I believe I am having ongoing breakouts. Does anyone else have this? The Dr. says I have herpes but we can't get a good culture and the blood test is negative. I have been takling daily Valtrex since July 4th. 500mg, sometimes 100mg. I would have to say that I don't think it has ANY impact. I kinda view this as good as maybe I don't have Herpes/viral related problems. I'm going to arrange a Herpes Western Blot test in the next couple weeks. This will not be easy. I never get any real "blisters". I do get redness, soreness, burning, and tingling. Things tend to go away after a week though but something pops up somewhere else. There has not been one day in the last 10 months where I could honestly say that I don't feel something down there (Man). I know there could be nerve damage, but I would think I would be getting really bad outbreaks to also have nerve damage. It doen't make sense that I have never damage but mild outbreaks.

Any other Men experieince ongoing problems that are not clear cut Herpes? Thoughts?

Mark,
There are several other members that have posted the exact symptoms that you have. And they all have herpes for sure.

So, it's definitely possible that you have it. The symptoms vary from person to person. Some have more severe OB's while others seldom have one or only had one initial OB and then never again.

Good Luck.

I'm a female, but I only seem to have redness and pain, no sores or blisters. I haven't tried Valtrex yet-- but I would like to know about other people with these symptoms. Also, my symptoms seem to happen almost daily-- only a couple days of no symptoms if I'm lucky. I was hoping my body would work things out a bit for me, but it's been almost 6 months and I don't know if I will get any relief.

MACS, it seems as if we both have the same situation.

In general, it seems like everyday I have some sort of twitch, itch, tingle, burn, or redness that reminds me of the situation. It makes you feel that you are shedding 24/7. It is a curse because you feel like you are 100% active. Yet, symptoms are mild so you don't feel like complaining. Sometimes I wonder whether I would be better off with 4-5 distinct breakouts a year that were far worse off. Sept 1 is my one year so I'm really hoping that things get better in year 2. If not, I'm going to try oxygen treatments and such because I don't want to take 1000 - 1500 mg of Vatrex everyday for the rest of my life.

Yes-- I think we're in similar situations. No 'textbook' blisters or sores...I got my 2nd herpes bloodtest back from an OBGYN. It came back positive for type 1, which from what I read can be genital-- and the dr. tells me type 1 isn't genital and its nothing to worry about! Then why have I felt like this for almost 6 months? I've had all my std tests, sonograms and paps which all come back ok...I can't believe how uneducated these drs are. I asked him if I could get a prescription for an antiviral, and he said he didn't do that--I'd have to go to a GP. It would be great if I don't have H, but I don't see any other explanation, especially since the person I was with admitted they had it AFTER I started having problems. Sorry, I needed to vent. Very frustrating.

I'll be going back soon to get another blood test as well.

my partner and i both have genital herpes. we have unprotected sex with each other all the time. could we be transferring the disease to each other everytime we engage in this act?

I also have what feels like ongoing outbreaks. I don't get blisters..just what look like paper slits appear down below and the tingling, itching & redness also. I also suffer from really bad aches in my lower back and down both legs a couple of times a month... that last for about 3/4 days each. I hardly feel "normal" down below anymore.
My partner very rarely gets an OB... he only gets one maybe every few months. Abit annoying really when he is the one that gave it to me and yet I suffer ongoing ones and when he does get one it doesn't bother him in the slightest, typical. :(

I just hope this backache & leg ache ease up soon...it's driving me nuts.

Serenity ~
Welcome to the board!!! I can sympathize with your lower back pain....I have even went to physical therapy for my back pain, on my right side. (therapy didn't help much) Started one month after my GH diagnosis and still flares up from time to time. Search some old posts and look for nerve neurglia (sp?)....there is alot of info. I'm convinced that it's herpes related. As far as these ob's go...I think you were being a bit kind...by, saying a "bit annoying"...face it ob's suck. "He" also gave it to me and in one years time, has mentioned 2 ob's, that really didn't bother him....he just needed more sleep....But, if you do some research...you'll find it's worse for women...go, figure...like you didn't already have enough to deal with.....Plus, the stress from every day life, can trigger an ob.....Sorry, I'm being negative...I don't mean to be...But, on a positive note...."they" say it gets easier with time. (as she taps her fingernails)....Keep posting, this board is a great salvation.....Enjoy your weekend, -Orn

Hiya Ornament and thanks for the Welcome!

I guess I was being a bit kind when saying " a bit annoying" huh?!
I phoned up my local std clinic two days ago to ask about the back pain and was told.... " in very rare cases herpes affects your back" I don't believe this at all. I have read lots of boards where a lot of people have suffered back problems since having herpes especially at the beginning. I normally get back and leg aches for 3/4 days then slits appear down below. Last week the pain got that bad I actually had to go to bed because I couldn't walk any longer. I 've never suffered with my back in my life before now. I just am really worried incase it does any serious damage...not sure if it can?
I have read a lot of information on the web but a lot of sites give such different information which I find really annoying. Most dr and nurses seem clueless on the subject also.

My partner sounds like yours....with it not getting to him much etc.
My partner hardly talks about it either...where as I can't really get away from it when I see or feel something on a daily basis near enough.

I so wish I could turn back the clock sometimes and have been more clued up on stds....


it does suck.

my partner and i both have genital herpes. we have unprotected sex with each other all the time. could we be transferring the disease to each other everytime we engage in this act?

No you can not transer a disease that both of you already have. If both of you have GH you can not make "it worse" by having unprotected sex. Oral sex is something to worry about. Don't have oral sex if one of you feels an outbreak comming on.