icetrails
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Posts posted by icetrails
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For context, I am a transgender man. I started having a genital rash over a month ago, and when I first went to the doctor, they thought it didn't look like herpes. They swabbed the rash and it came back positive for HSV-1.
Even after taking a course of acyclovir, I was still having a lot of irritation for several weeks. I followed up with a dermatologist, who said that the bumps I was noticing were normal, and that it was more likely a yeast infection. She sent me home with an anti-fungal cream, which did seem to help.
My symptoms went away, so my partner and I had sex for the first time in several weeks. The day after, I was itchy and irritated again.
I went to a naturopathic doctor who was recommended to me (I have other health concerns I was needing advice with) and she confirmed that I had a yeast infection, not an HSV outbreak. She recommended that at some point, I do a blood test for herpes to confirm my result.
I did some reading online, and it sounds like the swab test is more likely to give an accurate positive result than the blood test. So I'm wondering, what's the point in getting a blood test done? If my swab test was positive, is there any reason to suspect I might have had a yeast infection, and not an HSV outbreak, all along?
I recognize that part of me was excited about the suggestion that I might not actually have herpes, more so for navigating sexual encounters than anything else. Clearly, there is a lot of stigma surrounding herpes. But I've also gotten to a place of feeling pretty comfortable with my status, and don't want to "undo" that by getting my hopes up that the positive test might have been wrong.
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21 minutes ago, Flowerteacher55 said:
Hello!
No apologies needed for posting, EVER! Your questions not only help you get answers, but so many others could have the same question!
I'm sorry to hear your sores still haven't cleared up. Please know this isn't unusual for a first outbreak to linger or for it to leave different-colored skin marks where sores were (this is just new skin growth!). You said the outbreak is lasting 4 weeks-- do you mean new sores are popping up, or the original sores are just taking a super long time to heal? Also, have the cream/supplement offered any relief?
I know it can be frustrating to wait for an outbreak to go away. However, you and your partner can still be intimate in other ways that just don't involve your outbreak area! Also, has your partner been tested for HSV?
It will all be alright. It's not your fault, and your partner should be accepting of that. Don't be mad at your body, since the body is working hard to adjust to H. Your body is for you, not against you, even though it may not seem like it.
Hang in there!! We are here for you! 🌻
That's helpful to hear about first outbreaks. I've been hearing that they're often the worst and can last quite a while, I just wish I knew how long to expect dealing with this!
I don't think I've been having new sores pop up, but not much has changed since I initially noticed the sores. They haven't gone away and they're still painful and itchy. I have a lot of small bumps, and then a couple of dark red spots on my skin that aren't raised.
The lidocaine cream gives me some temporary relief, but the discomfort comes back after a couple of hours. I haven't noticed anything yet with the supplements, but I just started them yesterday!
My partner has not been tested for HSV. His doctor told him that because he's never had symptoms, it wouldn't be super informative to test him. It's his decision ultimately, but he might try to get tested with a different doctor. We're just assuming he doesn't have it at the moment.
Thank you for your kind words and knowledge!
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Sorry to have made so many forum posts lately, but since getting my diagnosis this has been one of the only places to hear about other people's experiences! So much of the info out there is confusing and contradictory.
So my question is: how long was your first outbreak?
I recently found out I have genital HSV-1, and this outbreak has been going on for 4 weeks. It's not unbearable or anything, but psychologically it's driving me up the wall. I want to be able to have sex with my partner again! He's very understanding and patient, but both of us are eager to be done with all this.
Most of the info I've seen says outbreaks usually last up to 2 weeks. If I'm already over that timeframe, when can I expect to start feeling normal again?!
Also, what can I do to speed up the healing process? I was put on 5 days of Prednisone, which seemed to help a little but not eliminate the sores. I've started taking a lysine supplement and use a topical lidocaine cream for the discomfort.
This has just been such a frustrating roadblock. Everyone I've spoken to has been supportive, letting me know it's "not a big deal!" But it sure feels debilitating.
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2 hours ago, Flowerteacher55 said:
Hi!!!
Thank you so much for the update! It's great to know that Prednisone is prescribed for skin rashes such as HSV. Thank you for sharing this!
It's awesome you are seeing improvement! Hooray!
Sending healing vibes your way 🌻!
I feel much more at ease having checked in with another doctor! This is all new to me 🙂
Thank you for the healing wishes, I hope you're doing well!
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Hello! I wanted to update in case anyone else encounters a similar situation.
I followed up with a second doc, who told me they prescribe Prednisone for skin rashes including herpes. They told me that the short course of 5 days should not impact my immune system, and to continue using it for the 5 days. They also said I might not see improvement until after 5 days is up, but to come back in if it's not getting better.
I have started to see some improvement! There's less redness and discomfort in the area of the outbreak. Now it's mostly mild itching and the bumps are still there. It's not totally healed, but I think getting better. I'll continue taking the medication and see how things are after I'm done with it!
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1 hour ago, Flowerteacher55 said:
Hi!
I hope you are doing well!
This is a great question.
Prednisone is a steroid medication that reduces the body's inflammatory response. So, this means your immune system is lowered. This basically means you are more vulnerable to contracting germs and viruses.
Prednisone is usually prescribed for illnesses such as Lyme Disease (several people in my family have it). Prednisone does have some unpleasant side effects, such as lowered immune system response, but it can also make you irritable and have extreme mood changes (since it's a steroid).
If you don't need to take this medicine, I don't think you necessarily should. I understand that the doctor is trying to help you not have pain and inflammation, but I am not sure if you would really benefit from this medication, since you have to actually wean yourself off the medicine (you're prescription will say it) so you don't have withdraw.
