Yes, you seem very worried about this.
The bump near your mouth doesn't really sound like herpes to me either. However, you don't seem content to let this go even after multiple antibody tests and several visits to the dermatologist.
The herpes western blot test is quite a bit better at picking up HSV 1 than is the traditional ELISA test that you have had multiple times. You may wish to consider getting that test to further increase your confidence that you are not infected to to reveal if you are. Your doctor can order a test kit from the University of Washington or we can order this for you from our clinic.
I honestly don't have any other advice for you on this topic.
Is that helpful?
Terri
Oh one more thing my dermatologist said
The scab/sore looked like it was surrounding a hair follicle and that was part of the reason he said what he did and the fact that it was scabbed up so quickly after being picked at. I saw him less than 10 hours after picking the bump off.
Also bump was singlular.
Sorry I should be clear. I picked bump at 2am on Weds. By 1pm I was at dermatologist with Yellow scab. Thursday it turned to red scab.
Saturday afternoon scab was gone and just dry flakey skin left in the area that scab was.
I should note that when I said in my mustache area I mean in the area where the hair grows, the scab was not touching the lip, it was about a centimeter and a half from its outer edge.
Lastly, I have been fairly obsessed about this in case you could not tell...
I went to my dermatologist four times in the last three months anytime something looked remotely odd to me on my mouth or crotch.
Thank you Terry.
I think I'm so concerned because I found out about her cold sore, even though it was healed enough that make up hid it pretty well. and everything seems to say that if you kiss someone with a cold sore (from beginning to end) that you will get it.
If I was your patient would you tell me to just move on, or to get the additional test?
I don't really want to spend a bunch of money that I don't need to. But since you are an expert I thought I would ask. If you tell me no need to worry I will move on now.
Honestly, I don't know exactly what to tell you. I didn't see the bump near your mouth. I didn't see her cold sore. I just don't have enough information to give you adequate advice on this.
I told you about the western blot. If you want to spend the money to find out your actual status, that is the test you need.
This will be my last post on this thread
Terri
Thanks. Ok.
I understand, can you just tell me how to get the western blot test? Do I call your office and they can tell me where to go get the blood drawn near me?
Terri,
I found the phone number for your clinic. I have an appointment with you thursday.
Is there anyway to get the test done this week though? I know it will take 2 to 3 weeks to get the results, but could I at least get in and get the blood drawn.
It takes two days for the lab in Seattle to communicate with your local lab so I'm afraid not. Sorry! I'm not in the office until tomorrow.
Terri
Thank you for talking to me today. I know you can't tell me that I'm not infected, but I feel much better and hopeful for the first time.
Good. I hope we talked on Thursday, hard for me to tell between the clinic and here!
Terri
We did talk on thursday. I ended up not being able to get an appointment with the dermatologist, but it feels like it would have been wasted anyways.
After three days: Itching just above the lip, dry flaky skin. no blisters. no pus. no crusting. no pain. no swelling and the redness is gone.
That's good news for now, right?
Terri
yeah. feels like good news. having just dry itchy flaky skin doesn't sound like a cold sore to me.
got my test done today and they said the sample went would be shipped out this afternoon.
I have had my negative 13 week test so I am hopeful that its really negative.
I am really nervous still but I wanted to say thank you.
Sending positive thoughts your way.
Did the testing process go well? How much was it? It varies from location to location
Terri
They have to bill me because the you got me an appointment but the test didn't show up in the computer, it only showed up by fax.
The tester told me that they were going to kill her but that she was going to take the blood, send it out and then send me the bill.
Well that's unpleasant. We do fax the test results BECAUSE the test is not in the computer. The Seattle Quest lab always contacts the local lab to clarify the issue of the test not being in the computer. I'm sorry you got caught up in all of that, but glad they took the blood.
Terri
I am a little bit worried about this nor, I went in today to see if I could pay and they told me again that it was mailed out but that I could only pay the bill if they ended up sending me one in the mail.
I really hope that it gets there. They did assure me that it was sent out even though they never charged me.
If they said it went out then it likely did. Sit tight for two weeks. If we don't have results, then we can reassess.
Terri
Ok. It was shipped out on monday. I can wait to weeks.
Having this weird rash thing just above my lip kind of freaked me out (second time it happened) but neither time was there a blisters or a crust or any pain. Just one day of itching and slight redness then dry flaky skin for four or five days.
Ugh....nothing I can do but wait.
Nope, let' s just wait for results.
I'm not going to be answering anymore posts on this thread.
Terri
Terri,
I just received your voicemail from last night regarding my test results at 19 weeks post exposure. I am very very very very happy.
I didn't think I needed to call back given your statement that I was negative, I just wondering if there was anyways I could get the results sent to me.
Again thank you so much.