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Author Topic: Advice and thoughts?  (Read 6373 times)

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Offline Fireofchaos

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Advice and thoughts?
« on: November 14, 2006, 09:21:56 pm »
Over a week ago I had insertive anal sex with someone I know for a fact to be HIV positive. I thought I could handle the issue and unfortunately I couldn't. Anyhow, the condom broke and I did not feel it break. Anyhow when I pulled out I was totally exposed and im not sure for how long. So I rush to the hospital and 14 hours later im on retrovir and epivir.

Heres the problem though, the drugs are making me miserable and its becoming hard to function. The person I had sex with is on medications. Now I have been for a week. I was the top and unfortunately since the condom broke and slid all the way down its the same as none at all. What I want to know is if I can reasonablly afford to stop taking these medications?

Offline Ann

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Re: Advice and thoughts?
« Reply #1 on: November 15, 2006, 05:35:35 am »
Fire,

Unfortunately, there is no cut and dried answer to your question.

The odds are significantly in your favour of testing negative - even without PEP - over a one time, insertive condom break incident. I've yet to see an insertive partner test positive after a one time condom break. However, this does not mean there is absolutely no risk.

If your partner's viral load is undetectable, this will also lower your risk, but again it will not make it no risk.

You will have to decide what you feel you can live with. Do you put up with three more weeks of being uncomfortable to give your already significant odds a boost, or do you stop the PEP and trust in your good odds? Before you decide one way or another, check out the side effects lesson as well as the info on Epivir and Retrovir for tips on getting through this time. It may also help for you to know that the side-effects may start to subside soon.

You also need to know that your hiv antibody test will only be conclusive when done three months past the last day of PEP, whether you take it for one week or the full four.

Good luck in whatever you decide and feel free to keep us posted.

And one more thing, please check out the condom and lube links in my signature line. A correctly used condom rarely breaks, so hopefully you can prevent this happening again in the future.

Ann
« Last Edit: November 15, 2006, 05:37:17 am by Ann »
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline Fireofchaos

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Re: Advice and thoughts?
« Reply #2 on: November 15, 2006, 11:59:06 am »
Thank you Ann. I guess I will continue to try and take them. I do have one more question however. Are any of the side effects likely to be permanent from one month? Such as wasting etc? Sorry to sound naive. Also, thank you for telling me to test from the end date of the medication. My doctor had mentioned no such thing unfortunately.

Offline Ann

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    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Advice and thoughts?
« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2006, 12:31:52 pm »
Fire,

No, none of the side-effects will be permanent. You will not experience any body-fat changes from only one month. These kinds of side effects take time.

Make sure you check out the links I gave you, so you have a better idea what you're taking and how to deal with it.

Hang in there.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline Fireofchaos

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Re: Advice and thoughts?
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2006, 08:19:18 pm »
Hi, I am back.

I just wanted to thank you Ann. The side effects from the PEP have all but subsided.. The side effects are terrible but they honestly seem to go away. I am glad I didn't quit cause shortly after I posted they went away.

As for my test results when I know, I will post. I have faith in my odds! It was driving me nuts for a few days but stess wasn't helping me either.

Offline Fireofchaos

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Re: Advice and thoughts?
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2006, 10:12:34 pm »
I am so sorry to come back but, is it common to get sick after quitting PEP?? I feel sick, fever, glands, throat.....
I am starting to feel naseous like I did when I started!

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Advice and thoughts?
« Reply #6 on: December 10, 2006, 09:14:59 am »
Fire,

You probably just have a coincidental bout of flu. You've been under a lot of stress and being stressed out will make you more susceptible to any flu or cold going around. Talk to your doctor on Monday to be on the safe side.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline Fireofchaos

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Re: Advice and thoughts?
« Reply #7 on: December 10, 2006, 09:44:50 pm »
I will be going to the doctors on tuesday assumiing I still feel run down. I just had wondered if coming off PEP would cause some sort of withdrawl or anything. I also want to say you have been great Ann. I am going for a test this week and prolly again every 2 weeks till I hit 13. One thing I have gotten out of this whole incident is I never want to take HIV medications again. So I'll make doubly sure condoms are "fresh" aka new and properly used.

