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HSV symptoms? Burning/itching

Last April, I developed a burning sensation on my vagina, mostly the interior lips and vaginal opening. I cannot place the feel exactly... It's kind of like an icy hot burn, sometimes itchy feeling. This occured right after my period and probably lasted a week or two. The doctor wrote it off as BV. Since then, I would often (almost daily) feel strange vibrating or crawling sensations go through my vagina lips randomly. Just after one of my periods the burning sensation returned with redness and itchiness around my anus too. I went to the doctor and upon examination my doctor wrote it off as "probably just a yeast infection" even though I told her I was concerned it could be herpes. She assured me that it seemed nothing like herpes and sent me off with a topical cream. The feeling probably lasted for a couple weeks but I still kind of felt mild itching. Then, I had sex with my boyfriend last week and the burning feeling has returned. Its odd because it feels like it alternates between burning and itching and seems to change locations. I have an appointment with my obgyn later today. I just really fear it's herpes... I know that burning can be the only sign of herpes, but how long would just burning/itching itself last?? I'm really scared and know I have to get a test if I'm ever going to know for sure.
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Avatar universal
A related discussion, Herpes was started.
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A related discussion, HSV Testing Window Periods was started.
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A related discussion, Prodome only? was started.
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10631555 tn?1414620968
A related discussion, I was diagnosed with herpes was started.
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A related discussion, Burning $ itching was started.
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55646 tn?1263660809
Great news, good that you got tested to reassure yourself.

Terri
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Avatar universal
I tested negative!!! Thank you!!
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55646 tn?1263660809
All that you say is possible, but that doesn't help you sort out anything, unfortunately.  And once again, I would say that if you are worried about whether you have herpes or not to test and find out.

Terri
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Avatar universal
Than you for your input and guidance. Obviously, there is no way for you to diagnose me over the Internet and only my test results will relieve or support my concerns, but I just feel very confused in the meantime. The burning is around my vaginal opening and labia minora then I have itching around my anus and clitorus off an on... The feeling is not consistent throughout the day. Sometimes I feel it. Sometimes I don't. Sometimes I'm not even sure if I'm really itchy or burning at all and if I'm just imagining it. Is this consistent with mild herpes? I know that you said this wouldn't likely be going on for such a length of time (this time around since the beginning of  Oct after my negative HIV test fueled my new herpes obsession), but now I wonder if the itching did stop briefly and then returned.. I just keep reading contradicting statements and have become so confused... I read herpes can cause only itching or burning but never lesions. Wouldn't my symptoms be consistent with that profile? Sorry I posted such a long post. I will look outside the Internet after this last question. Thank you for all you do.

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55646 tn?1263660809
Yes, coming off birth control pills can definitely change the vaginal flora and create issues that you might not have had before.  

Terri
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Avatar universal
Also was on my SSRIs for 10 years so I am really trying to relearn and get used to my body again...

Also, I have been on and off birth control a few times this year. In retrospect, the burning/itching episodes have occured each time after stopping my BCPs. Is it likely that the hormone changes have made me more vulnerable to a yeast over growth?
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Avatar universal
Yes, I stopped suddenly. It's been at least 9 months but I still get them through my legs, genitals and buttocks. I also get a lot of body chills. I didn't really even think herpes but these sensations made me think that's the "tingling" prodomes people get... I think I read into it all wrong.
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55646 tn?1263660809
Did you stop your SSRIs suddenly or did you taper?  A commonly seen side effect of stopping the SSRIs suddenly are what people describe as electrical current feelings it their bodies.  Is it anything like that?
Terri
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Avatar universal
Also, I just started my period.  I'm not sure how long this has been going on but I often feel the burning increase inside my vagina and at its opening during and around the time of my period.
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Avatar universal
Also, I just started my period.  I'm not sure how long this has been going on but I often feel the burning increase inside my vagina and at its opening during and around the time of my period.
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Avatar universal
I have a yeast infection that my previous doctor failed to treat. I took a pill last night. Hope it goes away soon. The part that scares me is the weord tingling or crawling vaginal sensations that travel through my vagina lips and sometimes buttocks. It seems to happen when I feel a lot of anxiety? And developed around the time I discontinued my SSRIs... I don't know what it is... But it comes and goes multiple times throughout the day most days
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55646 tn?1263660809
Actually, your symptoms don't sound like herpes to me either.  The persistent nature of things - itching and burning over fairly long periods of time is not really consistent with genital herpes.  However, it does sound to me like you need a more complete workup of the genital tract to sort out what's going on.  but no, to me, it doesn't sound like herpes.

Having said that, I do recommend that people get tested for STI's of all kind when they are having genital symptoms, and that includes herpes, as a matter of routine.  

Let me know how your doctor's appointment went, OK?

Terri
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