Results in, Can I trust them?

[Thomas29]

Okay,  just received my results for the STD testing I had at  15 days after my risk event ( sex with  escort, broken condom).

Urine testing for   Gonorrhea and Chlamydia --  negative

Blood testing for  Hep C, HIV, & Syphillis  -- negative.


I will be doing follow up testing @  six weeks and  twelve weeks.     My provider also wants me to do HIV @ six monthes,  which I think is over kill but I won't argue with her about.


My question is how reassured can I feel about these results?         Can I really trust that I don't have Chlamydia or  Gonorrhea.       My inner hypochondriac was convinced I was infected.                I'm not as worried about syphillis Hep C or HIV  because of the circumstances of my  potential exposure ( vaginal sex w/ female who claimed to have negative results for all three within week before).    But,  it would be nice to know if the negative results for these are at all reassuring.

Just looking for some further information about the validity of my urine tests and some peace of mind.

thanks,


ps --  I understand this will be my last post for 6 months because of forum policy.   That's okay because I never intend to put myself in this situation again.   The anxiety has been too much for me.

[Thomas29]

I apologize.    On an intellectual level I know I am being silly and irrational --- it's just that the anxiety and guilt are driving me a little batty.        

I won't waste anymore of your time,  probably need to bite the bullet when I see my provider and explain that the anxiety is getting the best of me and see what help she can provide -- perhaps a mental health referal or something.

thanks again

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You've been tested and are negative.  The discharge you are having is likely from your repeated self-examination.  You can go to a doctor at your convenience if you wish - this is not an emergency.  This is not an STD.  I worry that when you see the doctor, he/she may well give you antibiotics rather than argue with you (I would not).  At that time you will be taking medications for something you don't have.  

Please stop the self examination.

I have nothing more to say.  EWH

[Thomas29]

Last follow up question just need some managment advice about what to do?

I had a clear mucus like discharge during a large bowel movement.     Never noticed this sort of thing before;  but I've never really looked for it.     I'm still constantly checking myself and "milking"  

No pain whatsoever during urination sometimes the tip of my penis feels irrated when I'm focusing on it -- but this could be my anxiety or cuased by all the squeezing and pulling I am doing.

I'm still feeling the mild  on and off pains in my scrotom (I've chalked this up to anxiety because it tends to occur when I am worrying about STIs).

However this discharge concerns me.     Maybe I have an  NSU?    How serious or dangerous could this be?     Do I need to run to the doctors ASAP or can I bring this up at my follow up appointgment in three weeks.  

Am I just worrying too much.

[Thomas29]

Thanks for the piece of mind.    I'd like to thank both you and Dr. Handsfeild for talking me down from my fears.

I'd just like to add for the sake of anyone else reading this who is dealing with the same kind of anxiety and shame I was feeling,  to just go ahead and visit their provider.

I had been deathly afraid to face the music,  but the overall experience was not bad and was handle with a a good deal of compassion and professionalism by my provider.      

To make a long story short --  the reality is the suffering caused by not knowing and keeping the guilt and shame inside is much worse than the actual reality of doing the right thing and getting tested.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Hi. I suspect you could have just asked this question as a follow-up to the thread you started with Dr. Handsfield earlier. However, as it is, Dr. Handsfield and I share the forum and  this time you got me.  FYI, the reason we share the forum is because we have worked together for nearly 30 years and while our verbiage styles vary, we have never disagreed on management strategies or advice to clients.

You can believe the results of your gonorrhea and chlamydia tests.  The performance of the currently available tests makes them amongst the most accurate tests for diagnosis of all infectious diseases.  Your results are reliable.

For that matter, while technically it is too early to be absolutely sure about your HIV or other results, you are correct that at this time your negative results pretty much guarantee that you did not get any of these either.

Congratulations on your commitment to not put yourself in this situation again as well.  I wish you the best.  EWH