Has this happened to anyone?

[LeeLee05]

I went to the doctor in October (my frist gyno. appointment). B/c I was sexually active, although not since June, she tested me for a few STDs, one of which being Herpes. I called about a month later since the never called me and the said all of my results came back normal.

Now, I just recently had an appointment b/c I thought I had a yeast infection and the doctor tells me that she's positive that I have herpes and gave me a blood test. However, I haven't gotten the blood test back yet. How can they tell you one thing and then say another? Did any of you turn out to not be positive for herpes?

[jmbirds]

there are several hot topic of this vaginal tearing issue BTW  i'm 45 HSVI  oral sex , my ex spouses ex WIFE was a cold sore mouth he never knew he had the virus and i got it , along with BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS from my hot tub and douchin  sooo valtrex is working for my crazy symptoms allergic contact dermatitis  blister rash was another possible rash i had  so who knows ... get the HSV I AND HSVII iga ? test  remember guys tallk jock itch that could be herpes! mild symptoms , my ex said his was jock itch wiwth his ex wife I think herpes and he don't have symptoms with blisters  GREAT he can hide his HSVI not me
try this thread
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/25417

[cgpdc]

I had a herpes scare recently. I had irritation after sex, and I went to the doc thinking I had BV. The doc saw a blister on my cervix and took a swab for culture. The culture came back negative, so she did a blood test to confirm. It came back negative, too. Long and short is, sometimes weird, idiosyncratic things happen that the docs can't explain. I had an external yeast infection in college, and it was about the most uncomfortable thing I ever experienced.

I hope your tests come back negative and your discomfort goes away soon.

[pumpkin78]

Wow!  When it rains, it pours!  I'm sorry, hon!  Well, I am starting to wonder about my diagnosis after being on here so much.  Once I began the diflucan and the Valtrex my symptoms were completely gone in 3-4 days. I would estimate maybe 10 days at the most for the whole "outbreak", but the first few days seemed to be more yeast infection related.  I am really curious about the cuts/tears that a lot of women here have.  That was what my last "outbreak" consisted of, with only one pimple like sore, which I thought resemembled more of an ingrown hair, but that is where she got the swab from.  I am starting to wonder about other possibilities because I find it strange that so many women have similar syptoms with totally different diagnoses.  I think I am getting paranoid now!  LOL!

I just posted on another thread about HSV type 1 vs. type 2.  There seems to be a lot of confusion, and that is what I went through with my first outbreak.  I hope I have my facts straight, but after all the research I have done, I am really confident.  Where is the doc when we need him?! :D I am really
glad I have helped you feel better!  I wish I would have found this forum my first go round with this.  Feel free to email me anytime!  co_blue8740***@****

Good luck tomorrow and keep your chin up, this too shall pass!;)

[LMM0601]

Thanks!  I have been having a heck of a time this week.  On top of my possible diagnosis and waiting for the blood test results, my hubby was sick with a sinus infection and then...get this one...threw his back out.  He was in such pain since New Years Eve.  Then, last night I spent the majority of it in the ER with my 5 year old.  He has a terrible stomach virus and was extremely dehydrated.  Poor kid.  We go home at 5AM and when he woke up at 6 he was literally rolling on the floor with stomach and back pain.  I took him to his doctor this morning.  He may need to go back to the hospital if he does not improve by later today!

So happy freaking New Year to me!  LOL!

By the way, my so called "herpes" sores are completely gone.  I did not have any sort of pain until Christmas Eve.  No spots or sores until Monday/Tuesday after Christmas.  If it is herpes, aren't they supposed to last longer.  I have nothing at all now.  Not a sign.  I have only been taking Valtrex for three days.  Could the Valtrex have worked that quickly?  I read somewhere that herpes sores do not disappear in 4-5 days.  The Valtrex info I found said on average, it took 9 days to see an improvement ONLY if it was taken within 72 hours of a breakout.  I took it 4 days later.  Hmmmmm.  What is your take?  I am still holding out for it to be something else.  My hubby thinks it is something else.  Did I mention that he is a Nurse in an ER and a Paramedic?  

Pumpkin, do you have an IM or email that you would not mind sharing so we can keep in touch?  You have been such a great support for me.

Lisa

[pumpkin78]

Lisa, I am thinking about you today!  Keep us posted. Good Luck!!

