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.

[petal130]

Your doctor did the wrong blood test on you; the IgM is pretty much worthless for diagnosing herpes.

The IgG is what you want to go by, and you were negative several times.

Did your doctor test for fungal/bacterial infections? Did they culture the blisters for herpes? Tears as you describe can also be from low estrogen.

At this point I would consider a second opinion. When you are symptomatic, get in to be tested for all the above. Your IgG shows negative for herpes, so most likely there's something else going on.

[hawaii35]

To petal130:
Thank you so much for your response.  I feel like I am going crazy here with this whole thing for the past year and I just need a for sure answer from my doctors.  It has been so hard dealing with this for so long without an answer to what this skin condition actually is.    

I did not have a culture for the blister.  There was only 1 blister.  Where this blister was located it was there for about 4 to 5 days then it was gone.  My skin hurt for about a month and a half to two months after the blister was gone.  Is that typical for herpes?  Does your skin hurt for that long after a blister goes away?  Does herpes show it self in a cuts form or would you definetly have a blister?  

They did not test for fungal/bacterial infections.  But they recently gave me some sort of fungal/steroid cream to try out.  I used it for about a week and it seemed to work.  But while using it i did feel the cuts/tears feeling again in only one spot on my skin near the end of the week so I don't know if I used it long enough.

Is there a blood test for low estrogen?  If not how do they test for that?  

I have gone to an infectious disease specialist a dermatologist and my general practitioner they have all told me I don't have herpes but I am still scared because I am having these symptoms and they aren't really telling me what the problem could be.   The infectious disease specialist is the one who gave me the cream to try out but I haven't had any cultures done.  He gave me the cream and said see if that works and if not go back to my general practitioner.  I feel like I am going in circles with this whole thing.  And if it is some other type of skin condition I want to make sure I am getting the proper treatment.  And at this point I don't know if I am.  

Thank you again for your response.  

[gracefromHHP]

typically they don't do blood tests for estrogen levels.   Genital skin that is thinning and tearing easily can occur from infections too. typically it's a diagnosis made by a visual exam and topical estrogen creams are prescribed.

you really should be getting properly tested for yeast and bacterial vaginal infections at this point. the just guessing and throwing creams at you to see what works method isn't in your best interest.

could this all be herpes?  Doubtful and you have multiple igg blood tests confirming that it isn't.

At this point a dermatologist and your gyn can work together to get to the bottom of things and find a treatment that works for you.

grace

[hawaii35]

Thank you for your response it is so much appreciated.

I had an IGM blood test in June 2009 and it showed positive.  I had 3 herpes IGG tests one in October, November and December.  The last IGG blood test in December 2009 showed negative, is it possible that I still could have herpes or would it have shown up by now in an IGG blood test?  All of these test were done while I was pregnant.  Should I keep getting retested?  I did also have one area on my skin that had a couple little red bumps that hurt, but I don't know if that was from shaving.  Could that be herpes?  I am just so scared and that initial blood test is making me so worried.  
Thanks again.

[Mistakeguy789]

Like grace said the multiple IgG blood tests which are the ones that are far more accurate then the IgM tests state you aren't HSV positive.  Like grace said the dermatologist and your gyn can look at other avenues herpes is doubtful.  

If you get the bumps again you should be looked at by your provider and get them cultured if your provider feels it resembles HSV.

[gracefromHHP]

so you had your last 3 tests during the last 3 months or so of pregnancy?

you can get bumps from shaving.  be sure to use a sharp razor and there are many websites devoted to giving your genital area lots of tlc post shaving to keep it looking better.

grace

[hawaii35]

yes the IGG tests were done during the last 3 months of pregnancy.  

The original IGM test was done in June 2009 and the IGG tests were done at the end of October, November, and December 2009.  

