[sweetpea012607]

I'm getting so much information. I don't know what's real and what isn't.

I've read that the only way I can keep from spreading it is to be abstinate. I've read that it will effect me giving birth to some degree. I've even read that if I get married that I'll have to be super careful and use a condom all the time.

On the other hand I've also heard that it can go away and I'll may never have problems with it.

I hear so many sides, I just want to know what the truth is about this.

[kakuehl]

I'm not sure you will really know for sure until you actually go to the doctor's and they decide what needs to be done. Please try not to panic. Obviously my daughter did NOT always use a condom since AJ will be 4 in April and she also had no problems with her pregnancy and her partner was not affected.

There are obviously a range of possibilities. You will not change the outcome by worrying before you know what the extent of infection. You are in my prayers.

[sweetpea012607]

I had my first counseling session this morning. I was extremely nervous and I didn't say much. He asked me a few questions trying to understand what I want out of counseling and to see what it is I need.
I get 45mins everytime I go and his standard fee is $90.00 but he's only charging me $25 because of my financial situation. My next appointment is monday at 9am.
I want to talk so much, but I'm so afraid of what he'll say or that he'll tell. I know he explained it to me and that he has certain confidentiality policies but I'm still afraid he might.

[kakuehl]

Sweetpea, a counselor who tells what he/she hears definitely is unethical and probably wouldn't be in business long. (In this day and age, he would be sued very quickly.) You'll have to decide it you are willing to trust the counselor. If you can't, there's not much point in spending even $25 a session.

[sweetpea012607]

I know I have to decide, I'm going to give it one more shot and if I don't feel comfortable I'm going to ask if I can go somewhere else..

[kakuehl]

Can you give some time to listening your goals, what you hope to accomplish in counseling. Write down your thoughts and take them with you. That way you have a list of your thoughts to share.

[sweetpea012607]

I will definitely try my best Kakeuhl.

I got a call from the doctor. I'm okay. I just have to have tests done every 6 months. I'm okay!

I'm so relieved.

[kakuehl]

Hoorah! Sweetpea, I'm glad it was no worse. It really does sound similar to my daughter's experience.

Now, on to the next challenge! LOL

[sweetpea012607]

I go for my next counseling session on monday at 9 then around 1:30 I'm going to get the Gardisil shot.

I don't like shots but I think I can handle this one.

[sstuart]

I did not think that Gardisil was appropriate once you developed the virus????

[thanksgivingmom]

Sstuart, you're right. Gardisil is only given to women that have not yet developed the virus (this is my understanding - and I work for a very well known non-profit organization that fights cancer, so we talk about this a lot around here.)

At this point you just need to keep with regular doctors appointments to keep an eye on it. Good luck!

[sweetpea012607]

Actually Gardisil is a vaccine that fights against certain strains of HPV, not HPV itself. There are over 100 different strains/types of HPV and there are four main strains that are most likely to lead to cancer, 6, 11, 16, and 18. Gardisil is to prevent women, whether they are infected or not, from getting those strains. Unfortunately Gardisil is only for those age 9 to 26. Some states are now trying to make a law where any female age 9 to 26 is required to get the Gardisil vaccine, condsidering things like HPV are not transmitted by bodily fluid but by skin touching skin.

[thanksgivingmom]

The reasoning behind not providing it to women over the age of 26 is that it's believed to be more effective/beneficial below that age. Most women that contract HPV contract it before they turn 26.

From the American Cancer Society (where I work):

There are now vaccines that can protect people against HPV. So far, vaccines that protect against certain types of HPV have been shown to work in preventing most genital warts. Right now vaccines are only used to prevent, not treat, an HPV infection.

The Gardisil vaccine now in use requires a series of 3 shots over a one-year period. It has been approved by the FDA and should be covered by most insurance. The American Cancer Society recommends the vaccine for girls when they are 11 or 12, before they begin having sex. It is also recommended as a “catch up” for women aged 13 to 18, and that women age 19 to 26 talk to their doctor about whether the vaccine is right for them. It is important to realize that the vaccine doesn’t protect against all cancer-causing types of HPV, so Pap tests are still needed.

This is the most recent information that we've been given. I was under the impression that any strain would make you ineligible for the vaccine, so I'm interested in the availability for various strains. The target of girls 11 and 12 is so that the vaccine is given before girls would be able to contract the disease.

I'll look into more information when I'm back at work.

[RavenSong]

According to the official Gardasil website set up by the manufacturer, Merck:


"GARDASIL is for girls and women ages 9 to 26. GARDASIL works when given before you have any contact with HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18. If you've already been infected with HPV, you may still benefit from GARDASIL because it is unlikely that you have been infected with all 4 types of the virus covered by the vaccine. Your doctor or healthcare professional can help you understand more."

Here's the link: Who Should Receive GARDASIL ® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16 and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant]

[sweetpea012607]

That's the same thing I said. Believe me, my gynecologist went over all of this with me. I have all of the information sitting in front of me.

Like I said earlier, there are over 100 types/strains of HPV.

Around 40 of those are transmitted through skin touching skin during sex.

Strains 6, 11, 16, and 18 are the 4 types that are most likely to cause cervical cancer in women.

Gardisil is 3 shots. I'm getting the first monday. I will need another in two months, and the third six months after the first.