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Going to GUM clinic for herpes test tomorrow...few questions?

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MiniElliex
MiniElliex

Okay so I'm heading to my local GUM clinic tomorrow for another opinion on what both I and a nurse I saw yesterday think is herpes.

However, I am EXTREMELY sore and EXTREMELY swollen down there, experiencing my first OB, so much so that the nurse I saw yesterday coudn't even swab the sores because of the pain I was in, and she refused to put swab me inside due to the swelling, she told me it would be excruciating and I am in complete agreement.

I'm on Acliclovir that I got from my nurse yesterday but I'm honestly still in huge amounts of pain.

I was wondering if, when I go to my GUM clinic tomorrow, I can ask them simply to LOOK at the area, LOOK at the sores, see what they can diagnose from LOOKING, and then I could possibly do a blood test and a urine test?

Basically, do they HAVE to do the swabs, do they HAVE to swab inside me? The pain would be unbearable.

ALSO - I am currently on my period (first probable herpes OB and a heavy period at the same time - lucky me) so I especially don't want to be swabbed.

What has everyone else's experiences been whilst being tested for herpes?

Thanks in advance, Ellie smile 

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • kaya38189
    kaya38189 MiniElliex

    Posted

    No they don't have to swab you. I believe they just swab the outside. And they take a blood sample.
    • MiniElliex
      MiniElliex kaya38189

      Posted

      Have you had this yourself? I've never had a blood test, what is it like?

      Thanks for replying smile 

  • feelbroken
    feelbroken MiniElliex

    Posted

    No, there should be no reason they can't swab outside you. I was swabbed from an outside sore, although they did open me up. I saw the gyno when my fissures first ulcerated and I had some pain, but the real nightmare of pain, had yet yo rear its ugly head. So it was uncomfortable to have a speculum inserted, but not horrific. I think that day 7 -14 from the day you first experience symptoms, are the most excruciating. You can always come back at a later date, to be swabbed for everything else that you've not been tested for yet.

    They also do not do swabs internally on your cycle, because the menstral flow interferes w collection of cells for testing purposes. Swabs from outside will suffice.

    It will hurt to swab a sore, that I will not lie. I recommend taking 800mlgs of motrin an hr before yo help w the pain. Request numbing cream and pain killers. Explain how bad the pain is and also state you would like to take at least 3 mo this worth of daily suppressive meds and then see how your body handles it after it has had time to build antibodies and deal w the infection. Good luck !

    • MiniElliex
      MiniElliex feelbroken

      Posted

      The nurse I saw today 'attempted' to take a swab of an outside sore - she's sending it off but she said she couldn't take a 'proper' swab because it would put me in too much pain. I was quite confused because surely if she's sending it off then it must've been somewhat successful?

      Do you have herpes yourself? If so how are you coping with it? 

      Thank you! x 

  • kaya38189
    kaya38189 MiniElliex

    Posted

    Yes. I've had mines for almost 2 years now. sometimes I forget that I have it. After my first OB. I haven't had another like it, every few months I'll get a little bump but I take the medication and it goes away.

    But the blood test, they just take a small sample and send b it to the lab

    • MiniElliex
      MiniElliex kaya38189

      Posted

      Just need to get this first OB over with, it's horrific! 

      How long do you have to wait for the results? x 

  • kaya38189
    kaya38189 MiniElliex

    Posted

    I understand. It should go away within the next few days. The medicine takes a while to kick in.

    And I don't remember. It might be 3 days.

    You can also ask your dr. For this cream you can put on it to make the pain go away. Not sure of the name. But they should know.

    • MiniElliex
      MiniElliex kaya38189

      Posted

      Thank you, just need to ride it out really.

      3 days? I was told it could be 3 weeks which stresses me out as I just want confirmation.

      thanks. I'll definitely ask for the cream. 

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