The story can now be told.

[SW_PA_Couple 4,024]

I'm not going to say that there is a lesson to be learned but here's my story. I acquired an STI; my wife did not. Several weeks ago we heard separately from two different couples with whom we had recently been intimate that they had gonorrhea infections. We thanked them. Although neither of us were experiencing symptoms, my wife made a trip to a clinic; her test result came back a few days later as negative. I made a trip to the clinic about a week later. The doctor recommended a "urine DIP test" and ordered a gonorrhea/syphilis lab analysis. My analysis was positive for gonorrhea. The Doc had given me a Rocephin injection and a prescription for doxycycline hyclate even before I left the clinic. When I read the perscription, I mentioned to him that my wife took this drug every day under orders from her periodontist. I asked if this could be a reason that her test was negative. Very possible, he says.

[njbm 2,872]

Sorry to hear this and glad it’s curable. A good reminder to all of us to get tested. Do you have any idea who gave it to you? They may not know they have it. Swinging is a contact sport!

[Emt 91]

We'll be taking Truvada to protect against HIV. I'm wondering if this would be good to take as a preventative as well. We'll roll the dice initially but if we catch anything I'll ask my doc for a script at the next appointment.

 

Thanks for sharing!

[njbm 2,872]

Just for educational purposes and not to be critical or using hindsight as 20/20, does the OP and wife play with condoms, bareback or a Combination? If this question is too personal, please feel free to take the Fifth. Again, my intent is educational, not critical.

[SW_PA_Couple 4,024]

. . . does the OP and wife play with condoms . . ?

No.

[Fundamental Law 2,885]

Thanks for the unblinking and dispassionate report. There are plenty of authoritative reports highlighting the rapid rise in STIs among older Americans. Risk-management is the first defense. As a physician, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of transparency with your health care team. If you play, be candid with your healthcare professional. We will not judge. Let me repeat, we will not judge. Nor will we gossip, "out" you, or put your marital or work lives at risk. Our sole responsibility is to keep you in the best possible health--including sexual health-- and that requires your full confidence and collaboration.

[GoldCoCouple 4,066]

The doctor probably didn't really pay much attention to your visit...until you mentioned that your wife tested negative, meaning that you are married and you and your wife were playing with others and talking about it.

[Emt 91]

Thanks for the unblinking and dispassionate report. There are plenty of authoritative reports highlighting the rapid rise in STIs among older Americans. Risk-management is the first defense. As a physician, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of transparency with your health care team. If you play, be candid with your healthcare professional. We will not judge. Let me repeat, we will not judge. Nor will we gossip, "out" you, or put your marital or work lives at risk. Our sole responsibility is to keep you in the best possible health--including sexual health-- and that requires your full confidence and collaboration.

 

Can't emphasize what was said here enough! This is why I was 100% open with my doctor last month when we decided to give it a try.

 

I did have a bad experience with a previous doctor who got all beside herself and freaked out when I discussed ED meds with her (I was only 23 at the time)...this is why she is my previous doctor.

 

As I mentioned, I'd like to hedge my bets as much as possible to avoid STI's even if that's consuming a cocktail of preventatives a few days before and after playing. I wouldn't think this is a new idea within the lifestyle but I'm getting that impression from reading multiple threads and articles on the subject.

[njbm 2,872]

I have never heard of a swinger taking Truvada to prevent HIV. Of course, if that makes you comfortable, feel free. But whatever prevents HIV must be pretty powerful stuff. A more conventional preventative idea would be the HPV vaccine. It is intended for younger people, but we know older recipients.

[SW_PA_Couple 4,024]

. . . Risk-management is the first defense. . .

This is true. In our case, we play with people who are honest enough to tell us when something suspicious happens, we tell the gynecologist, primary care physician, and medical professionals at an urgent care clinic about our activities.

 

My story represents just the second time within fourteen years of bareback activity that either of us have acquitted an STO; the first time was HPV, which using a condom would probably not prevented.

