Hi All,

I'm really hoping someone can help me out here, as I'm very upset. I had sinus surgery yesterday morning. Last night I called the doctor because my throat was hurting very bad, not just scratchy from the tube, but it felt like I had a golf ball in there. He said it was probably from the tube.

This morning, I couldn't take it anymore, so I went to the doctor (there's another snowstorm coming here and I just wanted to be sure everything is okay). So, he looks in my throat, tells me that he expected to find nothing, but I have some cold sores back there. I HAVE NEVER HAD A COLD SORE IN MY LIFE!! What's that about?? Could they have introduced something when they intubated/extubated me? Is it possible it's not cold sores, but just trauma? He prescribed Valtrex and I really don't want to take it, but this stuff HURTS!!

Please, has anyone ever heard of something like this happening after surgery?

Thanks for any help,
Inq

Just some more info I got....

I don't think it's a cold sore because I read that cold sores rarely happen in the soft tissues of the mouth. More likely it is a canker sore. I looked up some images and it seems to match what I have. But do I still take the valtrex??? Ugh...I feel awful!

Hope someone can help....

Thanks,
Inq

Hi, cold sores and canker sores are both caused by the herpes simplex type II virus.
Which is why he prescribed Valtrex. This virus can remain latent in the body for years.
It probably happened after the surgery because your body is in a state of healing and
is a little more susceptible than usual. Once the cold sores go away, they may never
come back or they may come back from time to time. Hope this helps :)

Thanks all for your replies....

I stopped the valtrex (only had one) as I believe it is an injury from the surgery and definitely not a cold sore. It is already starting to get better.

Boy, would I love to speak to that anesthesiologist, though!

Thanks again,
Inq