herpes or not?

[hawaii35]

Hi. I am a 30 yr old female and became pregnant in may 2009.  In June 2009 I became sick.  My doctors did some sort of panel of blood tests to see what I was sick with.  They told me that I tested positive with the herpes virus.  It was the IGM blood test showing that I was newly infected.  I didn't have any symptoms that I thought that related to herpes at that time.  Since September of 2009 I began to have these paper cut sensations on the outer labia and the area right above the clitoris.  These symptoms seem to last 2 weeks or so then start to go away but then return before I seem to get any relief.  I also had one blister that was tingling and painful that lasted about 4 to 5 days in november 2009.  I did not notice any scabs.  After the blister was gone that area of my skin hurt for about a month and a half to 2 months.  I have not had any blisters since then but continue to have these paper cut sensations.  I have had several IGG blood tests since then (the last one was in december 2009) all of these have been negative.  Is this Herpes or some other skin disorder?  If it is another skin disorder do you have any suggestions?  I am so scared and I need closure on this matter.
Thank you.

[hawaii35]

I know that I do.  But I am soo scared at this point.  I know you have spent a lot of time answering my questions.  And it is so grately appreciated especally when doctors don't know or give vague answers.  Also, what are the chances this was hsv1 since what I have read on this forum that 1 out of 10 people are missed as having hsv1.  I just don't want to find out 5 years 10 years or even 15 years later that i have hsv genitally like I have read on this forum.  I really need your advice grace.  Thank you very much.

[gracefromHHP]

only something like 2% of folks who have hsv2 , won't test accurately on the blood tests. it happens but not enough to worry too much about.

you need to get herpes off your brain at this point dear :)

grace

[hawaii35]

grace,
I am still so scared.  I don't know what to do.  I had this stupid tingling painful bump on my skin back in november that I told you about.  And it is still on my mind.  :(  If I didn't have it cultured, how do I know for sure that it wasn't herpes?  Do I just wait to see if I get another one some day in the future?  If so how long would that take?  I know that I have had several blood tests done, but I read somewhere online that in pregnant women it can take a really long time for antibodies to build up.  my antibody levels were:
hsv1:   IGG 0.19
hsv 2:  IGG 0.17
Is it at all possible that I am a carrier of this disease and just didn't build up antibodies?  Should I go and see someone who is a specialist in this field or should I have the WB test done or Biokit that I see everyone talking about on this forum?  I just want to be safe.  Please help.  Thank you so much AGAIN. :)

[gracefromHHP]

no I don't think you have slipped off the deep end yet...lol.  I had genital issues myself that took me over a year to figure out what in the world was going on and another 4 years to control and be symptom free most of the time. it's frustrating as hell.  I had had hsv2 for 16 years at that point so I knew it wasn't herpes going on.  I was without a partner for part of that time so it made the no sex part easier since I was rarely in the mood myself due to my genital area feeling raw 24/7.     I also am a mom and still remember the days when sex was last thing on my mind too....lol.  you really do need reminded to take time as an adult, something I never really learned until my kids were almost teens.  I still  have to  be reminded that I have a duty to be a gf too sometimes - far too easy to forget to make us time ( kids are way too old now and they know EXACTLY what is going on in that bedroom plus they stay up way later than we do....lol ).  

grace

[hawaii35]

Thank you.  Thank you. Thank you.  I'm sure you are thinking right now...good grief what is wrong with this woman.  I won't be offended if you do indeed think that.  I am not typically like this.  No one in my family or my friends know what has been going on with me in the last 10 months besides my husband.  It has all been so frustrating not to have anyone else to talk with and you don't even know how much this has ment to me for you to talk with me about all of this.  Really you are a complete stranger to me and I am a stranger to you, but yet you are so caring and kind to talk with me about all this.  I know you are not a replacement for a therapist, but when doctors give you such vague answers to questions it is nice to see someone who cares and will be straight with you.  I feel like I spend my free time (ex:  when my kids are asleep) reading this forum and seeing what other people are going though.  It has all been so helpful.  I am glad that these forums do exist.  I know I need to reconnect with my husband again.  This was just such a messed up situation with me.  We did have a night out about a month ago, but I couldn't get this whole experience out of my head the whole time we were out.  Hopefully things will turn around soon.  And I mean REALLY SOON before my husband divorces me.  (not because he thinks I may have had herpes)  But because I have been so freaked out the last 10 months.  

I'll probably still watch this forum for a while and I still may have more questions.  I don't know.  So thank you again Grace.  

[gracefromHHP]

no it will not.

you hadn't had sex in *gulp* 10 months. the igm was totally inappropriate with your last test because it was IMPOSSIBLE FOR IT TO  BE A NEWLY ACQUIRED INFECTION for you.  getting a + igm just reaffirms what we tell folks here all the time - it's falsely + 1/3 of the time. You are so damn lucky you had it be falsely + at least twice now!

No idea what made you sick in June. I'm guessing all the genital skin issues from september on were due to a combination of pregnancy hormones, weight gain, clothing not fitting so well any more etc from the sounds of things.   At this point, pick either your gyn or the dermatologist for continued follow up. get tested for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally.  no just throwing something at you and hope it works at this point, they need to do actual testing. Your biopsy was negative which most of the time means it's just irritated skin more than anything.  

Also I highly recommend getting a baby sitter ( I'm sure you can find plenty of people willing to take your baby over night ) and you and your hubby just have a night alone.  Even if you are breast feeding, a glass or two of wine for one night will be fine!  I recommend the wine to help relax you. You've been busy chasing after at least 1 child, dealing with all of this stuff going on and it's going to take a little bit to get you to even begin to think sexy thoughts again!!!  Spend a night just the two of you and try to start regaining the "sexy" part of you again :)  It's hard when the baby is so little I know - typically it's one of the last things on your mind....lol.  really though I think you both probably need it at this point  and it'll be a nice way to start reconnecting with that part of yourself and your relationship with your husband again :)

grace