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Posting and other misc things
Hello,
I've attempted to post twice on the doctors forum, but did not get an acknowledgment that it posted. I emailed the "Contact Us" technical support type yesterday and again today. Does it take awhile for them to respond? Is there a trick to posting (i.e. another web browser)?
I am so thankful to have found this site filled with great knowledge and insight. A couple of days ago I was informed that I was positive for HSV 1 and 2. Because of cold sores I’ve had sporadically in the past, it didn’t surprise me that I had HSV 1 . However, the HSV 2 shocked the living **** out of me and left me numb, though it shouldn’t because I have had unprotected sex during my lifetime. Due to my state of shock, I did not ask for copies of my results or my test levels and now have to wait for another appointment because they will not give them over the phone or in person without an appointment.
I have a couple of questions that I'm sure are contained within these threads, but I am so overwhelmed at present to dig deep into them. When I meet with the clinic doctor on Monday, to what should I pay attention and are there specific questions I should ask her? If it turns out that HSV 2 is a low level, how would I go about getting the Western Blot (I think that's right) test and on average how much does it cost? If my university health clinic won't get it, is there a website that will tell me the nearest location to me?
Is it better to know where the location of the outbreak occurs so I know how to best protect myself and others? From my understanding, I won’t know the location until I have an outbreak, correct? FYI, I don't recall ever having an outbreak. Considering I am certain I had HSV 1, could my HSV 2 be false positive; if so what is the range? Can you tell me how, if at all, HSV 1 can influence the HSV 2 test?
I gathered all the lab results I could get my hands on including 13 years worth of military medical records. What I find astonishing is that I can’t locate any lab results that tested me for HSV. Is there a different lab code other than HSV I, II that I should look for on the results sheet? When my present health clinic nurse told me that HSV tests are not typically given unless the pax requests it or there is a suspected outbreak, I was floored. How can this be if HSV symptoms are often unknown and unobserved? When a pax ask to be checked for STD, doesn't that include HSV 2 - after all, it is a sexually transmitted disease? What is the harm in having the HSV be a standard part of the STD panel? Other than psychological reasons, is there any medical/physical harm? Considering I probably don’t have a base date of when I acquired HSV (waiting for the arrival of labs taken in another state), how far back should I go in my sexual history to tell people once I know for certain the lab levels?
Is this too long of an entry? I was unable to locate whether there was a length.
I've attempted to post twice on the doctors forum, but did not get an acknowledgment that it posted. I emailed the "Contact Us" technical support type yesterday and again today. Does it take awhile for them to respond? Is there a trick to posting (i.e. another web browser)?
I am so thankful to have found this site filled with great knowledge and insight. A couple of days ago I was informed that I was positive for HSV 1 and 2. Because of cold sores I’ve had sporadically in the past, it didn’t surprise me that I had HSV 1 . However, the HSV 2 shocked the living **** out of me and left me numb, though it shouldn’t because I have had unprotected sex during my lifetime. Due to my state of shock, I did not ask for copies of my results or my test levels and now have to wait for another appointment because they will not give them over the phone or in person without an appointment.
I have a couple of questions that I'm sure are contained within these threads, but I am so overwhelmed at present to dig deep into them. When I meet with the clinic doctor on Monday, to what should I pay attention and are there specific questions I should ask her? If it turns out that HSV 2 is a low level, how would I go about getting the Western Blot (I think that's right) test and on average how much does it cost? If my university health clinic won't get it, is there a website that will tell me the nearest location to me?
Is it better to know where the location of the outbreak occurs so I know how to best protect myself and others? From my understanding, I won’t know the location until I have an outbreak, correct? FYI, I don't recall ever having an outbreak. Considering I am certain I had HSV 1, could my HSV 2 be false positive; if so what is the range? Can you tell me how, if at all, HSV 1 can influence the HSV 2 test?
I gathered all the lab results I could get my hands on including 13 years worth of military medical records. What I find astonishing is that I can’t locate any lab results that tested me for HSV. Is there a different lab code other than HSV I, II that I should look for on the results sheet? When my present health clinic nurse told me that HSV tests are not typically given unless the pax requests it or there is a suspected outbreak, I was floored. How can this be if HSV symptoms are often unknown and unobserved? When a pax ask to be checked for STD, doesn't that include HSV 2 - after all, it is a sexually transmitted disease? What is the harm in having the HSV be a standard part of the STD panel? Other than psychological reasons, is there any medical/physical harm? Considering I probably don’t have a base date of when I acquired HSV (waiting for the arrival of labs taken in another state), how far back should I go in my sexual history to tell people once I know for certain the lab levels?
