"Genital" herpes is everywhere EXCEPT there!! Freaking out.

[denoyo]

Hello all. Background First. Problem second.... Apologizing in advance for how long this is...

 

I was diagnosed in April of this year. I had no symptoms, I just finally found out that I had never been tested before.

 

My ex-husband has had a history of cold sores and a mysterious "bump" that would scab over or disappear on his "member" (hahaha, I just wanted to use that word-romance novelists are funny) and I think in my happy-go-lucky ways, I just believed that it was a "dry patch". Looking, back, I laugh at my naivete.

 

I say I had no symptoms HOWEVER, I did have a new partner in February, and within a week, had what we thought was the worst case of strep throat ever known to man. I couldn't eat or sleep or move and had a high fever for a week before the antibiotics started working. Then I remained ill for 3 weeks. Then my right foot broke out in something shingles-looking along the side of my foot and ankle, along with the side of my right hand. This is when I started to wonder- maybe it isn't a strep throat. Maybe it was from this new partner. And my doctor didn't believe it was shingles, because I'm just 36.

 

Despite that, a DIFFERENT convenient care MD gave me Valtrex 1gm BIDx7days, because I asked him too. I was convinced I had shingles. For "peace of mind" he gave it to me. It cleared up w/in 2 days from my foot and from my hand. And I got better too, with the small bit of throat pain I had going on still.

 

Next was my yearly physical in April. I asked for the test in addition to the regular round of STD testing.

 

Fast forward to test result day. Negative for HSV1, Positive for HSV2. I was SORT OF surprised, but not shocked. Remember, I had always held some belief in the back of my head that my ex probably had given something to me, and that I was a dormant carrier. My doctor's nurse said, "Don't worry, you'll KNOW." when I asked how would I know if I was having a breakout.

 

Fast forward to my menstrual cycle in May. I developed a wierd little patch on my lower right thigh, near the back of my knee. I'd thought it was poison ivy or something. I called my Dr. because my best friend looked at it and said, "No, that's herpes. It can be ANYWHERE." My doctor DIDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS AN OUTBREAK. Said, NO-It will be in your vaginal, groin, or inner thigh areas only. Told me to go to Immediate Care!!!

 

THERE- another MD (these docs have worked over 20 & 30 years) said, "Um, no I don't think it is HSV2. But for your piece of mind, we'll do a viral culture." and also another Rx: This time for Valtrex 1000mg BIDx7d. It took the whole week to clear up.

 

NOW, end of June, my cycle is due any day and VOILA! 3 more bumps next to the patch behind my knee. And 2 days later (yesterday) the line along my right hand again. I went to Convenient Care again (knowing my MD will probably still deny it) and the doctor there took one look and said, "Absolutely. HSV2. It can be ANYWHERE. You are not going crazy, you are not imagining things. This is it. This is what it looks like." He was even kind enough to make me feel better by saying, "I have it too- around my mouth. Not now, obviously, but I do." That was SO NICE OF HIM to share that with me. This time I received Valtrex 1gm -2 pills Twice for 1 day. I just took the 2nd dose. He gave me FIVE refills because he knew I'm at a loss w/my current physician's attitude.

 

We looked up the viral culture that was done and sure enough- positive for Herpes Simplex blah blah blah.

 

SO....

 

I'm anxiety-prone with this. Because it's not in my genitalia (YET!!!) every time I get a bug bite, a PIMPLE, a scratch, a normal hey-I'm-skin-and-I-itch-sometimes spot. My ECZEMA acts up -which I've had my entire LIFE. I get a case of vaginosis or a yeast infection (also I've had those my ENTIRE LIFE).... My Tinnea Versicolor that I've been dealing with on my neck for 4 years now on and off.... When any of this happens- I FREAK OUT!!!

 

I'm at a loss. Nobody ever posts about having NON-genital breakouts. But that's ME!! I feel alone and very paranoid. I wipe everything down w/ Lysol Disinfectant Wipes to avoid passing it to my daughter unknowingly. I wash and disinfect my hands a million times a day. I use New-Skin liquid bandage on the spots and then cover/with Tagaderm. I put EXTRA (not unsafe though) levels of Chlorine and Bromine in the Hot Tub to protect her and others. I don't allow sharing of towels or eye makeup.

 

I'm terrified to pass it to my genital area on my own by accident. I'm terrified to use my contacts. I have to leave in 10 minutes for a contact lens fitting and eye exam and I have to disclose this to my physician because maybe he'll have insight. I'm wearing my glasses right now, obviously. I couldn't handle the anxiety of wearing the contacts I've had on for the last week. Actually,now that I think about it- I should throw those away and buy new cases too.

 

I started a ton of herbal supplements. I have tinctures and potions on the way through Amazon.

 

I'm just...

 

FREAKING OUT. PARANOID. ANXIETY.

 

HELP!!!

[WCSDancer2010]

I'm about to head out the door so I can't make this a long post but first..

