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HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: flyman on June 07, 2012, 08:42:04 pm

Title: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 07, 2012, 08:42:04 pm
Hi,
I had brief receptive rough anal with a guy I did not know. I did ask him if he was clean, he said "very" he was the one that suggested anal  after brief oral and he ask if I had condom. I don’t know when the condom broke but I do know there was no ejaculation.  Most of it was external during the first part [ no lube]  and rough.  I then got some lube which I didn't do the first time and we continued with a new condom for another minute with no ejaculation.  There was some bleeding also due to a hemriod at the opening.   That was it. No ejaculation, rough anal, broken condom. Bleeding at the opening of the anus. I have been watching my health since then and here is what has happened.

A couple of days later I got sharp shooting pain in my foot and finger  on right hand,pain in only my left groin and radiated into left testicle. The pain seemed to come and go and I never felt enlarged lymph nodes. It lasted a week. During that first week I also had a one hour bout of ex stream weakness. It came on sudden and lasted about an hour. This was really strange for I am healthy.  After that, about three days later I had a thin red line on the left side of my face. Looked like a scratch or a branch hit the face. When I checked it though I had three small round waxy pimples in a row which was the cause of the line. They were painless, not itchy ,scaly or pusey. They lasted about four days. I never felt sick or had a fever. That's it, sorry for the long post. Do any of these sound like ARS?  I would think pre cum  made contact with the bleeding hemroid which is scary.

Also I read the hiv rash is on the face the most. My friend who look at my face said it did not look like a rash just a couple of pimples under the skin. I am at four weeks from the event and very stressed.  I am very worried about the face pimples hope it was not a rash. I also just read that sometimes neuropothy can happen at sero conversion. I am scared.
Thanks.

Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 08, 2012, 03:55:54 am
Here I am up at 3am can't sleep and shaking. This is tough. can't get passed what did I do to myself.

I would appreciate any expert commenting on my situation.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Matty the Damned on June 08, 2012, 04:10:04 am
Well yes, you've had a risk and you need to be tested for HIV. You should also be tested for other STIs which are more common and transmissible than HIV.

Is this a high risk? Not really. Even taking into account the bleeding, I don't imagine that you're going to test positive. You were protected until the condom broke.

So get tested 3 months from the date of this encounter. You can, if you like, test at 6 weeks. If that test result is negative then you are almost certain to test negative at 3 months.

MtD
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 08, 2012, 04:05:36 pm
Are my symptoms anywhere close to classic HIV symptoms? I know some have no symptoms buy I read that fever is almost always present in ARS. I did not have any of that stuff.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: jkinatl2 on June 08, 2012, 06:05:50 pm
Are my symptoms anywhere close to classic HIV symptoms? I know some have no symptoms buy I read that fever is almost always present in ARS. I did not have any of that stuff.

Nothing you mentioned raised any flags whatsoever as regards ARS.

Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 09, 2012, 01:35:53 am
Man  I need to get it together and believe my symptoms were not classic. Maybe I will be lucky. I am a wreak.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: jkinatl2 on June 09, 2012, 02:06:21 am
Man  I need to get it together and believe my symptoms were not classic. Maybe I will be lucky. I am a wreak.

That's the thing, isn't it? There ARE no "classic" symptoms. They are truly all over the place, or in many cases, no place at all. That's what makes them so very unreliable.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 09, 2012, 02:36:27 am
True but in my research I have found that a majority do hav some symptoms. Most do have some sort of fever as a Dr told me it is a viral infection and the body reacts to it.
 Most are telling me mine do not sound like anything including you. Hope that will be the case. Thanks for any insight you might give me. I cling to scoopful words.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 09, 2012, 06:43:17 am
I wonder if RapidRod could comment I was told he has been here and is quite knowledgeable.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Andy Velez on June 09, 2012, 08:11:00 am
Fly, you will do yourself a big favor if you stop "researching." All you will do is feed your worst fears and all to no good purpose. The only way to have the answer you want about your status is by getting tested.

You can test initially at 6 weeks after the incident. If you test negative at that point, then it is very likely you will continue to test negative at 3 months for a conclusive result.

Unfortunately right now you seem to be misinterpreting everything that happens to you physically through an HIV jitters mindset. Nothing you are reporting of that sort is in anyway HIV specific.

During the waiting time to to test  you need to make a real effort to focus on other things in your life. Don't bother saying you're too stressed to do that. I can tell you that response is not going to fly here. Just do it. And you will find that the waiting time to test will pass more quickly than you may imagine is possible.

