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Author Topic: Could this be what I think it is?  (Read 5168 times)

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Offline pagta847

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Could this be what I think it is?
« on: January 05, 2007, 11:03:36 pm »
I had an episode of unprotected sex in late October of 2005.  Since the episode.... you name it... I got it.  I have chronic low grade fever for over a year now, hives, muscle twitches, night sweats, rashes all over my body, and mouth ulcers.  I also have swollen lymph glands in both my neck and behind my ear.  I got HIV tested with the rapid test (20 min finger prick test) though an STD clinic and was told at the time, that I was negative.  This test was conducted in April 2006 (approximately 6 months post risky episode).  I am not convinced of my status.  Do you think I may be one of those rare cases documented in text books that seroconvert after 6 months?  I've heard stories of people converted after a year.  I think I should be re-tested now that its been over a year.  I have also been to a rheomotologist and neurologist for the muscle twitches and rashes which they ruled out autoimmune diseases,lymes disease, and ran extensive blood work.  The only thing my rheomotologist found was that I was indeed slightly anemic. I never had anemia until this past year because I have always been able to donate blood and now I am turned down because of this.  Now I also have heard that HIV can cause anemia?  I am convinced I have the disease and will end up in the textbooks.  Any advice will help....  thanks

                 Pagta


Offline pagta847

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Re: Could this be what I think it is?
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2007, 11:05:58 pm »
PS:  My rheumo is convinced I have an unspecified immune complex going on..... 

Offline HIVworker

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Re: Could this be what I think it is?
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2007, 12:40:17 am »
Symptoms aside, you have already tested for HIV and shouldn't need to test again. There are some very very rare cases of late seroconversion but these cases of > 6 months came with older tests and/or with people with reasons for late seroconversion such as age or other diseases such as cancer. If you are otherwise healthy, there is no reason to believe you would fit into this group.

You can test again if you wish, but you shouldn't have to. I understand that fear of HIV might be causing you anxiety and you should do what you feel is best for you. Medically, however, it is unlikely you have HIV. Your doctor should be able to fill you in more.

You should know that symptoms are not a method of diagnosing HIV, only a specific test can determine that. You have had a test and it was negative - outside of the liberal window period. So I don't see this as a case of HIV. I'm not your medical doctor so you should go to them for advice, but nothing in your story concerns me for HIV.

R
NB. Any advice about HIV is given in addition to your own medical advice and not intended to replace it. You should never make clinical decisions based on what anyone says on the internet but rather check with your ID doctor first. Discussions from the internet are just that - Discussions. They may give you food for thought, but they should not direct you to do anything but fuel discussion.

Offline Ann

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Re: Could this be what I think it is?
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2007, 07:49:42 am »
pagta,

Are you aware that stress and anxiety will do a number on your immune system? Nothing you describe is hiv specific and you have already ruled out hiv through testing. Test again if that's what it takes to convince you. If you still cannot accept that you do not have hiv, then perhaps it's time to consider some face-to-face help with your anxieties through counseling.

You are hiv negative.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

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"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline pagta847

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Re: Could this be what I think it is?
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2007, 04:08:10 pm »
Thanks for the advice but I still wanted to know the answer to the anemia and hiv question I posted earlier....and as far as my health goes, I'm not sure if I would seroconvert late because I am always sick!  Is the rapid test comperable to the ELISA or western blot?  I know I do have anxiety...but who wouldn't having all the issues I'm going through?  My immune systems kicking my butt everyday with a fever.  I feel horrible and couldn't get enough rest if I slept all day.  I am horribly fatigued.....
         
                          pagta

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
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Re: Could this be what I think it is?
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2007, 05:14:33 pm »
pagta,

Anemia can be caused by hundreds of different things. You have already ruled hiv out of the picture - hiv has nothing to do with your anemia as you do not have hiv.

The rapid tests are reliable - otherwise they would not be in use. You can trust them. If you want to know more about hiv tests, read the Welcome Thread and follow the links.

If your immune system were so badly damaged that it was not producing antibodies in a timely fashion, you would be very sick and most likely living in a hospital ward. Keep working with your doctor to get to the bottom of your symptoms. I still suggest you get some counseling over this issue - it can only help.

You are hiv negative. There is nothing more we can do for you here.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline pagta847

  • Member
  • Posts: 4
Re: Could this be what I think it is?
« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2007, 07:48:48 pm »
thanks ann.... i hope this is true.... i am going to see an infectious disease specialist in february and im sure they will want to retest me....
i keep up hope...


pags

Offline RapidRod

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Re: Could this be what I think it is?
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2007, 07:51:40 pm »
If you give them the story you have given us then an ID doc will not retest you. There is no reason you need to retest.

 


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