Could these be herpes outbreak symptoms? First herpes outbreak....?

[chrymar]

Hello all. I have been reading through this amazing forum and need some of your great insight.

 

I had one instance of unprotected (dumb) sex with one person in the past 3 years. ONLY PARTNER in 3 years. This encounter was 9 weeks ago. One day after this encounter, I came down with what felt was a cold. No fever but mostly cough, sore throat and sinus issues. I went to a doctor the following week and was given a z-pack and felt better within a few days. Fast forward three weeks from encounter and I began to have an intense burn around my anus and a bit in my vagina (sorry for detail). I went to see my OB in case I had been exposed to anything and he did a test for UTI, chlamydia and gonorrhea and he informed me that I had a UTI, even though I didnt have any UTI feelings. I was treated with another antibiotic and an anti fungal cream but never felt any better or worse, just the same with the non stop burning. The burning went on for weeks. During this time I also went to Planned Parenthood so that I could have a more "professional" on the STI opinion. The doctor said that everything looked just fine and suggested that I avoid soaps, wear baggy clothes etc, which I had already been doing. She also took a basic panel but no checks for Herpes. Back to OB doctor as I am now burning for 3 weeks. He gives me another cream, this one also with a steroid. Again, no change. Finally, 6 weeks after encounter, my doctor agrees to do blood test for Herpes which I am now learning may be futile since not enough time has passed.

 

However, the results came back as:

HERPES SIMPLEX 1 AB IGG 0.91

0.00-0.90 index, HERPES SIMPLEX 2 AB IGG

0.91 0.00-0.90 index

 

The burning has calmed a great deal by this time in the vaginal area, but not in the anus. Also, I have begun noticing occasional red pimple like bumps on my butt cheeks that are only there for a day or so. This could be from working out and wearing tight pants and sweating. I just never have noticed in the past if this happens after workout as I am not used to constantly checking my butt in the mirror. But STILL no "lesions" or groups of liquid filled bumps of any type. Two days ago, I noticed swelling to the left of my left labia. Not really where the lymph nodes are, but just very swollen and tender. Finally, today I went to see a dermatologist. Now at almost 8 1/2 weeks past from encounter. OF COURSE no bumps today on butt cheeks but very irritated anus. Burning very badly. Derm says nothing looks wrong at all and suggests that I wait until 6 months from the encounter and get another blood test.

 

UUUGGGHH! So on side note, I eat clean, almost complete gluten free, no dairy etc. No known allergies. Does this sound like it could be some sort of VERY long first OB that just doesnt have the blisters? Has anyone experienced burning and sore anus as a result of an outbreak that goes on and on for weeks? Would the Western Blot show if I had been exposed earlier than the 12 to 16 weeks timeframe? I read through this forum for hours yesterday to see if anyone names these issues as OB symptoms but didnt see this as being a major issue. HELP!!!!

[WCSDancer2010]

@chrymar

 

Welcome!

 

I don't know how you didn't see anyone with the same symptoms on here... I answer this exact type of question many times every week. :p

 

It certainly sound suspiciously like Herpes. And the Dr's are right to not test yet as you need time to build up the antibodies. The Western Blot can't be done any earlier - it's just more accurate for helping with people who have inconclusive results from the IGG tests. If you get a true blister, get over to the Dr's ASAP to see if they can get a good swab catch....that's the only reliable way to diagnose at this point.

 

Did they not put you on Valtrex/Acyclovir to see if it helps? Also, try going commando and taking Epsom Salts baths (dump a couple handfuls right in the area so it's concentrated) to help it dry out. It's good that you already eat healthy...just be careful of nuts, chocolate, and alcohol as they can set things off for some people.

 

The first OB is usually the worst. Sometimes you just have to ride things out and Herpes can be one of those things. If it gets really bad, see if the Dr can give you lidocain cream to numb the area....

 

 

(((HUGS))) - It WILL get better....promise :)

[chrymar]

Thank you SO much for you response WCSDancer! No...there were no scripts given as each doctor was convinced that it was NOT herpes and each actually stated that I was overthinking things...even being paranoid. :(

 

So it is not unusual to have rectum burning as the the primary symptom that continues for over a solid month now? I am constantly looking for blisters. We are talking multiple times a day, upside down in the mirror with a flashlight.

 

Thank you again. I swear I feel the pain of all of those who are so uncertain. Unbelievable!!!

