have to take ibuprofen - nerve pain pills don't help.

I am also concerned that I must be always shedding the virus, and will never know when it is safe for my partner.

Can someone direct me to a Dr./someone that can help me?


RIGUY15

[Confusedandworried2014]

I've been having same sx, mostly pinching sensation, constantly.  My MD said that is common with aclyovir but not with Valtrex, which is what I'm on.  She switched me to Famvir but I'm going to take a med holiday and see how that goes first.

[Rosielynn00000]

Did you ever find out why you would have itchiness, and tingling for that long. Reason I ask is, because I been like that for over 2 months. Surely, herpes wouldnt make you feel like that for so long with no sores.

[Fleetwood20]

I think its incredibly unlikely to be genital HSV1. The combined facts of what seems to be an established oral infection plus constants symptoms provides little suggestion of herpes. This is so rarely what it does compared to other possibilities.

[Rhonda39]

Has anyone had any luck figuring out what is going on? After having oral sex, I think I have developed HSV-1 in my genital region. I haven't had any sores, just tingling, sensitivity and itchiness (but no visible irritation) around my vulva and urethra. I can also feel tingling in my upper thigh/groin region like the other posters in this thread described. The symptoms have been pretty much constant for 4 months. They fluctuate in severity and seem to clear up for a few days a month and then come right back. I've been to the gynecologist and he says he doubts it is herpes, but I'm not sure. I tested positive for HSV-1 in 2008, long before I started having these issues. I, too, am anxious about having sex and spreading the infection to my partner. I just want to know what is going on!

[Thegirlymum]

These ARE totally normal symptoms of herpes virus AND there are tons of alternatives to prescription meds that help. There are homeopathic treatments and essential oils that I use that work wonders! You can take a good quality whole foods vitamin C 5,000-10,000 mg daily to prevent outbreaks. Lower your intake of foods high in arginine like chocolate and peanuts. Take lysine. It prohibits the growth of the virus.

Please know that there are ALWAYS alternatives to prescription meds.

[Weary333]

I have had a nerve sensation, not a painin my upper right gum tissue for about 8-9 months now. I have had a tooth pulled over it, but it did not help. I have had MRI and cat scan and all is normal. I am on meds from nuerologist for nerves. Recently I have been getting ulcers in my mouth on the right side. I have had three episodes in the past two months. I went to dentist and he gave me Valtrex and said he thinks it is a herpes virus. I seen a post that you may have a lot of info on this matter, so my question is this, could the herpes virus cause one nerve in my mouth to bother me so much that it feel it all the time. It only bothers me when my tongue rubs the gums but that's almost always. Could herpes cause this and can the medicine not only help the outbreak of ulcers but also settle the nerve down?

[janeee5]

I got HSV2 in 2000 and have had very few official outbreaks however, the shooting pains in my legs/butt/nether-regions have been pretty much constant. It also seems like symptoms have morphed. In 2004, in addition to the other pains, I started having shooting pains in the glands under my ears. Then over the last couple of years, headaches behind one ear. These symptoms pretty much disappear when I get enough sleep.

[ladybug877]

i been having some itching and very tiny bumps around the clitoris and tingling in mild irratation in the uthera area and ive dealing with this for three years so far and it hasn't gone away and when urinate it doent have a pain or it doesent burn either. could this be herpes?

[gracefromHHP]

at this point I recommend paying to post to Terri Warren, our herpes expert here on medhelp.

[CaucasianFemale]

Hi Grace

The sleepiness did subside however I felt restricted with my social life, going out & having a drink because I had to make sure I was taking the medication.  Also I feel that if I'm taking the medication it may mask what's really happening with the virus?  I never know when I'm really contagious because the symptoms are pretty much constant, my lower back tingles in bed every night right the way down to my feet, it's like I have pins & needles!  I didn't know herpes could have such an impact on ones life! :-(

[gracefromHHP]

the sleepiness side effects from the medications you were given do go away over time.  

have you been seeing a neurologist?

[CaucasianFemale]

Also if you're having constant sores have you tried Dynamiclear?  This is supposed to actually kill the virus once it's surfaced!  I would use it if I actually got sores but I don't!

