Need Some Clarity - HELP

[confusedtoolong]

Hi,
PLEASE HELP. For the past 8 years I have lived my life in fear,  ! I have been with my boyfriend for almost 7 years and have never cheated. However in October 2001, I had unprotected sex repeatedly with a man of unknown status from Sub Saharan Africa. In both March and April 2002 I was tested at a local family clinic where the results were negative. However here is the strange part, my boyfriend and I have had numerous symptoms suggestive of HIV.My boyfriend tested negative in November 2008. Here are the strange symptoms thats causing me to think its HIV. My boyfriend always have a runny nose, he had arm rashes which left permanent mark, angular cheilitis (side cracks of mouth), low WBC of 3.1 (very low), gum recession on upper gum area,  and I have pins and needles/ peripheral neuropathy in hands, feet, and scalp, that is getting worse everyday. (It drives me crazy!) Chronic headaches and a pain under jaw that doctors cant figure out.

Is it possible maybe the tests did not pick up HIV2 strain? Since the guy was from Sub Saharan Africa where this strain is prevalent. Please help me I can't control this. Please be honest with me.
Thank you all in advance.

[Ann]

Confused,

Hiv 2 isn't prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. It's found in West Africa. There's difference. It's a big place, ya know? I bet you never worried about anyone you slept with who wasn't from Africa. Hiv doesn't discriminate and neither should you. It's not just Africans and gay men who are living with hiv. You need to assume ANYONE you don't know the hiv status of is hiv positive and protect yourself accordingly, not just when you're with an African.

Not only did you two test far outside any window periods, but also nothing you're reporting is remotely hiv specific. You want honesty? It sounds to me like your bf has allergies and he doesn't brush his teeth often enough or well enough.

But we cannot diagnose you or your bf here. And symptoms are never the way to know if you've got hiv or not - only testing will and your tests are conclusively hiv negative. Your tests most likely included both hiv 1&2, as most tests do nowdays. If you're worried about hiv2 - go test again if you need to for peace of mind and this time, make sure the test being used detects both hiv 1&2.

If either of you continue to feel unwell, see a doctor. Whatever is going on is most unlikely to have anything to do with hiv2. It certainly does NOT have anything to do with hiv1.

Ann

[confusedtoolong]

Thank you for your reply. I understand HIV1 being out of the question. It's the HIV2 that worries me. Also the man is from Nigeria not Sub-Saharan Africa. (I'm not geographically savvy).

You mentioned that the symptoms are not HIV specific, but the 2 that worries me are:

1. His low WBC (3.1)
2. My Peripheral Neuropathy/ Pins n Needles in my hands, feet, and scalp.

Doesn't these indicate HIV? Please let me know, I trust you guys since you are all experts at this.

[RapidRod]

NO.

[Andy Velez]

Neither the presence nor the absence of symptoms will ever tell you anything accurately about your HIV status.

Only an HIV test can give you a reliable answer. Discuss you are symptoms with your doctor as Ann suggested. I don't see this as an HIV situation.

Cheers. 

[Ann]

Confused,

A low WBC indicates absolutely nothing where hiv is concerned. I've been poz 12 years, not on meds, and while my CD4s have been low from time to time, my WBC has always been normal. A low WBC can be indicative of many other things, but not hiv. See a doctor to find out what's going on with the WBC.

Hiv doesn't cause PN (except in very rare instances, usually when the person has been poz for many, many years - more years than you're worried about). The meds used to treat hiv cause PN.

Again, see a doctor. If you can't stop worrying about hiv2, test for it, but don't be surprised by another negative result.

Ann

[confusedtoolong]

Hi Ann and All The Others Who Help Us Worried Souls.
I am back again. I am a person of faith and I usually believe I am fine. I AM STILL SO WORRIED about HIV-2,  because : Peripheral Neuropathy is taking over my life, and my boyfriend WBC is still so low. Obviously I am afraid. Please Please Give Me Some Pointers as I am LOSING It. I have no one else to talk to about this. Everyone around me thinks my life is perfect but I am dying inside.

Prayer is the only thing that helps. Please tell me about these symptoms: LOW WBC, Neuropathy, Gum Recession, Chest Pain. Please.

[Ann]

Confused,

It's not our place to go into details concerning your symptoms. That's what doctors are for - I suggest you go see one.

You're extremely unlikely to have hiv2. If you cannot put the doubt out of your mind, go test and get it over with.

There's absolutely nothing more we can do for you here. The ball is in your court.

Ann

[confusedtoolong]

Hi,
I finally had the courage to get tested 2 days ago for HIV 1/2 Antibody and it came back Non Reactive. Thank God.

I am grateful to all of you who responded to me and encourage me through my fear. I STRONGLY encourage those worried wells who are living in fear to GET TESTED.  This is the best way. I was given a new lease on life, only 2 days after getting tested. The internet should not be used to self diagnosed...I did it...and was I wrong!!

I am now dedicated to making a difference especially to young women, to help them protect themselves, so they can prevent the fear I've had for so many years.

My heart goes out to those who have the disease. I will keep you all in my prayers that God will strengthen you and continue to give you courage. He is always with you, He's only a Prayer away.

God Bless You All.  If you are fearful....Get TESTED. If you were lucky as I was...PRACTICE SAFE SEX ALWAYS and remember ALCOHOL and SEX should never be combined.  Best to you all.

[Ann]

Confused,

Getting tested isn't the best  way, it's the ONLY way to know your hiv status.

I'm glad you finally got closure on this matter. Make sure you protect your negative hiv status from here on out and insist that condoms are being used for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions.

Ann