Given what you have described of your incident I agree that the likelihood is you are going to test negative.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 09, 2012, 08:37:23 am
Thank you very much Andy I will do as you say. Also thank you for addressing my so-called symptoms and at least giving me something to hang onto.

As you say, only the test will tell. I am on my 5th week.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Andy Velez on June 09, 2012, 09:06:45 am
OK, week 5. So in another week you can do a preliminary test. Assuming that gives you a negative result then the likelihood is that you will continue to test negative.

Good luck and keep us posted.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 10, 2012, 06:20:22 am
sorry for this additional post but want to take a test as soon as possible[ 6wk]. Would the home access hiv test be a sensitive as a rapid test.

I don't want to take a test with my name on it right now. I am afraid of insurance problems.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: RapidRod on June 10, 2012, 06:34:33 am
Did you bother to read the the paperwork?
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 10, 2012, 07:05:08 am
I haven't bought one yet. I will today Thanks
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Andy Velez on June 10, 2012, 07:59:01 am
If you are in the U.S., the Home Access is an approved home test.

Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 10, 2012, 08:22:32 am
I am Andy.

 I am worried about my health insurance in as much as I am moving and have to get new insurance. That's why I do not want my name on record as of now if I test POZ. I would however like to test @6weeks only because I am really stressed.
Thanks
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Andy Velez on June 10, 2012, 10:10:49 am
The currently still-in-effect healthcare act means an insurance company cannot deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions.

And as you have been told before, the odds are in your favor that you will test negative.

But you will have to decide whether or not to live with your current anxiety about HIV or get tested and take your chances. If you test negative at 6 weeks then it's likely you will continue to test negative again at 3 months.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 10, 2012, 03:39:19 pm
Thanks for that insurance info that will really help.

Andy I know you have helped thousands of folk and I never thought I would be in this spot. The fact is I am very sure I got infected. That bout of extream fatigue is something I have never experience far beyond anxiety. I am only clinging to the fact I had no fever and/or the guy was not POZ.

thanks again
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Andy Velez on June 10, 2012, 04:10:18 pm
Every worried person who comes here is certain they are infected. And the vast majority of them have turned out to not be infected.

Test and find out odd. As I said previously, the odds are in your favor to test negative.

Awaiting your result...
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 12, 2012, 10:35:31 am
Tomorrow is 5 wks. Should I tough out one more week to make it 6 wks or will the 5 weeks give me the indication? Brutal!!!
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Ann on June 12, 2012, 11:06:28 am
Fly,

Just wait the week. If you test at five weeks, you'll just want to test again and over-testing is a waste of time, money and resources.

Get yourself busy with other things and the week will go quicker than you might imagine.

Ann
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 12, 2012, 11:56:00 am
I'm going to try. I am reading the damn net and I have been getting Peripheral Neuropathy in my foot and hand and don't ya know it I find a site that said it sometimes is associated with sero-conversion.
On the other hand I have had some real experts including a DR tell me it isn't
I will test soon. Thanks
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: RapidRod on June 12, 2012, 12:52:39 pm
Most of the time NP has no relationship to HIV.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Andy Velez on June 12, 2012, 02:15:01 pm
You can do yourself a very big favor and stop surfing the net about HIV. All you will find is more to scare yourself about to no good purpose. And it won't give you the answer you want and which you will get soon when you test. Which I expect is going to be negative.

Be smart and stop feeding your fears. Really.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 12, 2012, 09:22:04 pm
Most of the time NP has no relationship to HIV.
=============================================================
Funny how when your totally stressed one can focus on a word from experts. I wish NP never played a part in sero-conversion. I really do apprieciate all you folks are doing. One more week and I will hopefully get my life handed back to me or who knows what.

Should have never placed myself into that situation.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Ann on June 13, 2012, 08:21:49 am
fly,

I've been involved in hiv education for over ten years now and have gotten to know countless hiv positive people in that time. In all those years and all those people's stories, I have only ONCE known of someone who had PN during seroconversion.

He was in his 50s and had such a horrendous seroconversion illness that he was hospitalised for nearly two weeks. He was one sick man.

And because I know you'll be wondering, his illness started just over two weeks following a risk behaviour (full-on unprotected receptive anal intercourse with ejaculation - and the man he was with had only recently seroconverted himself and so had a sky-high viral load).