[hawaii35]

This is so frustrating.  I feel like it has been so long of going through all these symptoms off and on and no one is able to tell me what this is.  I have only had one sexual partner in my life and that is my spouse and I know that I am the only person that he has been with.  I did not cheat on him and I am pretty confident that he did not cheat on me.  This is why it is so confusing.  The only thing that I could think of how I could have contracted herpes is when I went to the doctors, which was 4 weeks before I had the IGM positive test results, at this time I did a clean catch urine sample.  I touched a doorknob in the bathroom and then touched my skin to to the clean catch urine sample.  Any one who doesn't know what the clean catch is....it is when you spread the outer labia with your fingers and wipe clean your vaginal area then pee in a cup.  The clean catch is to test for urinary tract infections.  Everyone tells me that this is "not likely" a way to contract herpes.  "Not Likely" but they don't say it is impossible.  Any thoughts on this?

[gracefromHHP]

you absolutely will not get herpes from touching door knobs or using public restrooms!!  nothing not likely about it.  

How long ago did you have your baby?  just to err on the side of caution, I'd repeat the herpes igg 2 or 3 months post delivery but odds are you never had herpes and your igm was falsely positive. The igm is a greatly flawed test for herpes and we don't recommend it being used to diagnose herpes in adults. Igg's in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy are sometimes inaccurate due to pregnancy issues including the natural dilution of the blood so just repeat the igg one more time to err on the side of caution but meanwhile follow up on your issues and start thinking non-herpes causes.

grace

[hawaii35]

Grace,
Like I mentioned in the previous post how I did that clean catch urine sample touched the door knob and then touched my skin.  Your saying this situation that I am describing would be completely impossible?  Not to repeat myself, I am just so scared of this whole thing that has happened.  I always shave so I'm affraid that I may have had a crack in my skin and the virus got in this way.  I'm sick of crying myself to sleep about this whole situation.  I just feel like I am some sort of freak case.  Today I went to get a biopsy of my skin to see if I can find another cause, and I recieved the paperwork to get my IGGs tested again.  The first IGG that was tested I was 18 weeks pregnant.  I am going to go get my IGG 2 months post delivery.  
Thank you for all your advice.

[hawaii35]

I am going to go cry my self to sleep AGAIN :(  I know I shouldn't.  I just need an answer to what is wrong with me.  This forum definatly helps me talk things out.  Thanks so much.

[gracefromHHP]

yes I am saying that you absolutely did not contract herpes during the clean catch process. no worries there!

it's not easy being female sometimes. I've had plenty of issues down yonder that make my herpes seem like a walk in a park.  took me over a year one time to figure out what was going on and even longer to get it under control. just suck s sometimes :( Good luck and hopefully you'll have better answers soon!

grace

[hawaii35]

Thank you Grace for all of your support.  

[hawaii35]

Grace,
So, I went and got that biopsy that I told you about and the results came back negative.  I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing.  Still don't know what is wrong with me.  I am going to get my  IGG blood work again sometime this week.  I wanted to ask again about the red bumps that I had told you about in a previous post.  I honestly don't recall if these were there before I shaved or if they showed up afterwards.  Since these bumps have went away I can't have my skin cultured, but how would I have known if these were a result of herpes?  Does herpes consist of red bumps?  I'm not really sure what to think.  Can you help on this question?
Thank you so much.

[gracefromHHP]

odds are if they showed up after shaving and then went away, they weren't herpes.

as I said before, you've had multiple negative igg blood tests so it's not likely you really do have herpes. I suggested just 1 more post pregnancy just to err on the side of caution and cover all the bases.

grace

[hawaii35]

Thank you again Grace.
I don't really remember if the red bumps were there before or after shaving.  I'm going to try to go today for my igg blood test.  I feel like it has been so long, almost a year of not being sure.  I just need and want an answer so that I can properly start taking care of myself.
Thank you for talking with me grace.  I'll let you know what the results of my igg tests are as soon as I get them.

