So I tried to get tested for STD's today...

[bigboi229]

I went to the wing of the local hospital where college students - like myself - can get checked for free. I thought this would be the right place to go. So I asked them what I should get checked for in my circumstance (doing oral unprotected but anal protected) & the guy was a complete asshole.

First off he treated me like a piece of shit, and when I was just trying to explain what happened he was like "well you sound like an idiot to me." I was really surprised a "doctor" would say that kind of thing. And is it really that uncommon for a gay guy to do UNPROTECTED oral on some other guys? True I should have known these people better, but he made it sound like I was a complete piece of shit or something...

Next he told me "we can't test for any of that here" and I couldn't understand that because it's a HUGE freaking hospital. He said I had to go to the "STD clinic" at the really shitty, run down clinic in the west end. Why does a hospital not have tests for STD's? And he said, remember these were this "doctor"'s exact words, that "it was senseless to do what you did, and you probably got infected with HIV or at least one other STD." He really said that, and he made me feel like such an asshole...what the hell is that about?

So then I tried going to this place he told me but it's only open 2-4 on weekdays (which is also weird) and now I can't even go 'til Thursday because I'm out of town tomorrow at a meeting. So is it bad to wait that long to get tested or should I wait longer....will the tests be accurate that soon? Because I basically messed around with 5 guys this week. All of which I did oral on, but none of which appeared to have anything and they all said they were clean.

I really don't think I caught an STD. The only thing I feel weird about now is my throat is still sore (been since Friday). I don't know if it's because I'm thinking about it that I might be making it worse? or is that a symptom of a known STD? And a sore spot did appear on the top of my mouth, but I thought it could've been from eating scolding hot food (which I did a couple times over the weekend....LOL).

So I know I've overused my "help me" thing, but anyone got any advice / comments on this? Is this how you'd think it'd be? And I'm still trying to find out: how is oral sex with a condom on even worth doing? It takes away the feeling for the reciever and I might as well suck on my Dildo if I'm gonna do that. I know it's risky, and reckless, to just go around sucking guys off but I would probably never do it again if I always had to suck a rubbered dick. >_>

 

[amyleeisjesus]

I went to your profile to see if your location might've had anything to do with such bigoted unprofessionalism. I see you're in West Virginia. First, my condolences, as that's definitely one of the least hospitable states for gays. Are you lucky enough to be near an urban center or are you more rural?

I can't offer much to address your actual question; I'm just pretty aghast that a medical "professional" would act that way. You'd think there would be some kind of recourse for you, maybe a channel you could go through to complain? Him saying that they "couldn't test for that" sounds completely bogus. I would definitely look into lodging a complaint either with some higher-ups at the hospital or with an agency that might have oversight over that kind of thing. Hopefully someone else knows if that's possible.

After he said you probably contracted something you should've said, "Probably," and rubbed his exposed skin. I bet his reaction would've been priceless. I swear, if I was talked to like that I may have accidentally sprayed him with my diseased saliva.

 

[bigboi229]

Thank you so much for that post man. That is EXACTLY what I thought. I have never seen a medical person act that way, either. And what was weird was when I was just starting to tell him what had occure bd, I didn't even tell him I was gay until a sentence or two in but as soon as I said "I did oral" he was like "let me guess, on a man?" in this voice like it was the worst thing I could have possibly done.

And yes shit is ass-backwards around here, but that's why I learned to just not give a damn what people say. It's none of anyone's business, anyway, what I do in my personal life, but when stuff like this comes up you should think that people in a professional atmosphere would know how to act appropriately. I wanted to check into this today because I don't know why they wouldn't be able to test there, but I was so pissed / confused I just left.

 

[shyboysf]

Report that asshole to the head of the clinic. Who knows, he/she might be an asshole, too, but at the very least they should know what their staff clinicians are up to. So sorry you had to go through that experience. Again, I'll repeat -- you did nothing wrong and you have nothing to feel shitty about. Next time, just don't let the awkwardness of the situation stop you from demanding to be treated as a human being. Ask right then and there to speak to a supervisor and report your experience, and let them know the way you were treated was unacceptable. Any doctor worth his/her license will realize that people who are made to feel shitty about themselves are far less likely to seek treatment in the future. It's not just poor from a human standpoint, it's just plain bad medicine...

Good luck. Keep us posted.

 

[slickery]

You're a university student right?

Doesn't you Uiversity have a "medical centre?" Otherwise find a GP or a clinic.

 

[bigboi229]

^^^ That is what this was supposed to be! It's the part of the local hospital called the Marshall Clinic, where students can go for free with their student ID. But it's based in one of the biggest hospitals around here, so that's why I don't understand the "doctor"'s behavior. Now I guess I will have to go to that shitty place, never been there but apparently they're the only ones who can test for STD's? It's ridiculous!

