tested positive for syphilis UPDATE

Romiaaron · June 2014

Anyone else test positive for syphilis? My dr laughed when she told me and said it was most likely a false positive. Obviously i've never been with another man and I have no reason to believe its true, but I can't help but worry.

UPDATE

Got a call from the Dr. they said the 2nd test was NEGATIVE!! I started balling on the phone and the nurse was surprised lol, then i called mymom and she started crying. I'm so relieved! Thanks to all of you for your t&p

absolutelymaybe · June 2014

Wtf? Are false positives common when testing for syphillis? I'd be freaking out.

lizgrace03 · June 2014

Romiaaron said:
Anyone else test positive for syphilis? My dr laughed when she told me and said it was most likely a false positive. Obviously i've never been with another man and I have no reason to believe its true, but I can't help but worry.

Why would your dr assume it was a false positive? And why is it "obvious" that you've never been with another man? I agree with PPs. Doesn't sound like a laughing matter to me.

Romiaaron · June 2014

From what i,ve read online many pregnant women have a false positive tests, but I can't help but stress, I did a follow up blood test, hopefully it comes back negative

Bandia12 · June 2014

Apparently false positives can occur with the simple blood test, and should be followed up with a more specific test that detects antibodies to be sure. Check this out under "how it's diagnosed": https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/STDFact-Syphilis-detailed.htm

However, I don't like your Dr's reaction. This is not a laughing matter and that was really unprofessional of her. If you really have it, it's super dangerous for the baby. Not cool to laugh at...seriously.

Bandia12 · June 2014

Glad you did a follow up test. I hope you get negative results.

Lizoliva12 · June 2014

Wow you guys are mean!! Best wishes for the OP.

Kristy774 · June 2014

Lizoliva12 said:
Wow you guys are mean!! Best wishes for the OP.

Who was mean? I just read a bunch of people being honest and to the point with OP, just wondering where you saw someone being mean?

Bandia12 · June 2014

Kristy774 said:

Wow you guys are mean!! Best wishes for the OP.
Who was mean? I just read a bunch of people being honest and to the point with OP, just wondering where you saw someone being mean?

This ^, and concerned about her doc's lack of professionalism and concern.

lizgrace03 · June 2014

Lizoliva12 said:
Wow you guys are mean!! Best wishes for the OP.

Not mean, just genuinely disturbed by this post and possibly a bit more blunt than I would otherwise have been, because I found the post so strange. I have never heard of a doctor laughing over positive test results for an STD. I also didn't understand why OP thought we all knew her sexual history, as she said she had **obviously** only been with one man. I hope OP's results come back negative, as syphilis is really serious and can have terrible outcomes for babies.

absolutelymaybe · June 2014

Lizoliva12 said:
Wow you guys are mean!! Best wishes for the OP.

Who here was mean? All I see are people concerned with the lack of professionalism to OP by her doctor.

MindyAndRyan · June 2014

I know someone who donated blood for the first time, and a few weeks later got a letter from the blood bank saying they tested positive for HIV/AIDS, but that false positives are possible and to follow up with their doctor. They did, and were tested, and were negative. False positives can happen. But it is best to prepare yourself for the possibility that it is a true positive.

Edit: Words are hard at bedtime.

MrsAdventure · June 2014

Lizoliva12 said:

Wow you guys are mean!! Best wishes for the OP.

I feel like you are confused about the definition of mean. Not everyone is going to simply post, "Oh no! Good luck with things! :-bd "

As PP have said, among other things, I would be concerned about your doctors reaction. I do sincerely hope it was a false positive, FX for you.

Maelara · June 2014

Lizoliva12 said:

Wow you guys are mean!! Best wishes for the OP.

This is ridiculous. First, this post could very well be MUD. Second, everyone was clearly showing concern and providing info that actually backed up the OP on the false positive. Read a dictionary.

alibearo · June 2014

Sounds like people are quick to judge. Maybe the physician has a special kind of rapport with the OP, and sometimes when the results are that off from expected, one cannot help but laugh in the right context. It is up to the OP to judge whether she was offended. To the OP, was it RPR? If so, false positives happen often. In the right context with the right people I have delivered very very bad news to patients and families and laughing is involved. New cancer diagnoses, metastases, even impending death. There is relief involved on all parts. It is not perceived as unprofessional, and often families thank me. Now this is not the norm, but it happens, and when it does it is very memorable.

Maelara · June 2014

alibearo said:

Sounds like people are quick to judge. Maybe the physician has a special kind of rapport with the OP, and sometimes when the results are that off from expected, one cannot help but laugh in the right context. It is up to the OP to judge whether she was offended. To the OP, was it RPR? If so, false positives happen often. In the right context with the right people I have delivered very very bad news to patients and families and laughing is involved. New cancer diagnoses, metastases, even impending death. There is relief involved on all parts. It is not perceived as unprofessional, and often families thank me. Now this is not the norm, but it happens, and when it does it is very memorable.