[hawaii35]

Thank you Grace for all of your help and support.  I just recieved my IGG results for type 1 and type 2.  Both are still negative.   This is the 4th time I have had the IGG test and all 4 times it has been negative.  I have also seen 8 doctors and all are telling me that I am negative for both types and I don't have it.  I am pretty sure I had some sort of bacterial infection.  I was given some sort of cream which worked to get rid of these cuts sensations.  I used it for about 2 weeks and it is gone.
Thank you again for all of your help.

[gracefromHHP]

Thank goodness you can put this all to rest now!!!  Did you do your happy dance all over the house yet?  

glad everything is getting better down yonder too :)  You have enough to do chasing after 2 young children without having your nether regions bugging you too!!!

grace

[hawaii35]

Grace,
I still am having a hard time with all of this.  I don't understand why doctors use these IGM blood tests if they are not accurate.  I know my IGG blood tests are showing negative, but I still have just one concern.  I had this bump on my skin that caused a tingling painful sensation.  It lasted about 4 or 5 days then went away.  I don't recall if there was a leision afterwards.   I was pregnant and couldn't really see down there unless I had a mirror.  I haven't had anything appear since then and I didn't have this bump cultured.  I had skin pain after the bump went away for about a month and a half.  This will probably be on my mind forever.  Do you have any thoughts on what else this could have been???  Does that sound like herpes?  Please help.

[gracefromHHP]

so many things can cause us gals issues. ingrown hairs, inflamed cysts  and vaginitis are the most common.

put the thoughts of herpes away for once and for all. Not worth any further worry at this point I assure you.  

grace

[hawaii35]

Thank you again Grace.
Just to be sure.  My tests results read:
HSV 1 IGG Herpeselect AB 0.19
HSV 2 IGG Herpeselect AB 0.17
Am I 110% negative or do I have some antibodies of HSV?  Do I need any additional testing?  Have I been exposed to this.  I'm sorry for all the questions. I am still just really upset about everything that happened.
Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

you have clear negatives. time to stop thinking herpes :)

[hawaii35]

Thank you so much for your time grace.  I just have had such a hard time when my doctors tell me I am infected then I'm not.  Then I had these crazy symptoms that sounded like hsv.  And I was really really sick during my pregnancy.  Then one other thing I read on an online web site was that women who are pregnant who contract hsv during pregnancy take a really long time to build antibodies to hsv.  Which I don't know how true that is seeing as though my doctors said they never heard of that.  Did you hear of that?  Then my general doctor said that I was exposed but not infected.  So this has been almost a year of all this going on.  I'm really sorry for all the questions, but I feel you have been the most helpful person on this topic.  My doctors do seem to know anything.
Thank you  

[gracefromHHP]

the 3rd trimester can distort igg results which is why I had you get 1 last test done.  you've completely covered your bases.  you've waited more than enough time for all your tests too.   the igm test was a poor choice of tests originally and it being + had little meaning.  

has hubby ever been tested throughout all of this? I skimmed back through and didn't see if you ever responded to that part other than to say you don't think he cheated on you.  

At this point continue to follow up with your gyn as needed for genital issues. Your hormones should be returning to some semblance of normal soon.  the roller coaster of pregnancy hormones is over now.  keep getting properly tested for yeast and bacterial vaginal infections too.  A moisturizer applied daily to your genital skin can help with some of the issues you've been having if the last cream they gave you didn't seem to work.  zinc oxide is good as is bag balm, desitin, a&d etc.  Put some on baby's bum and some on yours each day...he he he If you are breast feeding, breast milk is terrific on rashes too on mom and baby. It's weird to do but it does work!    As to what went on back in november I think you said it was, hard to tell. You had hormones, weight gain and were carrying a cantaloupe in your abdomen - all can cause us gals issues.  You've covered the herpes bases adequately.  follow up on any new symptoms to try to figure out what is going on.  also use lube for sex too. the stress of following around small children can make you need a little extra help like that when you get into the bedroom. avoid the his and hers type lubes and the extra excitement types since those additives can cause your already delicate genital skin more issues too.  

i"m just glad you found a forum where someone educated has been able to help you and not add to your worry about all of this :)

grace