Author Topic: Can't move on with my life! Please help! (Read 4544 times)

iamreallyscared · « **on:** August 10, 2011, 10:10:15 am »

Hi everyone,

Please help me out here because I have been living with this fear for almost 6 years and I desperately need to move on with my life!

I had unprotected gay anal sex several times, around 6 years back. I was at the receiving end. About 6 1/2 months later, I developed a serious flu like illness with severe throat pain. This lasted for a week. About 2 1/2 years later (2008) , I started getting diarrhea. Since then, I have to run to the toilet within 20-30 minutes of eating. I pass watery stools almost every time. This condition continues till date. There was a phase (about 6-8 months long) where I had unexplained rashes. They would break out suddenly all over my body including my scalp at times and go away within a day after taking Allegra. I have had throat infections and ulcers several times in these 6 years. There has NOT been any weight loss though.

I know I am not supposed to discuss my symptoms here but I'm really really scared and I desperately need some support. I really want to move on with my life, immigrate to a beautiful country, go back to school and live a normal life but this fear of HIV is preventing me from doing all that. I haven't been to a doctor in 6 years because I'm scared they'll ask me to get a blood test and get to know my HIV status. Based on my symptoms, can someone please assess my HIV risk? What are the chances of me being negative after having all these symptoms? I know I should get a test done which hopefully, I will soon but I need someones support till then. Please!!

iamreallyscared · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2011, 10:17:21 am »

So sorry for the spam! Got an error message after posting so inadvertently ended up posting multiple times. Sorry!

Andy Velez · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2011, 10:52:58 am »

I've deleted your excess threads. In the future if you have more to say follow our rule and do it only in this same thread.

Unprotected anal sex is definitely a high risk as you already know. So the bottom line is that you need to get tested. You can do that at anytime 3 months or more after the last unprotected incident and get a conclusive answer.

You need to know that nothing you are reporting symptomatically is in anyway HIV specific. They could be from any number of non-HIV related causes.

So stop torturing yourself and get tested. Hopefully you will come through ok but only a test can give you that answer.

You also need to know you can have as much anal sex as you like, but you need to do it the safer way. That means the insertive partner must always be wearing a condom. No exceptions.

Good luck with your test and keep us posted.

iamreallyscared · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2011, 11:06:41 am »

Thanks so much, Andy! Are the diarrhea symptoms that I have been suffering from similar to what a HIV patient might get? I am particularly worried about that.

I hope to be brave and make an appointment for the test today. Thanks a ton once again! I don't want to sound dramatic but you guys are angels for people like us! May God bless you!

Andy Velez · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2011, 11:09:01 am »

Neither diarrhea nor anything else you have mentioned are HIV-specific happenings. Lots of things including nervousness such as you are experiencing can trigger diarrhea.

Make that appointment to get tested and in the meantime work on focusing on other things in your life. Don't bother saying you are too worried to do that because that response won't fly here. Just do it.

Good luck with the test.

iamreallyscared · « **Reply #5 on:** August 10, 2011, 11:12:38 am »

Thanks man!! and I mean that! I am crying right now and I have had enough of that in the past 6 years! I'll go and get tested and surely let you know. God bless you!

Andy Velez · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2011, 01:06:04 pm »

OK. Good deal. Best of luck with the test. We'll be expecting to hear back from you.

iamreallyscared · « **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2011, 02:28:02 pm »

Andy, one last question. What are the chances of someone seroconverting after 6 months? I have heard it happens within weeks.

I'm surely getting tested as soon as I get an appointment (making the call today) and I'll surely keep everyone posted.

Andy Velez · « **Reply #8 on:** August 10, 2011, 05:34:08 pm »

Quote from: iamreallyscared on August 10, 2011, 02:28:02 pm

Andy, one last question. What are the chances of someone seroconverting after 6 months? I have heard it happens within weeks.

I'm surely getting tested as soon as I get an appointment (making the call today) and I'll surely keep everyone posted.

I've never known of anyone to seroconvert after 6 months. The average time to seroconversion is 22 days. All but the very smallest number of those who are infected will seroconvert within 4-6 weeks after an exposure.

You are not going to be an exception to that pattern. Good luck with your test.

iamreallyscared · « **Reply #9 on:** August 10, 2011, 05:42:17 pm »

Thanks, thanks and more thanks!! :-) Just found out a clinic that is offering anonymous rapid testing tomorrow (Thursday). I'll post my results after the test. I'm going to be completely devastated if I'm positive but I know that you and all the great folks on this forum will be there for me. Please pray for me!

Thanks!

iamreallyscared · « **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2011, 11:34:09 pm »

Hey Andy,

I just got tested and I am negative. I'm relieved beyond words.

I cannot thank you enough! You were there for me when I had no one. If it weren't for your support and this forum, I might not have gotten tested. Thank you so much! As I mentioned, you and everyone else who helps folks on this forum are truly angels! May God bless you all! I will always remember you guys in my prayers.

I really want to give back to this forum. Please let me know the ways in which I can help. I am definitely going to help the HIV organizations and support groups locally but I really want to help this beautiful forum. Please let me know. I want to help in any way possible.

Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!

Ann · « **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2011, 08:54:17 am »

Iam,

The best way for you to help us is for you to help your local hiv organisations. Thank you for the generous gesture.

Ann

iamreallyscared · « **Reply #12 on:** August 12, 2011, 09:12:48 am »

Thanks for your response, Ann. I will definitely help the local hiv organizations.

Thanks!

Andy Velez · « **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2011, 10:27:21 am »

You're welcome. Very glad to hear about that negative test result. Way to go!

And for the future protect that gift by always making sure that condoms are used for intercourse. No exceptions.

Cheers.

iamreallyscared · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2011, 11:16:12 am »

Thanks so much, Andy! Yesterday, I made a promise to myself and I'm gonna stick to it lifelong. I will always always play it safe from now on.

Love you guys!

Andy Velez · « **Reply #15 on:** August 12, 2011, 01:35:23 pm »

You're welcome. Onward now.
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Author Topic: Can't move on with my life! Please help! (Read 4544 times)