Re: Herpes?? It May be Indeed!

[Guest guest]

Dee,

Thank you for this post. Whether or not my vestibulitis was caused by

a herpes infection or yeast infection has been a matter of debate

with me. I got a sore three weeks after sex with an exboyfriend. It

was small, but my GYN cultured it. It came up negative. Claiming it

was an infected sebaceous cyst, I was put on Keflex. This was the

first time I had taken an antibiotic since puberty. I subsequently

got my first yeast infection, which I treated with Monistat. Still

freaking about herpes, I insisted upon a blood test 6 weeks after

exposure. It was also negative. Meanwhile, 2 weeks after the sore I

got the intense swelling that caused my vestibulitis. Yeast cultures

continually came up negative, but a herpes blood test 3 months after

exposure came back positive for Type I. I subsequently learned that

cultures of herpes sores are notoriously unreliable (especially for

Type I), and blood tests are only guaranteed accurate after 3 months.

I will never know what caused my vestibulitis - yeast or herpes. I

settled on yeast, but sometimes I think only to appease the guilt of

the guy who gave me herpes, as he is a sweetheart, a good friend, and

currently overseas in Iraq. He, like many people with herpes, had no

idea that he was infected.

But my pain does seem to mimic post-herpetic neuralgia. I have

intense pain to the touch, constant burning, and shooting pains that

were stopped with Neurontin. Unfortunately the Neurontin did little

for the constant burning, the really horrible part of this disease.

Sometimes I get angry at my original GYN, who I stopped seeing after

she just kept doing wet preps and later asked if I had been sexually

abused as a child. As far as I'm concerned, this all " happened on her

watch. " A google search of vulvar pain brings up vulvar vestibulitis;

if I have more diagnostic ability with a Google search than she does

with years at medical school, then it's time to see another doctor.

But, if this is some sort of post-herpetic neuralgia, I am scared. I

have to face the fact that some people never recover from post-

herpetic neuralgia. I had a vestibulectomy in August, which really

helped but I still have some constant pain. I am seeing my doctor on

Wednesday, and I am nervous about what my next step is... I know this

is a little long, but it felt so good to get it down!

>

> HI , and all:

>

> Just happened to catch your messages, so this isn't meant for you

specifically *smile* but for anyone to seriously give a thought about

Herpes as a possibility for V. pain.

>

> I am SO glad that was brought up and hope I'm not being redundant

here as I've not read any other posts yet. I cannot tell you in the

years (8) I've been doing the groups the numbers of women who've told

me that privately 'in the end' that INDEED they were diagnosed with

Herpes (whether 1 or 2 didn't matter). Herpes is herpes and just

depends on where it takes up location, (which can be either place).

>

> The thought or possibility of someone having undiagnosed Herpes as

being a cause of their pain or contributary to it just seems anathema

to many.

>

> I have seen that happen far too often and you wouldn't believe the

personal private letters I've gotten over the years admitting it but

too embarassed to say it on line and they just quietly leave the

groups. (I put one at the bottom) I've seen a person be so resistant

to even considering such a thing while seeking out anything but that,

instead of having a definitive test done for it. Some physicians &

articles insist at least 3 tests must be done to be absolutely sure

or when in an outbreak and shedding. (if you can get in).

>

> I have read that the newer blood tests -type specific for HSV 1 or

2 are unlikely to be negative, because they test for both Igm (a

sign of an acute infection) and IgG ( a sign of infection in the

past) so for what that's worth.

>

> Again I'm not directing this to anyone but mostly just commenting

on it for others as something to consider and rule out as it

triggered a thought in my head with the weird feelings that can

precede that and some have mentioned those weird needle like pains.

>

> One does get that tingling odd feeling with herpes especially if

it's always in one specific area and I do hear a lot of you mention

one side or another as more prone to the pain which may be connected

to nerves. Not saying it is that either but just a thought, esp. if

it seems to be a particular 'spot'.

>

> Plus herpes can be anywhere on the body not just on the genitals or

the mouth with cold sores. I too get (or did) the 'cold sores' on my

mouth and know that weird tingle though TG I know that popping

Lysine, (1,000mgs maybe 2 immediately and maybe 2 the next day) in

me 'instantly' within a few ''seconds'', (Yes that fast and I RUN!)

it completely stops an outbreak for me and has worked for years and

years. (why I carry a few in my purse *smile*)

>

> My son in law gets breakouts on his thighs of all things. And lord

forbid getting herpes in the eyes can be devastating and even cause

blindness so herpes can be anywhere on the body. But of course the

most painful are the genitals. *OW OW*

>

> On another group we had a doctor who was diagnosed with it where it

was overlooked or missed even with her being a physician. It was

assumed it was part of her V.surgery but she kept getting worse, and

of course using some medications if it IS herpes, are totally

contrary and will exacerbate it even more.

