Really confused/scared

[jeffro376]

Dear Doc,
I have recently received a huge scare concerning HPV/Genital warts
Here is my background info before moving on the exact question:
I am 32 yr old straight male.  I have been married for 4 years now.  I have never been unfaithful once to my wife.  I have had numerous sex partners in the past before my marriage.

I recently noticed some blood on the toilet paper while wiping after a bowel movement.  I asked my wife to take a look at my anus and see if I had a hemmeroid or something.  She looked and described what she saw as a few "skin tags".  I freaked out thinking they could be cancer or something.  I went to the ER where the doctor looked and told me that she didnt know what they were.  2 days later (today) I just got home from the Dermatologist.  After he looked at them he told me I have genital warts on and most likely inside my anus!  I was completely floored as I am straight and in a long term monogamous marriage.  I still cant believe this.  I insisted that he biopsy 2 of them so I can get a guarenteed diagnosis.  He also told me I need to go see a Colorectal specialist.  I already made an appointment with one and will see him/her next Tuesday.  So here are my questions:
1.  Could this be a misdiagnosis?  If so what could the dermatologist be confusing these "warts" with?
2.  If they are warts how is that possible?  How can a straight guy that has never had anal sex get warts in his rectum?  I have read that warts are a result of direct skin on skin contact?
3.  How long could this have stayed dormant in my body?  My wife is incredible and not nearly as freaked out as I am but I still feel I need to give her a truthful explaination of what the heck is going on.  I have honestly never cheated on her.  

Any and all advise and info you can tell me would be greatly appreciated.  I have to wait a week to see the specialist and at least 10 days for the biopsy!  I am having high anxiety already over this!

Thank you in advance.
J

[soscared872]

Forgot to add that this blog is the community forum, not the doctor forum. Check the links to the right and look for STD in blue color under "Related Exper Forums." they charge $20 per question, but they do not have the means to diagnose what you have and are quick to say that your dermatologist or doctor visit is necessary. Save $20 unless you have a question that does not require diagnosis.

I recommend you read through their posts. Do some sleuthing. They say some events like you have occur, but extremely rare.

Don't be scared of blood tests. I had several this year. Now I founfpd I have to be on meds the rest of my life, but my quality of life should improve significantly.

[jeffro376]

Thank you for the reassurance buddy I really appreciate it.  A few things I might not have been clear about the first time:

1.  The dermatologist DID biopsy them after I insisted.  I should have an answer in 10 days.

2. Can you link me something about this happening rarely to straight people?  I have not had much luck searching on my own...

3. Good idea about the blood test I will look into it even though it scares the hell out of me...

I appreciate your encouraging comments friend.

[soscared872]

Relax. If those are warts, they are visible, so most likely they are not cancerous. There are a few rare occasions when someone (straight person) would get anal warts. Not sure how.

You are doing the right thing by going to medical specialists. Every day you wait, your cure is a day further away. I am sure you will get back to 100%.

As for question 1, since the dermatologist did not do a biopsy, just a visual won't confirm they are warts.

For question 2 - not sure how they would get there for us straight people.  It happens - very rarely.

Question 3: They could have been dormant for many years and some event (stress, illness) brought down your immune system. You might want to get a thorough blood test to be sure you do not have some auto immune thing. All kinds of viruses or stress can break down your immunity.

In most cases, your body successfully fights off the HPV strains and they are gone in two years.