A serious question: Have YOU been tested? - Page 5

SummerChild · #61 02-25-2004, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rain Man
....does being tested hurt?

I ask this b/c I had a booster shot and a blood test done on me on the same day back in 1984 and I haven't been the same since. IMHO blood tests are like POW torture sessions and gives me bad flashbacks.

However, I am considering getting an HIV test b/c I am seriously considering getting married, and I would like to be a blessing to my future Mrs. Rain Man. However I have "been with" 5 women, condomless. Before you attack me, please understand, when I was taught about safe sex back in 6th grade, I scoffed at it, thinking that I wouldn't need a condom, b/c I would never get some. And every time I did, I assumed it would be my last time. Well, suffice it to say, my last time was 3 years ago, and I don't know if I caught something (I hope not), but anyway...

Does it hurt?

Rainman, I took the cheek cotton swab test once and it didn't hurt at all.

SC

SummerChild · #62 02-25-2004, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ClassyLady
It depends on how it is administered. The only way that I have ever had an HIV test is by having blood drawn. I really hate having to give blood for anything because my veins are so small and it is always an uncomfortable for me. For my first HIV test, it took three tries and both arms for them to finally be able to draw blood.

Classlady,
When I had to get injections regularly for another condition that I had, the nurses also had problems finding my veins and it was painful.

Two tips:
ask for a "butterfly" needle (it's the smallest needle but they often don't want to voluntarily use it b/c the supplies are limited)

drink lots of water to hydrate your body at least a couple of days before going to the doc - this will alleviate any de-hydration and make your veins easier to use

SC

SummerChild · #63 02-25-2004, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
Question:

What are ALL of the STD tests?

I have been tested for HIV and gonorrhea/chlamydia/syphillis twice and both times negative.

Where/how do you get tested for HERPES and HPV? Not that I believe I have them but I like peace of mind.

Knowledge is power.

CrimsonTide4,
Your doc can check you for HPV when you get your pap smear. I think that they can also do the test for Herpes.

SC

CrimsonTide4 · #64 02-25-2004, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SummerChild
CrimsonTide4,
Your doc can check you for HPV when you get your pap smear. I think that they can also do the test for Herpes.

SC

Well I had a PAP on 1.10 as well. Would it show when they ran the slides or would I have to say oh and please test for HPV and herpes as well?

toocute · #65 02-25-2004, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SummerChild
ask for a "butterfly" needle (it's the smallest needle but they often don't want to voluntarily use it b/c the supplies are limited)

BIG OLE cosign on this. I had one nurse that didn't want to use it. It was like she enjoyed terrorizing pregnant woman with that big azz needle. I got Brooklyn

on her one day and I never had a problem getting the butterfly needle again.

It wasn't a supply problem either SC. I talked to one of the others nurses and she told me this woman likes to only use the big needles.

/end hijack of this very important thread

SummerChild · #66 02-25-2004, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
Well I had a PAP on 1.10 as well. Would it show when they ran the slides or would I have to say oh and please test for HPV and herpes as well?

You usually have to ask them to include HPV. However, if the pap comes back abnormal, this is a possible sign that you have HPV but it does not have to come up as abnormal pap at all. It's best to ask them to check for this also. With Herpes, I don't think that it would come up in your pap. The doc might not notice either if you don't have an outbreak at the time of your pap. With Herpes, I think that you want to get a blood test to see if the virus is in your blood I think.

Any medical folk out there???

SC

SummerChild · #67 02-25-2004, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by toocute
BIG OLE cosign on this. I had one nurse that didn't want to use it. It was like she enjoyed terrorizing pregnant woman with that big azz needle. I got Brooklyn on her one day and I never had a problem getting the butterfly needle again.

It wasn't a supply problem either SC. I talked to one of the others nurses and she told me this woman likes to only use the big needles.

/end hijack of this very important thread

Yes, people are ridiculous about holding back on that butterfly needle. You had to go Brooklyn, huh? That's funny. One of my best friends is from East New York (?) Brooklyn and she makes the same comment.

SC

1sd · #68 02-25-2004, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SummerChild
You usually have to ask them to include HPV. However, if the pap comes back abnormal, this is a possible sign that you have HPV but it does not have to come up as abnormal pap at all. It's best to ask them to check for this also. With Herpes, I don't think that it would come up in your pap. The doc might not notice either if you don't have an outbreak at the time of your pap. With Herpes, I think that you want to get a blood test to see if the virus is in your blood I think.

Any medical folk out there???

