So swollen-- please help!

[arielle123]

For about 2 months now my vagina has been really swollen after having intercourse where the condom broke. Since then, at times my whole vagina has felt like it's swollen shut, while other times I just feel the swelling in one spot. In the 2 months, it's only NOT been swollen for maybe a week or two. My legs have also been tingling and numb from time to time, but since the swelling is pretty much constant, I can't tell if these symptoms are related. I went to the gyno explained all this and she didn't test for herpes because I didn't have any sores anywhere and just gave me a cream that didn't help. I thought that was crazy so I made an appointment for the end of next week at a different doctor.

My questions are, is it normal to be swollen for this long and not have any sores? And I've read on here that I should wait until 3-6 months to go get tested, but it's only been 2. Is there a chance that my results will be accurate already or is it not worth the money to go now to only have to go again like month later?

I'm so nervous and don't know what is wrong with me :(

[arielle123]

Thank you for answering. I am in the US. I mentioned the western blot to my gyno a few months ago and she kind of brushed it off and said it wasn't needed. I wish doctors were more educated on this. I'll bring it up again and if need be find a different doctor to do the blood draw and I will read up more on becoming a phone patient of the u of Washington.

Just to ask, how common is it ppl test negative on igg at 7 months but positive on the WB? Is it mostly beneficial for people who will never produce igm or igg antibodies? I've tried researching this but mostly what I see are my reverse situation; they have no symptoms but tested positive on igg but confirmed negative with WB.

Like you said I know it's not right to assume I have it, it's just there seem to be so many issues with the testing that is currently available to us.

Thank you fleet wood!

[Fleetwood20]

Are you in the States in order to be able to obtain a Westernblot?

If this test is negative then you really have to put herpes behind you and focus on other causes. It just doesn't work to conclude that because no one knows what is wrong yet that it must be herpes.

It is extremely rare that herpes causes the continuing problems that you have.

[arielle123]

Bump. Please if anyone has any advice I would really appreciate it as I am at such a total loss for so long

[arielle123]

Hi community, I'm back on here as I still haven't gotten any diagnosis from my doctors. This past year I have seen gynos, physicians, infectious disease specialist and taken 4 diff medications/cream and still nothing. Yet each month I get very swollen down there and feel an irritation. Im using a steroid cream right now and no help. I've been tested for it all, blood and culture and everything is negative. My gyno keeps telling me to move on that it's not hsv2 that my blood would have shown it when I was tested a little after the 6 month mark, but after my ex refused to show me paperwork, told me doc just said negative and nothing more, I've been skeptical.

I guess I just want to know what you'd recommend for next steps.. Should I go to the ER? Are there tests beyond blood and cultures for everything not just hsv doctors are missing? Do you think for some reason i just havent tested pos for hsv2 yet? ive thrown away thousands of dollars on appointments and meds and am currently saving up money to see a vulva specialist but they do not accept any insurance so it'll be a bit longer before I can get there. In the meantime any suggestions would be really appreciated- thank you

[Fleetwood20]

Your tests are conclusive, 16 weeks is plenty of time. It appears you also have no possible source given a negative partner. You do not have herpes.

[arielle123]

Hello community- just wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts on my question above. I thought I could rule out herpes after four month negative but now I'm not sure?

And to anyone on here who tested negative but still had symptoms, what kind of doctor did you go to for additional testing? Like a regular doctor or a specialist of some sorts?

Also does anyone have severe swelling like me during every "outbreak"?


Thanks!!!