Is this too long of an entry? I was unable to locate whether there was a length.
Thanks Grace. I only use pantyliner during my cycle. I'm also on Valtrex suppressive therapy. So it is common for lesions to last this long without healing and for new ones to develop if one is consistently moist down there?
I'd recommend follow up with a dermatologist. You might need more than just a barrier cream as treatment but that's certainly the first place to start. Aquaphor or zinc oxide are 2 good things to try ( 1 or the other ).
Do you regularly use pantyliners or anything?
grace
Do you regularly use pantyliners or anything?
grace
Hi Grace,
Well, it's been two months since I've been diagnosed and I am doing well emotionally. Luckily I have not had any bad experiences disclosing my status and have been quite surprised by the supportive response.
Since I last wrote, I had a culture of the lesions I mentioned in my previous entry. Considering I have not had any known outbreaks (or they have been attributed to my wheat intolerance), I wanted to find out if the itching and lesions I had were in fact an outbreak. The doctor said that it would likely come back negative for HSV and it did come back negative. Interestingly, I have had the same lesions and itching since the beginning of September. They have not gone away for even a day.
I told my doctor this last week and she was a little stumped. She suggested I sleep without any undergarments or pj bottoms on while sleeping and put on diaper rash cream to help keep the moisture out. I am like a natural KY Jelly factory so keeping it dry down there is pretty difficult. I've read some entries that mentioned the lesions or outbreaks do not last this long. Can you provide any insight or offer any other suggestions as to what I might do to help make this go away? I really want sex with my partner, but this is preventing it from happening and we are both pretty frustrated.
Thanks for your assistance.
Well, it's been two months since I've been diagnosed and I am doing well emotionally. Luckily I have not had any bad experiences disclosing my status and have been quite surprised by the supportive response.
Since I last wrote, I had a culture of the lesions I mentioned in my previous entry. Considering I have not had any known outbreaks (or they have been attributed to my wheat intolerance), I wanted to find out if the itching and lesions I had were in fact an outbreak. The doctor said that it would likely come back negative for HSV and it did come back negative. Interestingly, I have had the same lesions and itching since the beginning of September. They have not gone away for even a day.
I told my doctor this last week and she was a little stumped. She suggested I sleep without any undergarments or pj bottoms on while sleeping and put on diaper rash cream to help keep the moisture out. I am like a natural KY Jelly factory so keeping it dry down there is pretty difficult. I've read some entries that mentioned the lesions or outbreaks do not last this long. Can you provide any insight or offer any other suggestions as to what I might do to help make this go away? I really want sex with my partner, but this is preventing it from happening and we are both pretty frustrated.
Thanks for your assistance.
1-correct
2-correct
3-no
2nd set of questions
1-somewhat but once positive you almost always stay positive
2- no
3- it's too hard to study in non-monogamous couples so yes it really only applies to monogamous couples. the stats you mention are hsv2+ females to males.
4-lesion cultures of active symptoms can help you sort out what you have where ifit's an issue
grace
2-correct
3-no
2nd set of questions
1-somewhat but once positive you almost always stay positive
2- no
3- it's too hard to study in non-monogamous couples so yes it really only applies to monogamous couples. the stats you mention are hsv2+ females to males.
4-lesion cultures of active symptoms can help you sort out what you have where ifit's an issue
grace
****, I knew I forgot an interpretation.
4. There is no test/culture available to determine which strain I have in my genital area (and I could have both) or around my mouth (and I could have both, but HSV 2 is rare orally)
there....that's it.
4. There is no test/culture available to determine which strain I have in my genital area (and I could have both) or around my mouth (and I could have both, but HSV 2 is rare orally)
there....that's it.
Thanks for your opinion about telling past partners. My thoughts were along the lines of yours, but wanted, umm, validation? I am pretty close to ending my obsession with reading so many entries, but before I force myself only periodic reviews of posting (who knew msg boards could be addicting and take up so much time!) I wanted to re-confirm some things and ask a question that I haven't notice from other posts. Keeping in mind that I am intimately connected to HSV 1 and 2 AND I understand it varies from person to person AND that there are no 100% guarantees AND depending on the status of shedding and OB:
1. As long as I have the classic HSV 2 genital and HSV 1 oral, I can pass HSV 2 to my partner's genitals (via intercourse) and rarely to the mouth (via oral sex both giving and receiving). I can pass HSV 1 to my partner's genital area (via oral sex by giving only) and mouth area (via kissing). I do understand that even though I may kiss my partner, have unprotected sex, and have oral sex I MAY or MAY NOT pass it to them depending on whether I'm shedding or have an OB of some sort. I also understand that there is very little chance that I can pass both of my friends, HSV 1 and 2, at the same time, but if the moon is aligned just right it could occur. Simply put, if I have unprotected sex with a person one time, I may not or may pass it on to them.
