STD Testing

[Thelatin]

I went in for my yearly blood panels last week and told them to test me for stds as well, two birds one stone and all of that.  I was told I have to come in to see the doctor before they would run those tests.  I found this to be really odd?  Just run the tests I ask for?  No?

[+ JamesB]

 I ran into that same issue last year. I prefer to get my testing done before visiting the doctor to renew my PrEP/Doxy prescriptions. Now I use stdcheck.com, and it’s been hassle free.

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

12 hours ago, Thelatin said:

I went in for my yearly blood panels last week and told them to test me for stds as well, two birds one stone and all of that.  I was told I have to come in to see the doctor before they would run those tests.  I found this to be really odd?  Just run the tests I ask for?  No?

I make sure my doctor always adds the STI tests to my next blood work order.  Most insurances won't pay for it unless a doctor orders it.

[+ nycman]

13 hours ago, Thelatin said:

Just run the tests I ask for?  No?

It’s medical care. Not Burger King. 

Have it your way?…..yeah….no…that’s not how any of this works. 

You need to talk with your doctor and request to have it added to your next battery of tests. 

[BuffaloKyle]

5 hours ago, nycman said:

It’s medical care. Not Burger King. 

Have it your way?…..yeah….no…that’s not how any of this works. 

You need to talk with your doctor and request to have it added to your next battery of tests. 

Yeah, just talk to your doctor. Tell him you want it done as you're sexually active, and he'll add it on. 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

4 hours ago, BuffaloKyle said:

Yeah, just talk to your doctor. Tell him you want it done as you're sexually active, and he'll add it on. 

It works if I tell my doctor that I'm sexually passive as well 😉 

[Simon Suraci]

I run into this issue too. I see my doctor quarterly for PrEP, but I prefer to test monthly for STIs. My doctor schedules one follow up visit for STI testing and I have to request the second follow up visit at the first follow up visit. Oftentimes my doctor forgets to order the tests for the follow up appointment, and for the second appointment all bets are off. Your doctor has to order the tests.

Some cities have free or low cost testing clinics specifically catering to the LGBT+ community. For those of you having a more difficult time receiving reliable care through your doctor, you might try clinics for STI testing. I know not every doctor is in the habit of ordering labs for STIs, and can forget to do so even if they’re willing. Some clinics are easier to schedule with or even do a walk in appointment than traditional PCPs.

[BuffaloKyle]

3 hours ago, Simon Suraci said:

Some cities have free or low cost testing clinics specifically catering to the LGBT+ community. For those of you having a more difficult time receiving reliable care through your doctor, you might try clinics for STI testing. I know not every doctor is in the habit of ordering labs for STIs, and can forget to do so even if they’re willing. Some clinics are easier to schedule with or even do a walk in appointment than traditional PCPs.

Yes I don't know if it's still around by me but we had a clinic here in Buffalo that did free HIV testing anytime and on select days they would offer STD testing all free as well. They also offered free condoms and you could take as many as you'd like.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

8 hours ago, Simon Suraci said:

I run into this issue too. I see my doctor quarterly for PrEP, but I prefer to test monthly for STIs.

This is very, very smart. 

I applaud anyone who understands that if you're having sex regularly, a yearly STD check is nowhere near enough.

I too get STD panels done every 30-45 days.  You can never be too 'in the know' when it comes to your health.

 

[Wings246]

Everyone’s healthcare coverage & arrangements are different.  I can only speak about my experience.  I have HMO so the PCP and lab visits are integrated.  My PCP is allowed to place an unlimited amount of standard HIV, PrEP, and STI lab tests in advance.  That was exactly what he did for me.  He entered 9999 (the maximum number permitted) in the “quantity” boxes of all these lab tests.  Hence, they become perpetual standing orders on my medical record.  There is no need for me to contact my PCP.  I just go to the lab to get everything done in 1 visit (and as frequently as I wish).

Now, if your PCP and lab belong to separate healthcare entities, then I am not sure if your PCP can pre-order indefinite lab tests.  You may have to contact the PCP’s office ahead of time each and every time.  That really is a hassle.

[Twinkslover]

does any take prep shot instead of daily piils ? how safe are they?

[chitownguy]

4 hours ago, Twinkslover said:

does any take prep shot instead of daily piils ? how safe are they?

I have been taking injectable PreP for the last six months.  I switched when Medicare started paying for it.  It is more effective than oral Prep in preventing HIV.  It is safe but like oral Prep it can have cause similar side effects.  The most serious being kidney or liver problems.  As with oral Prep you periodically have to take a blood test to check your liver and kidney functions.    Also some people can experience significant soreness/pain at the injection site for several days.  For me it hasn't been that bad.