First shingles outbreak - genitals!

betsy66

Sorry to be so graphic, but I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced shingles around the genitals?

I've never had shingles before but based on my symptoms that must be what is going on, and I'm going to go to a doctor because I am soooo uncomfortable!

It started in a strange way. Last week, I decided to bathe and shave my pubes in anticipation of sex with my husband. I sort of overdid shaving my labia and back towards my butt because I could still feel stubble. Later, we had sex, and I became aware of discomfort where I had shaved. Then I even had discomfort with penetration. I told my DH I was sore so could we finish up. The next morning I felt very sore around my labia and even my clitoris was hypersensitive/painful! Later, I felt itching at the base of my spine right at the top of my butt crack, so I began to itch the spot and felt shooting pain - hurt soooo bad! I look in the mirror and find some rash patches there, one about the size of a silver dollar central and then another slightly smaller one off to the left side of it. I found another rash patch on the back of my left thight. I have since found more rash on my left inside buttock near my vagina, and my labia and **** are extremely painful with contact with underwear etc. I can feel lumps (blisters?) under the skin at the base of my labia.

I also experienced pain within my left knee, sort of throbbing, though I knew I hadn't injured myself. I also had a burning pain within my left thigh. Those symptoms have ceased, but the rashes and burning and hyper-sensitivity are still very bad. I couldn't sleep last night, couldn't find a comfortable position and had shooting pain in my crotch! I can deal with the ones at the base of my spine, but the crotch area is just impossible. I had to get up and waddle around outside to distract myself in the middle of the night. I finally had to take benedryl, ibuprofen, tramadol, and drink some milk to finally over-ride the pain and fall asleep.

My dad had shingles once about 30 years ago. I am alarmed at how many people on the forums have had fairly frequent recurrences. I am freaked out over the idea that this could happen again and again in these same areas, because having it in the crotch is really just too much!

In the past I have shaved down there and had a similar reaction around the labia but that was the only spot and it went away fairly quickly, so I never thought much of it, but maybe that was an actual attack and I just didn't realize it.

I will surf the forum for answers - not sure what I'm asking here other than to say this is happening to me and I'm freaked out about it, but nice to know this group is here for support.