Author Topic: Swollen Glands won't go away (Read 9565 times)

BenTrainfit · « **on:** December 28, 2007, 10:28:56 am »

So here's my deal. I have had significant risk level over the years. Am working up the courage to get tested (seeing a therapist). Over the last four weeks I've been sick. Bad cold, prescribed Z Pack and the cough and head cold went away. My throat is minimally sore and the glands in my neck are enlarged. My whole life I've gotten swollen glands on my throat, but this time i have a few on the back of my neck....my doc put me on Bactrim. Am i just being too paranoid....I will be getting tested soon, but until then any words from peeps would help.
Thanks.

Andy Velez · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2007, 12:00:40 pm »

Well, here's the REAL deal. Swollen glands are not an HIV-specific occurence. They happen for all sorts of reasons. And neither the presence nor the absence of symptoms can ever be taken as a reliable way to know about HIV status. Nothing you have described symptomatically is HIV-specific. If you have persistent physical problems that's something to discuss with your doctor.

ONLY an HIV test taken at 13 weeks past the most recent unsafe incident can give you a reliable answer about your HIV status.

Since you have been vague about the nature of what you are calling risky we really can't make an assessment about your risk level. If you have had unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse then you do need to get tested to find out what's up.

Stop torturing yourself and get tested. Good luck with the result.

BenTrainfit · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2007, 12:47:27 pm »

Ugh.
The behavior, was unprotected anal sex. I was the top. I know the risks and what I am facing, I just feel like I am in this hole where I can' t stop myself. you are right, i am torturing myself.....like nothing else. I just don't know if I am ready for this sort of thing. In the end, i know that i have to go and get a rapid test, i know this. Just can't think of what i will do if things turn out bad, if my stupidity and immaturity will cause me to die !

BenTrainfit · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2007, 12:49:01 pm »

Here's the other thing. This happened on a Friday, I then went out Saturday and Sunday and partied hard core. Come Sunday night my glands were swollen, and I thought it was because my body was so depleted and beat......two months later still have swollen glands. Can you get symptoms as soon as a day or two after the unprotected sex?

RapidRod · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2007, 12:56:23 pm »

Just test.

Andy Velez · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2007, 02:10:01 pm »

It would be uncommon for you to become symptomatic only a couple of days after an unprotected incident. Being the insertive partner is less risky than being receptive. However, lower risk is not the same as no risk so you definitely need to get tested.

If this was your only incident of unprotected intercourse the odds are in your favor against transmission having occured. But HIV status is never something to guess about. Stop torturing yourself and feeling sorry and all of that totally meaningless fraber jaber.

You do need to learn from this experience. You can have all the sex you like with as many partners as you want to and their HIV status is irrelevant as long as you always ALWAYS use condom. No exceptions. As for "partying hard," experience has shown us that certain drugs liek crystal meth definitely impair one's ability to negotiate safer sex. So be warned if that applies to you.

Get tested, good luck and keep us posted.

BenTrainfit · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2007, 03:06:30 pm »

Andy,
Thank you for your responses. I know what I have to do. It's been a tough road to this point. I have been given opportunities and dodged this bullet. I just can't convince myself this time is safe. I know I have to get tested. I just don't know how to work up to it. Flaber Jaber aside, I know I can make it.
I will let you know when I am able.

Andy Velez · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2007, 06:34:46 pm »

You don't have to feel brave, calm or feel anything for that matter. Knowing your HIV status puts you in the best position to take good care of yourself, whatever the answer is.

Good luck.

BenTrainfit · « **Reply #8 on:** January 01, 2008, 11:18:57 am »

So, my question is this. Would i test positive during possible seroconversion period. I've been having symptoms (swollen glands, sore throat) for about two weeks. Yesterday i got tested and was negative after the 10 week mark. I know I have to go in three more weeks again, but if i was in the middle of seroconversion could they measure antibodies in the test?

RapidRod · « **Reply #9 on:** January 01, 2008, 11:56:57 am »

First off you need to read the posting guideline that are found in the "Welcome" thread. Then go back and reread the replies that have already been given you. YOUR QUESTION WILL NOT BE ANSWERED IN THIS POST.

BenTrainfit · « **Reply #10 on:** January 01, 2008, 12:29:13 pm »

So, my question is this. Would i test positive during possible seroconversion period. I've been having symptoms (swollen glands, sore throat) for about two weeks. Yesterday i got tested and was negative after the 10 week mark. I know I have to go in three more weeks again, but if i was in the middle of seroconversion could they measure antibodies in the test?

thunter34 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 01, 2008, 12:39:57 pm »

Having gotten a negative result this far out, it is highly - HIGHLY - unlikely to change within the nest three weeks. That said, 13 weeks is the official bench mark...and you and I both know that you're gonna go off and get that last test in three weeks anyway, right?

Now let me ask you a question or two.

Given the good news this far, and given the fact that you're gonna end up getting that 13 week test no matter what gets said in this thread...

What purpose does asking such fine tooth comb questions serve other than to give you something to worry about and torment yourself with for the next three weeks? Hmmm?

Wouldn't it really just be oh so much better to give yourself a break and bask in the glow of your fortunate results for the next three weeks before picking up your next round of almost certainly negative results?

Wouldn't it?

Andy Velez · « **Reply #12 on:** January 01, 2008, 12:43:04 pm »

I've merged your threads. Keep all of your entries in this same thread. Thanks for your cooperation with our rule.

The average time to seroconversion is 22 days. All but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6weeks after an exposure. A negative at 10 weeks makes it all but a certainty that you will continue to test negative.

As I have said previously, you need to learn from this experience. You must wear a condom everytime you have intercourse. No exceptions for any reason.

Good luck with your 13 week test.

BenTrainfit · « **Reply #13 on:** January 01, 2008, 07:13:26 pm »

I guess my main concern at this point is these wierd glands and sore throat, for like three weeks now. My doc took a cbc with diff and mono test, not sure results yet, i just worry, of course, that I am seroconverting and the test could not pick up antibodies if i was seroconverting

?? But if i was seroconverting for like two weeks now, wouldn't i have antibodies?

Andy Velez · « **Reply #14 on:** January 01, 2008, 09:03:42 pm »

Main, shmain concern.

You are only three weeks away from what is virtually certain to be a negative result.

Instead of continuing to indulge in more what ifs, handwringing and drama, you need to get productively busy. Nothing you are doing now is going to do anything but fuel your fears. Get busy with other things, the time will pass, you'll test and you'll collect what I expect will be a negative result. Really.

BenTrainfit · « **Reply #15 on:** January 02, 2008, 10:39:31 am »

Ok folks.
Got my CBC labs back. I have low WBC and low RBC and low hematocrit. Here in lies my question. This blood was drawn on Friday, Monday i got my Rapid test which came back negative. With all that going on, if i were positive would my test have come back on monday indicating such, or is this a sign of seroconversion? Any help is greatly appreciated. I know, I sound like every other person, scared about stupid mistakes.....I am very scared and dont' know what to do.
Thank you all for your time and care.

Andy Velez · « **Reply #16 on:** January 02, 2008, 10:59:51 am »

Low WBC and RBC have nothing to do with HIV status. They happen for all sorts of reasons.

The key thing is you have tested negative at 10 weeks. Testing positive at this point (13 weeks) is EXTREMELY unlikely. Really.

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Author Topic: Swollen Glands won't go away (Read 9565 times)