[arielle123]

Thanks for replying. I've never had sores to swab, just other symptoms which is why I've been doing blood testing. So you think I should wait until 6 months to test again before putting herpes behind me and start looking into other possibilities? Man, I can't believe how long until I can know for sure :(

[HerpesFish_com]

In the presence of symptoms, it is easy for a doctor to diagnose a herpes infection - either by simply examining the outbreak or by swabbing the sores for the herpes virus. However, in order to determine if someone is sub-clinically infected - in other words, if they have an infection but no obvious symptoms - doctors need to do a blood test.
Blood tests for HSV-2, the virus that usually causes genital herpes, generally look for the presence of antibodies to the virus rather than the virus itself. Unfortunately, it takes some time for the body to mount a detectable antibody response after infection. That's why you can't simply go get tested the day after you've been exposed to genital herpes to find out if you have the disease - even if you were infected, at that point there's no way for the test to pick it up. So, how long does it take for a genital herpes blood test to become positive after exposure? The answer is that it depends on the test.

Various studies have investigated how long it takes from when genital herpes symptoms show up to when an individual tests positive on a blood test for HSV-2. As it turns out, the range varies a great deal, both between studies and between tests.

In other words, since it usually takes around 2 weeks for symptoms to show up, it's probably a good idea to wait at least a month or two before even considering getting an HSV-2 test after a potential exposure -- and you might want to consider getting retested after six months. Remember, after all, that those are only median times and that they were highly variable. Some infected people will seroconvert quickly, while others will take even longer before a herpes blood test accurately shows them to be positive.

[arielle123]

Hi everyone!! Just wanted to send through my 16 wk update for the igG test--negative for both type 1 and 2! I am definitely relieved, especially bc my bf tested neg also so it shows I didn't cheat or put him at risk without telling him. HOWEVER, I'm still super swollen! And I do get tingles and burning still, and the back of my thigh near my butt goes numb sometimes but no visible lesions by me or my gyn. Dr gave me that cream, no help. I bought monistat 3-day about a month or so ago- no help. So while it seems I can rule out herpes, what if I tested too soon or am one of those ppl that never make antibodies? i am getting stressed bc I need to go to a doctor to figure out what is wrong but really can't afford going to see a doctor and not get an answer. I know you cant diagnose me over tbe internet but Any thoughts on what I should test for since I was neg for yeast and bacteria at 8 wks and HsV at 16? I'm just so stumped and want to be symptom free!!

Thanks-Arielle

[arielle123]

Hi Grace- thanks for your response. I have seen your responses on here for others and really value your time & opinion.

At 8 weeks I was tested for yeast, bacteria, chlamydia, and gonorrhea (&hsv as you know) and all was negative at this point. Wasn't tested for syphilis or hiv, but will be tested for everything when I go in next. My dr. pretty much said at this point I just have to be patient and wait to rule things out so we can get to the bottom of this (easier said than done!) I did have some redness and irritation (though no sores that I could see) this past weekend for a day or two, in addition to the swelling... kind of wish I found a clinic open on the weekend for a swab. My dr. also mentioned that the anxiety I have over this could be preventing my body from fighting off whatever it is, so I am going to seek professional help & will also give your tips for irritation a try in the meantime.

Thanks again everyone for the support-- my words can't express how thankful I am.

[gracefromHHP]

going to be seen again is the best thing to do.  you need to be seen monthly as needed at this point and make sure that they are properly testing you for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally - not just looking and guessing and throwing something at you.

is it likely that these symptoms have been caused by herpes for 2 months? no it is not.   certainly follow up with another type specific herpes igg blood test at 4 months post encounter. since you tested negative at 8 weeks, worth waiting until  4 months for your final test.  yes, half of folks will test accurately at 8 weeks but it's not your final answer to properly cover your bases.  your provider not seeing any symptoms of herpes when you were originally seen is also another reason why it's likely this isn't herpes related.

did you get tested for syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia when you were tested at 8 weeks?

have you been doing extra tlc to your genital area like only white unscented dove soap for washing and soaking in the tubby with aveeno bath thrown in?  also using a barrier cream like aquaphor or desitin is also sometimes helpful to soothe and protect the irritated genital skin.

sometimes it just sucks being female. follow up regularly with your gyn for this to get to the bottom of it all.