[pumpkin78]

I was on birth control (Levora) during my initial outbreak.  I was on Accutane too and that dried me out completely.  I feel like I haven't really been the same since.  I have not been on birth control for three years, so I am not much help there, but I know birth control pills can contribute to yeast infections.  I do feel like I constantly have some yeast problems, especially right before my period.  They aren't really bad, just enough to be annoying.  I also notice them more when I am dehydrated.

Has your husband been tested or treated for a yeast infection?  I have heard of several couples that pass it back and forth for months.  What other labs did you get done?  You said your sugars came back normal too, so are they ruling out diabetes?  You mentioned Strep, I do not know a lot about Strep, could this be causing the constant yeast infections?  I am assuming they gave you something for the Strep?  Could you go off the birth control to see if your body returns to normal?  Could you have a compromised immune system (sorry, not trying to freak you out further, just trying to figure out what the heck is going on!)  Have you read through the archives here?  It seems like many women are having similar yeast problems while on birth control.  Since I am not on anything, I don't read the posts throroughly, but I have skimmed posts discussing the same issue.  I think there is something there....If your gut is telling you to stop, maybe you should, we tend to know our bodies well.

It is really frustrating being a woman and not getting real answers from the professionals, isn't it?!?!  I am glad I can be of help, ask as many questions as you like.  I have learned a lot from the other ladies here too, so maybe someone can let us in on some more info!

[LMM0601]

Yes, being a woman really sucks!  To answer you question, I was in the office on 12/21 and they did a culture.  They also sent me for blood work too.  AS far as I know, they did the culture for yeast and Strep B because I tested positive with both pregnancies.  As for the blood work, they had to test my liver because they have me on Diflucan once per week for 12 weeks and that can damage you liver.  They also did a sugar test and HIV test.  Both were negative.  

I went back to the doctor on 12/29 even though I was feeling much better.  When I called for the blood test results, I told the nurse about my redness and sore and she thought I should be seem ASAP.  The only one I could get in with was a doctor whom I never met that is new to the practice.  A first, she did not see anything that concerned her and she did a pelvic exam.  When I told her that the cuts were bothersome, she took another look and thought it looked like herpes.  She said she was 95% sure.  Since I don't know her, I really don't have trust with her yet.  We did not discuss any other symptoms I had or even the fact that I was using that Loprox.  She quickly thought it was herpes and ran out of the room to get some sort of testing kit.  So my denial coupled with me not knowing her made me very uneasy.  I do not know if the Strep B is contributing to the yeast, but she said it could cause all sorts of problems.  I am taking antibiotic for that.  Great!  Now I probably will be getting another yeast infection.

The doc I always see is on vacation!  How dare she do this during my crisis!  LOL!  The nurse practitioner that I see sometimes, I called too.  She was totally appalled that the other new doc even considered mentioning herpes!  She is in disbelief.  When I was in the office the week before, I had absolutely NOTHING except some yeast.  No redness, sore or anything.  If I do have it, I wonder if I contracted herpes in the docs office!  I broke out with the bumps three days later.  Wait until my regular doc comes back this week.  She is going to hit the floor!  Two years ago she diagnosed me with a yeast infection and jock itch all in one.  She never even considered herpes..neither did I.  This time she said that if the Diflucan for 12 weeks does not eradicate the yeast, she is sending me to a specialist in Philly.

After reading up on herpes, it seem that I most likely do have it.  At the time of the break out, I had some odd symptoms.  My arms both broke out terrible.  I was very tired over the last few weeks and when I came down with the yeast infection this time, I had the chills and a fever.  Now I also have a headache, sore throat, cough and congestion.  All of this at one stinking time!  So I was hoping beyond all hope that my tests come back negative and I have some other funky virus.  Wishful thinking, but I will let you know on Tuesday how it turns out.

The wait is killing me, but I feel more prepared.  I think the results will be positive.  :(

[LMM0601]

Well, our symptoms seem very similar.  With all of the new laws, Lab Corp cannot release the results to me.  Really stupid so here I sit.

Another question (sorry to be such a bother but you are helping me out a ton here) do you take birth control pills?  This whole reoccuring yeast problem has started ever since I went back on it two years ago.  I had diflucan and Gynozol filled 10 times since June 2004.  That does not include the samples they give me when I go into the office.  That is WAY too many yeast infections!  I only have one more pill left (Ovcon) and I get my period on Tuesday.  I just cannot decide if I should stay on them or not.  It seems like everything snowballed once I went back on.  