[CaucasianFemale]

Hi Kristi0313

I feel so bad for you!  Although I've had pretty much constant symptoms for 8 months now on & off, I've not had any more obvious OB's at all, some soreness but no sores.  My back is still tingling & constantly irritating me & I get the tingling itchy symptoms on my vagina pretty much every other day!  I was on some medication for the nerve pains but it didn't eliminate the pain just made them milder so I came off them as all they seemed to do was help me sleep!  If you've had these symptoms for 6 years have you been able to have any sexual partners?!  I had one sexual encounter a few weeks ago & after I didn't eat or sleep for a week pretty much as I was so scared he got it! He's not had any symptoms so I'm praying he hasn't but the point is, I can't live like this everytime I have sex with someone worrying  they'll get this! :-(

[Kristi0313]

Omggg I too have the same symptoms!! I am 26 and have had hsv2 for 6 yrs! I am a vegan and eat very healthy !! I constantly have OB's .. And not normal ones ... I get flu like symptoms .. I have severe nerve pain, sensitivity, tingling ugh its horrible and I get this 2-4 times a mth :( I recently went to the dr and she recomended seeing a neurologist .. I really don't think that is going to help :( I'm so depressed and scared that this is going to lead to other more serious health problems ... If anyone has any thoughts or advice pls email me at ***@**** just in case I can't find this site again thax

[gracefromHHP]

not a herpes symptom.

make sure you take your test results to this other appointment too.

[CaucasianFemale]

Hi again Grace,

Just letting you know I have booked an appointment with a Herpes 'specialist' for July 18th to find out why I'm constantly experiencing symptoms. Since the initial outbreak I have also had white blotches on my legs just above my knees on both legs. Do you know anything about this?

Thanks in advance

Halena

[gracefromHHP]

tingling associated with recurrences, only occurs for a day or two before you get obvious symptoms.  It wouldn't last like this.

let us know how your appointment went :)

[CaucasianFemale]

Hi again Grace

The nurse didn't specify where she got the HSV 2 result from, I will ask that when I arrange an appointment with them again.  When I went in for my follow up appointment I told the nurse about my itching legs and tingling sensation, she said the tingling indicates an outbreak but she didn't know why my legs were itching or tingling with nerve pains.  I have read that alot of other people are experiencing this symptom though, so there may be a link between the nerves, it does say the initial outbreak can course nerve pain in the legs?

The problem is, is that I am constantly tingling on my vagina area so does this mean my body is constantly trying to outbreak but the anti viral meds are stopping this from happening?  And thus constantly shedding?

I will call the clinic on Monday and go in and see them.  

I will let you know what they say, thank you so much for helping.

[gracefromHHP]

so the lesion culture was positive and then follow up blood work said hsv2?  do you know if the lesion was typed too?  just trying to be thorough since hsv2 rates in the UK are fairly low and hsv1 is the main cause of genital herpes there.

no, immune boosting doesn't seem to do anything for herpes either.  how often you have recurrences of herpes seems to have more to do with genetics than anything you eat or supplement with specifically ( aside from prescription antivirals ).

going to be seen over and over again is a pain but it needs to be done. you need to find out what else is going on since none of these symptoms are consistent with genital herpes infection. make sure they also test you for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally too since they can further complicate things.

[CaucasianFemale]

Hi Grace

Thank you for your response,

Firstly I went to my GP and they suspected Herpes so they referred me to the GUM clinic. There I was diagnosed as having HSV 2 by firstly a swab taken from a lesion then the doctor took my blood & confirmed HSV type 2.

I have never experienced this tingling in my vagina area or the nerve shooting pains in my legs ever before, this has only started since contracting Herpes.  By herbal remedies I meant immune boosting as this will hopefully help!  I haven't had any injuries previously, nor have I ever had problems with my nerves before.  

I also have some white blotches on my thighs from previously itching when I had a rash on the initial outbreak.

I will make a doctors appointment however I don't think doctors are aware of  the link between Herpes and the nerve pains as I have read a lot of people are experiencing the same issues.

Thanks for your help, I will make a doctors appointment and keep you informed ;-)

[gracefromHHP]

What testing was done to diagnose you as having hsv2?  

there aren't any herbal remedies for herpes that are effective. Be very careful reading online - most things that are recommended have either been proven to have no effect on herpes or have been never tested on herpes. don't waste your money needlessly!

is constant pains like you've described normal for herpes? No it is not.  Are you constantly shedding the virus? no you are not.

at this point you need to go to your GP and get a further work up. At this point you need to find out what else is going that is causing all of these symptoms for you.  You need to rule out back injuries and nerve injuries as well as other causes at this point.

grace