"Near my waist" - where exactly do you mean? If you mean by your hip, or on your stomach, this is really unlikely to be herpes. If you mean near your genitals, it could be.
But herpes outbreaks don't last 2 months. Also, since you've had hsv1 since you were a child, you have antibodies that prevent you from spreading it to another location on your body. That's called autoinoculation, and almost always happens with a brand new infection.
What cream did your doctor give you? If he said it wasn't herpes, what does he think it is? Did he give you a diagnosis?
"Am I just manifesting the burning at this point? When my mind isn't on HSV the sensation is not there. " - this is hard to say. I don't know what is causing your symptoms, is it near your genitals, etc.
It could be an anxiety thing, or it could be real - you would know better than I would.