Herpes or Anxiety?

[scooter1957]

Dear Dr.

On March 1 of this year I had unprotected oral/vaginal sex with lady friend. 2 weeks later my scrotum, penis turned red and burning, no itching.  Scrotum tingled 1 week, a week later I developed a red rash around my anus.  To this day, I have never had any itching.  My FP said yeast infection. Several DR’s saw the rash and said that it didn’t look like herpes.  My FP gave me a steroid and lamsil cream.  Seemed to made it burn worst.  After 4 weeks, I visit the ER, DR told to stop using cream.  Rash and redness gone after 3 days. My FP did 2 sets of blood test, urine, etc, all  was fine. Did STD tests, not herpes.  All  was negative.  After 3 weeks of exposure, I had these:

• Fingers begin to crack and bleed, very slow to heal, but I must say that I was washing hands 6-8 times a day with antibacterial soap.  
• Inner and back of thighs had burning feeling,
• Legs/feet felt cold
• Overall tried
• Pain behind scrotum

Had IgG blood test (not type specific, I live in Canada) at 11 weeks -  negative.  My FP insists that my symptoms are anxiety and I’m fine.  5 months later I still have these  symptoms:

THESE ARE DAILY
• Cold sweaty feet during day – feel normal in bed
• Redness in genital area, scrotum, inside of thighs after AM shower

These symptoms ROTATE, come and go days apart and I never have all of these at the same time, 1 or 2
• Burning and sensitivity on inside and backside of thighs
• Pain backside of thighs
• Burning around buttocks
• Sweaty legs
• Occasional tingle in scrotum 5-10 sec at a time
• Buttock pain when sitting

I showed my FP 2 blisters on my inner thigh about 2 weeks ago, he said not to worry, there for 3 days, never scabbed, but sensitive to touch, no other blisters. I have seen many doctors at clinics locally; no one thinks any of this is herpes’ related.

My questions:
1. Should I have another blood test done?
2. Do my current symptoms sound like herpes or anxiety over this?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Last answer. As I've said before, the sypmptoms you describe, including the "rotating burning feeling", are not suggestive of herpes.  Rather than persisting is trying to prove this is herpes, I suggest you address this with your own doctor looking for other causes, perhaps which may be amplified by your apparent anxiety.


This ends this thread. EWH

[scooter1957]

Doc,  i've read where people can have herpes without have blisters, does that sound possible for me related to my symptoms, these rotating burning feeling in my thighs and now my lower back don't seem to be going away,  any other advice???

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The symptoms of genital herpes are highly variable however the classical presentation is the appearance of small blisters filled with clear fluid (these are called vesicles) 4-14 days after sexual contact. There is often discomfort (mild to severe) associated with the lesions.  EWH

[scooter1957]

to help me understand, if my symptoms are not pointing to herpes, i thought that some were, what are the tell tell symptoms of herpes that can take away the guessing??  thanks again, this is my last question of my original question.  Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to help. EWH

[scooter1957]

Thanks again Doc.  I'm feeling better already.  You have been a great help.  Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The symptoms you report are not suggestive of herpes.  Further the near continuous nature of your symptoms over time is also not consistent with HSV. EWH

[scooter1957]

Doc, one more question about your response, when you say the "SYMPTOMS AND TIME COURSE" do not fit.  What exactly do you mean???    Thanks again.

[scooter1957]

Thanks Doc,  I have a follow up with my family DR on Friday, I think I can start mentally letting this thing go and move on.  it really has comsumed me.  Thanks for your professional advice and opinion.  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our forum. I've read through you post, as well as the numerous interactions you've had on the HSV Community site.  My sense is that this is not herpes- the test is negative, you have been seen by numerous doctors who do not feel herpes is the problem, the symptoms and time course do not fit.  My suspicion is that there may be an underlying dermatological problem going on here but it is not herpes infection.

I see no need for further HSV testing.

I do think you anxiety is part of the problem.  Whether or not it is the entire problem is harder to say.

Not much more to say.  Sorry.  EWH