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Rethinking Re-testing - I am severely afraid! Support please? :(


Roxanne11

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So today I went in to the docs to confirm two swabs earlier in the week and they came back negative - yay! I have also received my blood test form to test on my 12th week. I tested positive IgM 5.5 weeks post possible exposure (negative IgG). This positive has since given me severe mental anxiety. I have been told multiple times and have done hours worth of research that IgM testing is highly unreliable and to basically ignore it. But for some reason I can't let go of - I can't imagine the medical industry administering something and officially diagnosing you when there is high possibility of it being incorrect! I just can't fathom that! It's like a lawsuit waiting to happen...

I've had a number of red spots/bumps appear and disappear randomly and every time I got a swab - all came back negative. I also did a swab of my cervix and the doctor with the speculum confirmed there were no lesions and the swab came back negative. I've had random tingles, numbness, electric shocks in my genital region but I strongly believe it was psychosomatic because no OB ever followed.

The doctor (different from the one who diagnosed me) is encouraging me not to take the blood test because of two reasons - 1) the IgM is highly unreliable  2) because I have had not outbreaks and he asks how has your life been affected apart from the mental - there is nothing you have presented to worry about. 

I am thinking whether or not to do the test. What if I come out positive and react really emotionally bad to it? Is it worth the trauma? I have a partner who wants to stay with me regardless. We have been having unprotected sex for 6 weeks now and he has not shown any symptoms whatsoever... 

At the same time, if I decide not to re-test and deem myself clear from my neg swabs and no OBs, am I being irresponsible with my sexual health? I don't want to infect anyone but I don't want to be mentally damaged by this either. I'm just looking at my blood test form and I don't know if I can bring myself to do it - I am sooooooooo f******* scared! 

I would love to hear people's thoughts, what would you do if you were in my situation? :( 

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1 hour ago, Lisa21 said:

@Roxanne11 I’d rather have the trauma of retesting than the thought of infecting someone else... 

i tested at 7weeks which im thinking was to early like .. my vision is blurry.. im tired of checking my body. I really feel like I’m bout to stroke out from the stress. Every itch bump, knot on me I’m looking .. waiting until my original gyn appointment to retest is killing me.. idk what to think or do

Sorry to hear that you're going through such emotional turmoil also. So I'm assuming you'll re-test at 12 weeks? What makes you think that you may have herpes? Encounter?

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16 minutes ago, Screwed said:

Drink structured silver, just incase. You can get it from vitamin shoppe or gnc. 

What's this for?

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Looks like I won’t make it to my blood test anyway! I have an open cut hair follicle above my clit that is open, red, shiny and stinging - this areas was itchy all day and now this has appeared 😭 I also have random red irritated areas from the top of my vulva to my bikini line :( to top it off I have severe tingling in my anus as if some is crawling!! 

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@Roxanne11 hey friend! Totally understand what you are going through. I was diagnosed four months ago, swab/blood was positive but one part of my blood was negative . I’m assuming it was the igg that was negative but i can’t remember. Since then, i only have some tingling now and again. Every once in awhile very mild irritation . The guy i believe gave it to me keeps telling me he got tested and he’s clean. It’s so frustrating ! Keep your head up :). I know mentally it can really take a toll :(

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Oh god!! I've been waiting for this day to draw my blood but I don't know if I can do it. I'm sitting at work with high levels of anxiety! I'm sorry if I am sounding dramatic but I'm just not sure what to do?!?! I need closure because I obsess over this every minute of every day but I'm not sure if I can handle knowing I'm positive... To make things worse I have a bright red spot on my outer labia this morning!!

Do I or don't I re-test? Feeling like I'm going to have a panic attack :( 

3 negative swabs on red spots to date and no other symptoms. No pain, no lesions, no flu like symptoms - surely I can still be negative even though my IgM said positive?? Does anyone know what the window period is for an IgM to stay positive? Equivocal 21st March and then positive 2nd July - that seems like a hell of a long time for something that apparently is only meant to be present for a couple of weeks?

Someone, please help :( any further support would be appreciated. I'm terrified. 

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3 minutes ago, Roxanne11 said:

Oh god!! I've been waiting for this day to draw my blood but I don't know if I can do it. I'm sitting at work with high levels of anxiety! I'm sorry if I am sounding dramatic but I'm just not sure what to do?!?! I need closure because I obsess over this every minute of every day but I'm not sure if I can handle knowing I'm positive... To make things worse I have a bright red spot on my outer labia this morning!!

Do I or don't I re-test? Feeling like I'm going to have a panic attack :( 

3 negative swabs on red spots to date and no other symptoms. No pain, no lesions, no flu like symptoms - surely I can still be negative even though my IgM said positive?? Does anyone know what the window period is for an IgM to stay positive? Equivocal 21st March and then positive 2nd July - that seems like a hell of a long time for something that apparently is only meant to be present for a couple of weeks?

Someone, please help :( any further support would be appreciated. I'm terrified. 

