Bloomer

Ask for testing just to see is there something else going on. Cytomegalovirus which is also in herpes group of viruses can cause all plethora of symptoms including nerve issues. So if you have few active infections this can really throw you out of balance. In order to calm down things you first need to reduce viral activity and then take supplements for calming nerve system and improving nerve health. I know this is stupid question but did you ever try takind standard antivirals? I did but acyclovir does nothing for me.

Unfortunately every vaccine has an impact on our immune system which becomes really busy for some time after vaccination and then HSV probably uses that opportunity to reactivate. I'm a strong believer that your symptoms will lessen but unfortunately it will take some time in order for nerve pain calm down. I've heard about LDN but wasn't able to find a doctor who is willing to prescribe it. Did you try it? I've read mixed reviews about it. And one more question...have you ever been tested for all neurotropic viruses?

@Flowerteacher55 yes, there are different strains of HSV 1 and HSV 2. There are around 50 strains of HSV 1 and as @Seeker1960 already pointed some of them are more neuroinvasive than others. Like other viruses, HSV mutates too and as a result you have several different strains of HSV 1 or 2. @Seeker1960you raised an interesting question. I never thougt about this before. I tried to find some scientific research about this and couldn't find any. In my opinion your partner should be protected from getting infected genitally if your partner is immunocompetent. The most important thing is that HSV 1 sheds really rarely and it's rarely transmitted by genital intercourse.

No, CT scan is not suitable for detecting hernias. During hernia exam you need to be standing and than doctor manually checks your lower abdomen. While he palpates your abdomen he will tell you to cough or strain. After manually checking, doctor will do an ultrasound of your lower abdomen to confirm diagnosis. If you can afford please do the Westernblot testing. This test is much more accurate then standard blood test and will give you better perspective of what is going on.

Yeah, she will probably tell you that your symptoms are not hsv related but she can provide you info how to get Westernblot testing. Have you been checked for groin hernia? Exam has to be done by surgeon who is well trained in recognizing hernias. Exam is done by palpating your lower abdomen. Groin hernias can cause pelvic floor muscle dysfunction which can produce all kind of symptoms.

Do you have a history of cold sores? Was oral sex involved? Sorry if I ask too much. Anxiety can put a havoc on our body and produce all kind of symptoms. For example it can have influence on our muscles because sometimes people will clench muscles during anxiety attacks. Your muscles than become tight, then tight muscles irritate nerves and viscious circle begins. I am not telling that this is causing your symptoms but it's worth considering. Does your nerve pain become much stronger after physical activities? Is your nerve pain constant or irregular? I don't know can you contact Terri Warren? She will provide you an information where and how to obtain Westernblot.

Hey @RudiK! Most people who are infected with HSV will be positive by 12 week mark. Some will need more time and those are usually people who are immunocompromised. Unfortunately some people who are infected will never test positive on standard blood tests even if they take Westernblot. Standard blood tests miss 25 percent of HSV 1 infections and around 8 percent of HSV 2 infections. Please can you write again what are your symptoms exactly? What made you think that you have hsv and what was your exposure if I may ask? So sorry for your situation. I know it is hard to get proper diagnosis if you don't have classical presentation of hsv infection. We need better tests and better treatments for this infection.

I am so sorry @Seeker1960. Altough medical community likes to say that hsv is just skin condition, this is simply not true. Hsv is nerve condition as I like to say. It infects nerves, it uses neural pathways to replicate etc. Your nerve pain will subside for sure after some time. Did you ever use anticonsulvants or antidepressants to treat nerve pain? I was considering that option but I was a little bit reluctant since I have highly demanding job so I was afraid how would those type of meds affect my abillity to work.

@Seeker1960 I had similar experience but after contracting covid. I had my nerve pain under control and then I got covid and after few days of infection I started to have extreme nerve pain which I usually have thanks to HSV. Coronavirus and HSV are both neurotropic viruses and can really mess our cns. Worsening of nerve pain lasted for almost a year and a half and then subsided to baseline and I hope you will have quicker resolution of nerve pain.

@Gemini 444 check your thyroid if you can just to be sure. Thyroid issues can really mess everything in your body and can have influence on outbreak frequency. @Seeker1960 I forgot to add glutathione on list of alternative treatments for treating nerve pain but important thing is that it has to be taken through infusions. It's useless when taken orally. In Europe glutathione infusions are used for treating diabetic neuropathy or neuropathy related to chemotherapy. Lions mane is apparently potent antiviral so it is worth trying.

Hello @Gemini 444! Unfortunately for some people it gets worse over time, not better. And I am reading more and more stories about antivirals not working. I am in same position, acyclovir does nothing for me. Did you try alternative route? I had success with taking native propolis and St John wort. Lot of hsv positive people claim they had success with red reishi mushroom and lions mane. Maybe taking vitamin infusions? Ozone therapy? I know two persons who had great success with ozone therapy altough it is a bit pricey so it is not affordable for everyone. Did you check your thyroid? Vitamin D levels? This can also contribute to frequent outbreaks unfortunately. I understand desperation. This infection can sometimes be life consuming. For me it was life altering. I really hope you will find something that helps.

@Grace78how old are you if I may ask? If you are close to menopause, constant outbreaks could be due to hormonal changes. Or it could be that you have hsv strain that is resistant to standard antivirals. I think you can have test to see do you have acyclovir resistan strain if I remember correctly.

Hello @MaddieLynn! Did doctor take swab of your sores to see what type of HSV you have?