SC

That sounds about right. You can have a normal Pap and still be infected with HPV, and you can go in for a regular pap (no symptoms), and the cells come back abnormal and find out you have HPV. (confusing right?) The Herpes test, you have to ask for if I'm not mistaken.

CrimsonTide4 · #69 02-25-2004, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1sd
That sounds about right. You can have a normal Pap and still be infected with HPV, and you can go in for a regular pap (no symptoms), and the cells come back abnormal and find out you have HPV. (confusing right?) The Herpes test, you have to ask for if I'm not mistaken.

So yall telling me to get another PAP. . . OKAY!! I will. I gotta know.

Rain Man · #70 04-01-2004, 07:56 PM

I finally summoned up the courage to go see the Doc and get a blood test for HIV. Surprisingly enough, the blood test didn't hurt at all.

I will post my results when I get 'em (about a week or so).

Moral to the story: No ring, no "thing".

BTW...

HC my physician reminds me of a slightly smaller version of Don "DC" Curry? (that's ok, though; he's good)

msn4med1975 · #71 04-01-2004, 11:19 PM

Glad you got tested. They really aren't that bad anymore. My chapter got tested along with the community during our IDOS event. He had the 20 minute quick blood test so most of us took that one. It seems like an eternity but I happily took home my HIV NEGATIVE test.

DELTABRAT · #72 04-02-2004, 12:29 AM

The FDA also has recently approved a rapid HIV test that is a finger prick test. Results in 20 minutes. Hmmm...I think it will have interesting implications for testers as well as the counselors responsible for disclosing results.

w/ the herpes situation, you have to specifically ask for a test...period. It is not carried in fluids so the usual ways of testing don't work. A lot of times, a health professional can do a visual and follow it up with a blood test.

The info on HPV folks gave is on point. If someone has it, they can have them removed (cauterization, laser therapy or cryotherapy (freezing)) as well but the virus will always be in the body so recurrent outbreaks can be an issue.

Ideal08 · #73 02-08-2005, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ideal08
This is sort of hard for me to admit, but y'all my peeps, so ok.

I seem to be the only GCer who hasn't been tested and doesn't want to be. I was JUST talking about this with my friend at home last week. THEN, BET runs all them dang on commercials about being tested. My friend was like, "These are hints, Monique." I was like, whatever. I just wouldn't want to know, and I know that sounds crazy, but I wouldn't. I honestly feel like it's a death sentence. And I also think it gets worse once you find out. I feel like if I were positive as soon as I found out, my health would start to decline. These are all of my irrational fears, right? I also would not be able to tell my sister. The isht just makes me uncomfortable, to tell you the truth.

BUT, all that aside, I have decided to get tested. I'll get it done at my next exam. I still really don't want to, but after reading this thread, I will. I don't want to be irresponsible.

In answer to the question, I think it's a reasonable request and if I were asked by a partner to take the test, I'd do it, but we'd do it together.

This post was two years ago. I just got tested last week. My results were negative. But that WAS the longest week of my life. I kept thinking about that movie, what's the name of it? One Week.

Exquisite5 · #74 02-08-2005, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DELTABRAT
The FDA also has recently approved a rapid HIV test that is a finger prick test. Results in 20 minutes. Hmmm...I think it will have interesting implications for testers as well as the counselors responsible for disclosing results.

w/ the herpes situation, you have to specifically ask for a test...period. It is not carried in fluids so the usual ways of testing don't work. A lot of times, a health professional can do a visual and follow it up with a blood test.

The info on HPV folks gave is on point. If someone has it, they can have them removed (cauterization, laser therapy or cryotherapy (freezing)) as well but the virus will always be in the body so recurrent outbreaks can be an issue.

I asked a doctor about this and the virus will not ALWAYS be in the system. Actually, of those who contract HPV in their twenties 95% clear the virus (like getting rid of a cold) by the time they turn 30. But be careful because like the cold virus- you can always get it again!

So yes, removing the sore or wart (although not everyone with HPV gets skin lesions) does not remove the virus. But in time, usually years, most people's immune system will get rid of the virus.

SummerChild · #75 02-08-2005, 04:14 PM

Yes, CL, I took this method in an insurance office when I applied for insurance.
SC

Quote:

Originally posted by ClassyLady
It depends on how it is administered. The only way that I have ever had an HIV test is by having blood drawn. I really hate having to give blood for anything because my veins are so small and it is always an uncomfortable for me. For my first HIV test, it took three tries and both arms for them to finally be able to draw blood.

I do believe that there are less invasive ways to take the test. I think that there is a method that takes a swab to the inside of your cheek.