Whether you test or not, the reality and truth are the same. You will either have it or not. There will also be no real issue as to whether you have herpes or not. Life will go on just as before. The sun will rise, the same issues will be there in your life and the same joy to be found.

The test is just a bit of paper that will provide you with guidance. In your case, I have little doubt it will happen to be negative. 

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58 minutes ago, WilsoInAus said:

Whether you test or not, the reality and truth are the same. You will either have it or not. There will also be no real issue as to whether you have herpes or not. Life will go on just as before. The sun will rise, the same issues will be there in your life and the same joy to be found.

The test is just a bit of paper that will provide you with guidance. In your case, I have little doubt it will happen to be negative. 

Hi Wilso - thanks again. You're right that the reality and truth are the same. After reading your post I went to draw my blood. I know you have been doubtful of my IgM and believe I'll remain negative IgG (and others as well from forums and doctors) - I hope you are right, it would be such a relief :( 

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Hey, I’m in somewhat of a similar situation. I’ve had all the symptoms (twice in 3 months).

but I tested negative after 19 weeks on the igg. It’s all so stressful

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1 minute ago, James12 said:

Hey, I’m in somewhat of a similar situation. I’ve had all the symptoms (twice in 3 months).

but I tested negative after 19 weeks on the igg. It’s all so stressful

That sucks! I haven't had any typical herpes symptoms though and anything that ended up not looking right to me I always went straight to the docs for a swab - all came back negative. 

Did you swab your lesions? Assuming you had some after you've said you had all the symptoms? I think the best case for you now is to see if you ever get another outbreak and get it swabbed immediately. I've had many people and doctors tell me that a blood test at 12 week post exposure is conclusive or 16 weeks if you are absolutely worried. Yours is 19 weeks out!! But I can't comment on your symptoms... what were they specifically?

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No I never swabbed them. If another outbreak comes back then I’ll swab it. Or if nothing happens in the next couple months I might get the westernblot.

I don’t know if I can act like I don’t have it tho. I mean I’ve had symptoms twice, so if it wasn’t herpes then idk what could have done that. The first was worse than the second, and I got sick the first time which makes me think it’s definitely herpes. (But then again that could have all been from the rainforest maybe?)

If anyone else got a 19 week igg negative they would think they don’t have it and continue life, but I’m not sure if it’s responsible for me to do that and put someone else in potential harm.

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5 minutes ago, James12 said:

No I never swabbed them. If another outbreak comes back then I’ll swab it. Or if nothing happens in the next couple months I might get the westernblot.

I don’t know if I can act like I don’t have it tho. I mean I’ve had symptoms twice, so if it wasn’t herpes then idk what could have done that. The first was worse than the second, and I got sick the first time which makes me think it’s definitely herpes. (But then again that could have all been from the rainforest maybe?)

If anyone else got a 19 week igg negative they would think they don’t have it and continue life, but I’m not sure if it’s responsible for me to do that and put someone else in potential harm.

Western Blot is a great option for you - definitely go for that! 

I've heard that IgG may miss HSV1 in 30% of people and HSV2 in 8% - that may be the case for you? I don't know... go for the western blot, which is deemed 99% accurate, so you can get some closure :) 

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I know it’s easier said then done but try not to stress :(. Trust me i understand about the anxiety of it all, especially when you’re constantly like well fuck i can’t believe this is happening to me. I totally get it :(.

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I mean I’ve thought I had it for 4 months pretty much, but now I don’t know at all. And if I’m honest I don’t want to get the wb. I just want to hold onto the negative result, I know that’s so cowardly tho

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Honestly if you’ve tested negative after that many weeks post exposure, I’d feel good about it and move on. 

Also, hang in there Roxanne, I’m sure everything will be okay :)

i too am waiting on 12 weeks to get tested for peace of mind. It’s been 9 weeks now with my anxiety through the roof. I tested negative at 6-7 weeks. 

Good luck guys. Rooting for y’all 

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4 minutes ago, DrumLoop8 said:

Honestly if you’ve tested negative after that many weeks post exposure, I’d feel good about it and move on. 

Also, hang in there Roxanne, I’m sure everything will be okay :)

i too am waiting on 12 weeks to get tested for peace of mind. It’s been 9 weeks now with my anxiety through the roof. I tested negative at 6-7 weeks. 

Good luck guys. Rooting for y’all 

Thanks! Will keep everyone posted on my results. I'm trying to stay positive but my stress levels are also through the roof 😖

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Been having a burning sensation in my urethra since late June. And this all happened after a sketchy 20 second unprotected oral sex. 

Every sexual health clinic dr told me it’s nothing. I got the usual std tests for chlam and gon and all negative. Urine tests came back with nothing too. I really have no clue what it is. I’m really worried it’s herpes in urethra but I heard it’s super super painful when peeing where as for me it’s just a slight burn

 Saw a urologist last week and he checked my prostate and said that he gets many people with these symptoms and said I had prostatitis. So I’m on antibiotics for next 30 days. Hoping its just that!

i was a bit worried this week as I’ve been having groin pains and cramps and weird hot/cold flashes on my skin all over my body. I think it’s just my stress and anxiety.

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