Offline HIVworker

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  • HIV researcher
Re: Advice and thoughts?
« Reply #8 on: December 10, 2006, 10:48:56 pm »
As far as I know coming off HIV medication does not cause the symptoms you are having. However, Ann's advice is spot on here. You can not tell that you have HIV from symptoms. For the record, I know several people with the same symptoms at work - it's that time of year.

A test at a month will be informative, but 13 weeks remains the Golden standard.

Rich
NB. Any advice about HIV is given in addition to your own medical advice and not intended to replace it. You should never make clinical decisions based on what anyone says on the internet but rather check with your ID doctor first. Discussions from the internet are just that - Discussions. They may give you food for thought, but they should not direct you to do anything but fuel discussion.

Offline Fireofchaos

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  • Posts: 8
Re: Advice and thoughts?
« Reply #9 on: December 18, 2006, 09:47:24 pm »
Ok. I took a test today and it was negative. I know its not conclusive but I thought it would put my mind at ease. Instead it drove me nuts. I got even sicker the last 2 days. However, I think its ultracet since im on that for foot pain. The testing guy didnt help either. He told me to come back in 3 months cause my status could change the moment I walk out the door. =(

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Advice and thoughts?
« Reply #10 on: December 19, 2006, 07:29:46 am »
Fire,

I would suggest you speak to/see the doctor who prescribed you the ultracet and tell him/her how you're feeling.

You mentioned just over a week ago that you were planning on testing every two weeks and unless you are doing this as part of a study, I would suggest that you didn't. Test at six weeks past your last dose of PEP and then again at the three month mark. The test at six weeks will most likely be negative and it would be unlikely to change. EVERYTHING is in your favour of testing negative.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline Fireofchaos

  • Member
  • Posts: 8
Re: Advice and thoughts?
« Reply #11 on: December 30, 2006, 04:22:26 pm »
So after all my worry everything was just going fine. Well last night and I am either horribly stupid or destined to run into problems. I was having a drink at a local bar and I blacked out. Matter of fact I had 2 the entire night. Next thing I know im with this guy and hes inside me. Maybe like a min but who knows for sure. I manage to push him off but I was so in and out of it and i go out to couch and wrap myself up in a blanket. My pants were on the floor so I picked up my phone and dialed a friend who came and got me.

I feel really stupid. I come here everyday and read about things and people. I was thinking just yesterday I wanted to help people and here I am again in yet another situation. Anyhow, sorry I just wanted to vent.

Offline Coffeechick88

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Re: Advice and thoughts?
« Reply #12 on: December 30, 2006, 05:06:04 pm »
You blacked out after 2 drinks?  Do you think you were maybe drugged?  Do you remember anything--protected, unprotected, etc?  No need to apologize or beat yourself up for coming to this board.  That is what we are all here for and the purpose of this board.
Lucas James is here
Born 6-14-08 at 1233 am
8 lbs 14 oz, 22 in long

Offline Fireofchaos

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  • Posts: 8
Re: Advice and thoughts?
« Reply #13 on: December 30, 2006, 07:25:53 pm »
Everything is a blurr. And no I don't think it was protected. The thought I was drugged crossed my mind several times today. I don't know the guy's status and ATM I would rather not see him regardless of whether he was involved with me blacking out or not. The fact someone would take advantage of someone else in that state of mind makes me so mad.

411

  • Guest
Re: Advice and thoughts?
« Reply #14 on: December 31, 2006, 03:17:46 am »
From the date of your first post it looks like you are off the PEP regime, which is unfortunate given this latest incident. The combo of Epivir and Retrovir has both AZT and 3TC which is very effective when used in a PEP regime, both against HIV and Hep B potential exposures.

What I'm not sure about is the blackout episode the possibility of being drugged, given your 2 drink explanation, is plausible.

If you haven't already done so you are advised to get yourself back to the hospital, advise them of your last combo and request their advice. Unfortunately since the meds have already cleared themselves from your body the entire side effect issue will probably reemerge but the benefits of that very effective combo outweight the discomfort.

Good luck with everything going on.
Unfortunately the 13 week window period starts after completing the 30 day regiment.
« Last Edit: January 01, 2007, 04:59:15 am by 411 »

 


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