I was on Ortho Tri for a year and a half and they switched me to Ovcon 35.  I stopped for three months in between to see what would happen.  The first two months I was yeast free!  At the end of the third month (right before my period) I started to get one.  I think I jumped the gun.  They called in diflucan and Gynozol but the very next day I got my period.  If I just waited, it may have taken care of itself. (Like many women who get a mild yeast infection right before their periods)  I got upset because I am sick to death of this yeast thing so I went on Ovcon 35.  The first month I was fine.  This is my second month on it.  It seems that I always get a yeast infection during the second week of the pills.  My gut says to stop, but the doc and nurses say it should not cause the yeast!  Any input on that one?  Everywhere you read it says that birth control pills can cause yeast!

[pumpkin78]

Hi Lisa,

My first outbreak was horrific!  The doctor told me I had a rip roaring yeast infection, but she also wanted to test for herpes, even though she said it didn't look like it.  I had totally scratched myself raw, I was really rashy, I don't know how many sores I had, maybe a couple, but they appeared to me to be more like scratches that I caused (I know, gross!).  I was in a lot of pain and discomfort.  This lasted about a week maybe, before I went to the doctor (it was four years ago and I think I tried to repress a lot of those memories :))  Now I honestly can't remember, but I believe she only gave me something for the yeast infection and after they told me the results for type 1 were positive, I started the initial Valtrex pills.  I always thought it was sketchy though because my syptoms were almost gone by the time I even started the Valtrex, but maybe the herpes had already run it's course.  I think the majority of my pain was from the yeast infection...So I started taking Valtrex as suppression therapy, which I believe was once a day after I did the initial two a day for ten days, but after a couple of months with no problems, I quit taking it.  I was in denial and confused about the whole type 1 type 2 thing.  Plus, it was getting expensive.  

This last outbreak also occured with a yeast infection.  This time I had the paper cuts/tears and only one little pimple thing that looked more like an ingrown hair, not the blisters that people think of when they think of herpes.  Once again, it lasted about a week before I went to the doctor and got Diflucan and Valtrex.  Everything was gone again in a couple of days.  

A word of advice, don't try all kinds of creams and stuff like that.  I noticed that once I kept the area dry and didn't put anything on it, it began to heal on it's own.  After every shower, I use a blow dryer down there, that seems to help me not have yeast problems as much.  Use the cool setting though, you don't want to scortch the poor thing!  It's also a catch 22 because yeast tends to grow more in areas where there are cuts or sores, it's like it feeds off of it, so you are going to have an increase in yeast regardless because of the cuts or sores.  Also, drink a lot of water!

For now, I am not taking any Valtrex.  My doctor mailed me a presciption if I start having symptoms again.  Just try to keep a healthy life style and try not to get stressed.  I have read that stress can cause outbreaks, and after this last one, I agree.  I am surprised they wouldn't give you the results, my results have always been given to me by the nurse or technician, of course they were never very thorough and they couldn't answer my questions, so it is probably better to talk to the doctor. I hope you are starting to feel better though.  Try to keep your mind off of it and enjoy your New Year's (I know easier said than done! ;))  Let me know if I can try and answer any other questions and keep us posted!!

[LMM0601]

Thanks for your advice.  It makes me feel much better!  I called the lab and the results were finalized, but they cannot give them to me.  They said there was two tests taken, but they can only give them to my doctor.  They are not in on Monday either!  This New Years really sucks!

I was doing some research and the symptoms for skin yeast infection is so similar.  Check this out:

Cutaneous Candidiasis Symptoms & Signs

Itching (may be intense)
Skin lesion or rash
Skin redness or inflammation
Enlarging patch
Macule or papule
May have satellite lesions
Located on the skin folds, genitals, trunk, buttocks, under the breasts or other skin areas
Infection of hair follicles ("folliculitis") may have a pimple-like appearance

Now my yeast infection was the worst I ever had.  The odd thing is that the places where the yeast was lying every time I checked, are the only places I had a sore.  I always get those paper cut when I get a yeast infection too.  Where those paper cuts were are where the yeast was and the sore are now.

Question for you:  Do you take Valtrex?  They have me taking two per day for five days and than down to one per day.  Will that make the sores/redness go away quickly? How long did your break outs last?  I started braking out 7 days ago and they are almost gone entirey now.  I was using anitifungal cream, Ketoconazole that my primary doc gave me.  It always took those paper cuts away within a couple of days.  Same thing now.  I thought a break out is supposed to last longer.  I just started the Valtrex late yesterday afternoon.

I know I am grabbing at straws until I know the test results, but let me know about your experience with the breakouts, like how long it lasts and if you have a lot of sores.  I only had 4.

