If they think shingles too - make them do a lesion culture on it to confirm it. It can be either or in that area but is more likely to be hsv than shingles so a visual doesn't cut it.
grace
I think you are right! I am back to a Dr. tomorrow. My rash has increased in area and as itchy. I think this might be shingles, but i dunno. Will get it cultured. Thanks so much for your assistance, Grace!
I think your provider just isn't comfortable dealing with all this - you can get a lesion culture of the rash and you can also get a type specific herpes igg blood test done.
I recommend you get a 2nd opinion elsewhere this week.
grace
I'm not sure whether he has or not. I assume so...I will ask. It's a long dist rel'p -he's away now. Meanwhile, my nerve pain is still there but not as severe. Also now a small rash on my behind, size of quarter - itchy.
My doctor speculates nerve pain could be from a pinched nerve in my back and says blood tests from herpes would be false positive due to my cold sore. She doesn't rule out herpes though or shingles. Can't culture - no open lesion I'm aware of. So I dunno.
Very frustrating to have no answers.
I appreciate your reply, Grace.
Since you have pain, you need to follow up on this with your provider.
Has your partner ever been tested to know his own hsv status?
grace