2. Considering I have both strains, if my partner has both strains, they cancel each other out so to speak and we can have crazy sex without worry regardless if one is shedding or has an OB. Once you have HSV 1 and/or 2, it doesn't get worse if one has sex with someone what has the same strain(s).
3. There are no known health issues caused by herpes. However, it does weaken your immune system (I think I may have this one wrong).
Are those correct interpretations?
Now for my final (I hope) questions.
1. Will my HSV levels fluctuate over the years? If so, why is this the case?
2. Is there any need to ever be tested again?
3. I noticed the statistic for monogamous couples, people who have HSV 2 and their partners who are negative is about 99% if they use a condom, HSV 2 person is on suppressive therapy, and no sexual contact during OB. What about those who are not in a monogamous relationship, does this statistic still apply? If not, are there statistics on people who have multiple partners?
Once addressed, I think my concerns and curiosity can be put to rest. I look forward to living my life and focusing on other things once again. WooHoo! There is soooo much misinformation out there. I don't think I could have made it this far this fast without the support and dedication the moderators and experts provide to this site. Thank you, especially you Grace.
1. As long as I have the classic HSV 2 genital and HSV 1 oral, I can pass HSV 2 to my partner's genitals (via intercourse) and rarely to the mouth (via oral sex both giving and receiving). I can pass HSV 1 to my partner's genital area (via oral sex by giving only) and mouth area (via kissing). I do understand that even though I may kiss my partner, have unprotected sex, and have oral sex I MAY or MAY NOT pass it to them depending on whether I'm shedding or have an OB of some sort. I also understand that there is very little chance that I can pass both of my friends, HSV 1 and 2, at the same time, but if the moon is aligned just right it could occur. Simply put, if I have unprotected sex with a person one time, I may not or may pass it on to them.
2. Considering I have both strains, if my partner has both strains, they cancel each other out so to speak and we can have crazy sex without worry regardless if one is shedding or has an OB. Once you have HSV 1 and/or 2, it doesn't get worse if one has sex with someone what has the same strain(s).
3. There are no known health issues caused by herpes. However, it does weaken your immune system (I think I may have this one wrong).
Are those correct interpretations?
Now for my final (I hope) questions.
1. Will my HSV levels fluctuate over the years? If so, why is this the case?
2. Is there any need to ever be tested again?
3. I noticed the statistic for monogamous couples, people who have HSV 2 and their partners who are negative is about 99% if they use a condom, HSV 2 person is on suppressive therapy, and no sexual contact during OB. What about those who are not in a monogamous relationship, does this statistic still apply? If not, are there statistics on people who have multiple partners?
Once addressed, I think my concerns and curiosity can be put to rest. I look forward to living my life and focusing on other things once again. WooHoo! There is soooo much misinformation out there. I don't think I could have made it this far this fast without the support and dedication the moderators and experts provide to this site. Thank you, especially you Grace.
Why not go back to past partners? Well you have no idea how long you've been infected so you end up panicking a lot of people and stressing them and yourself out and frankly it's just not worth it for most folks. All of us are responsible for our own health so they should all be discussing std testing with their providers and following up on it on their own. If you want to inform all your past partners feel free to do so but for more folks it's just asking for trouble. Some health departments will inform them annonymously for you if you want to ask your local one if they do that.
yes lesion cultures are falsely negative quite frequently, especially with recurrences since the body steps in pretty quickly to curb shedding.
And sweetie we throw a hell of a party - you are in a good club :)
grace
yes lesion cultures are falsely negative quite frequently, especially with recurrences since the body steps in pretty quickly to curb shedding.
And sweetie we throw a hell of a party - you are in a good club :)
grace
Hi Grace,
As I stated previously, I would post my levels when they were in hand. Well, HSV 1 and 2 IGG levels were over 5. I guess I'm part of the club now --- when is the party!?! Just kidding. I need to have a little humor.
