Hi, I was diagnosed with genital herpes type 2 a couple of weeks ago. My first outbreak was horrific but the sores cleared up within 5 days on aciclovir. Now I've got really intense itching in my vagina and all around my bum, has anyone else experienced this? I've been doing quite a bit of research but itching doesn't seem to be mentioned as a symptom after an outbreak. It's driving me crazy now and really getting me down as I'm so uncomfortable, I'm so scared of having another outbreak as the first was so painful.
Soaking in Epsom salt baths was the only thing that relieved the itch for me. Hydrocortisone cream helps and a cold pack wrapped in paper towels, stuffed between your legs at night helps. Other than that, there isn't a whole lot that helps.
Don't stress over your second ob.. I've had obs every month since getting this in July and they've not been painful, just sensitive when I wipe.
It happened to be during the second crop of sores I got after the initial ones and I itched after, but not as much as I've heard others after sores have cleared. I believe that was because I was on nerve pain meds, so that would have blocked itch signaling to the nerves as well, as the nerve pain. Yes, post herpetic itch is normal after an ob. Not a whole lot is understood on the behavior of nerves, but theory is that due to irritation from the virus and skin lesions in the nerves, your nerves are misfiring. I believe the myeltis (think that's how you spell it) sheathing (think of a fire optic cable. The covering on the outside protects the signals path, any cross interference, lost signals, etc) well, the sheathing can be damaged and signals get lost or the brain is confused by the interrupted signals and results in itching.
Post herpetic nerve pain is better understood than post herpetic itch and they usually associate that e shingles. If you haven't learned, you will soon, that modern day medicine is not that advanced in knowledge and studies on genital herpes, as it has been viewed as a harmless skin condition in the medical community. Only as of recent, are they learning it is more complex that they thought. The funding is just not there to do studies.
Thanks I'm just glad that other people have had itching after an outbreak, it's quite severe it's all I can concentrate on at the moment but I couldn't find it listed as a symptom anywhere so I'm glad it's normal. I went to my gp about it yesterday but she didn't seem to think it would be related to the herpes and suggested it was probably just thrush even though she couldn't see any evidence of it.
Yes I've definitely noticed a lack of information about herpes since I've been looking for it. There's a lot of reassurance that it can't harm you etc which is good to know but dealing with the symptoms has affected me massively so far so it's not been very reassuring
GPs don't know anything about herpes. Itching is a prodrome symptom for some. I have itching occasionally in two very specific spots. I recommend journaling your daily symptoms for several minths, to learn your body now w this and triggers. Annotate what may have stressed you that day or certain food or drinks.
Take a daily live culture probiotic, it will keep the yeast infections away and you'll feel more confident that heropes is causing the itch and not a yeast infection. That's why it is imparitve to learn your body. I recently had itching, very intense itching until I actually broke skin, on my lower leg, hips and lower back. I really do think it was caused by herpes. It started intensely when I was on my cycle and having an ob.. Now it has suddenly stopped. Trust me... They don't know jack about the virus. You'll eventually learn more than them.
I highly recommend checking out H Opportunity forum. Great support community and w the latest ans greatest and accurate info who created this forum. There have been people on here, that give people incorrect information and that's part of the cause for herpes to continue being an epidemic. Proper education is so important.
What other symptoms are you being? How old are you may I ask? I ask, because from what I've noticed, it appears most females from teens to early/mid 20s, seem to clear up the ob faster than those in their 30s and older, w no to minimal symptoms immediately after the ob clears uo. Not saying it's the rule, but it would be an exception if they didn't. Less wear and tear on the immune system maybe..lol.. ;-)
Thanks for all the advice you seem to know so much about it all!
The sores have cleared up now but I've still got like deep muscle aching down my bum and leg and I get occasional shooting pains in one foot but I don't know if that's connected or not.
Haha! Thanks! That's what happens when you have the kinda OCD and neurotic tendencies as I do; I spend endless hrs researching and am currently studying herpes and recently have started from a virology side.
Yes, that deep aching is related, that is nerve pain. Be glad it just feels like an ache, because if it started feeling like your skin is burning, it's going to get bad from you.
If you Google image nervous system or sacral ganglia, you will be able to view a skeleton diagram and where the nerves are located. You'll notice that right under our bums, wherwbit feels as if you rode a bike and butt bones are sore, a bunch of nerves coming off of the sacral ganglia run right a long there. Try to eliminate as much compression as you can on your tailbone especially and back of legs when you can, as it can make the intensity increase in the aching and the compression can further aggravate the nerves that are already inflamed.