>

> Especially a steroid or the immunomodulators like Protopic or

Elidel since those lower the immune system even more (a weak immune

system lets out Herpes) Even possibly the use of Estrace till one is

healed of the H. Much as I LOVE Estrace I know I wouldnt use it if

in an outbreak. Then a viscious cycle continues not realizing the

very medications may be what's making it even worse.

>

> Anyway this doctor did consider it, (smart woman) and was tested

and I'll be 'damned' sure enough it was. *sigh* So in a way she's so

happy to know that's what it is as she was considering nerve damage

was done with the surgery and even went on one of the

antidepressants/antiseizure meds for nerve pain never giving a

thought that it might be herpes yet it was. Only a few days on the

right medication and already she was feeling relief.

>

> With herpes being so common and so many who may carry it but never

have symptoms you can imagine how easily it could be passed on. Just

using saliva as a lubricant (and many of us do, including myself at

times) and reaching down could pass on Herpes 1 (cold sores) to the

genitals and vice versa. So all I'm saying to anyone is to please

do yourself a favor and at least rule that out. To think IF all

along that's all it was and all that pain could be relieved, would be

a miracle of sorts. Also I've read (tho rare) that even virgins can

have Herpes, so no one is truly immune. Herpes 1 when you think

about it can be passed on by Aunt Suzy just kissing that new born

baby even.

>

> Especially if one has one particular spot, lesion or sore that just

won't seem to heal. It is far too often overlooked and it doesn't

have to be in a typical blister form either, not at all. It can

feel like a simple tiny little eraser burn or a spot that's got the

barest of a little rough texture to it and you'd never suspect it in

a million years.

> Quote: " In the January issue of Investigative Ophthalmology &

Visual Science, found that 98% of the participants who are healthy

individuals with 'no' evidence of any symptoms did in fact shed

herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) DNA in their tears and saliva at

least once during the course of the 30-day study "

>

> So that's Herpes 1, usually found on the mouth but transmissible to

the genitals and vice versa. And keep in mind whether it's herpes 1

or 2, it's still herpes, (HSV) and basically just where it chose to

take up location.

>

> " Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) (genital) infects more than

one-fifth of the United States population, but about 90% percent of

those people are unaware that they are infected, since 'most' do not

experience any symptoms. "

>

> There were many others but I remember one gal © who did post this

on this VD group with Herpes, she said...

> " I have had this (Herpes) pretty much constant for 4 years and

it has never fully gone away, but it has been definitely worse with

flare-ups, which I always assumed were bacterial infections, and most

of the time treated them myself, making things much worse. I have

never had a sore, and my dr. just did a simple blood test and I came

up positive. "

> (here's another one but private.)

>

> Quote.....

> " Dear Dee,

> I have never told a soul but you and I ain't gonna. Truly the

LS is there of course, by biopsy as well. But all those ulcers and

bumps and open sores and blisters they sometimes talk about, You can

bet it is the H. I would have 'never' believed it either, with the

15 yr time with the same man and 8 yrs with no sex! Believe it! It

has happened to me! You can tell that on the list if you like, just

leave my name out of it. That is how it is. I thought it was an "

ulcer " like everybody else, until YOU told me it sounded like the BIG

H . I beat it right to the Dr then and there and sure enough , there

it was. DAMN " ................

>

> For what I think is an excellent read on H. and not all the

hysteria or media hype often associated with it but good common sense

try this link.

>

> The truth about HSV 1 & 2

> http://www.herpes.com/hsv1-2.html

>

> Anyway just throwing the thought out there, the bottom line is

truly only to try to help as so many of us here do and ya just never

know. Forgive my book 'again' haven't written in a while but

still motormouthing *smile*....

>

> hugs to all,

> Dee~

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Dee for your post. i wonder how many women are suffering when a prescription of Valtrex or any other antiviral used to treat herpes could help them be pain free. __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks Dee for your post. i wonder how many women are suffering when a prescription of Valtrex or any other antiviral used to treat herpes could help them be pain free. __________________________________________________