How long will I have the sachral nerve stunage?

[scaredgirl3]

Hi - quick story - I got Herpes 2 from a one-time encounter (mid-September) with my ex-husband (he took a chance & now we are both paying!)  I had a pretty severe outbreak with lesions on my cervix, etc.  It got worse & I had to be cathed carrying a leg bag & then I was taught to self-cath.  I've had an MRI of my lumbar region & a nerve conduction test done - all is okay there I guess.  My symptoms have just been severe.  I finally urinated on my own (but still needed some kind of suppository to have a bowel movement).  I am better now in that I can defecate & urinate on my own, but I still have the numbness - some days it seems to subside, but how long does this last?  It is mostly in my buttock area - a little numb in my vagina - still just doesn't feel the same.  I started w/the bladder retention on 10/4/06 - I also take a maintenance dose of valtrex (after the 10 day treatment), a multivitamin, vitamin E, 500 mg of lysine, 2 green tea supplements, calcium supplement and 50 mg of zoloft.  Am I overdoing it?  Do any of these contradict each other? I have also heard that baths with epsom salts keeps the virus at bay.  I was told by my GP that I was one of the 2% that gets the sachral nerve stunnage - my gynocologist didn't even know about it!  I have also heard that if you get a very severe breakout, I might not have another one - is that true?  I have been using a condom, but I think it irritates me due to chafing - can I get an outbreak from chafing?  I don't know what to do - sex isn't very enjoyable - I notice it takes me a long time to achieve an orgasm and even that isn't the same.  I know I asked alot of questions, but I can't seem to find valid answers anywhere & you are my last hope!  Anyway, any help from you would be greatly appreciated.

[firsttimer123]

A related discussion, Same symtoms was started.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Don't let MWLTR's comments frighten you.  Nerve damage of the sort s/he describes is a completely different thing than herpetic neuropathy.  You can expect your symptoms to completely clear up over time.

HHH, MD

[MLWTR]

I can't speak to the particular cause of the nerve pain you suffered, but I wouldn't give up hope yet. I had an injection of Novocain that by chance traumatized a nerve during dental work and caused paresthesias (pins and needles sensation) in my tongue. The symptoms were still there a month later, although considerably less severe, and took two months to fully resolve. I've also had nerve damage in the arms from a sports injury, and continued to see improvement over at least six months. Generally speaking, if nerve pain has been with you for over a year, it's unlikely to resolve, but you are a long way from that point. I bet you will continue to improve. Good luck.

[monkeyflower]

You might also ask your doctor about amitriptyline and Neurontin, since both have been shown to be effective in treating neuropathy. Some later studies seemed to show that Neurontin's effectiveness was a little overstated, but it does work for some people.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The term for your neurological condition is acute sacral neuropathy, complicating your primary HSV-2 infection.  Such neuropathies sometimes accompany initial HSV infections.  (I cannot vouch for your GP's estimate of 2%, but it sounds about right.)  Your case seems to have been more severe than most.  Still, to my knowledge acute herpetic neuropathy always clears up completely, but it might take a few more weeks.  If your neurological symptoms persist, however, ask for referral to a neurologist.

In the meantime, there is no reason for the multivitamin, vitamin E, lysine, or green tea salts.  Those are pure quackery with respect to herpes; you might as well sing to the moon for a cure.  Zoloft might help if you are depressed over all this, but won't directly affect your herpes or the neurological symptoms.  The only medication you are taking that will make any difference is the Valtrex--and that's only prevening herpes recurrences.  It is unlikely to speed healing of the sacral neuropathy.

Over 95% of people with an initial, symptomatic episode of HSV-2 infection have recurrent outbreaks.  Therefore, you can assume you will have recurrences.  The Valtrex will reduce their frequency and severity--but even on treatment, many people get occasional episodes.  (If that happens, don't assume that the Valtrex isn't working.  It is.)

Recurrent outbreaks always are less severe than the original infection; you will never again to through the sort of illness you have had.  And recurrences rarely are associated with neuropathy--although some people experience a "prodrome", a nerve-related tingling or discomfort for 1-3 days before the outbreak starts.  Chafing will not trigger an outbreak.  No known triggers have been identified for recurrent genital herpes; it just happens randomly.

You can find further answers about genital herpes from several sources.  Start with the American Social Health Association website (www.ashastd.org).  In addition to web information and printed materials, you can order a fantastic book on living with herpes; and you can phone ASHA for expert personal counseling.  The herpes information provided by CDC also is excellent (www.cdc.gov/std), and so is that provided by the Westover Heights Clinic of Portland, Oregon (www.westoverheights.com).

Good luck--  HHH, MD