All sorts of things can cause PN - but hiv seroconversion is rarely one of them. PN associated with hiv is usually caused by some of the older drugs that are no longer used for the most part (they're mainly only used now in resource-poor countries).

Like Andy said, stop searching the internet for hiv information. All you'll do is increase your anxiety and you'll start manifesting symptoms - most of which will be caused by your anxiety. Knock it off.

Ann
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 13, 2012, 08:59:02 am
Thanks Ann
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 13, 2012, 04:35:17 pm
 ;D
I couldn't wait folks I tested at 5 weeks and it is NEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are the best people in the world thank you very much.

 I will test latter on maybe 8 or 10 weeks buy I feel the results will be the same.

She use the swab rapid test but I accept the results.

Thank you Andy,Ann,Matty,and others.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 15, 2012, 11:32:05 am
I know I should have waited one more week as Ann and Andy suggested but I am curious why I never got a reply. I hope the good folks who have helped me so much aren't disappointed in my lake of will power.
Thanks
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Ann on June 15, 2012, 11:57:41 am
Fly,

You didn't get a reply because you didn't ask anything.

Your result is highly unlikely to change but you will need to confirm at the three month point.


my lake of will power.


Lake of willpower? A puddle, more like.

Ann
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 15, 2012, 12:59:06 pm
Thanks Ann That was LACK not LAKE LOL.

I had an opportunity to get an anonymous test with no name associated with it that's why I jumped at it. Anyway thanks again for you help.

You were right though, the mind always second guesses the time frame. I do think I will stay Neg. The only thing going through my mind now is even thought I am very healthy I am older and hope that doesn't mean longer time to convert. Oh well time will tell.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Ann on June 15, 2012, 09:07:55 pm
fly,

Yeah, I knew what you meant but I couldn't resist.

Being older isn't going to make a difference. Get the hell off the internet and do something else already.

Ann
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 19, 2012, 09:17:15 pm
Well tomorrow is my 6th week I tested neg @ 5weeks. I do not want to over test and use resources but I sure would like to get that 6week test out of the way for my sanity. I always pay or donate for the test.

 That said ,even though I had a high risk exposure my body doesn't know or care how it got infected. It will pump out anti-bodies at its own rate no matter how it happened. Therefore a neg test @ 6weeks should be as good as a neg test @6weeks for someone with a less risky exposure,Right????

Anyway I am not as stressed after my 5 week neg.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Ann on June 20, 2012, 05:03:26 am
Fly,

Antibody production has nothing to do with the method of transmission.

I don't expect your five week negative to change and neither should you.

Ann
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 20, 2012, 05:24:06 pm
Well I didn't go get a test today. Ann and Andy were right I should have waited the 6 week mark for peace of mind. I ordered a home access today and will take that anonymous test when it comes that should be the 7 or 8 week.

I still am worried about insurgence and stuff because I am changing it on 7/1 so I do not want to take any chances. Anyway, I still have my 5 week in my pocket and hope and pry it will not change.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Andy Velez on June 20, 2012, 08:19:08 pm
There is a good likelihood you will continue to test negative. Just stop surfing the net and make a real effort to focus on other matters in your life. Don't bother saying you're too worried to do that because that response will not fly here. Just do it.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 21, 2012, 06:23:44 am
Right you are, I am not as obsessed with it now. I have done all I can and will take that home access test.

I do however read your and Ann's posts and some sites I saved that say a five week test is pretty dog-gon good and should not change just for encouragement.
Thanks
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 25, 2012, 09:54:46 am
HI,
As the thread knows I am waiting to test again. My 5 week test euphoria has faded as the experts said it would. My question is this:

Why does it matter about the risk and testing time. Shouldn't my body produce antibodies regardless of how it might have got infected? Should I be as happy with my 5 week test as say someone with a lower risk?

Also I am older than most [60] and am worried about that.

Thanks in advance for you input. I am testing some time next week I am praying my 5 week test will hold.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Andy Velez on June 25, 2012, 10:05:04 am
Fly,

Antibody production has nothing to do with the method of transmission.

I don't expect your five week negative to change and neither should you.

Ann

Fly, stop with all what ifs and all that speculatory stuff that will not give you the answer that only an HIV test will.  You have a negative at 5 weeks. Given that the average time to seroconversion is 22 days, that is a meaningful result.

While waiting to test you need to make a real effort to focus on other things in your life. And don't bother saying you're too worried to do that. That response will not fly here. Just do it.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 26, 2012, 11:35:23 am
Thanks Andy,
I am going to take the home access test next week that will be week 8 I feel that will put it to rest til my 3 month time. My 5 week I know is very encouraging.


