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Please Help
I am currently awaiting test results from my doctor to see if I might have Herpes, but I'm writing this out of despiration. My symptoms are so extreme that I feel as though I cannot wait another day. I typically consider myself to have a pretty high pain tolerance, but the pain I experience when I urinate is completely unbearable and I'm desperate for relief. This is my situation ...
A few weeks ago, I started getting a discharge. It didn't seem like a yeast infection so I waited. It increased and began to turn yellowish and shortly after, I got my period. When that was done the discharge came back and I treated myself with an over the counter 3 day yeast treatment. Three days later, and with no relief, I went to the doc (last week Thurs). I also shared with him that I was getting over a terrible cold (had experienced fever and body aches, sore throat and congestion) and while I only had sinus congestion/pressure left, I was fighting extreme fatigue. To my surprise, I tested positive for mono (I'm 36 years old, that seemed just impossible to me). He did a vaginal exam and did not find infection, he thought I may have had one and killed off the yeast with the over the counter treatment. I was told to go home and get lots of rest and fluid and if the discharge didn't go away by the end of the weekend, I could call and get a perscription for infection.
By the end of the next day, I was experiencing a lot of burning during urination. I thought it was coming from the discharge and was hoping I could get a perscription for the infection. I called my clinic and they wanted me to be checked again, thinking that maybe something else was going on. I decided to try and get through the weekend so that I would be able to see my regular doctor. By the end of the weekend all of my symptoms had escalated. I was extremely tired, I still had a discharge and now the pain during urination was so bad that I couldn't help but scream out loud when I used the bathroom and could only find slight comfort by soaking in the tub.
When I went in on Monday morning, the doctor performed another exam. He tested again for infection but that came up negative. He thought the discharge looked better (I'm not convinced that it's getting better). I asked him to retest for mono because I thought it had to be a false positive and that was positive again. Then he explained that he was going to treat me for a viral infection. I pressed farther and found out he was treating me for Herpes (Valacyclovir) because that is what it looked like to him and because regardless he was hoping it would alleviate the symptoms. I've been married for 16 years and we have both been 100% faithful, it seemed impossible. However, after doing some research I've come to realize that my husband's chronic cold sores could be an explaination. That's the only possible source.
Could this really be? Is it just coincidential that I tested positive for mono as well? I'm awaiting test result in the next couple of days, so I realize I'll probably have that answer soon, but the reason I'm writing is partly because I really need some relief. Most of what I'm reading suggest that the lessions are there for a few days and then dry up and go away. I've had open lesions for 4 days and they are getting worse and not better. I normally drink 80 oz of water/tea each day and now I'm afraid to drink anything. I'm starting to wonder if the doc could put in a catheter because I'm so scarred to use the bathroom. Is it normal to have this much pain? Or could something else be going on? I looked into vulvar cancer but that seems to be found in women much older, I'm 36. I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my neck 2 years ago (I was young for that too, espically since I'm not a sun bather) and I'm wondering if that could be related.
Any suggestions for alleviating this pain would be appreciated (the doc gave me a lidocaine cream that is doing nothing for me and I even tried just urinating in the bath thinking the water would dillute it and that didn't help). Just sitting is starting to become painful. Also I'm wondering if there is anything else the doctor should check for, if not Herpes, what else could cause this?
A few weeks ago, I started getting a discharge. It didn't seem like a yeast infection so I waited. It increased and began to turn yellowish and shortly after, I got my period. When that was done the discharge came back and I treated myself with an over the counter 3 day yeast treatment. Three days later, and with no relief, I went to the doc (last week Thurs). I also shared with him that I was getting over a terrible cold (had experienced fever and body aches, sore throat and congestion) and while I only had sinus congestion/pressure left, I was fighting extreme fatigue. To my surprise, I tested positive for mono (I'm 36 years old, that seemed just impossible to me). He did a vaginal exam and did not find infection, he thought I may have had one and killed off the yeast with the over the counter treatment. I was told to go home and get lots of rest and fluid and if the discharge didn't go away by the end of the weekend, I could call and get a perscription for infection.
By the end of the next day, I was experiencing a lot of burning during urination. I thought it was coming from the discharge and was hoping I could get a perscription for the infection. I called my clinic and they wanted me to be checked again, thinking that maybe something else was going on. I decided to try and get through the weekend so that I would be able to see my regular doctor. By the end of the weekend all of my symptoms had escalated. I was extremely tired, I still had a discharge and now the pain during urination was so bad that I couldn't help but scream out loud when I used the bathroom and could only find slight comfort by soaking in the tub.
When I went in on Monday morning, the doctor performed another exam. He tested again for infection but that came up negative. He thought the discharge looked better (I'm not convinced that it's getting better). I asked him to retest for mono because I thought it had to be a false positive and that was positive again. Then he explained that he was going to treat me for a viral infection. I pressed farther and found out he was treating me for Herpes (Valacyclovir) because that is what it looked like to him and because regardless he was hoping it would alleviate the symptoms. I've been married for 16 years and we have both been 100% faithful, it seemed impossible. However, after doing some research I've come to realize that my husband's chronic cold sores could be an explaination. That's the only possible source.
