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Hsv 2 IgG negative at 20 wkd but experiencing symptoms

Hello everyone,
My last herpes select test was HSV1 = .11 and HSV2= .08 at 20 weeks post last possible exposure. I have experienced pain, redness and warm sensation on the crown along the left side of my penis intermittently since the possible date of exposure usually lasting 1-4 days. I'm anxious to find closure. My lab test continue to be negative yet I can't move on with my life because of the sensations/symptoms I continue to experience in my genital area. Any advice/comments from the community. Thank you
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101028 tn?1419603004
pcr swabbing.
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Avatar universal
This is definitely the toughest time of my life. Which would you recommend WB or PCR?
Helpful - 0
101028 tn?1419603004
probably your urologist won't know how to do home pcr swabbing but give it a try.  it's literally having the sterile q tip and transport medium at your house - wetting the q tip, swabbing the area vigorously and then putting it in the transport medium and dropping it off at the clinic/lab when you have a chance. really easy.

as I said, something is going on, just a matter of figuring out what. our genital areas are very sensitive with lots of nerve endings ( which is why we find sex so pleasurable ) and many things can irritate it. figuring out what isn't always so easy :(
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Avatar universal
Ok I will talk to my physicians. I can't get in to my urologist until feb 2. I will leave him a message with him regarding testing at home. I wish I can get this off my mind as it has really affected every aspect of my life from work to friends as well as my overall mental and physical health. Any advice on how I should go forward?
Helpful - 0
101028 tn?1419603004
a pcr swab of suspicious herpes symptoms should be covered by your insurance. you can do pcr on red areas and it's more accurate than a regular viral lesion culture for detecting herpes. any doctor can do it for you. you can even talk to your doctor or dermatologist about having the supplies at home to do a pcr swab the next time you have symptoms.

no valtrex or famvir at all either!

if I was in your situation, I'd get herpes off my mind to be honest. it's not likely these are herpes related at all.
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Avatar universal
What type of doctor should I see for a PCR swab. How does a PCR swab work? Is this more reliable than WB? Covered by insurance? What would you do in my situation?
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101028 tn?1419603004
valtrex doesn't work in a hour - it takes DAYS for it to start making you feel better.  

the blood tests are helpful for most people who take them. it's unfortunate that you saw a dermatologist who isn't up to date on herpes testing :(

if you really need the peace of mind, be seen when you have symptoms and get a pcr swab done on the area that is red/hurts.  
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Avatar universal
I took more blood tests at 13, 16, 18, and 20 weeks all negative. I have had pain and redness intermittently since I stopped the famvir at around 11-12 weeks since possible exposure. Over the weekend the pain was quite bad so I took one valtrex pill and again the pain went away. I shouldn't have done that according to my docs since it only confuses the matter more but I was scared and I panicked.  

What do you think after reading all of this? Should I take the WB? Did the antivirals affect the test or my ability to seroconvert?
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Avatar universal
I'm confused because the reason why it's hard for me to stop testing is because when I experienced the pain, redness, and warm sensation on my penis I saw my GCP and a dermatologist one day apart. My GCP said that the skin appeared normal. I insisted that I test for herpes which was 7 weeks post possible exposure. He told me to see dermatologist for another opinion if I wanted and that's what I did the next day. The dermatologist looked at my penis and asked me what my symptoms were and he concluded that it was herpes. He said blood tests were not helpful at all and that I should try Valtrex. If the symptom went away then I know for certain it's herpes. I took valtrex and within an hour I felt no pain so I was convinced it was herpes. After 10 days on valtrex I switched to suppressive dose of famvir. While on famvir I had some occasional pain and redness. I told my GCP and urologist about my response to valtrex and each said that was unusual. I took another blood test at 9 and 11 weeks and still negative. So my GCP and urologist convinced med to stop taking famvir.
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101028 tn?1419603004
you've had multiple herpes blood tests come back negative. no need for the WB.  

Be seen when you have symptoms and go from there. if your regular provider is convinced you are nuts, perhaps a dermatologist would be a better follow up.  obviously something is going on, it's just a matter of what.  You don't need to waste your time seeing someone who isn't willing to look for causes and just writes you off each time you are seen.

don't be afraid to touch your penis! You aren't a walking biohazard no matter what is going on! Just wash your hands after you masturbate ( you probably do that already anyways ) and nothing else to worry about. Can't have you all cranky at work every day now can we? he he he

some of your symptoms sound like a simple fungal infection but typically that doesn't cause pain like you have. probably no harm in trying an otc jock itch cream for a week ( apply 2x/day ) to see if that helps with some of your symptoms.  You can try the jock itch powder and see if that helps with friction and any fungal overgrowth if you want.  

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Avatar universal
Nothing in particular stands out. Some clothing such as certain boxers are more irritating than briefs. Within a couple days after having sex using a condom I felt some pain and discomfort in the same area of my penis.  I don't masterbate because I'm afraid to touch my penis with my bare hand. I haven't tried any powders or other products to reduce friction but I will give it a try. Currently my scrotum feels warm to the touch otherwise it looks typical. I planned to do the Western blot to confirm the negative herpeselect test but you suggest that it's not necessary. Is there any value in getting the western blot at 6 months in my case?

Name your son's college and I will make a donation as a token of my appreciation :-)
Helpful - 0
101028 tn?1419603004
I wouldn't even bother with more herpes testing. if you have money to get rid of, let me tell you what college to send some money towards my son's tuition to :)  

anxiety can cause issues but so can things as simple as your pants literally rubbing you the wrong way. take a look at the simple things like the way your chair is at your desk/computer, what pants/underwear you are using etc. try powdering your genital area daily before getting dressed and see if that helps to reduce friction too ( or a simple barrier cream like aquaphor or something though that can be messy ).  do you correlate any of these symptoms to masturbation or anything?

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Avatar universal
I was negative for all other STDs. My Internist believes I have chronic prostatitis but my urologist doesn't feel that my prostate is minimally enlarged at best. By the way the prostate exam is not much fun at all.  Both my urologist and GCP think that my symptoms are due to anxiety and stress from the possible herpes exposure. My internist says it's psychosomatization, in other words I'm crazy.  I dont think im crazy but I am very concerned. I had herpes select tests at 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, and 20 weeks- all negative. I ordered the western blot from UW and plan to take it at 6 months from exposure. Any insight?

Thanks for your help. This is really a great service you offer.
Helpful - 0
101028 tn?1419603004
odds are whatever is causing this , isn't due to herpes.

I assume you covered all other std bases too?

have you had your prostate checked?  did they offer any other diagnosis for the cause of your symptoms?

grace
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