 

BREATHE!!! You will be ok... promise. And so will your family.

 

Second ... you are FAR from alone - Herry the Herp and others on here DO have it and I know they will chime in.

 

Third ... odds are you got this on the skin area because of the excema ... people with excema are more prone to "Herpes Gladatorium" (herpes on the skin) because the skin is already prone to be weakened and open where the E is at. So your best bet at this point is to get to your dermatologist and get his recommendations about how to handle this with all the other skin issues you are having...

 

And finally, I would make copies of your diagnosis and send one with a letter to each of the doctors who poo-poo'd your request to check for H on those OB's and told you it couldn't be anywhere but the genitalia. Sadly many, many Dr's are well behind the times and you would be doing a service to others (and paying it forward) to make sure that they know that they need to brush up on their Herpes information ;)

 

Gotta go - the granddaughter awaits!!!! Will return to comment more later ;)

 

(((HUGS)))

[denoyo]

Thank you for responding... Unfortunately, my derm left where I was at and now I'm on IPA, so I think I'll have to switch doctors completely to find a new one that will understand my concerns.

 

I have decided I need to be on suppression therapy, due to the anxiety this is causing.

 

My Ophthalmologist was amazing about it today and made me feel a lot better. Also he was aware that now H manifests in anywhere and follows no rules. Sad that my EYE doctor is more aware than my actual general practitioner!!

 

Thanks for chiming in, hopefully someone else can chime in who has it manifest in the way that I do. I feel like this is so new- I'm just learning h ow it's affecting me going forward.

 

I hope you had a good time with your granddaughter :)

[WCSDancer2010]

Well an eye Dr will actually see enough of the Ocular Herpes to know about it ... so that's not surprising.

 

Sounds like suppression therapy is the way to go for you .... esp while your body is adjusting to dealing with the virus. Generally once it settles down you shouldn't have too much bother with it, but again, I'd get a Dermatologist on board given all your other issues ASAP ;)

 

I would also look into Diet/nutrition to see if you can control the Excema/other skin issues that way..... you'd be surprised at how many people can halt many of these things because one or two foods may be upsetting the balance in their body .... I'd check with a nutritionist to see what they say

 

 

Good luck!

[whitedaisies]

I have erythema multi forme from herpes virus which is like bumps all over the body as a reaction from virus. I never get fluid filled blisters. Just tiny bumps and big bites everywhere except vagina and anus. Lol. So I basically wear long sleeves and long pants all the time. I have kiddies too. I haven't seen a dermatologist yet but soon. I am on antivirals. Using teatree oil and oil of oregano on any outbreaks. I have eczema as well but not everywhere I have the bumps so I am stumped. Waiting to see a derm but I tell u it's frustrating so I feel for u.

 

I am scared to hold kids hands bc I get outbreaks on hands. It's hard. I am hoping to try another antiviral as valtrex is not stopping everything and it all acts up a week before my period. Fun. So it's once a month. Yay hormones! Seeing a natural path tomorrow so I will let u know what recommendations she has.

 

I worry about kids too. I just have decided I do my best. I don't wash them they r old enuff to wash themselves now.

 

So I can empathize with u but don't have any advice. Maybe tomorrow.

 

Hugs

[denoyo]

Thanks Whitedaisies for the input. I have noticed that my chest is itchy, although not breaking out into anything. Your symptoms are very enlightening. I just never knew there were so many variations to this virus.

 

Thank you and hope you had good luck at the path.

 

:)

[whitedaisies]

Went to the natural path. Took the whole hour just to tell her my story and symptoms and trust me my story may be in a movie someday. I am writing my book now and honestly No a list screenplay writer in Hollywood could come up with this stuff. Anyway I digress..... Going back next week and she will put me on some natural antivirals. I really hope it works. I feel like a walking virus. I have pains everywhere. I am sick and have my period now to boot so u can imagine what I feel like. Oh I am watching 5 kids at home today and have no voice. Lol.

 

Anyway. All the best to u.

[denoyo]

Just updating. So... on day 5 after the OB on hand and leg began, I finally viewed some tiny bumps in inner labial area.

 

I'm actually relieved. Being worried I would transfer the virus via hand was all-consuming. Now I don't have to obsess about it, it's there too.

 

I had to refill the Rx and have done 1gm twice daily for the last 2 days, things are looking better... Have an appointment tommorow to see my physician and I fully plan on chastising him for steering me the wrong way back when my leg broke out the first time in late June. Also for his nurse telling me that NO, the suspected strep could NOT have been my first outbreak because that would be oral and I'm positive for genital.

 

It's only in the name, folks, I'm proof of that.

 

Anyway, Whitedaisies, thank you for your input, I hope things start working for you. I am thankful I have no pain thus far, just the itching.

[whitedaisies]

Glad we found each other....lol....please feel free to personal message me to let me know what works for you; I am desperate to try anything.