 

[Seasoned]

These are my suggestions:
1. Go to the clinic. These people are hopefully better equipped to handle testing.
2. As already mentioned report the doctor's behavior at the hospital.
3. Call the hospital and ask to speak to the patient advocate and report the doctor.
4. Get some good counseling regarding safe sex.
5. Look into the possibility of sex addiction. If it is a pattern for you to have sex and feel remorse and fear you may be addicted. Good score that you had sex with five different guys in a week, but if you felt fear after each time and then went looking for more anyway you may need to confront some things.

 

[nautiboyjeff]

By the way - odds are you didn't catch anything. I might get beat up on here, but unprotected oral sex is very low risk if there were no obvious signs of open sores or anything. So first off relax about that.

If you have some reason to believe the guy might be infected can you ask him (send email or text)?

So take a deep breath and relax. If it truly was a university setting, you can write a letter to the director of the hospital and copy the president of the university (these people tend to be more understanding and want their institutions to improve). Use the guys name in the letter and you don't have to use your name or information.

That's what I would do.

 

[bigboi229]

Thanks for the replies guys!

 

[Eagle653]

That doctor was unprofessional and you should report him. I assume you went because you found out about the "service" through your university, or their health clinic or something. If so, be sure to let the dean of students know. This really is unacceptable.

Second, yes, hospitals are fulling capable of performing any STD test. They all have labs, for crying out loud!

I would check into all of this. Start by visiting the campus clinic and go from there. If there refer you back to this place, tell them what happened (actually, tell them anyway) and insist they refer you to someone capable and professional.

 

[backpacker]

Here's what I would do (take it for what's worth):

1) Report the doctor's unprofessional behavior to the appropriate people.

2) Investigate if there really is a benefit to going to the other clinic. That would mean calling the student clinic and asking some questions. The other clinic may be able to provide faster results and better counseling. I guess it's possible that the student clinic outsources std testing to the other clinic. I would certainly find out if the other clinic is free to students or not.

3) If the other clinic isn't free, I would exhaust my options at the student clinic. Ask for another doctor. You may even want to request a gay friendly doctor. Don't be afraid to ask the student clinic why they can't do testing that should be fairly common for students.

Good luck!

 

[tommyj]

Yes, there are assholes in Huntington

 

[DeMan06]

The first thing I would do would be to call that wing/clinic back and ask them if they do STD testing (and if so what kind). I know at my school clinic they can do the most common ones (HIV, syph. gonoreah/clamidia ect) but only at the request of the Doctor (IE you can't just walk in and get tested, you have to see the Dr. first).

If you find out you can get tested then make an appointment with a DIFFERENT doctor, my clinic has 3 (or maybe it's 4) different doctors I can see.

While you're seeing the other doctor feel free to find out who your previous doctor was (if you don't already remember) and report them.

 

[crzyrazn]

I would have been absolutely irate if I would have received the treatment you received. You should have put that mother fucker in his place and kicked his ass! That's what I would have done. I would have made him one sorry shit to have crossed me like that. Sorry you were treated in such an unprofessional way by a person who should have more respect for people, especially in his career field.

 

[bigboi229]

Well I called around & decided to just go ahead to this one place today (that I'm sure does STD testing). I'll have to deal with all the other nonsense about the idiot doctor later. I'm starting to get really worried, though. I noticed last night / today that I have a bump on the back of my tongue that's sore, and I've felt kinda shitty the last couple days. I'm wondering if this could mean anything? Or is it because I'm worrying so much about having caught something? I'm getting really anxious about this stuff and it's making me worried that if I got infected with HIV...I don't know how I could handle it. I know I have to deal with it now but I feel like I would be suicidal if that happened. I'm just worried about this stuff, and I know it does no good to think about it right now until I get tested, but I'm just worried. :-(

 

[HenryReardon]

In the USA many, if not most, counties have county health departments who offer free testing. You go in, ask for a blood test for STDs, they draw blood. Typically you are given a number to call back and told how long it will take. In some places, no questions are asked.

 

[shyboysf]

If you had been infected with HIV last week, you would not be showing any symptoms yet. Primary HIV infection does not show that quickly, and some people never experience symptoms. At most, the bump on your tongue could be an STD. What's more, worrying is not going to make you feel better, only worse. Take some positive action, as you are doing, by getting STD tested. The sense of agency will make you feel better at once.

 

[broadwayboi]

I've had a similar situation happen to me here at the University of Kentucky. We have a separate hospital for student health, which offers just about everything, including STD screenings. There was one particular time that I went, and I had admitted to the doctor that I had unprotected sex once (I know it was a huge mistake and I'll never do it again) and he started going off on me. A few weeks later, I went to the clinic for an unrelated matter, and had the same doctor. His attitude hadn't changed, and he was being even more judgmental. Following that incident, I called the head of the clinic's office and complained about this particular doctor. Apparently, I wasn't the only person who has been the victim of his bigotry and ignorance, and he was let go. So I would definitely call and complain, and try to see another doctor at Marshall. EVERY hospital should be equipped for STD screenings.

 

[gameboy 11]

You weren't treated right, but since you put it out there, what on Earth would make you give out 5 blowjobs to different guys in a mere week? That sounds a bit sleazy....

I do agree with you on one thing though - giving head to someone with a condom on would seem really weird.