One question. You state ave. time to to show poz is 22days others say 28 and one other place said they recommend a 3 week test and then the 3 month test. Obviously I like the less days which make my 5 week look better. Would you know how they get these stats? I know I'm grasping at straws but it does get me through the days. Anyway I will be keeping myself busy this next week.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Ann on June 26, 2012, 11:45:28 am
Fly,

They get the stats from people who know when they were exposed. Also, I believe there was a study conducted where they asked people who had a definite risk to test every few days or so and recorded when the tests turned positive, but I can't find it right now. It was something I came across five or six years ago and I no longer have the bookmark.

You really need to ease up. Your five week negative is highly unlikely to change and you need to get busy with things other than hiv internet surfing. The time will go much faster if you keep yourself busy.

Ann
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 26, 2012, 04:28:53 pm
Thanks Ann,
Going to visit family. Funny when I got that 5week result I though this next test would be a piece of cake,not so. This is really stressing me. I am putting those so-called symptoms I had  ahead of a 5 week neg test!!. I don't get it.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 27, 2012, 11:36:28 am
Well I did it and @ 7 weeks I am NEG!!!! Orasure advanced blood rapid test.

Do you agree I am almost home free???? Thanks to all for the help you are great people and seem to be proven right.

I can't believe how hard that was given I had a NEG 5 week I should have gone in there very optimistic. I was scared. Whewwwwwwwwwwww!!!
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Ann on June 27, 2012, 11:40:19 am
Fly,

Your seven week negative is highly unlikely to change.

You're just going to have to get busy with other things while you wait for your conclusive negative confirmation - and that's exactly what you're going to get.

You will not be permitted to continue using this forum to fret over your situation. You are not likely to test positive after a seven week negative and you never were likely to test positive over this brief, broken condom with no ejaculation incident.

Ann
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on June 27, 2012, 12:09:37 pm
Right on fair lady!!
Thanks for everything Andy also. See you in about a month for my 12 week test which will be NEG!!!!!!!! There is no reason for it not to be. I am healthy and have a great immune system.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on July 30, 2012, 06:47:16 pm
Hello again,
Well it has been a long ride from my first post so I thought I would update all. I just sent in my overnight Home Access test which will be my 12 week test. I bought it at the beginning and did not use it. I have since learned it is a "first generation test" which do give accurate results especially at this late date.

I have taken two more test since I last posted though. I took a 3rd generation Uni Gold @ 9weeks NEG. and a Orasure Advanced @ 10 weeks NEG.. Over testing yes but they saved my mental health. So tomorrow I get my final test results and hopefully end this nightmare. I'll keep you posted.

This is longer than I wanted but I do have a few questions for the experts. I'll ask tomorrow if that is OK with Ann and/or Andy.

 
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Ann on July 31, 2012, 03:58:00 am
Fly,

Whatever. Your negative results are not going to change.

Ann
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on July 31, 2012, 09:18:39 pm
Well there it is. After 12 weeks I am NEG. This has been no fun and life altering.

I would not recommend Home Access. They played a recording telling me that my test really is not good til 6 months after exposure.

B/S this is 2012!! Even though their test is first generation it still is highly reliable at 12 weeks.99.9% I believe.

Thanks to Ann,Andy,and even Matty, Sorry for the IM I thought that what it was for. Ann straighten me out though.

Well so long keep up the good work you sure helped me.

PS FYI. I took my UNI GOLD HIV test in ATL. They are hooked up to the CDC by computer, Their verbiage on the results said NEG. It went on to say  now that you have tested you are more than likely NEG if you took the test 3 to 6 weeks from exposure. and sometime it can take up to 3 months and rarely 6 months. I am paraphrasing.
Any way have a good one all and stay safe.
Flyman
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: Andy Velez on August 01, 2012, 10:17:59 am
You're HIV negative. Let this is issue go and get on with your life. Period.
Title: Re: What did I do Broken condom
Post by: flyman on August 01, 2012, 08:18:06 pm
"You're HIV negative".
------===============================

Yes I am and thanks good fellow for your input.

I feel I could teach this stuff with all the info and knowledge I have gained. Trouble is, even with that, when it come to one's self the fear and emotion takes over. That's why you guys were so good. You can see the big picture and remove the emotion.
Thanks,
 Flyman