I hope this helps! If you have any concerns or hesitations, I would call another doctor and ask if you really need to take this medicine.
Blessings!
Thank you, I hope you're doing well too!
These are reasons I'm definitely skeptical of this medication, and I'm grateful that you know even more about it than what I've read! It doesn't sound like something to use without necessity.
I'm going to continue taking it as prescribed today (so that I don't throw anything off if I need to continue), but follow up with another doctor tomorrow and see if they agree with the recommendation. I definitely don't want to be on medications I don't need, especially with all these risks!
They told me to take it for 5 days, so I'm not sure if that's enough time to become dependent on it and go through withdrawal. I'll ask about it tomorrow!
Thank you!!
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8 minutes ago, panosM. said:
Good evening, this is the first time I hear about this medicine !!!!!!
That's why it concerns me a bit, I haven't read much about people using it! I want to trust the doctor I saw, but also make informed choices.
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Hi everyone, thank you for your welcome into this community a few days ago.
I recently found out I have genital HSV-1. By the time I got a doctor's appointment, the outbreak had been going on for two weeks. They told me antivirals would not help at this point.
They told me to come back in if I was continuing to have symptoms. I was, so I went in again. The doctor prescribed me Prednisone, a steroid that is supposed to treat inflammation. Doing some reading about it makes it seem like there are considerable risks to using this medication.
Has anyone else used Prednisone for a long herpes outbreak? Was it helpful?
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@Flowerteacher55 Thank you for your kind response!
It's really comforting to know that someone else my age has been in a similar situation and is doing well (I hope!). I know many people who have oral HSV-1, and they have been very supportive so far. I know it's just stigma, but I feel somehow worse having GHSV-1. I think that's something I'll have to process and let go of.
Being trans has also been a complicating factor, and I was very fearful of going to see a doctor because of past negative experiences with health care providers. The doctor I saw who initially ran tests for me was great, and didn't make me feel weird about being trans, it was just the follow-up that was lacking!
Thank you for your answers to those questions! I imagine I'll continue to learn a lot about what this diagnosis means. I'm pretty perplexed about how I got it, especially if my current partner tests negative (he's getting a test soon). I guess it's not going to be all that helpful to dwell on how I got it, since so many people have no idea they have herpes.
Thank you again for your response! It really helps to know there are other people out there, especially people my own age, who are living with HSV and living full healthy lives.
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Hi all. I'm very new to this! I was diagnosed with HSV-1 a couple of days ago. I'm a 22 year old male college student. I would appreciate having someone to chat with, maybe over messages at first. I don't have any preferences about gender, but it would be extra helpful to chat with another trans person with herpes if there's anyone out there. Location doesn't matter. I don't know that I'm in a position to give support yet, though I am totally willing to listen and give empathy. Needing help processing this news and feeling less alone.
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I tested positive for HSV-1 a couple of days ago, and the experience was really bewildering. I went to the doctor for a genital rash, but the doctor told me she would be very surprised if it was herpes because it didn't look severe enough. The next day I got my positive result for HSV-1.
They emailed me a PDF of my results with a short message that said starting antiviral medication now wouldn't be helpful. That's it! No other information, no way to get answers, no recognition of how difficult that would be to hear.
I made a second appointment to ask more of my questions, especially about how I can have safe sex with my partner. I was a bit frustrated, because I really had to keep asking these specific questions and the doctor seemed annoyed. It felt like I was being shamed for asking specific questions about my sex life. How else was I going to figure out what to do if my medical provider doesn't share any info about what this diagnosis means?
I'm just feeling alone and sad. I think about how difficult my future dating life will probably be, especially as a trans man. It feels like things like this, being trans and now having herpes, are barriers that will keep people from ever wanting to be with me. The pool of people who would date a trans person is already small 😞
I have some other questions about genital HSV-1 and I'm hopeful that some of you might have answers!
Can you get genital HSV-1 without sexual contact? Is it always from oral sex with someone who has HSV-1?
Do I need to disclose before kissing anyone? (If I never have cold sores?) I will of course if I can transmit it that way, so I want to know the level of risk. It makes me sad to think that it will ruin moments of spontaneity 😕
Who do I need to disclose to in my life? I obviously shared this with my partner and I've told a couple of trusted friends, but I don't feel ready to tell my family.
I've heard that genital HSV-1 is harder to transmit than other versions of the virus. Is that true?
Can someone with genital HSV-1 receive oral sex?
How do you start feeling more comfortable and less fearful with sex again, if your partner is on board?
Thank you in advance ❤️
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Swab test vs. blood test?
in Herpes question(s)
Posted
Sorry, I didn't see this right away! To answer your questions, when I first had the outbreak, I started to notice raised bumps that I thought were sores, but it sounds more likely that they were normal bumps that got irritated (maybe from yeast and/or HSV?). The dermatologist and naturopath both looked at the bumps I was noticing and said they were normal but inflamed (not herpes sores). The dermatologist told me it's possible that I won't ever have an outbreak with sores, since some people don't. This leads me to wonder whether I had an outbreak at all, or if it was yeast the whole time? But from my understanding, you have to be having an outbreak to have a positive swab test. Do you know if that's accurate?
Neither the prednisone nor the antivirals made much difference with my irritation. The dermatologist sent me off with an anti-fungal cream that's been helping. I'm now on round two of fluconazole while also using the anti-fungal cream. I noticed a big improvement with the first dose, but I think I messed it up by accidentally eating some sugar.
Thanks for your help!