It would be highly unusual for HSV 1 to behave in this way. Are you saying that the outbreaks are on your knee and your doctor thought it was shingles? WAs a swab test done and it was positive for VZV?
So when you say that you are continuing to have symptoms when you decrease or stop meds? What symptoms? and Where?
The culture should be sensitive when there is a lesion present, but not as sensitive as the PCR swab. You could ask that PCR swabbing be done or order your own from 24/7 lab online
It doesn’t really make sense to me that HSV 1 would behave in this way, honestly
Terri