Fml

[reallybubbly]

Hey guys. I've been reading this forum for awhile. I have to say it's given me hope in what have been some pretty tough moments. Thanks for that. I was diagnosed in early October via untyped swab by the biggest douchebag medical walk in doctor, ever. (I feel I am qualified to comment on what a total jerk this guy was as I am a nurse practitioner and would NEVER speak to a patient the way he spoke to me. Anyway, I digress). Sooooo, the swab comes back positive, but I have no clue what I'm dealing with, so I head to my PCP for IGG tests (HSV 1 and 2), both of which came back negative. I wasn't very surprised as I knew this was a new infection from the guy I had been seeing. Anyway, I start taking Valtrex, and suffer through the first two weeks (HOLY GOD, PAINFUL). I was assuming things would get better, but they really haven't. While I haven't had an OB like the inital one, I have what I am assuming is PHN-- random, exruciatingly painful parathesias in both of my feet, literally feels like stepping on a lit cigarette. Constant tingling and spells of itching and swelling, despite lysine and suppressive therapy. It's like a constant reminder of the virus. Plus now I wonder if every little bump is a new OB or just razorburn or whatever. To top it all off, I met someone who I really liked, and after seeing him for a bit had the "talk"-- and he ran like his hair was on fire. I know that this is just a skin condition, but the social stigma makes it pretty tough to take, and the PHN is driving me to the brink of insanity. I have repeat IGG tests in a month, so at least then I'll know what I'm dealing with exactly... Anyway, thanks for listening. Advice appreciated. Sending you all much love....

[RealisticGal]

Have you talked to your doc, or maybe even a neurologist, about something to help deal with the PHN? Sounds like you have it pretty bad!

By the way, I love the way you express yourself. Sorry about the "hair on fire" guy, but I guess it's better to find out he can't deal with something like herpes now rather than learn he can't handle something more significant later.

[reallybubbly]

Thanks, lady:) I did have a brief discussion with my doctor about the PHN-- she essentially told me I was wackadoodle, and insisted that PHN does not result from HSV. Needless to say, she wasn't too pleased when I busted the recent literature on the subject out of my purse:) Cue awkward silence. I think I need to shop for a new PCP. In any event, was thinking of getting a neuro consult-- thankfully I live in Boston, so it shouldn't be tough to find someone who is well informed and not a giant d-bag. I'll keep you posted. In the interim, has anyone been treated for PHN resulting from HSV? Would love to hear how that's working out for ya.

As for hair on fire guy? Eff him. He really didn't have that much hair on his head, anyway. XOXO

[RealisticGal]

Thanks, lady:) I did have a brief discussion with my doctor about the PHN-- she essentially told me I was wackadoodle, and insisted that PHN does not result from HSV. Needless to say, she wasn't too pleased when I busted the recent literature on the subject out of my purse:) Cue awkward silence.

Hot damn! Good for you!

The insistence by some ill-informed docs that PHN can't occur secondary to HSV really bugs me. The moment when you pulled out the literature must have been priceless.

As for hair on fire guy? Eff him. He really didn't have that much hair on his head, anyway. XOXO