All we can do is go off of the info the OP gave us. I think you saying this is just as much as an assumption as the other posts are. That said, I prefer my doctor with a side of humour. When my OB was stitching me up from my csection last time, she was cracking jokes the whole time. I really appreciated it. It made the time go by faster and made my shaking seem less noticeable.

AnnieRoo13 · June 2014

alibearo said:
Sounds like people are quick to judge. Maybe the physician has a special kind of rapport with the OP, and sometimes when the results are that off from expected, one cannot help but laugh in the right context. It is up to the OP to judge whether she was offended. To the OP, was it RPR? If so, false positives happen often.

In the right context with the right people I have delivered very very bad news to patients and families and laughing is involved. New cancer diagnoses, metastases, even impending death. There is relief involved on all parts. It is not perceived as unprofessional, and often families thank me. Now this is not the norm, but it happens, and when it does it is very memorable.

I would bold your first sentence, but I'm on mobile and I can't figure out how. I don't think people are quick to judge at all. No one here is judging the OP for her test results-which of course they shouldn't- we're simply concerned that the OP's doctor laughed it off and the OP seems to be writing it off as a false positive without confirmation that it is.

To the OP- I hope your second test comes back negative and FX that all is well, but from the reading I have done if it is caught early on in pregnancy then the better off you and the baby are. Hopefully you feel comfortable updating us when you know the results.

Drmommy84 · June 2014

If the VDRL or RPR (syphilis screening test) comes back positive then another test called the FTA-ABS must be completed to confirm syphilis diagnosis. False positives can occur with the VDRL/RPR in the setting of recent infections, autoimmune disease, mono and PREGNANCY. I work in the medical field and false positive VDRL screens occur more often than people think. So to the OP I'm sorry you are going through this-I know its scary. Sorry your doctor was not more sensitive when discussing this situation-I think it was his/her poor attempt to lessen your concern/worry while you await your results. Hopefully your follow up test is negative.

I don't think anyone meant harm or were trying to be trying to be cruel with there post- everyone is just concerned for OP. But I do think we should wait before jumping to conclusions that somehow her husband has given her syphilis without the results of her follow up test. Its a sensitive situation and these insinuations can only make the this weekend wait for test results worse for OP with these suggestions.

carcrashheart · June 2014

I think it might also be the way that the op is laughing it off as though it's impossible for it to be the case. Our partners can be carriers of things that don't show for years. I'm sure the op has thought of this. But like any other potential complication it's best to take it seriously than as a laugh. Hope the next test comes back negative. If not, it's time for a chit chat with DH.

Lizoliva12 · June 2014

I apologize after re-reading this, apparently my eyes weren't working well last night. I thought the OP said she was laughing it off - not the doctor. I missed the part where she was concerned. Therefore, I do agree with the PP's. I really hope if is a false positive but just as you all mentioned it isn't very professional of the doctor to laugh it off. Hoping for the best and again sorry for my confusion!!! Lesson learned: don't post when you're about ready to hit the sack

happy Saturday!!

ssstephanie214 · June 2014

Maelara said:

alibearo said:

Sounds like people are quick to judge. Maybe the physician has a special kind of rapport with the OP, and sometimes when the results are that off from expected, one cannot help but laugh in the right context. It is up to the OP to judge whether she was offended. To the OP, was it RPR? If so, false positives happen often.

In the right context with the right people I have delivered very very bad news to patients and families and laughing is involved. New cancer diagnoses, metastases, even impending death. There is relief involved on all parts. It is not perceived as unprofessional, and often families thank me. Now this is not the norm, but it happens, and when it does it is very memorable.

All we can do is go off of the info the OP gave us. I think you saying this is just as much as an assumption as the other posts are. That said, I prefer my doctor with a side of humour. When my OB was stitching me up from my csection last time, she was cracking jokes the whole time. I really appreciated it. It made the time go by faster and made my shaking seem less noticeable.

Idk, I kind of agree with @alibearo. Assuming you don't have enough facts is, in this context, better judgment than assuming her husband probably gave it to her. Nobody was there with her in the doctors office. Nobody was there when she gave her patient history.

My first reaction was that her doctor was obviously surprised with that positive, and what if OP cued the doctor to laugh? Like alibearo said, just because a doctor laughs when delivering bad news doesn't make them unprofessional in every context. Some of these replies were very judgy in my opinion.

Ed: formatting

MrsDL · June 2014

kyliedaniellexx said:

Also... are you the only woman your husband has "been with"? Even if you have been together for years he could have been carrying it for years with no knowledge.

This is unlikely - Syphilis isn't like HPV or other STDs where you can be a carrier for years without symptoms. Usually the first phase manifests itself within 90 days after exposure and progresses from there.

Maelara · June 2014

ssstephanie214 said:

Maelara said:

alibearo said:

Sounds like people are quick to judge. Maybe the physician has a special kind of rapport with the OP, and sometimes when the results are that off from expected, one cannot help but laugh in the right context. It is up to the OP to judge whether she was offended. To the OP, was it RPR? If so, false positives happen often.

