This is herpes isn't it :-(

[autumnalramblings]

A few years ago, several weeks after i met my current partner i developed pain "down there" - was seen by various professionals who couldn't find an issue but every time they were poking around i would say "there!, that's where it hurts!" and they said they couldn't feel anything.

Anyway i got a mirror out and had a look myself and right down in opening at the very very bottom of the labia were really tiny little blister type things - clear - that hurt like absolute hell when i touched them.

Went to my GP and she said oh! i think that might be herpes! gave me some antiviral tablets and sent me on my way - the blisters didn't go but eventually the pain did.

Fast foward to now i am in so much pain - same little blisters in the exact same place and touching them is like pouring acid over me. The pain radiates all around my pelvis and it hurts to walk/sit and sex is definitely not an option!

I'm really confused because DP has never had these sores or ever shown any signs of it - never had coldsores, never dated someone with herpes or coldsores so how do I have it?! He hasn't cheated on me so I am assuming its a second outbreak of the intial one 4 years ago?

I can't get to the walk in clinic until next week as they are closed and i don't want to go to my GP as the receptionist insists on asking you infront of everyone what the problem is if you say its a personal matter they refuse you an appointment until you state exactly what the problem is.

Does this sound like herpes??

I'm assuming the blisters from the first outbreak went away eventually?

It's a 2nd outbreak. Sorry Op. Hurts like a bitch doesn't it.

It does.
Poor you. It is very painful.
Please complain to the practice manager about the receptionist. Yes they can ask, but you don't have to tell them and they shouldn't be refusing an appointment.
You can buy antiviral ointment otc. Maybe try that. You can have a private chat with your local pharmacist. They are usually knowledgeable and helpful.

don't want to go to my GP as the receptionist insists on asking you infront of everyone what the problem

Then I would either write it in a bit of paper to show, refuse to say and insist on asking for the Practice Manager, or lie about why you want the appointment altogether.

It is possible to have shingles down there. The distribution of the blisters is a diagnostic feature.

@endofthelinefinally can you explain what you mean about the distribution of the blisters please?

I think you are best going to your GP, as a PP says write down the problem. For the anti virals to work you need to take them soon after the outbreak starts. Also you haven't yet had a diagnosis, after a week when you can get to the walk in centre, the virus may no longer be present in the sores, it's always best to know what you are dealing with and other conditions have similar symptoms.

As to where you got it from you can have the virus for years and not have any symptoms. Given that a vast majority of the population at least have the virus orally it's likely that you have at some point had sex/oral sex with someone with the virus.

Hope you feel better soon OP, it does make you feel pretty shit.

@MumofTinies - thank you - i'm in bloody agony

Shingles blisters on one side of the spinal cord. I looked this up a few years ago and there were some useful google images illustrating the differences.

Forgot to say ice packs are your friend! Also when you go to for a wee, pour lukewarm water down there as wee can really make it sting

If you had Herpes you'd have a primary outbreak which consists of multiple blisters all over your groin. You can even have them right up your Urethra which can result in needing a Catheter until the outbreak is over.

It does sound like an STI but I'm not thinking Herpes

Sexual health clinics are great too and really knowledgeable about these things - they will generally see you same day especially with sores x

Definitely go to your GP, you don’t need to tell the receptionist the details, for a diagnosis they will need to swab the sores. Or you can get antivirals superdrug online etc. Usually the outbreaks after the first heal a lot quicker, you have my sympathy!

If you had Herpes you'd have a primary outbreak which consists of multiple blisters all over your groin.

My first (only) outbreak wasn't all over my groin, it was very isolated like the OPs. Definitely herpes, definitely first outbreak, as I had the blood test to check.

Sounds like second outbreak. Maybe your DP should be checked for it too? Some people have it for years without having an outbreak, or it's so mild they don't notice it for being herpes so never get tested, then they don't have any other symptoms. My first outbreak was horrific, but I haven't had another since (7 years), but it's possible he does have it... Doesn't mean he cheated as he could have caught it before even being with you. One of his exes may have had it and not told him, or they themselves didn't know. Its very common not to know you have the virus, you don't need to have visible sores to pass it on.

A gp really needs to swab them to confirm. You can have outbreaks after the initial that are bad too. He could have very mild outbreaks that he hasn't even noticed.

Some people take lysine tablets.

Your GP receptionists sound like they need further training in privacy/patient care.
Make it up - tell them something you know a GP needs to see and less embarrassing to tell a room full of people.
When you get to the GP they rarely say "ah the receptionist says you are concerned about xxx".

Hope you are feeling better OP. As mentioned above Lysine tablets can help a lot.

Do they look like this?

Herpes can be spread by oral sex, if your DP ever gets cold sores it can be spread that way or he could just be a carrier, nearly 80% of adults carry the herpes virus in some way or another.

Yiur local GUM might be better for this

Did you manage to.get an appointment OP? Hope you are feeling better.