[WCSDancer2010]

Sorry you are having such a hard time of it. I would go to your OBGYN and ask them to humor you and give you a one month script of Valtrex to see if it helps ... it won't hurt you (it won't activate without the presence of the virus so you would just excrete it if you are H-) and if your symptoms subside, go back at the 4-6 month period and ask for the blood test... and if it comes up H+, I'd go to all the Dr's who poo-poo'd you and show it to them. :p

 

Sometimes you have to demand that they do something - I had some weird pain in a finger joint once.. I thought it was Lyme because I hadn't injured it...Dr tried to brush it off as arthritis from an old injury. I convinced him to do the test anyway and it came back a high + for a very recent tick bite.

 

Unfortunately, without a blister you will have to wait out the 4 month period ... try the things I mentioned and hopefully that will help a bit

 

(((HUGS)))

[chrymar]

You are amazing! Thank you for the suggestions...even if I end up H- this support is an amazing and supportive forum.

[chrymar]

Hi there,

Wanted to update on this to see if there may be any more insight. I went back to dermatologist as the ridiculous burning has continued. I am currently at 13 weeks so as according to all of the testing suggestions using HerpeSelect etc I thought I would give another go. Dermatologist sent me to the lab for test which should come back on Monday. Also, she gave a script for Valtrex 500 mg that was a three day run twice a day. I have just taken the last pill but there has been NO change, no improvement and I am still just as miserable. The only other "possible symptom" has been red pimple like bumps on my butt cheeks and in the crease of my butt/thigh. They look like pimple, are pretty sore to touch for a few hours but seem to disappear within a day or so. What the heck is going on?

 

My questions are:

Would the Valtrex have helped if this was H?

If my blood text comes back again negative at 13 weeks post contact what should I do for testing at that point??

 

This is SOOOO annoying!! I am most annoyed that none of the docs I have been to seem to know a thing!! I have literally been screwed up "down there" for over three months NON stop!! I have seen a few posts such as the guy who was questioning nerve damage that I can totally relate to. I feel like if it IS H i WANT to have some dang blisters just so I would be more sure of what is happening! AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

[WCSDancer2010]

Sorry you are still suffering with this. What did the Dr think it might be? I would actually suggest you work with an OBGYN if you are sure it's Herpes. The script that the Dermatologist gave you was pretty short ... but I would have thought that it would have at least put a dent in the symptoms if it was Herpes.

 

13 weeks is still a little early so you could well have inconclusive results. It could well be a yeast infection or Chlamydia or a myriad of other things as well ... I would really suggest you go to an OBGYN or Planned Parenthood once you get the results back ... this is really more their area of expertise than a dermatologist ;)

 

(((HUGS)))

[chrymar]

well here we go...the next step in this journey is that i have now been sent to a neurologist and just had an mri to see if this is some sort of "nerve" pain/symptoms as the 13 week Herpeselect were also at less than .91 hgg for both hsv 1 and 2. i plan to be tested AGAIN after the 16 week mark at which time i will go back to planned parenthood with these continued symptoms. i am just dumbfounded that the docs (OBGYN, GP 2 different ones, dermatologist and planned parenthood) can not figure out what is going on and if it IS H???

 

i must also mention @wcsdancer thank you for your insight. i appreciate your responses!! i have been tested for all other sti's, yeast as well as allergies and have had negative results. SOOOOOOO FRUSTERATED!!!!!

 

i am just going to put the ongoing symptoms out there again...very sensitive skin in vaginal/anal areas. almost constant burning of anus. no blisters or rash. occasional "pimples" on butt that are gone within a day (i have tried to get in to doc when one is present only for it to be gone by the time i see doctor) but they are usually pretty tender although this could be a result of the highly sensitive skin in general?

[katie]

THanks for posting on mine....thought I would read yours. My symptoms are very similar to yours but my pimples are not painful at all, I get pain in the area its going to come then it itches like crazy and pop, there comes the pimple soon after. None on my outer labia (I could have some in the cervix....don't know). I do have anal and vaginal burning. But its not constant...it comes and goes. The intensity of it has decreased significantly from when I first felt I had my primary outbreak. Anyway, I feel for you and I too pray for blisters so I can just get damn diagnosed already!!! But then I hear the stories of how painful they are for people and I rethink. Will be sure to follow your story. BIg hug