New and soooo Confused

[Tennesseeguy85]

Hello all. My apologies in advance for the crazy long post but I really just don't have anyone to talk too. I was diagnosed about 2 months ago with HSV 1 & 2. I got a new PCP, went for a routine check up and realized I hadn't had general blood work done in a long time. After telling her I was gay and had been in a long term relationship for the past 7 years, she recommended I be tested for Herpes and HIV. She actually offended me and I was fixing to walk out due to how she kept telling me how every gay man should have these test often, ignoring the fact that I had been in a monogamous relationship for awhile. Either way, all of my blood work came back good but the HSV 1 & 2. I spent the next couple of weeks crying and was probably the most depressed I've ever been in my life. Then about a month ago, I developed a few small bumps around my penis. They were small, pimple like bumps. Some were red and a couple of white ones. I was checking my body daily and just Bam, there they are. I instantly called her and took Acyclovir, 3 times a day for 5 days. Still, the bumps were still there and nothing had changed on them. So after the 5 days, she called another script in for the same. I read everything I could find on HSV and began taking Lysine 3 times daily, 1,000 mg, Vitamin C, a multi-vitamin, Zinc, and a couple of other immune boosters but nothing changed with the bumps. Then I had heard using rubbing alchohal would help maybe dry them up. I covered the bumps in Aloe Vera Gel and put baking soda on them as well and would take a shower the next morning hoping they would go away, bust or something but nothing. It's been almost a month now that I've had these bumps and noticed a couple of new ones the other day. None have busted or really changed. Some are pretty small and others are a bit bigger but no real change beside the new ones. I scheduled a new appointment with a new PCP because the old one was so rude to me about the whole thing. I felt judged and she didn't seem to know much about Herpes. I'm going to ask the new doctor if he can prescribe Valtrex and hopefully that helps.

My partner was tested and it came back negative. I'm not sure when I caught this or how I could have this for that long and him be negative. Questions of infidelity came up but he has been so supportive and been there for me. I'm incredibly lucky.

My questions are....Is it possible to have an outbreak that long and these bumps not go away or change in the least bit? What do you recommend in helping them go away? I have no pain, fever, trouble urinating or anything. Also, we have a 1 year old son. I'm scared to bath him, kiss him or anything. It's incredible how lonely someone can feel when having this even when you know so many others have it as well. I feel like the only person in the world with herpes. So glad I found this place! Reading all of these threads really help when I'm down. God Bless!

[WilsoInAus]

Exactly what test did you have and what were the results. if you didn't have IgG type specific for HSV-1 and HSV-2 then you do not have a diagnosis.

[Tennesseeguy85]

I'm not sure. They took four vials of blood and tested for HIV, HSV, Diabetes and different things. They told me that antibodies in my blood showed that I had HSV1 &2 and to contact them if I ever experienced an outbreak. It took over two weeks to get the HIV and HSV results.

[joeer120]

I wish doctors pushed for this test for everyone who is sexually active.... That was rude of her by recommending it because you are gay... I always asked to be tested for std's but this one wasn't included... Only IGg results are accurate... Make sure the doctor gave u the IGg results

[Tennesseeguy85]

Yeah. I didn't mind getting tested. I will find out the type of test but its clear I have herpes just by looking at the bumps. Is it possible for an outbreak to last multiple weeks? Everything I've read is 2-3 weeks. I'd feel a little better if some of these would just bust or something. Instead, more keep popping off. I guess I'm lucky I don't have any pain or discomfort

[Dreamer10]

I am sorry you are experiencing this. I know what you mean to feel so lonely despite stats telling us everybody has H.

[Tennesseeguy85]

I went to my new doctor today. He looked at the bumps and said it didn't look consistent with an OB and ordered more test. He also seemed to believe that my doctor didn't test for 1 & 2 and believed she was misinformed. He wouldn't prescribe any antivirals because he didn't seem to think it was a hsv outbreak and didn't want to treat me for something that I might not have. So now I'm even more confused lol. My bumps look similar to pics I've seen online but I'm not a doctor so we'll see what happens. Still, after several weeks, bumps are the same.

[WilsoInAus]

If the bumps have remained the same for a few weeks, then they are not herpes lesions. This doctor does seem more informed, I hope they have ordered IgG testing for you.

I would agree that there is a reasonable chance your previous testing had a flawed interpretation, such as a false positive IgM.

[australiangirl]

I tested positive through a swab for Herpes2, but when I showed the doctor the small bump initially she told me she was 99 percent sure it wasn't herpes, that it didn't look anything lke it. It was just a small sore bump that kind of resembled a blister.

Then the phone call came and it was H2. So I think herpes can look different and can be deceiving sometimes.

I had an OB that lasted about 5 weeks and the bump didn't change, but it is defintely a herpes...

Good luck to you and I hope you test negative.

[Tennesseeguy85]

Thanks! I doubt I will test negative but I'm hoping anyways. I had been using alcohol on my bumps twice a day. After I went to the doctor, I stopped and haven't applied anything. I notice I started itching. Maybe I used too much alcohol or too often and now my skin is trying to repair? Not sure.

Australian girl, did you apply anything or do anything? Did they just slowly go away or?

[australiangirl]

My first outbreak was where I felt kind of tingly and itch down there. I was staying at my friends house who was having an OB so I thought it was my anxiety creating this feeling and it must be the long bike rides I was doing. Sure enough, 2 weeks later the bump appeared. I tried to leave it alone and have it run its course but in subsequent outbreaks I have used Pawpaw ointment (it's Australian - kind of like a soothing cream) and coconut oil down there . It helps sooth the area. I wouldn't recommend alcohol as that would just potentially irritate and kill bacteria but wouldn't help to get rid of the blister.

I had a month long OB while overseas and they just wouldn't go. I tried loose clothing, healthy eating , everything but they wouldn't go. When I got back from overseas I had another OB and it lasted 3 days. I've got no idea why some last long and some don't .

When do you go to doctor? Do the bumps look like blisters ? You said you don't have any pain but are they sensitive to touch?

[Tennesseeguy85]

Yes. I have several. Some look a little like pimples and others look like blisters. I have some small ones that are like pen dot small. I guess I'm pretty obsessive because I take pics daily and compare it to other days lol. I've tried rubbing alcohol, aloe vera gel, hydrogen peroxide and several nights created a paste with baking soda that I apply and leave overnight with some aloe vera to kind of make it stick. Not really sure what else to try.

[Tennesseeguy85]

Well the doctor called today and said I was negative for hsv2. He said not a single thing in my blood indicated I was positive. Really confused because I still have bumps. The type of blood test used was IGg.

He said the other doctor was silly in her approach and should apologize for scaring me lol. Still...I need to find out what this is.

Is it possible medications can cause a false negative?

Also, what other issue fairly resembles a herpes ob?

Just curious now since I've been told I have herpes and been told I don't.

[Dreamer10]

That's awesome

[Tennesseeguy85]

I am so damn confused. Some of my lesions are scabing up. Others look the same. They are clustered together, clear and some red. The last time I was with my partner was 12 weeks 4 days before my negative test. Would antibodies show up in that length of time? My lesions look exactly like the lesions I see online with pics. I would feel more confident if I didn't have bumps on my penis with the negative result but the bumps are still there. Im just curious if the acyclovir I took for 10 days 2 weeks prior or the lysine tablets could cause a false negative.

[Dreamer10]

Sorry!! Did the doctor provide you with your numbers from the iGG testing