Hello,

I hope someone can help me with this. I have searched the net far and wide with very little info. I have had urinary problems off and on for almost 2 years. I recently tested postive for antibodies for HSV 1 and 2 as well as EBV. At the time the test showed they were not active but I also was not having any symptoms. My symptoms include a burning, tingling feeling in my urethra. Kind of a feeling like I have to pee when I don't. It makes me feel like the nerves are inflamed and screaming. I have been told I had interstitial cystitis which they could find no evidence of. I have also taken loads of antibiotics mainly doxycycline which did help. The symptoms sometimes go away for weeks or even months but they always return. Stress and certain foods can cause the symptoms to come back. I have had a few spts on my vaginal area that i thought were infected hairs but never a severe outbreak. I also have periods of vaginal itching and irritation and nothing ever shows up, no yeast, nothing. Most of the time when I have these flare ups I get a flu like feeling with chills and severe fatigue. Could I possibly be having outbreaks of the herpes virus and that's what's causing the tourturing nerve feeling in my urethra and vagina? If so what treatment options should I ask my doctor about? Thanks so much for any info.

Shyann

Hi Shyann,
I am replying to your post becasue I see noone has yet, and I am just having a bad day... maybe I can find comfort it helping you out. 1st of all, your symptoms of feeling like you have to pee & it burns, sounds like classic urinary tract infection. As for the irritated feeling, some people break out that way and don't get sores, thats me too. I never know for sure when I'm irritated, if its that or something else. The next time you have the weird feeling in your urethra, ask your docotr if it seems like a urinary tract infection. Hope you are feeling better soon!
L

shyann, I had urinary tract problems for over 10 years. Evidently, this was caused by becoming sexually active and my not understanding that I don't produce enough lubrication naturally. The irritation to the urethra became urinary tract infections. After I learned how to avoid infections (you probably know: drink LOTS of pure water every day, every hour; wipe from front to back, never vice versa; always pee out all the urine you possibly can; always pee afer sex, and then wash; and ,for me, always use a lubricant like KY Silky during sex--this helps avoid sex-related herpes ob's, also.) I had the symptoms of infections without the bacteria because my system had been so traumatized. I went to several drs who traumatized it further(!) by doing urethral dilations, exams, silver nitrate treatments, etc. Finally I found one wise dr who told me my system needed a good long rest with no invasive procedures. He told me not to eat spicey foods, drink alcohol or coffee, or smoke cigarettes (all urethral irritants.) The pain continued for several years. Then I got pregnant and it went away (they say because the pressure deadened the nerves.) I've never had it since, and have always been careful about infections.

Now, maybe this isn't your problem, but if it's even half of your problem, it's worth changing some of your habits. Incidentally, you will be changing some habits that would bring on herpes ob's, too.

Your problem could be the herpes, but feeling like you have to pee when you don't is the sign of a Urinary tract infection--I've never heard of anyone who has it as a sign of herpes. Maybe someone else will post who does have that symptom.

If you think the problem is h, try reading a lot of threads on this board before going to a dr (since you've already been.) Perhaps some of the suggestions will help you.

One question: is the burning during urination near the opening of your urethra, or deep inside? And when you are feeling sore, does pushing on your tummy (bladder) make you feel a little sore, too? That would be an inflamed opening from your bladder to your urethra, which I had.

Anyway, I'm sorry to hear what your symptoms are. I would much rather have my present herpes symptoms than that incapacitating, burning pain in my urethra. Good luck.

Thanks for replying guys. It is not an infection. I have seen more urologists than i can count. I often talk to people who have the bladder disease interstitial cystitis because they thought this is what I had until they looked in my bladder and new research is showing that it could possibly be the herpes virus affecting the nerves. All people with IC who have gotten better, though it is suppsed to be incurable, have done it by cleansing out their body, strengthing their immune system and avoiding certain foods and drinks. I know I have outbreaks of the EBV, but I didn;t know if a person could have some form of internal herpes affecting the nerves without alot of outside signs. From what i read, herpes can affect the nerves and does cause inflammation. I was just curious if anyone else had nerves affected without having outside signs? Thanks for any advice.

Shyann