When I went to the clinic, I still had the presence of itching and I asked the NP (who is very knowledgeable with herpes) if she wouldn't mind taking a look and a culture to ensure it was an outbreak. I don't know that I've ever had an outbreak and if this is what if feels like, then I know for future reference and that it doesn't necessarily have to do with eating wheat. She agreed, but stated that the culture may come back false negative. Could the result come back false negative with a culture because it wasn't taken within the first 24-48 hours of an outbreak? She looked and said that it looked like an outbreak.
Now what do I do. I know HSV 1 and 2 are now my life long friends and there really isn't anything I can do except tell my future partners, engage in protective sex, be healthy, and stay on my suppressive therapy. I asked if I needed to tell past partners and you said that I didn't need to go back and share this information with them. Not that I don't agree with you, but could you tell me your logic behind this? I do speak to these men from time to time and one I had been married to for 7 years. I'm just curious.
Now that I'm officially a part of the community, is there any way I can offer my time to help others or support education. I suppose I should find out if there is a local group and go from there.
As always Grace, thank you for your patience, time, and knowledge.
As I stated previously, I would post my levels when they were in hand. Well, HSV 1 and 2 IGG levels were over 5. I guess I'm part of the club now --- when is the party!?! Just kidding. I need to have a little humor.
When I went to the clinic, I still had the presence of itching and I asked the NP (who is very knowledgeable with herpes) if she wouldn't mind taking a look and a culture to ensure it was an outbreak. I don't know that I've ever had an outbreak and if this is what if feels like, then I know for future reference and that it doesn't necessarily have to do with eating wheat. She agreed, but stated that the culture may come back false negative. Could the result come back false negative with a culture because it wasn't taken within the first 24-48 hours of an outbreak? She looked and said that it looked like an outbreak.
Now what do I do. I know HSV 1 and 2 are now my life long friends and there really isn't anything I can do except tell my future partners, engage in protective sex, be healthy, and stay on my suppressive therapy. I asked if I needed to tell past partners and you said that I didn't need to go back and share this information with them. Not that I don't agree with you, but could you tell me your logic behind this? I do speak to these men from time to time and one I had been married to for 7 years. I'm just curious.
Now that I'm officially a part of the community, is there any way I can offer my time to help others or support education. I suppose I should find out if there is a local group and go from there.
As always Grace, thank you for your patience, time, and knowledge.
no, valtrex isn't an issue with any of those medications.
And really if you know you don't tolerate wheat, don't eat it. The more you eat it, the more of a reaction your body will have. It's just not worth it. Plenty of gluten free products on the regular grocery stores nowadays and what you can't find at walmart you can find on amazon grocery.
grace
And really if you know you don't tolerate wheat, don't eat it. The more you eat it, the more of a reaction your body will have. It's just not worth it. Plenty of gluten free products on the regular grocery stores nowadays and what you can't find at walmart you can find on amazon grocery.
grace
Hi again,
Yeah, I know that the gas and cramps are not caused by HSV - damn wheat (and here I sit eating crackers). I think I'm deliberately eating wheat now so that I can have this irritation down in my genital area for Monday in hopes of her doing a culture and seeing my "scratch marks."
When the NP at the university clinic told me about my positive results for HSV 1 and 2, she told me to take half of a 1gm valtrex daily. Do you know if valtrex can affect my birth control (nuva ring) or my anti-depressant meds (wellbutrin)? Or my soy supplements for night sweats (damn becoming older is sometimes a bi....I mean pain).
Thank you very much for all of your support.
Yeah, I know that the gas and cramps are not caused by HSV - damn wheat (and here I sit eating crackers). I think I'm deliberately eating wheat now so that I can have this irritation down in my genital area for Monday in hopes of her doing a culture and seeing my "scratch marks."
When the NP at the university clinic told me about my positive results for HSV 1 and 2, she told me to take half of a 1gm valtrex daily. Do you know if valtrex can affect my birth control (nuva ring) or my anti-depressant meds (wellbutrin)? Or my soy supplements for night sweats (damn becoming older is sometimes a bi....I mean pain).
Thank you very much for all of your support.
I'm not sure anything is really tmi around here...lol.
Wheat allergies can cause all sorts of problems. of course gas and cramps is a biggee for them. They also can cause rashes too. Once we get a copy of your blood test results we can better help figure this out I think. genital herpes doesn't cause gas and cramps though as a sign of a recurrence.