Could this really be? Is it just coincidential that I tested positive for mono as well? I'm awaiting test result in the next couple of days, so I realize I'll probably have that answer soon, but the reason I'm writing is partly because I really need some relief. Most of what I'm reading suggest that the lessions are there for a few days and then dry up and go away. I've had open lesions for 4 days and they are getting worse and not better. I normally drink 80 oz of water/tea each day and now I'm afraid to drink anything. I'm starting to wonder if the doc could put in a catheter because I'm so scarred to use the bathroom. Is it normal to have this much pain? Or could something else be going on? I looked into vulvar cancer but that seems to be found in women much older, I'm 36. I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my neck 2 years ago (I was young for that too, espically since I'm not a sun bather) and I'm wondering if that could be related.
Any suggestions for alleviating this pain would be appreciated (the doc gave me a lidocaine cream that is doing nothing for me and I even tried just urinating in the bath thinking the water would dillute it and that didn't help). Just sitting is starting to become painful. Also I'm wondering if there is anything else the doctor should check for, if not Herpes, what else could cause this?
I would certainly cover your bases fully by getting both you and your partner tested for herpes with type specific herpes igg blood tests. as I said previously, you can get genital issues from mono but it's well worth covering your bases fully.
The lession test must take in the first 24-48 because after that it will be high false negative up to 70%. Did you get any blood test?
Thank you.
Thank you.
My test results came back today and to my surprise ... negative! My doctor is quite convinced that this is accurate since it was taken from a lesion swab. He suspects that I had ulcers from the mono or even another virus. Though I'd like to just celebrate these results and hope to never have to experience this again, I would like your opinion. Do you also believe that these results are conclusive? Can I really feel confident that I do not have herpes? Thank you!
Thank you Grace. Yes, I did see that warning. And also one that said I should not wear soft contacts because it could stain those as well, that's rather curious. Staining is definately a worth while risk though. I checked to see if there was anything else I should be concerned about (I'm not a big fan of meds) and it seems harmless enough. I'm just so thankful for some relief.
the bright orange can stain your clothing and floors. just make sure you don't drip on the floor and you either want to wear old underwear or even a panty shield to protect your clothing from permanent orange color!
Though I'm still awaiting the test results, I just have to share that I have found some relief in a perscription the doctor called in yesterday. I picked up Phenazopyrid, which is meant for people experiencing buring from UTIs (I believe it is available over the counter as well),. This is working! We did this as a last resort because if it didn't work, I was seriously considering getting a catheder. I cannot even descrive how pleased I am to not have to do that. I thought I'd mention this in hopes that it could help someone else.
if this is a newly acquired herpes infection for you, it can take 2-3 weeks for it to fully run its course, even with treatment and yes it will get worse before it gets better :(
are your lesions in an area where you can physically cover them when you urinate? You can buy plastic gloves to wear or put your hands in a baggie and cover the lesions each time you urinate. You also can pick up a sitz bath set up ( pharmacy's carry them as do medical supply stores - they are probably at walmart too but I've never looked to be honest ). It fits in your toilet and you put some lukewarm water in it, lower your bum into the water and urinate and then use the rinse bag to rinse yourself off afterward. It's a little easier than stripping naked to pee in the tub. You also can use a "squeeze" bottle and squeeze warm water over the area while you urinate too.
definitely ruling out herpes is worthwhile. If your husband performs oral sex on you, you can contract hsv1 genitally from that. also odds are that neither of you have ever been tested for herpes before to know your status to know if hsv2 is a part of your relationship or not. there also are some issues that can occur in the genitals after infections like mono plus mono can also cause genital lesions too.
hope you are feeling better soon!
grace
are your lesions in an area where you can physically cover them when you urinate? You can buy plastic gloves to wear or put your hands in a baggie and cover the lesions each time you urinate. You also can pick up a sitz bath set up ( pharmacy's carry them as do medical supply stores - they are probably at walmart too but I've never looked to be honest ). It fits in your toilet and you put some lukewarm water in it, lower your bum into the water and urinate and then use the rinse bag to rinse yourself off afterward. It's a little easier than stripping naked to pee in the tub. You also can use a "squeeze" bottle and squeeze warm water over the area while you urinate too.
definitely ruling out herpes is worthwhile. If your husband performs oral sex on you, you can contract hsv1 genitally from that. also odds are that neither of you have ever been tested for herpes before to know your status to know if hsv2 is a part of your relationship or not. there also are some issues that can occur in the genitals after infections like mono plus mono can also cause genital lesions too.
hope you are feeling better soon!
grace
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