Yes, the shooting pain is normal. I haven't had shooting pain since after my first ob. Well, see? Your sores certainly cleared up faster than mine did. :-)
Well atleast someone's doing research it would just be nice if my gp knew a bit more about it to be honest.
I'm really glad I found this group I was starting to feel like I was just imagining it as everyone I spoke to seemed to brush off what I was feeling so it's quite comforting to know it's normal. Thank you
Oh NP... They do that to a lot of people. There's doctors still telling patients they are only contagious during obs and therefor don't have to disclose. It is scary.
This is why it is essential for you to take high doses of the supplements I told you to daily. I did the research on what is needed to promote healing z growth and resistance from damage to the nerves. Your vit D3, 2000 daily and ALL b vitamins.. It will need them all and very high doses as well. Preferably until you get a flush. Then you know you've reached the max dose yiu need. These are needed specifically for nerve system function and repair.
Oh boy .. I'm going to assume that she told you the same thing? 89% of people w genital herpes, don't even know they have it, because they are asymptomatic or have such mild symptoms, it is not recognized as herpes and something else. So most have no signs, yet are contagious. This is called asymptomatic shedding and there is no telling when soneone is shedding, especially if they are asymptomatic. Some may have an idea who have symptoms and have taken great strides to learn sensations and and a pattern that follows. Like I believe I am shedding when I feel the crawly feeling in 4 different locations, where I have had sores the most recent.. Not even from my primary ob.. So shedding the virus is at the surface of the skin, but doesn't cause breaks, sires or any injury to the skin, but you are contagious. This happens like 5-30% of the days. I really think you need to go on that site I suggested. Has great info and actually correct info on there.
It's called a niacin flush. That's when you've reached enough niacin in your body from the B complexes, that the niacin will cause a body flush.. You will feel it.. Trust me.. It feels weird.
I've been back to the clinic today and found out that I still have sores which is probably the cause of the itching, hopefully the next lot of antivirals help.
I've signed up to that H opportunity site thanks for telling me about it
i got diagnosed 1 month 1/2 ago and they have been the longest month ever.
it horrible i know. i had my first outbreak and lasted about 2 weeks and i started taking the meds the dr prescribed took about 3 days to start calming the pain down
i then had some terrible itching similar to what youre describing
specially at night
i then noticed a new bump that looked like a pimple and had a second outbreak in less than a month went to the dr again and she gave me another bottle of meds and some anti biotic because i also had some bacteria from a yeast infection
after that i felt way better finished my meds and the ittching is comletly gone
my out break has cleared and now im just hoping to god iwont have another outbreak any time soon, if not never.
Tell your dr about to itch and tell her to hceck you for a yeast infection
Hi Jazmin thanks for your reply that sounds the exact same as what I've had. My initial outbreak was about 3 weeks ago and was just very sore but no itching, that cleared up with the meds but then I had another outbreak almost immediately after with not much pain at all but awful itching.
It's really reassuring that you've cleared up completely now, I feel a bit like there's no end in sight at the moment...like you said the itching is so much worse at night so I think the lack of sleep is getting me down more about it.
I went back to the clinic last Thursday and they couldn't see any evidence of a yeast infection so it must just be the outbreak causing it.
Fingers crossed you never get another outbreak! A lot of people seem to say they won't be as bad as the first so hopefully that's the case
Hi Katie. I just got this for the first time in May. The first episode the sores were close.to where I urinate so I thought I had a urinary infection because it hurt so badly when I urinated. The doctor gave me an antibiotic but it didn't help so I went back to her again and this time she examined me and found the sores. I went on the meds to clear it up and it did. Now it is 4 months later and I have severe itching around my anus. I'm not sure if there is a sore but there may be. It's very uncomfortable and when I rub it to try and relieve the itchiness, it hurts. Totally different symptoms than the first time so I wasn't sure it was an outbreak again or not but since people have said that they had itching, I'm pretty sure it is that. My gynecologist said that if I have herpes 2 that it can reoccur regularly, type 1 not so much. I'm not sure which one I have.
If it is type 2 then my doctor said that I could go on daily meds but I take enough meds already and don't want to take any more so I will try and live with the discomfort and just take the 3 day dosage meds. Does anyone else take meds for this?
Hey Katie! I just got diagnosed a week ago... it's been most miserable thing I've ever experienced. But I've been on aciclovir a week now and most of the outbreak is gone. But I to have experienced this itching. It's driving me crazy! I'm hoping it is gone soon. But just know you're not alone. I'm experiencing the same symptoms. Im 34 and never once have had an issue. Was married for years and one time w a new guy I'm dating and this! Worst pain ever. But I'm Wishing u luck!
