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Gynecology (Expert Forum)
Misdiagnosed?
Answered by
Keith Downing, MD - Obstetrics, Gynecology
MA
This forum is for questions and support regarding gynecology issues such as: Cervical Disorders, Colposcopy, Cramps, Cystitis, Fallopian Tube Disorders, Menstruation, Ovarian Disorders, PAP Test, Pelvic Exam, PID, PMS, Surgery, Tests, Ultrasound, Uterine Disorders, Vaginal Disorders.
Misdiagnosed?
by nonnyjj, Nov 13, 2007 09:09AM
Last week I had the Mirena IUD taken out due to a list of ailments...it was poisoning my body. I went to our family doctor to get a referral to the ob-gyn in the next town (per their policy) and they informed me they could remove the IUD right there. Against my better judgement, I let them take it out. They also did blood test, cotton swab of the cervix and sent the IUD to the lab for testing also. They said I had cervical inflamation from the IUD, and prescribed an antibiotic and naproxen to help my body recover.
Hours after they took the IUD out, I felt great. A few days later, I could get off the couch and began exercising and living my life normally again.
Then a few days ago, the doctor called me and said all the tests came back great, I could hear him shuffling papers in the background. Then he said offhandedly, oh by the way you tested positive for Chlamydia.
I believe I've been misdiagnosed. My husband and I are in a committed relationship with no outside partners. I've researched online and found similar symptoms with cervicitis, which I'd read can be caused by an IUD infection.
I'm going for a second opinion asap because the whole situation is sending huge red flags up.
Is it possible to be misdiagnosed for this STD?
(P.S. My husband and I go in for yearly checks each year with the doctor-per his career, and my yearly pap. We've never experienced anything like this before. Also, the IUD was just put in this past mid-April and the pap tests came back fine, as they always have. The IUD seriously messed up my body and my cycle.)
Hours after they took the IUD out, I felt great. A few days later, I could get off the couch and began exercising and living my life normally again.
Then a few days ago, the doctor called me and said all the tests came back great, I could hear him shuffling papers in the background. Then he said offhandedly, oh by the way you tested positive for Chlamydia.
I believe I've been misdiagnosed. My husband and I are in a committed relationship with no outside partners. I've researched online and found similar symptoms with cervicitis, which I'd read can be caused by an IUD infection.
I'm going for a second opinion asap because the whole situation is sending huge red flags up.
Is it possible to be misdiagnosed for this STD?
(P.S. My husband and I go in for yearly checks each year with the doctor-per his career, and my yearly pap. We've never experienced anything like this before. Also, the IUD was just put in this past mid-April and the pap tests came back fine, as they always have. The IUD seriously messed up my body and my cycle.)
Doctor's Answer
by Keith Downing, MD, Nov 14, 2007 10:28AM
, Nov 14, 2007 10:28AM
Hello,
The IUD is not the blame for a positive Chlamydia result. It is possible to have a false positive on a chlamydia screen. The likelihood of this occurring will be greater in a low prevalence population (and you suggest you believe yourself to be low risk).
It should be remembered that Chlamydia trachomatis is extremely common and often results in silent and often chronic unrecognized illness.
Having your husband tested (which can be done by a urine test or urethral swab) is a good idea. I would encourage you both to proceed with treatment, although you probably want to be retested before doing so. I would be cautious about delaying therapy of what may be a true positive result.
One possible test to help discern if this was a false positive is to undergo Chlamydia antibody testing (a blood test looking for immune cells formed against the chlamydia bacteria). If negative and your husband's testing is negative you two should feel reassured. However, if positive, it could be the result of a recent exposure, or an exposure from earlier in your sexual life.
I understand the difficulty of all of this. Continue to talk with your physician and your husband and hopefully the issue will be resolved.
Best regards,
Dr. Downing
The IUD is not the blame for a positive Chlamydia result. It is possible to have a false positive on a chlamydia screen. The likelihood of this occurring will be greater in a low prevalence population (and you suggest you believe yourself to be low risk).
It should be remembered that Chlamydia trachomatis is extremely common and often results in silent and often chronic unrecognized illness.
Having your husband tested (which can be done by a urine test or urethral swab) is a good idea. I would encourage you both to proceed with treatment, although you probably want to be retested before doing so. I would be cautious about delaying therapy of what may be a true positive result.
One possible test to help discern if this was a false positive is to undergo Chlamydia antibody testing (a blood test looking for immune cells formed against the chlamydia bacteria). If negative and your husband's testing is negative you two should feel reassured. However, if positive, it could be the result of a recent exposure, or an exposure from earlier in your sexual life.
I understand the difficulty of all of this. Continue to talk with your physician and your husband and hopefully the issue will be resolved.
Best regards,
Dr. Downing