Lisa

[pumpkin78]

Well, I have only had two outbreaks in the last four years.  Both occurred with diagnosed yeast infections, so, like you, it was hard to tell because I already had uncomfortable things going on.  I didn't really notice a tingling until after I started having symptoms (ithing,tears), so I don't know how I will know either.  Hopefully I won't have anymore outbreaks because many people with Type 1 only have a few outbreaks and then never have one again.  That would be nice, wouldn't it?!?!

Is your husband getting tested for type 1?  He may have it in the mouth area, but not have any overt symptoms.  If it is type 1, it isn't as bad as type 2.  Transmission is a little harder, outbreaks are less frequent.  The first time I was diagnosed was a total fiasco.  They had me utterly confused because they were saying you don't have genital herpes, but you do have herpes, so just act as though you have herpes.  That was all the explanation I got. I was depressed, even having suicidal thoughts.  After a couple of years without any outbreaks or any problems, I figured it was a misdiagnosis.  Until I had another breakout.  I started taking an antibiotic and I developed a yeast infection and it progressed from there.  This time the doctor was more informative.  The STD site here is wonderful!  The Doctor is awesome!  I would refer to the archives to learn more about the difference between having type 1 and type 2 herpes in the genital area.  Educating yourself is the best way to alleviate some anxiety.  I really hope this helps.  I totally know how you are feeling, but herpes is not life threatening.  You can still have babies and have a sex life.  Hopefully it is type 1 (well, hopefully it was just an allergic reaction!! :)  Good luck and keep us posted!

[LMM0601]

No, my hubby does not get cold sores...ever!  But yes, he perform oral sex on me.  That is how the doctor thinks this all came about.  I have not gotten my test results back yet.  I am pretty sure it will come back positive, however, we are holding out hope it was a reaction from the Loprox.

I know there is no way of ever knowing how I could have gotten it, but I was at the doctor on 12/21 for my yeast infection.  I had no sores or even redness in the slightest at that time.  Three days later I started to get a few sores.  I wonder if I got something from the doctors office?

I know you said you had type 1.  They tell me that when I start to feel a tingling, I could take the Valtrex (before breakouts).  However, I was totally broken out for several days before I even started to get any sort of tingling or pinching on the sores.  How does it start with you?

[pumpkin78]

Does your hubby get herpes on his mouth?  Does he perform oral sex on you?  This is how I got type 1 in the genital area.

[LMM0601]

I just posted this on another thread, but it may be more appropriate here.

LeeLee...did you get your results back yet?  I am doing that waiting game now and I am stuck in the holiday when no one is in until Tuesday!

Here is my other post:

I have been FREAKING out today. I have been battling a recurrent yeast infection for about a year and a half. (ever since I went back on the pill) Anyway, the latest one started last week. It seemed like the worst one yet so I went into the office. The culture PROVED that it was yeast again. It also showed that I have Strep B. Several days later, the yeast was making me crazy. I am taking Diflucan and using Gynozol. Anyway, I was itchy and sore. My blood test for my sugars came back fine, but they did not like when I said I was so sore. I saw a doctor that I never met before (new to the practice) and she said it looked like Herpes! I was freaking out. I have been married for 12 years and my hubby has NO symptoms at all. Nothing adds up. I was using a new antifungal cream that my dermotologist gave me, Loprox. I was diagnosed with jock itch when I got a yeast infection one time. So to protect myself, I poured on this Loprox lotion to the area where (not to be gross here) but where any discharge or internal creams lye's when it comes out. Then the nurse told me to douche with water and baking soda several times per day. That is very irritating to the areas that are sore.

Long story short, my hubby thinks it is a reaction to the topical creams I used, but the doctor says it looks to her like it is herpes. I went for a blood test and wouldn't you know...it is the stinking holiday and they will not be in until Tuesday. Happy New Year!

I am totally upset, crying every five seconds. Has anyone ever been misdiagnosed! My yeast culture was confirmed positive. What are my chances that this is just a reaction to the creams I used and not herpes?

Here is what the Loprox info states:

Itching, burning, stinging or redness may occur when first applied to the skin. These should disappear in a few days as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if blistering, swelling or oozing occurs.

