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HSV, Shingles, or Fixed Drug Eruption? Doctors have been no help at all.
I'm hoping that as a herpes expert, you might be able to provide better insight than the doctors I've seen this week.
10/4 Annual gynecological exam - normal
10/6 Endometrial biopsy by RE - normal, nothing cultured; checking for chronic endometritis to explain IVF failures
10/20 start of low-grade fever (99-100), headache and malaise every afternoon and evening
10/28 vaginal ultrasound by RE for next IVF cycle - normal
10/29 annual STD screen required by RE - negative
11/4 lower third molars extracted (wisdom teeth)
11/7 1G azithromycin - given annually by RE to couples to treat possible undiagnosed urogenital infections. Terrible cramping and watery diarrhea within 2 hours.
11/9 annual physical with PCP
- told him about persistent low-grade fever and headache for past 3 weeks, worried about infection delaying IVF cycle. "Azithromycin not a good choice." Prescribed clindamycin and metronidazole, b.i.d., 7 days.
11/11 swollen neck glands, right eyelid swelling and watering
11/12 right eyelid more swollen, red, watery, itching, small itchy bumps start to erupt on back, shoulders, arms, thighs, more on right side of body
11/13 took Benedryl, eye swelling reduced, body rash worse. Started feeling like I was getting an itchy yeast infection. Found bilateral swollen Bartholin's glands when inserting Monostat. Went to Patient First. Diagnosis "allergic reaction". Stop antibiotics, prescribed methylpred pack.
11/14 IVF cycle put on hold. Lower chest pain on breathing, dry cough, Bartholin's painful, ulcerating.
11/15 GYN's diagnosis "classic herpes" "coincidence that lesions are on Bartholin glands."
- viral isolation/culture negative, HSV-2 IGG test, negative. Prescribed valacyclovier 1G b.i.d. x 10
No intercourse since 10/19. No PCR ordered, no HSV-1 test, no VZV test. GYN says "wait two months for followup IGG." Now experiencing neurogenic bladder. Only positive: nightly low-grade fever is gone. Want a new GYN. Thanks for any insight you may have.
10/4 Annual gynecological exam - normal
10/6 Endometrial biopsy by RE - normal, nothing cultured; checking for chronic endometritis to explain IVF failures
10/20 start of low-grade fever (99-100), headache and malaise every afternoon and evening
10/28 vaginal ultrasound by RE for next IVF cycle - normal
10/29 annual STD screen required by RE - negative
11/4 lower third molars extracted (wisdom teeth)
11/7 1G azithromycin - given annually by RE to couples to treat possible undiagnosed urogenital infections. Terrible cramping and watery diarrhea within 2 hours.
11/9 annual physical with PCP
- told him about persistent low-grade fever and headache for past 3 weeks, worried about infection delaying IVF cycle. "Azithromycin not a good choice." Prescribed clindamycin and metronidazole, b.i.d., 7 days.
11/11 swollen neck glands, right eyelid swelling and watering
11/12 right eyelid more swollen, red, watery, itching, small itchy bumps start to erupt on back, shoulders, arms, thighs, more on right side of body
11/13 took Benedryl, eye swelling reduced, body rash worse. Started feeling like I was getting an itchy yeast infection. Found bilateral swollen Bartholin's glands when inserting Monostat. Went to Patient First. Diagnosis "allergic reaction". Stop antibiotics, prescribed methylpred pack.
11/14 IVF cycle put on hold. Lower chest pain on breathing, dry cough, Bartholin's painful, ulcerating.
11/15 GYN's diagnosis "classic herpes" "coincidence that lesions are on Bartholin glands."
- viral isolation/culture negative, HSV-2 IGG test, negative. Prescribed valacyclovier 1G b.i.d. x 10
No intercourse since 10/19. No PCR ordered, no HSV-1 test, no VZV test. GYN says "wait two months for followup IGG." Now experiencing neurogenic bladder. Only positive: nightly low-grade fever is gone. Want a new GYN. Thanks for any insight you may have.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm not aware of any place that does that except our clinic. If you can't find someone locally, you can contact my clinic and we can do that for you.
I'm sorry this is so frustrating for you! I can only imagine how these things together are causing incredible pressure in your life.
Terri
I'm sorry this is so frustrating for you! I can only imagine how these things together are causing incredible pressure in your life.
Terri
Thanks for the guidance.
My husband and I have been in a monogamous relationship for seven years (he is my fourth partner and I am his second, but the first he has had unprotected sex with) and right before we start our third IVF cycle, I got these mysterious symptoms and the swelling and lesions of my Bartholin glands, which my gynecologist said is herpes just based on his clinical observation.
I then found out he decided to do a test that has a 60%+ failure/inconclusivity rate instead of the PCR test, which may have provided an answer within 2-3 days and alleviated months of worry for me. I feel that I haven't received optimal medical care and that is absolutely not what I need, especially at this vulnerable time when I may soon become pregnant and should be able to tell a future OB whether or not I have genital herpes. It has all been very stressful and frustrating, to say the least.
The IVF cycle was delayed by almost two weeks due to all these health issues. Per your recommendation, I will definitely try to find a doctor who will order the HSV-1 test for me and both tests for my husband as soon as possible.
