How to get western blot test

[maybeherpes]

Hello. I live in Canada and would like to know how I can get the western blot test. I was diagnosed with genital hsv 1 about 6 months ago. MY boyfriend says he never has got cold sores. My recent IGG for hsv1 was >5 and negative for hsv2. I really want to confirm this is really positive. I am on long term use of antibiotics for over 9 months and am really prone to infections.

[Terri Warren]

Our clinic can send you a test kit and you can have your bloods drawn in CAnada and sent back to us and we will get it to UW. Do you know someone who could draw your blood in Canada?

Terri

[maybeherpes]

Thank you for your quick response. Unfortunately I would not know who or how to get the blood drawn. I live in Toronto, Canada. If I take the kit to the lab, will there be a requisition with it? I do not know if they would do it.
What is the cost of such a test? The procedure of getting it done?
Thank you

[Terri Warren]

There is but the req is only for Quest labs. I’m not clear that another lab would accept that req. You could call and ask?
The cost is $315 for a situation like this where the shipping would all be done outside the lab system

Terri

[RegretandAnxiety]

Hopefully this doesn’t count towards one of my posts (Terri appreciate if you can moderate this if so).

I wanted to provide you some information as to the fact that the western blot is available via life labs in Toronto. You will need a req from your doctor and it is not covered by OHIP ($160 CAD). I got the blood drawn last week and it’s spun down and sent to Vancouver, BC for the testing. Expecting an answer in 7-10 days from the draw.

[Terri Warren]

thanks so much for that information. Do you have the results back? I’m very surprised that there is a place in Vancouver that does the western blot. Do you happen to now what the name of the lab is? When you get your results, can you let me know exactly what it says and what lab did it? NO of course it doesn’t count. I just appreciate your help.

Terri

[RegretandAnxiety]

Hi Terri,

I’m happy to help where I can, figured this info would be pertinent for someone from Toronto.
No, results aren’t expected for another couple of days I would think.

I’m pretty sure it’s Life Labs out in Vancouver as well doing the testing, maybe they arranged something with UW to handle Canadian testing.

I’ll likely be in Seattle by the time I get my results back since I’ll have to go in and see my doc, unlike the US, we do not get these type of results back via email, we have to see our FP. I’m not sure if it will say anything about which lab did it, but if there is anything there, I’ll let you know.

I did the test as I’ve been struggling with symptoms for several months, including what looked like my first outbreak early October, yet multiple IGGs and culture swabs have been negative.

Hoping the WB will let me know what I feel is ailing me so I can look into suppressive therapy to alleviate my symptoms and also to protect my girlfriend should I decide to be intimate with her anytime soon.

[Terri Warren]

I hope that the western blot will give you the answer that you seek. If you are negative by the blot I really really think you are negative and should move on with your life and sexual relationship with your partner. But this will only happen if you let it happen.

Terri

[RegretandAnxiety]

Hi Terri,

Not to hijack this thread, but I’d love to move on, however, I’ve had a typical outbreak, started with lower back pain on the left side, to which on the left side of my pubic area there was a red, itchy base, then multiple small blisters ensued, which then lead to the multiple small ones merging into 3 larger blisters. It sure as heck looks and feels like h, if it’s not that, then it’s something scarier!

[Terri Warren]

you kind of have hijacked the thread, regret and anxiety. If you had a typical outbreak, I seriously hop you had it swab tested right away. Let’s leave this thread to it’s originator.

Terri

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