[leaves14]

I never tested positive for HSV2, but I probably have HSV1 on my genitals. That's one of the reasons it was so hard for me to be diagnosed. I had multiple std screenings and the only thing that came back positive was HSV1. Both myself and my doctors shrugged that off, because we already knew that would be positive since I get sores on my nose. Finally, a doctor said it was possible to have HSV1 genitally. However, to confuse things further...... I also had an e.coli infection in my vagina. That could have caused the vulvodynia. Well, please stay in touch. I'd like to know what you find out and what helps you. You're not alone, and its nice for me to know I'm not alone either. Take care!

[Daisy1627]

Leaves are you still on here? I know this is an old posting. I have HSVII and have had constant pain in my Vag for the past 5 months. It would be nice to talk to someone who understands what I am going through.

[arielle123]

Thanks so much for responding & sharing your experience. I had never heard of vulvodynia, but after googling it, I do see it matches several of my symptoms. My guess is that I'm going to test positive for herpes and that has caused the nerve damage. I'm definitely going to mention lyrica to my doctor, as nothing has helped the swelling I've felt so far. I'm glad it provided you with relief for 3 years, and I hope now that you are taking it again it helps you again for a long time! :) Out of curiosity, were you ever diagnosed w/ herpes type 2 from a blood test?

Thanks & happy new year to you and everyone else on here. I am grateful for the support.

[leaves14]

My story is very similar to yours. I had a red, swollen, painful vagina for almost a year before I finally found a doctor who correctly diagnosed me. He diagnosed me with vulvodynia which was probably caused by nerve damage by the herpes virus. He prescribed Lyrica to help with the nerve pain. The pain and swelling was 95% better for about 3 years. Unfortunately, my symptoms recently returned, and I have started taking Lyrica again. I have never had a noticeable genital herpes outbreak, but I get herpes in my nose frequently. I take Valtrex to control the breakouts in my nose. I also, take a combination of anti-inflammatory herbs. Well, I wish you luck. I feel your pain. ((((Hugs)))))

[arielle123]

Thanks for your response-- praying that I'm in that percent that would have seroconverted before 12-16 weeks. I'll still be getting tested at those times and I'll be sure to post my results here for anyone in the same boat as I am to view.

[TiminBoston]

You don't have to wait 12-16 weeks to find out if you've contracted HSV2.  According to Terri Warren (the expert you have to pay to correspond with on this site), 70% of people who will eventually test positive for HSV2 will have done so by the end of 6 weeks.

The staff at University of Washington Virology actually say this:  By the end of 6 weeks 77% will have seroconverted to HSV2 (unless the individual has a previous HSV1 infection) .  After 6 weeks, 59% of those who have already had HSV1 will seroconvert to HSV2.  After that, the percentages go up pretty rapidly from week to week, from what I've read elsewhere.  I actually haven't seen the data at week 9,10,11...

So waiting to test for 12-16 weeks will confirm a negative status.  You could test now to have a good idea whether or not you are positive for HSV2.  

[arielle123]

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond, it really is appreciated. I went in at 8 weeks and tested negative for hsv (igm and igg) from what I understand though this is too early for igg and too late for igm to yield positive results. I'm going back at the 12 wk point and will confirm at 16 wks. Just wondering if there is any validity at the 8 wk point? some sources say 6-8 weeks but it must depend on the person, right? I'm just trying not to think about it until i go in again but I'm still swollen and tingling and it makes it harder to not focus on it. Any input would help, thanks!!

[catinbarefeet]

It could be any number of things, dear, including vaginitis or a yeast infection. When you get to see your doctor, make sure he tests for all STDs. Ask specifically for HSV because it's not on the standard testing panel.

[arielle123]

Thanks for your response. I will get tested next week and see what happens, will be worth the money to figure this out.

Have you ever heard of anything else that would cause swelling and tingling and a little irritation? I feel like bc the cream didn't work, that's my answer right there that it is herpes, and now I'm just waiting to confirm that.