HELP! Mix of Symptoms that have me super stressed and anxious!

[shaggy551]

Hello,
 I am a bisexual male age 27 - I'm not extremely active sexually but have only recently embraced my interest in men and since March have been exploring a bit. The only risky behavior I have engaged in is unprotected oral sex both receiving and giving.

The last time this happened was June 4th - I don't have necessarily conventional symptoms of acute HIV but have been having medical issues that I've found literature linking them to HIV and it's got me so stressed and anxious I can hardly manage. Below is a timeline...

May 25th & June 4th - engaged in oral sex - neither guy showed evidence of being sick and both assured me they were completely clean and hiv negative -  I do not know these men though and am not certain

June 5th - developed a single bump on the base on my penis - originally thought it was genital herpes - was tested June 6th and all tests came back negative - the bump is now gone but lasted until recently. Never caused any pain and didnt seem to ever burst - tried applying pressure and nothing happened

June 7th - around that same time I started having issues with Sciatica pain - have never experienced this before and it has lasted to this day - I'm still experiencing pain when I wake up and sit for long

July 2nd - Went to local clinic to be tested for all STD's including HIV - rapid and blood test. The rapid test came back negative and blood test will come back by the end of this week - I am filled with anxiety and stress awaiting the result

July 3rd - Went to the ER with chest pain - after numerous tests it was determined to be Pleurisy - I was prescribed anti inflammatory and it has subsided. Is this an HIV symptom?

July 5th - July 9th - Have lost my appetite completely - I literally don't get hungry - I feel myself a bit out of it from not eating but never feel hungry for this last week. I've also started to notice my tounge a bit white - more so in the back. It doesnt seem NEARLY as pronounced as the pictures I've seen of Oral Thrush but is a bit painful after using a tounge scraper and it's got me worried

I know my symptoms are all over the place and don't necessarily fall in line with what many other people discuss as being acute HIV symptoms - but I have convinced myself something is going on and I'm so stressed I can no longer tell what symptoms are real and what are being caused by my anxiety.

I am so grateful for any insight you can provide!!!

[RapidRod]

You never had an exposure.

[shaggy551]

i've read so many conflicting things online about the risk of oral sex and hiv - it is impossible to not get stressed out about it. I appreciate your bluntness though - there is absolutely no chance of contraction through oral sex?

Just to clear my head - are Sciatica/Pleurisy potential symptoms of HIV?

[RapidRod]

You didn't have an exposure and we don't do symptoms. HIV has no specific symptoms.

[shaggy551]

Hello,
 I've read quite a bit on here about the importance of being tested at 6 wks - 3 mths - 6 mths. I recently went to a clinic where I was given the rapid test (which was negative) they also took a blood sample and suggested a 10 day window with that test. Assuming I test negative on the blood test - am I in the clear? When you refer to the continuous testing over 6 months - is that for an antibody test?

Thanks

[Andy Velez]

First of all, I've merged your threads into this one. As stated in the opening thread of this section, members are to post all entries in one single thread. So please in the future use only this thread.

Now, as to your continuing concern. Your original concern is of course about sexual activity which is only theoretically risky as is anything other than sex with your own hand. Only unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse are confirmed risks for the sexual transmission of HIV.

So for you testing is unnecessary except for your peace of mind. When there has been a real risk, which I repeat you have not had, when there is a real risk it's necessary to get a negative result at 3 months for a conclusive result. A negative at 6 weeks is very encouraging but not definitive as a few people sometimes take longer to seroconvert. Testing to 6 months only applies when there has been longterm intravenous drug use, organ transplant or treatment for a disease such as cancer. Otherwise 3 months is a standard, reliable testing point.

Whether a test is the Rapid or any other standard HIV test, the same time frame for testing still applies.

[shaggy551]

Absolutely no confirmed cases of HIV transmission from unprotected oral sex? I read the CDC has 4-5 confirmed cases - but I know they are often called in to question.

[Andy Velez]

...and you're talking about one of the most common of sexual activities.

I repeat that the only reason for getting tested is if you need the inevitable negative result strictly for your peace of mind. Otherwise forget about it and move on with your life.

[shaggy551]

So Monday will be day 8 of the 7 to 10 day window to get my Viral HIV test back from the clinic. I have been feeling so anxious and out of it - I know you all say 100% no risk associated with oral sex but on other websites I am reading personal blogs and stories of people that say that is exactly how they contracted HIV. For about a week now I have had absolutely NO appetite - I have forced myself to eat as much as possible just to prevent the sick feeling I get from not eating. I even managed to calm myself down and my appetite has not returned - I'm convinced it's something bigger then anxiety - something truly wrong with my body.

 I did go for a Rapid test last Thursday July 12th - it came back negative which would not be 90 days since my risk of exposure - but would be 38 days which I guess is a good sign.

I keep trying to stay positive and hopeful but I just know something is going on within my body - below are current breakdown of my symptoms

June - throughout I've experienced Sciatica Pain
July 3rd - Admitted to ER with Inflammation of Lungs
July 3rd onward - Complete loss of appetite
July 13th - Noticing white coating on tounge and feels swollen at the back of my throat

Sorry to be persistent when you've already told me "absolutely no exposure" but I am falling to pieces and any more advice or encouragement you could give me would help me get through the next few days would be incredible

thanks for all you do

[RapidRod]

■Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result,  or no-risk situation will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.

[Andy Velez]

In terms of HIV risk there is nothing new to say or to add to what you have been told already. If you are having troubling symptoms that is something for you to discuss with your doctor. HIV is not the cause. Period.

Since you're new to sex with men perhaps you should be having some conversation with a therapist about the emotional aspects of your situation.
We can't help you with that in this setting.

At this point I am going to say that if you continue to return here with more handwringing about your non-risk situation you are going to find yourself getting a Time Out from the site. HIV is not your problem no matter what your fears tell you to the contrary.