Coming to a conclusion about testing?

[Ashamed81]

Hey Grace,

I apologize for starting a new thread.  I just thought my other one was way too long and you said it's difficult for you to read through all the post once it comes supportive.  So please do forgive the new thread but I have a few questions and wanted to update you.

Recap:
10/7 - IGG: 2.56
Not sure of date - 2.39
11/8ish - biokit: light pink

You said I should get the WB done, which I am still saving up for. (and starting over due to the holiday season) HOWEVER, the guy I was seeing did get tested, and he is negative.  The last time we had sex was end of October.  I wanted to know if it was ok to get retested since his test came back negative.  I know you said wait three to four months but since he came back negative, I was thinking to count from my previous time I had sex.....(Clueless on how it works)

My ex has finally made a doctors appt for next week.  So he will be tested.  And I made an appt for a physical on Jan 13th and was wondering if I should request then even though it hasnt been exactly 3 months (2 and 1/2)

PS - My pap came back normal.  I don't know if that means anything, but I just asked my gyn and she said that it was normal and thought I should tell you.

I was also thinking of going to planned parenthood tomorrow. These months seem to be going by so slow.  I'm ok somedays, but somedays I do think about it.

Also (sorry, last thing) my partner asked me to start taking Valtrexx. Do you think thats a good idea or should I wait?

Thanks so much

[Ashamed81]

Thanks Grace for all your help..You really do a wonderful job on here, and without even being asked....I appreciate everything...(YES RESULTS ALMOST A YEAR LATER.....smh But still positive results)

[gracefromHHP]

congrats on FINALLY getting the answers you needed :)

[Ashamed81]

Hey everyone and Grace.....

I finally got the WB done.  And my test results were NEGATIVE.....I am overjoyed....I am so happy

[Ashamed81]

Hey everyone and Grace.....

I finally got the WB done.  And my test results were NEGATIVE.....I am overjoyed....I am so happy

[Mistakeguy789]

Quest Code is 34534

[Ashamed81]

*assistant.....and yes Quest.

[Ashamed81]

my dr's assistance said that they get rid of the bloodwork after six days so I have to go back in again to get more blood taken and then they can run the test.  I'll be back to let you know

[Mistakeguy789]

You should look into getting the western blot.  Did you use quest labs by chance?  We can give you the code your provider can use to order the WB testing.

[bobrope45]

Still a low positive, the only way to get a straight answer is the WB.

[Ashamed81]

Hey Grace (and everyone),

Just a quick update. I have been retested with same test.  My igg went from 2.59 and now 1.5. They said they will try to contact the lab to do a confirm test with the WB...Still no symptoms.

Any thoughts?

[Ashamed81]

Hey Grace,

So i had a long conversation with my ex. Who didn't get retested yet however, was tested 4 months after we broke up and his test were negative. I keep telling him he needs to get the Igg numbers, which he said he would this week.  (This is ridiculous and so frustrating)

He keeps saying he doesn't have any symptoms and his cousin and her boyfriend has it and he know what the symptoms would be.  I explain to him that he can be asymptomatic.  He said his ex (who he cheated on me with) had the same scare in '06 but was retested since and was negative every time.  And he was tested and he knows his doctor wouldnt keep it from in all these years if he did.

So, (my heart is pounding) that's everyone.  I can't think of anyone else to ask.  Both my ex's and their partners were tested.  My current partner also who are all negative.  


I don't have enough money get for the WB, and I made an appt on the 26th but I'm pretty sure they are gonna run the same herpeselect test.  I am at my end.  Still don't feel any symptoms.  

[Ashamed81]

Sighing.....Ok I will keep you posted.  Thanks so much for everything

[gracefromHHP]

yes that is indeed unusual. I'm guessing the provider wasn't sure how to interpret a light pink result and instead of calling the company and asking for assistance, just figured well if all the rest of the tests were +, this one must be too.

[Ashamed81]

Thanks for the info....yes, I screwed up question #2.  I was trying to ask if it was unusual or strange that the next doctor I saw (for the biokit) wanted to see my test results before evaluating whether the light pink was positive or negative?  Meaning, what if I never showed him or told him I was tested?  would he have said it was negative?

I'll let him know how the testing as well

[gracefromHHP]

Actually in studies, the herpeselect was the only herpes test that picked up the  majority  of infections at the 3 month mark.  All others, including the biokit and the WB were most accurate at 4 months.  Why, from a technical standpoint, I have absolutely no idea. I've always assumed it's kinda like how they come up with doses for medication - the least amount that does the  most good for the most people without being toxic - that sort of thing that is arrived at from research.  

not strange at all that your provider didn't really prescribe anything for you though certainly it was medically irresponsible if they did not discuss treatments and put it all out there for you to think about and call them back with later on if you decided on how to treat your herpes.  Many providers unfortunately just rely on the patient to ask them questions instead of doing proper teaching.  

Not sure I understand what you are asking in p.s question #2.  

if your current partner tested negative for hsv2 at least 3 months after his last partner then yes you can count the partner from july as your 4 month mark. If your current partner hadn't waited enough time for testing then he'll need to repeat his testing too just to err on the side of caution ( so you don't have to go through all of this again if you present with genital symptoms in the future that are suspicious for herpes ).  

totally up to you and your partner if you abstain from sex while you wait or not.  

[Ashamed81]

Oops, forgot something. IMPORTANT. I got tested before him and I even had sex.  Thats' why I was wondering if I am counting four months from him (end of oct) or four months since my ex (july).

[Ashamed81]

Thanks Grace. Believe me I don't mind waiting...lol A LOT.

But I have a question: Is there a reason why one should wait 4 months for the WB to be accurate?   Is it something in the transmition of fluids that may cause the WB to be a litle inaccurate?  The reason why I ask is because if he is negative, then that means I had it (IF I HAVE IT) before him, which would "technically" make it 7months or more since exposure.

If this is the case, do you suggest NO SEX (intercourse, oral, masterbation, lol, etc) and if I did (with him ) I would have to start all over again and count four months? Geez

Like, I said I don't have no problem at all with waiting.  He's the crazy one who can't keep him hand to himself. :-)

PS; Do you think it's strange 1) my doctor never prescribed anything for me, she just said I had it, and that was that? 2) When I got the biokit done, he wanted to know see all the test before he said my light pink dot was positive?

[gracefromHHP]

wait to start the valtrex.  why pay for it and bother to take it if it turns out you don't have to?

You have to wait 4 months after you last had sex for the herpes WB to be accurate.  I know that's probably hard for you and your current partner both but that's the best way to cover your bases properly for the most accurate answers.  Even if you do have hsv2, a male partner's risk of contracting hsv2 from you with protected sex and avoiding sex anytime you have anything going on genitally is very low. Also I know from personal experience that going without sex for a few months doesn't kill you. of course no one wanted to be around me for those 4 long years but it didn't kill me...he he he.  

grace