Since my gynecologist seems behind the times with herpes testing do you know how I might find a new practitioner or a clinic who could give me one of the "take home" PCR swab kits I've read about that would let me swab future lesions for analysis -- if I ever get them again?
Thank you so much for your help.
My husband and I have been in a monogamous relationship for seven years (he is my fourth partner and I am his second, but the first he has had unprotected sex with) and right before we start our third IVF cycle, I got these mysterious symptoms and the swelling and lesions of my Bartholin glands, which my gynecologist said is herpes just based on his clinical observation.
I then found out he decided to do a test that has a 60%+ failure/inconclusivity rate instead of the PCR test, which may have provided an answer within 2-3 days and alleviated months of worry for me. I feel that I haven't received optimal medical care and that is absolutely not what I need, especially at this vulnerable time when I may soon become pregnant and should be able to tell a future OB whether or not I have genital herpes. It has all been very stressful and frustrating, to say the least.
The IVF cycle was delayed by almost two weeks due to all these health issues. Per your recommendation, I will definitely try to find a doctor who will order the HSV-1 test for me and both tests for my husband as soon as possible.
Since my gynecologist seems behind the times with herpes testing do you know how I might find a new practitioner or a clinic who could give me one of the "take home" PCR swab kits I've read about that would let me swab future lesions for analysis -- if I ever get them again?
Thank you so much for your help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm so sorry I didn't see this in "new posts" until now.
Wow, you've been through it, huh?
It sounds like you definitely had a reaction to the Azithro, and a fairly common one, in my experience. The skin rash could also be a reaction to the antibiotics.
As for the lesions being herpetic - I strongly suggest that your husband be tested for HSV 1 and 2, and that you get an antibody test for HSV 1 and 2 about three months out from the "outbreak". About 40% of new genital herpes in the US is HSV 1, not HSV 2. But we don't even know if you have herpes, since your swab test was negative and you have a negative HSV 2 antibody test - but you're right, it could be new infection and the swab test missed it or it could be HSV 1 and no antibody testing was done.
I don't think the blood draw would have done anything except make you faint, and most people get light headed when they have that much blood drawn, not because of the loss of blood usually, but more because of the THOUGHT of losing this much blood.
I think getting this at the vaginal ultrasound appointment is an extreme, very extreme, long shot
Terri
I'm not sure about a new OB
Wow, you've been through it, huh?
It sounds like you definitely had a reaction to the Azithro, and a fairly common one, in my experience. The skin rash could also be a reaction to the antibiotics.
As for the lesions being herpetic - I strongly suggest that your husband be tested for HSV 1 and 2, and that you get an antibody test for HSV 1 and 2 about three months out from the "outbreak". About 40% of new genital herpes in the US is HSV 1, not HSV 2. But we don't even know if you have herpes, since your swab test was negative and you have a negative HSV 2 antibody test - but you're right, it could be new infection and the swab test missed it or it could be HSV 1 and no antibody testing was done.
I don't think the blood draw would have done anything except make you faint, and most people get light headed when they have that much blood drawn, not because of the loss of blood usually, but more because of the THOUGHT of losing this much blood.
I think getting this at the vaginal ultrasound appointment is an extreme, very extreme, long shot
Terri
I'm not sure about a new OB
ugh...can't edit posts. :-)
That was 11/10 that the "blood draw from hell" occured.
That was 11/10 that the "blood draw from hell" occured.
One thing I forgot to add, on 10/10, two days before the swollen glands, puffy eye, flu-like symptoms and rash started, I went to LabCorp to have my blood drawn for the tests my PCP ordered (Lupus, celiac, lyme, hashimoto's, all negative; just slightly elevated prolactin showed up).
They drew 14 vials and I started to pass out when they got to vial 9. I had to lay down and they drew the rest.
I wonder whether the stress of the blood loss and near-fainting might have shocked my immune system and resulted whatever this illness was.
They drew 14 vials and I started to pass out when they got to vial 9. I had to lay down and they drew the rest.
I wonder whether the stress of the blood loss and near-fainting might have shocked my immune system and resulted whatever this illness was.
Sorry for the length of my post. It's been a long rollercoaster ride.
My GYN also did not suggest my husband get tested for anything even though he knows we've been trying to conceive for 4+ years. He said if my husband "wants" to be tested, he should see his own doctor. I'm so frustrated at this point, I don't know what to do. A major concern I have, is if this is a new HSV-2 infection and I haven't had intercourse in over a month, could I have been infected from the vaginal ultrasounds at my Reproductive Endocrinologist's office? Maybe one of the nurses forgot to change the sheath on the wand...? Sorry to speculate, but without adequate medical guidance and diagnostics that's all I have left.
My GYN also did not suggest my husband get tested for anything even though he knows we've been trying to conceive for 4+ years. He said if my husband "wants" to be tested, he should see his own doctor. I'm so frustrated at this point, I don't know what to do. A major concern I have, is if this is a new HSV-2 infection and I haven't had intercourse in over a month, could I have been infected from the vaginal ultrasounds at my Reproductive Endocrinologist's office? Maybe one of the nurses forgot to change the sheath on the wand...? Sorry to speculate, but without adequate medical guidance and diagnostics that's all I have left.
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
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.