[njbm 2,872]

This is true. In out case, we play with people who are honest enough to tell us when something suspicious happens, we tell the gynecologist, primary care physician, and medical professionals at an urgent care clinic about our activities.

 

My story represents just the second time within fourteen years of bareback activity that either of us have acquitted an STO; the first time was HPV, which using a condom would probably not prevented.

Has this experience made you reconsider your decision to play without condoms?

[SW_PA_Couple 4,024]

Has this experience made you reconsider your decision to play without condoms?

No.

[eruditesdw 29]

Well, I was in the military and I can tell you in the long run you will be just fine. ( For those former military men like me many of us became experts on Sex type disease ) As my doctor said to me on my 3rd visit "You have to be more careful the world is not always safe"... As a side note yes I felt like a fool on my 3rd visit.

[njbm 2,872]

A friend of mine went to med school in the Philippines and contracted VD twice. Nothing against the Philippines. I suspect he was cavorting with sex workers.

[njbm 2,872]

Well, I reread the original post and thankfully the source of the infection told our friends about it. I like swing clubs, but my wife points out that it is generally anonymous and it is unlikely that anyone would or could contact us with a disease update.

[SW_PA_Couple 4,024]

. . . Do you have any idea who gave it to you?

Lacking the investigative capability of the FBI and considering the fact that we mixed it up with this group for four full weeks, would not be possible to determine.

[Emt 91]

I have never heard of a swinger taking Truvada to prevent HIV. Of course, if that makes you comfortable, feel free. But whatever prevents HIV must be pretty powerful stuff. A more conventional preventative idea would be the HPV vaccine. It is intended for younger people, but we know older recipients.

 

Yesterday I called up my doctor and asked for an HPV vaccine. The nurse called me back and said they don't give them to anyone over 26.

 

I'll contact the doctor that is aware of our LS pursuit that prescribed the Viagra and Truvada to begin with. A slightly farther drive but I'm guessing he won't give us any problems.

[Seanandem 48]

Yesterday I called up my doctor and asked for an HPV vaccine. The nurse called me back and said they don't give them to anyone over 26.

 

I'll contact the doctor that is aware of our LS pursuit that prescribed the Viagra and Truvada to begin with. A slightly farther drive but I'm guessing he won't give us any problems.

 

 

I scheduled, went in, nurse said same thing, I said its 45 now, she disagreed, but went and did some checking. Came back with the shot. I'm 44. 2 down, final booster in July. I turn 45 late summer. I'd call different doctors. You'll find one who'll do it.

[Emt 91]

I scheduled, went in, nurse said same thing, I said its 45 now, she disagreed, but went and did some checking. Came back with the shot. I'm 44. 2 down, final booster in July. I turn 45 late summer. I'd call different doctors. You'll find one who'll do it.

 

To follow-up...I called the doctor's office back, explained the FDA change to 45. The nurse agreed and told me to make sure my insurance would cover it. For me, no problem. For my wife...$300 PER SHOT!! So $900 for the series! We have excellent insurance so it'd be a $500 deductible and then covered 100% and she's already paid $300+ so maybe we'll just go that route. But still $100-$200 for a vaccine just because she's female...what the actual fuck?!?

[barefoot_so_goo 46]

On 3/15/2019 at 9:53 AM, Emt said:

 

To follow-up...I called the doctor's office back, explained the FDA change to 45. The nurse agreed and told me to make sure my insurance would cover it. For me, no problem. For my wife...$300 PER SHOT!! So $900 for the series! We have excellent insurance so it'd be a $500 deductible and then covered 100% and she's already paid $300+ so maybe we'll just go that route. But still $100-$200 for a vaccine just because she's female...what the actual fuck?!?

I know this is old, but that's a crappy deal. I bet you could've gone to an STD clinic, county clinic, something like that, and you wouldn't have had to pay that. In Seattle, there's a great STD clinic run out of Harborview that has low/no cost vaccinations.