You are preaching to the choir about at least telling you what they are testing for and not testing for...sigh. That's actually the CDC's newest mini campaign about herpes testing - if you don't offer it, at least tell folks you aren't giving it to them. It's frustrating when the research shows that just knowing you are infected doubles the time until a partner is infected in a new relationship ( in the small % of folks that do pass it on that quickly ) but the majority of folks don't even have access to testing. 1 out of 100 folks have hiv and we test for that all the time as part of routine std testing but 1 out of 4-5 have genital herpes and we don't even tell folks we aren't testing for it. Of course 1 out of 10 folks has a wheat intolerance too and we don't test for that either. Keeps the gas ex folks doing a brisk business though ;)
grace
Wheat allergies can cause all sorts of problems. of course gas and cramps is a biggee for them. They also can cause rashes too. Once we get a copy of your blood test results we can better help figure this out I think. genital herpes doesn't cause gas and cramps though as a sign of a recurrence.
You are preaching to the choir about at least telling you what they are testing for and not testing for...sigh. That's actually the CDC's newest mini campaign about herpes testing - if you don't offer it, at least tell folks you aren't giving it to them. It's frustrating when the research shows that just knowing you are infected doubles the time until a partner is infected in a new relationship ( in the small % of folks that do pass it on that quickly ) but the majority of folks don't even have access to testing. 1 out of 100 folks have hiv and we test for that all the time as part of routine std testing but 1 out of 4-5 have genital herpes and we don't even tell folks we aren't testing for it. Of course 1 out of 10 folks has a wheat intolerance too and we don't test for that either. Keeps the gas ex folks doing a brisk business though ;)
grace
Thank you Grace for your reply. This is a little odd question: I have a wheat intolerance and when I eat certain wheat items, which occurs often, I get horrible gas cramps (TMI?) and my genital and anus area often times itch, but it doesn't hurt. Could this possibly be a HSV outbreak and I attribute it to my wheat intolerance? I suspect you may have no idea, but I thought it was worth throwing out there.
Since finding this website the day after I was told I was positive, I'm trying not to be too stressed out about things until I get my levels and know which test was given to me. I'm 39 years old and didn't realize HSV test were not given as part of the STD panel. I really think people need to be aware of this and when a pax asks for STD the doc should at least let them know that HSV is not apart of the panel and leave it as an option. It's upsetting to me that I have not been told this bit of information on the times I have requested STD panels in the past. Perhaps this is a campaign idea for my university......
Thanks again and I will post here once my results are in hand.
Since finding this website the day after I was told I was positive, I'm trying not to be too stressed out about things until I get my levels and know which test was given to me. I'm 39 years old and didn't realize HSV test were not given as part of the STD panel. I really think people need to be aware of this and when a pax asks for STD the doc should at least let them know that HSV is not apart of the panel and leave it as an option. It's upsetting to me that I have not been told this bit of information on the times I have requested STD panels in the past. Perhaps this is a campaign idea for my university......
Thanks again and I will post here once my results are in hand.
there is a max number of questions accepted in the std experts forum each day - it's not unlimited. the best thing to do is set your alarm clock for early in the am to post to there.
Usually the medhelp mods get back to you in a timely manner. No idea why you haven't heard yet from them. I am not one of the folks those sorts of emails go to ( thank goodness! ).
the WB is I believe $140 for the test to be run by the U of washington - your clinic will probably tack on other fees to draw the blood and send it to them.
You probably were never tested for hsv before. the military doesn't routinely test for it and it's not a part of most routine std panels either anywhere else.
Once you get your results to post I can better help you and then continue to answer your questions for you. At this point the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com is the best resource to read for the basics.
You don't need to go back and tell past partners about your hsv status should you end up being hsv2+. All that matters is your current partner and any partners from here on out. You will never probably figure out when you got it and from whom.
oh and I don't think there's a limit to how long posts can be - I've been pretty wordy myself at times...he he he
grace
Usually the medhelp mods get back to you in a timely manner. No idea why you haven't heard yet from them. I am not one of the folks those sorts of emails go to ( thank goodness! ).
the WB is I believe $140 for the test to be run by the U of washington - your clinic will probably tack on other fees to draw the blood and send it to them.
You probably were never tested for hsv before. the military doesn't routinely test for it and it's not a part of most routine std panels either anywhere else.
Once you get your results to post I can better help you and then continue to answer your questions for you. At this point the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com is the best resource to read for the basics.
You don't need to go back and tell past partners about your hsv status should you end up being hsv2+. All that matters is your current partner and any partners from here on out. You will never probably figure out when you got it and from whom.
oh and I don't think there's a limit to how long posts can be - I've been pretty wordy myself at times...he he he
grace
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