LM

[monkeyflower]

I forgot to mention that if you're bothered by recurrent or severe outbreaks, you can go on suppressive therapy. There really isn't any other way to treat or prevent outbreaks, and as a bonus, it also reduces the risks of transmission to any HSV negative partners :-)

[monkeyflower]

I don't know that your outbreaks coincided with yeast infections, as much as they had similar symptoms to yeast infections. Evidently it's pretty common for herpes to be misdiagnosed as yeast. As for atypical outbreaks, I think it just happens regardless of type, although HSV1 genital outbreaks aren't generally likely to be as severe or recurrent. I have both HSV1 and 2, and aside from what I thought at the time was a weirdly painful yeast infection, I've never had a noticeable outbreak. So I guess HSV2 can be just as mild and weird :-)

[pumpkin78]

This exact thing happened to me, but both my doctors did not think it was herpes upon looking at it, and it was.  I had the cuts/tears, not really any blisters like typical herpes.  Both outbreaks I had very bad yeast infections with them.  My doc even called one a "rip roaring one!"  Turns out I have herpes type 1.  I am beginning to wonder if the tears/cuts are more common with type 1 and blisters are more associated with 2, just from hearing about others experiences.  I still think it's weird that both my outbreaks occured with yeast infections, is that common?  Try not to stress (I know, easier said than done!)  Stress also contributes to herpes outbreaks, so take care of yourself!  Well, take care of yourself regardless! ;)  Jenni, thanks for all the info!

[Jenni6485]

lol, yes. Having herpes wont make you suceptable to other infections, so go right ahead. :-)

[LeeLee05]

Thank you

[LeeLee05]

Can I still get my belly button pierced?

[Jenni6485]

Oh dear.. That's scary.
Hun, even if it his herpes, everything will be okay. Herpes breakouts can happen maybe once in a lifetime, but the first one is ALWAYS the worse one. Always use condoms, I advise female condoms. Because you need to protect yourself from other things... You can never surely count on a guy to keep one on.
Here are some ways to help prevent, and help heal outbreaks a little faster.
-Wash with a good acne bar soap
-Clean with antibacterial toweletts when needed throughout the day
-Drink plenty of fluids
-Take vitamins
-Clean sores with peroxide and apply neosporine before bedtime.

And dont have sex when you have an outbreak.. Or if you're having sex and it hurts inside, stop because you could be spreading it.
Herpes is a bacterial infection that never goes away. You just gotta try what you can to reduce it from appearing, and/or spreading.
K wish you good luck, and happy early birthday. :-)

[LeeLee05]

They'll have the results for me on Thursday...MY BIRTHDAY! And yes the guy that I was with did have at least one other partner (I didn't know of). The doctor just told me like "this is herpes" and I got the blood test today and it takes two days. Im scared. I cant even talk to my boyfriend without starting to cry. I tried explaning to her that I thought it was a yeast infection and she just ruled it out. She even put me on Valtrex.

[Jenni6485]

If its white and chunky, it does sound like a yeast infection.
With that other guy, you had sex with him 3 times... well, maybe you wernt the only one he was having sex with?
The paper cut like tears happen when you scratch... Ever notice when you have a itch or a burn on your arms or leg, and you scratch and scratch, it gets all red, poofy and irritated? It releases hysamine and makes it worse. Well your vagina feels the same way. Its irritated, itches, sitting in bacteria, and you probably scratch wether you pay attention or not. It's the human reaction. Your finger nails could have made the tears.

When it happened to me, gosh it was offly bad, I didnt wear underwear one day because it irritated, so that day I was out ALL DAY LONG doign things, and my jeans sit low, so the crotch of the jeans rubbed against me and just made a bunch of tears, plus the pain and scratching dosnt help at all either. I didnt know what a yeast infection was.. (19 and never knew). But the doc said it looked like herpes because It looked like raw meat and sores everywhere. (grose) But she did give me yeast infection cream, and after using that and cleaning with antibacterial toweletts, and neosporine, it went fully healed in about a month. Felt better the next day, and kept using it.

It might be herpes, but then it might be a misunderstanding. If it is herpes, dont think its the end of the world... This day in age, everyone gets a form of STD's... so you're not the only one. Just dont ever feel comfortable wtih it enough to tell close friends and family. Word gets around, and fingers get pointed. It might be something, it might not be anything... Waite the 2 weeks and see if you get a call. If you're still curious, go back to the clinic and get blood work done. They can test for herpes that way if there are no sores present.

[LeeLee05]

Its just that I've had these paper cut like tears that wont go away and itch and burn. I thought that because I made the cuts from scratching that it doesn't count. I've only had one partner, whom I had sex with three times, and haven't had sex since June. Then on occcasion the discharge was white and chunky. Im praying for the best but I just cant stop crying. I HAVE A BOYFRIEND! I dont know what Im gonna do.