Genital Warts

LegacyUser

Okay... shame on me, my fecking ex girlfriend cheated on me and gave me genital warts...

(even though this is unreg. I still wanted to add this as it makes me feel a little better, I'm not one to sleep around.)

I got them frozen about 6 times and they shrunk but not completely. I'm going away for 3 months travelling to a third world country... I won't be able to get treatment there.

They have grown a little since not having them frozen in a month.

Are they going to be HORRENDOUS when I come back home in 3 months? They really get me down. I haven't had any relations whatsoever since February trying to get rid of them, and it looks like I'll be waiting another while.

They make me severely depressed. Not being a drama queen but I feel absolutely revolting. I can't believe I got them. I'm so upset.

So... any experience? How long did yours take to go? Are they permanent as in they can flare up and down for a lifetime?

Thanks. C.

LegacyUser

hi, I feel your pain OP, I got gen warts a few years ago. I caught them early and went for a few cryo treatments and they went away and thankfully never came back! So I cant comment on how they would be after three months, but I can tell you that in between cryo treatments I was told to basically salt them. (i.e. wet a tissue in a cup of hot saltwater and apply). This definitely provided some basic and short term relief for me but ask the doctor/nurse you are going to for cryo treatments, if she has any tips.

Personally, my nurse told me to start taking mulitvitamins, up your immune system, and salt the warts at night. None of this can do any harm anyway.

Also OP, I sympathise with feelings horrible after getting them. It wasnt your fault, and you could have done nothing to stop it. It could happen to anyone so dont let anyone judge you.

Enjoy your trip, and dont let it get you down.

LegacyUser

I had them real bad for around 18 months. First 12 I ignored them then went to a GP. He froze them with liquid nitrogen from an aerosel can. Also prescribed a cream.

Kept recurring so I went to Dr Derek Friedman who is the most renowned doctor in Ireland for STDs. He froze them with pure liquid nitrogen and applied a highly potent ointment which only doctors can handle.

The warts blistered much worse but disappeared when they healed. There was some re-occurance but nothing near as bad as previous. I had by that stage moved to the UK so I went to the STD clinic in the local hospital. Doc there used what looked like a paramilitary torture device which fired out spurts of liquid nitrogen. Had a similar effect to Dr Friedman's method. I went back one more time to the same place a few weeks later and now they're completely gone.

My advice would be go to Dr Friedman(expensive but if you have health insurance treatment for warts is covered) or go to another specialised GUM clinic. I believe the one at st. James hospital is free. Genital warts are the most common STD but they are tricky to get rid of. I believe its a much better idea to have someone who deals with them every day rather than a GP

If you read the STD megathread sticky you'll notice GPs tend to use the aerosel can rather than pure liquid nitrogen. I believe that's what made the difference with me anyway.

LegacyUser

Hey guys, OP here again. Thanks for replying.

I feel a little better now. Yeah, mine are frozen from the aerosal can, and I wasn't given any creams or anything. I just go to the local STD clinic for teens because it's free (I'm 19).

I might do the salt thing so. I don't feel they are open wounds though, you know what I mean? So I don't know if that will help me. But I am desperate! Thank you.

Glad to know there might be light at the end of the tunnel.

Where is that top STD guy based? Was there a long waiting list? Gonna pay him a visit when I come back so (I'd go sooner but I'm leaving Monday!)

Thanks again.

Uriel.

I have to echo what the above poster data about dr Friedman. In my opinion he is the foremost authority on STIs in Ireland.

OP have you been to an sti specials or have you been treated by a gp?

Genital warts don't grow exponentially. They'll get to a certain side and spread and then remain fairly constant / consistent. As a previous poster said, keep your immune system up. This will help greatly reduce the severity of them. Keep then dry too, after showers etc...

It's not a shameful infection. Don't beat yourself up about it. It'll be in the past soon enough. Follow up with an sti specialist as soon as you can though

Uriel.

blue_e_e_e_ wrote: »

Hey guys, OP here again. Thanks for replying.

I feel a little better now. Yeah, mine are frozen from the aerosal can, and I wasn't given any creams or anything. I just go to the local STD clinic for teens because it's free (I'm 19).

I might do the salt thing so. I don't feel they are open wounds though, you know what I mean? So I don't know if that will help me. But I am desperate! Thank you.

Glad to know there might be light at the end of the tunnel.

Where is that top STD guy based? Was there a long waiting list? Gonna pay him a visit when I come back so (I'd go sooner but I'm leaving Monday!)

Thanks again.

88 Ranelagh Village, Dublin
(01 4975826)
Luas from St. Stephens Green goes nearby.

Generally, you'll get an appointment within a 10 days. Consultation about €150. Don't know the cost for ongoing treatment. Most Drs operate a sliding scale.

He also does two days (used to anyway, not sure if he still does) a week in the Guide Clinic in St. James'. This is a free clinic though so you can't make an appointment with him specifically.

LegacyUser

When I was 15 (2 years ago) I somehow got genital warst without ever having sex. How did this happen anyoneknow and is there any way of getting rid of them without going to a doctor?

Thanks

IzzyWizzy

how did it happen wrote: »

When I was 15 (2 years ago) I somehow got genital warst without ever having sex. How did this happen anyoneknow and is there any way of getting rid of them without going to a doctor?

Thanks

Did you have skin to skin contact with someone? If not, it's extremely unlikely, and probably impossible that they're warts. You should go to the doctor about it, it's only a few minutes of embarrassment and will be a lot better than worrying about it.

LegacyUser

IzzyWizzy wrote: »

Did you have skin to skin contact with someone? If not, it's extremely unlikely, and probably impossible that they're warts. You should go to the doctor about it, it's only a few minutes of embarrassment and will be a lot better than worrying about it.

Not in that area.

Uriel.

how did it happen wrote: »

Not in that area.

It is theoretically possible they Could transfer via hand contact. But the chances are extremely unlikely and it's more of an academic theory than anything.

Unusual lumps should always be investigated and second opinions are not a bad idea. Would advise you to see a genito urinary specialist (who also cover STIs)

Uriel.

Ps never ever self diagnose

LegacyUser

he saw me 2 days after I booked. If told him you're going away I reckon he'd bump you forward on the list. He's a great guy, like a caring Dr Gregory House!

To be honest I think its likely that the aerosol can isn't killing your warts completely and they're returning.

The warts are viral so I doubt the salt treatment does anything other than provide comfort after the warts have been frozen and keep the wound clean.

As you're going away you should get a lotion or cream, I used warticon which is a cream and a liquid lotion I got at the hospital. the liquid I found much better but i guess its best your doctor decides for you.

Edit I see you're leaving monday. As soon as you read this go to a GP and get him to prescribe something.

One other thing Dr Friedman told me to use talcum powder in the genital area and cut my hair(on head) as it was long. He was of the opinion the warts grow faster in damp sweaty conditions. Said having long hair would increase my overall body temperature.

Uriel.

Ha ha as I was reading your post got to the part that said Friedman recommended to cut the hair on your "head" cos it was long, I assumed penis head and was thinking WTF? Until I read to the end, made me chukle though

bureau2009

Can anyone suggest an over-the-counter treatment for genital warts?

Thanks.

Uriel.

bureau2009 wrote: »

Can anyone suggest an over-the-counter treatment for genital warts?

Thanks.

There is none. And do not use "regular" wart treatment ointments etc on your genitals. You should seek medical advice and treatment. Were you officially diagnosed with gw?