STI wait for appointment, gay guy

LegacyUser

Gay guy here. I had unprotected oral sexual activity last saturday, 8 days ago. Not full sex, but i won't go into the details.
I had unprotected sex twice last year -no alcohol involved, just caught up in the moment-and didn't get tested for hiv, and basically haven't had a relationship or sex since then.

Anyway back to my current predicament. The following day my penis was quite sore and aired.
Thursday morning and apologies for the detail but I noticed a drip which would suggest gonorrhea or chlamydia, or possibly a UTI not necessarily an sti.
I phoned the free sti clinic and my appointment is Tuesday week, or 10 days away, and probably a further week for results.
My gp is a small practice, and don't offer sti screening. I work but have medical card from when I didnt, and while going private is an option the only benefit would be starting antibiotics possibly a week earlier. I'd find it a bit expensive to be honest and I'm not sure what their waiting lists are like anyway.
I'm not looking for medical advice, just really anxious about the whole thing.

Wesser

Are you sure your up practise doesn't offer Sti screening? Have you checked directly? Even if they can't offer it they can always prescribe antibiotics.

Are you in Dublin?

Derek Freeman offers private appointments usually same day...... Google him.....

Also there is a walk in clinic at the guide clinic in st James but you have to be there super early.
Isn't there a gay sexual health service in donnybrook too?

Or you could pay to see a Gp privately that does Sti screening.

Lots of options there.

LegacyUser

I was in your position a few weeks ago so I'll give you the advice that would've helped me As the poster above said, the guide clinic is great. You do have to be there early, but I wasn't sure how I'd manage that without questions being asked. If you go and actually have symptoms (like you've described), they do make a slot for you. I was seen the same day and results were back in two weeks and, despite me having the same symptoms as you, I got the all clear. They gave me some other antibiotic just in case I had a UTI, and they test for the two you mentioned on the day and if you have them, they'll send you off with the appropriate treatment.

LegacyUser

So, turns out it was gonorrhea.
I went to the clinic on Tuesday and got the full range of tests done. As it was apparent it was gonorrhea, I was given the antibiotic shot for it, and tablets for chlamydia. Symptoms cleared almost immediately. Today the clinic called me to say it tested positive for gonorrhea and they'll test me again in 10 days to see if it's been cured, by which time the blood test results will have come back.
Tbh, i don't care. My only worry is HIV.
Drunken night, and i guess it went further than I'd have liked, and it wasn't the first time either.
It's on my mind and the next 10 days will have me worried a lot.
While, odds are it will be negative my attitude definitely changed by this scare. So, not much to do now but keep my fingers crossed.

LegacyUser

Hi Op

I don't know which service provider you went to in the end but I couldn't recommend the Gay Men's Health Service on Baggot St (Dublin) enough. They also have an introductory counselling session which I think might be good for your anxiety. You might want to consider that you're not a one night stand person - it does cause a lot of anxiety and bad feelings. I would do it the odd time but it's never worth it in the end.

Mind yourself and glad your symptoms cleared up so quickly.

bellz_x

Op - did your blood tests include the HIV test?
I'm glad to hear that your symptoms cleared up quickly.
It is scary when something like that happens but luckily you got to a Dr quickly.
When is your results back?

dudara

@bellz_x - please note that asking for updates in PI/RI is not allowed. Posters are under zero obligation to come back and update us.

dudara

bellz_x

dudara wrote:

@bellz_x - please note that asking for updates in PI/RI is not allowed. Posters are under zero obligation to come back and update us.

Understood

LegacyUser

Hey. Just out of my follow-up appointment and got the swabs and urine test done again. Will get the results within 2 weeks, but as the strain i had responds to the antibiotics i was treated with, and I've no symptoms, I've little to worry about.

All other tests were clear too.

bellz_x

Bitworried wrote: »

Hey. Just out of my follow-up appointment and got the swabs and urine test done again. Will get the results within 2 weeks, but as the strain i had responds to the antibiotics i was treated with, and I've no symptoms, I've little to worry about.

All other tests were clear too.

That's brilliant news!!