Hello RudiK! You should repeat your IgG testing at 12 weeks. Ask for type specific test. HSV can cause nerve pain without any lesions but lot of things can cause nerve pain. May I ask what your exposure was?

Unfortunately for some people hsv infection can be really hard to handle especially if nerve pain is involved. I agree we need better treatments for this infection. Standard antivirals are not helping everyone and for some they can make symptoms even worse. Please get your pelvic floor checked, maybe you will benefit from pelvic floor therapy.

If you are taking nerve pain meds this should help in a long run. First year or two are really difficult when it comes to dealing with hsv infection and it takes time for body to adapt. In this period you will probably have more outbreaks and nerve pain. Since hsv uses nerves to replicate simetimes this process can cause irritation of nerves which than irritates pelvic muscles and they go into spasm and you end up with pelvic floor dysfunction which then causes pain. Do you have possibility to get you pelvic floor checked? I know some members who developed pelvic floor dysfunction due to hsv infection so it is worth checking your pelvic floor. Those members had pelvic floor therapy and their pain dissapeared. Try taking immune support supplements and supplements for nerve health like vitamin B12, liposomal vitamin C. magnesium glycinate, turmeric which reduces inflammation etc. As for valtrex, it can cause neuropathy symptoms at some people or make neuropathy symptoms worse so if you continue to have nerve pain you can try to stop taking it for several days and see what happens. I am so sorry for your pain, nerve pain is really hard to deal with and it effects every aspect of life. It will get better, you need to take care for yourself and your health and be good to yourself.

Unfortunately some people do get nerve pain before, during or after outbreak. You are probably experiencing post herpetic neuralgia. HSV uses nerves and neural pathways to replicate and this can irritate and inflame nerves and then you get neuralgia or neuropathy. HSV is nerve condition, it is not skin condition as people often like to say. I developed neuralgia due to HSV infection and almost constantly feel nerve pain even without outbreaks but I am rare case. Most people recover from nerve pain and with time get better. Are you taking valtrex regulary? I am asking because for some people, valtrex can produce neuralgia/neuropathy symptoms. Take care!

Thank you both for your replies. 🙂 I am so consumed by this fear that I am not able to enjoy these first days with my precoius baby. I didn't have this fear until I became mother. I am trying to focus on facts but it's hard. I was reading about neonatal herpes and how it is deadly and after that I become paralyzed with fear. @Trueheartit is really comforting to hear yohr daughters are healthy and never contracted this horrible virus. I had really hard time with hsv infection even though I am immunocompetent and this is one of the reasons I am even more afraid for my baby. Thank you for your support! @Flowerteacher55 thank you for providing those links. You are always helpful and first to answer. I think I am getting herpes OCD but it is hard to find therapist specializing in OCD here where I live.

I recently gave birth via c section and everything went well. Since childbirth I developed strong fear that me or my husband will somehow infect baby with hsv. I am washing hands constantly (my skin on hands is cracked) but I am afraid that me or my husband will not wash hands well enough after using bathroom and then infect baby while changing diapers for example. My husband doesn't seem concerned about transmission and thinks I am overreacting. He found some article where is stated that newborn gets mothers antibodies which protects newborn for the first few months of life. If that is true why are babies infected during childbirth for example?

@RodRod hello and welcome! Did you see results of your tests? What kind of test did they use? Combined or type specific? Did you ever have some kind of lesions on your genitals or buttocks or thighs? For how long are you having nerve pain? Is it constant or you get nerve pain from time to time? Don't be disheartened by your diagnosis. I know it is really hard at the beginning but believe me with time you will accept your diagnosis. At first it's shock and devastating experience but with time you will learn to handle it and I promise you that it's not the end of the world Did your primary doctor offer you antivirals?

@Tiredmommaj hey! I am so glad you are finally seeing some improvement. I was reading a lot about ozone treatment but it was hard to find clinic or doctor here where I live who is providing ozone therapy. By the time I found one, I became pregnant so I was very catious and decided to wait until I give birth. As for IV vitamin infusions, I was already recommending them to some members here because they are much more efficient than taking supplements orally. What supplements did your naturopath recommends for HSV if I may ask? Those on picture? Good luck! I hope you will continue to improve. 😊😊😊

Have you been checked for groin hernia? Hernias can produce symptoms like yours.

I wiI try to find that article and send you a link but maybe @Flowerteacher55has something in her archive. 😃 I remember reading about how woman usually have much more trouble with HSV (more outbreaks etc) probably due to hormonal changes (menstruation, pregnancy, menopause). As soon as I find article, I will send it to you. No worry!

Yeah, unfortunately women usually have much more trouble with HSV than men do. I think it's a myth that usually with time things get better with HSV. Yes, it gets better for some but for some people it gets worse. IBS probably has part in worsening of your condition. It is good you are trying to put it under control. Is lysine helping you? Did you try glutamine or native propolis maybe? Also, can you try vaginal probiotics? I ask because some women who had worsening of their hsv infection during menopause told me that vaginal probiotics were really helpful.

Yes, I agree. We are all different and some people need more time to develop antibodies. Some never develop, this was case with me. I have HSV for 20 years and still testing negative through blood tests. Luckily I had two positive PCR swabs of sores so I was able to get proper diagnosis. Also test can be wrong too and from what I have read, standard blood tests miss around 25 percent of HSV 1 infections and 8 percent of HSV 2 infections. Western blot tests are much more reliable but can also miss some cases.