In the right context with the right people I have delivered very very bad news to patients and families and laughing is involved. New cancer diagnoses, metastases, even impending death. There is relief involved on all parts. It is not perceived as unprofessional, and often families thank me. Now this is not the norm, but it happens, and when it does it is very memorable.

All we can do is go off of the info the OP gave us. I think you saying this is just as much as an assumption as the other posts are. That said, I prefer my doctor with a side of humour. When my OB was stitching me up from my csection last time, she was cracking jokes the whole time. I really appreciated it. It made the time go by faster and made my shaking seem less noticeable.

Idk, I kind of agree with @alibearo. Assuming you don't have enough facts is, in this context, better judgment than assuming her husband probably gave it to her. Nobody was there with her in the doctors office. Nobody was there when she gave her patient history.

My first reaction was that her doctor was obviously surprised with that positive, and what if OP cued the doctor to laugh? Like alibearo said, just because a doctor laughs when delivering bad news doesn't make them unprofessional in every context. Some of these replies were very judgy in my opinion.

Ed: formatting

And again, everything that you guys said is just as much as an assumption. I completely agree that humor is good and necessary, which is why I share my story where humor was very appreciated. I just think that if you guys are going to point out to others that they can be jumping to conclusions or making assumptions that I need to point out that you're doing the same thing.

I also want to add that a post like this from someone that hasn't posted before seems very... Well, weird. So it's harder to not sound judgey. I'm sure if we knew her like we do you or any of the other ladies our replies would be different because we understand each other's characters a little bit more.

I still think this is MUD though.

Nfranco973 · June 2014

I agree with PP, it is no laughing matter. I don't know if your well informed about STD's but Syphilis is found in the blood. It attacks your nervous system along with other organs and your baby's if in fact it's true. I would also like to add that it's pretty ignorant to think that if it is true it came out the sky. If you know that you have never been with another man, then honey, you & DH need to have a serious sit down.
@ Alibearo.. Doctors don't go home and sleep in the bed with you. Nor do they know who you or your DH sleep with. So to assume the results were wrong just because the doctor is familiar with her is ridiculous.

Romiaaron · June 2014

alibearo said:

Sounds like people are quick to judge. Maybe the physician has a special kind of rapport with the OP, and sometimes when the results are that off from expected, one cannot help but laugh in the right context. It is up to the OP to judge whether she was offended. To the OP, was it RPR? If so, false positives happen often. In the right context with the right people I have delivered very very bad news to patients and families and laughing is involved. New cancer diagnoses, metastases, even impending death. There is relief involved on all parts. It is not perceived as unprofessional, and often families thank me. Now this is not the norm, but it happens, and when it does it is very memorable.

I do agree that the fact my doctor laughed gave me relief, she said it as though it was ridiculous b/c I don't have any symptoms and it is extremely rare. If she had been serious when telling me I would have been freaked out of my mind. However, I still feel so nervous if but for that 1% chance I could have it. I do know that me and my husband have only been with each other, ever, and that's my saving grace

lizgrace03 · June 2014

Romiaaron said:

alibearo said:

Sounds like people are quick to judge. Maybe the physician has a special kind of rapport with the OP, and sometimes when the results are that off from expected, one cannot help but laugh in the right context. It is up to the OP to judge whether she was offended. To the OP, was it RPR? If so, false positives happen often. In the right context with the right people I have delivered very very bad news to patients and families and laughing is involved. New cancer diagnoses, metastases, even impending death. There is relief involved on all parts. It is not perceived as unprofessional, and often families thank me. Now this is not the norm, but it happens, and when it does it is very memorable.

I do agree that the fact my doctor laughed gave me relief, she said it as though it was ridiculous b/c I don't have any symptoms and it is extremely rare. If she had been serious when telling me I would have been freaked out of my mind. However, I still feel so nervous if but for that 1% chance I could have it. I do know that me and my husband have only been with each other, ever, and that's my saving grace

Let us know when you get your results back. FX for you they are negative!

Bandia12 · June 2014

lizgrace03 said:

Romiaaron said:

alibearo said:

Let us know when you get your results back. FX for you they are negative!

Ditto

Romiaaron · June 2014

Update in OP

ktibbits1 · June 2014

What a relief for you!! Glad all is well

lizgrace03 · June 2014

Good news!

Kristy774 · June 2014

Really glad to hear that! Thanks for updating us!

absolutelymaybe · June 2014

Glad you got some good news!

runningmama14 · June 2014

There's an ecard for everything

Eta fixed link

Bandia12 · June 2014

So glad it was negative!! TY for the u/d

.

scarlet3egonias · June 2014

@runningmama14‌ that made me lol! Where do you find this stuff??

runningmama14 · June 2014

scarlet3egonias said:
@runningmama14‌ that made me lol! Where do you find this stuff??

I actually created that one :-) I submitted it to become a real one though! I'm guessing it doesn't make the cut, but at least it will give some employee at ecards a good chuckle!