Positive.. Negative?

[As89]

Went to a new doctor since being diagnosed a year ago... Explained that I've had breakout after breakout lasting over a month each breakout and having then repeatedly for a year with no relief at all from valtrex... Also explained that my culture was "positive" says my old doctor but blood test was negative. I told her I was having an outbreak at the time so she took a look... Told me it doesn't look like hsv-2 and doesn't seem to be hsv-2 from hearing about my symptoms and whata been going on. So she sends me

Over for more blood work... NEGATIVE ... Again.... I'm

So confused as to how it could have no antibodies after a year.. Anyone have any clue? Il

Going to cal her back tomorrow and see what tests were performed. I'm so confused. I never saw any results from the first time around so I'm not sure what tests were performed then? She requested my records be transferred and awaiting those.

[MMissouri]

There is a possibility that you won't ever have a positive blood test. I think someone else on the forum said they never tested positive through blood work either. So there is a slim chance that you may just fall into that category. Usually a culture is a better indicator of what is going on for some people. That being said, I don't think you'd have that many outbreaks. What exactly are your symptoms?

 

Hopefully your records will clear some things up and your new doctor can find out what's going on.

[As89]

No I've had breakouts lasting over a month each time back to back... For the past year I've probably had MAYBE 7 days breakout free. But it's alway around my butt and its rash like.. Not sores. She said it could be from my ibs isk?

[MMissouri]

If you have IBS look up Dermatitis herpetiformis.

[As89]

Omg that sounds exactly what I've been dealing with and I wonder if ibs could possibly be Celiac... I've been having pain in my stomach for a while

Now. Wondering if that could have thrown off the culture?

[MMissouri]

Thrown off the H culture? I don't think that's possible. A positive culture means that they have found that specific organism. Not to say a culture can't be wrong, but usually the problem is with false negatives, because the sores have dried up or they didn't get a proper swab. Could you possibly have had two things going on at once, probably so.

 

When someone says "continuous" outbreaks for extended periods of time, It makes me think there is something wrong. Meaning either an immune issue, or something else in the area that H is getting blamed for. It's so easy to take our diagnosis and forget that there are many other things that can irritate us. Good luck getting to the bottom of this and I hope you find answers soon.

[whitedaisies]

If you have a positive swab, you are very likely positive. You likely have more than one thing going on.

 

The reason your blood is negative is likely you have been on antivirals. It is recommended to be off antivirals for 3 months before you blood test.

 

I would contact expert Terri Warren at westover heights clinic for advice.

 

Good luck.