Risk Assessment/Seeking Reassurance

[OneGirl1983]

I have posted this elsewhere, but I am really seeking reassurance and can't stop from posting here.

I am a 24 year old hetero female. In Dec. 2009, I had a 1 night stand and became pregnant. FWIW, my partner was 21, hetero, white male who as far as I know or would guess never used IV drugs. We were in a similar circle, but we weren't really friends...we were both students at the same college too.

So, my first appointment was at 9 weeks 2 days, and that is when they did all of my labwork, including the LabCorp ICMA HIV test, and everything came back negative. For some reason, I didn't persue any further testing, I guess the thought didn't even cross my mind as I assumed my doc would do any tests. Actually, think HIV may have crossed my mind but I brushed it off because, like I said, I was under care of my doc.

Fast Forward to my daughter's 12 month appointment. She had labwork and they noted elevated lymphocytes, said is was something viral, nothing to worry about. For some reason I felt sick, and then the possibility of HIV jumped into my head (even though further Googling indicated that low lymphocytes would be more indicative of HIV, and that a CBC wouldn't tell me anything anyway.)

I have been obsessing since then, on all of the websites and forums. From what I can gather, I need to be retested but my test is highly "unlikely" to change, and one source even told me that 8 weeks is definitive. I am planning on being retested this week, but I am so sick with worry...especially considering I delivered vaginally AND have been breastfeeding for the past 13 months. Is there any additional information or reassurance you can offer before I go get tested? Also, do you think I should quit breastfeeding now, even though I have been doing it for so long, in case I AM positive and the next few days would make a difference?

TIA!

[Andy Velez]

Given what you have reported of your history and your testing result previosly, I do expect you will continue to test negative. It's good that you are getting a conclusive result so that you won't have this concern lingering any longer.

Again, I expect you will test negative.

Keep us posted and good luck with your result.

[OneGirl1983]

Thanks Andy! And in regards to breastfeeding, should I continue? Would a week or so make a difference either way?

[Ann]

One,

You've been breastfeeding for over a year. There's no reason to stop now. You really only have to test again if you need to for your peace of mind. That nine week negative result will not have changed.

Ann

[OneGirl1983]

Thanks Ann. I will trust what you have said, and others, and believe that I am not HIV positive.

I can even admit to myself that it is more of an anxiety issue for me than anything, but it can really be a hard fear to shake. I actually called my OB/GYN asking why I wasn't tested again and they told me that it was probably because I wasn't "high risk" (I guess because I am a white girl?) and that a 6 month test would be needed if I was concerned. Obviously, there is ignorance all over. (and yes, I am including myself in that ignorance!) When I asked about breastfeeding he generally gave me the advice of, "it's too late now."

I am having a routine "lady" appointment on Thursday, so I guess I will have them confirm for me and I have an appoinment for anxiety right after, so hopefully this all gets sorted out.

Thanks again, and take care!

[Ann]

One,

Yes, get a rapid test at your GYN appointment and put your mind at rest. I'm sure you'll be fine.

Ann

[OneGirl1983]

I went to my appointment today. Test results are going to take at least 24 hours. I am hoping they are back before the weekend so I don't have to wait for Monday. I actually had back to back appointments. The OB/GYN said that my 6 weeks are a good indication and I met with a GP after who cited a 6 month window period. I am trying to be optimistic, but I can't help but worry. I was given Zoloft for Anxiety, but they won't give me Xanax because I am still breastfeeding.

I will update when I get results. Just thought I would check in and update and fish for any additional support if ya got it.

Thanks for listening!

[Andy Velez]

As I have said before and Ann concurs, we expect you to test negative.

Stay busy with other things until you get what I expect will be happy result.

We'll be waiting to hear.

[Ann]

One,

The GP need to get his facts updated. The window period has been at three months for years now.

I still expect you to come out of this ok.

Ann

[OneGirl1983]

Just got my test results, and they are negative! Thanks guys for all of your kind words and support You really helped me stay at least a little more optimistic while I waited. The service you all do is tremendous. Don't take this offensively, but I hope to not see you soon

Thanks Again,
OneGirl

[OneGirl1983]

I think I have been lurking around the forums too much, and my anxiety is starting to come back a bit. How likely is it that the test would produce a false negative, either due to issues with the test or human error? Should I ask to be tested for certainty, or are false negatives rare? I keep worrying that maybe the test was wrong, but I am not sure if that is reality or OCD talking.

Obviously the anxiety meds haven't fully kicked in yet

[Ann]

One,

Stop listening to your OCD. You don't have hiv. You have conclusively and reliably tested hiv negative.

Ann

[OneGirl1983]

Thanks Ann.

The stats I am finding say about a 3 in 10,000 false negative rate, which is fairly low, and I am guessing that if I combine that with my 9 week negative too there is very little room for error, right? Then again, 3 in 10,000 is only small when you are part of the 9,997. Or am I reading the statistic wrong?

I was reading a few posts on the just tested pos board, where people seemed genuinely surprised by their diagnoses and chalked it up to false negatives and that is what got me thinking about it I guess.

I took the first steps in arranging to speak with a therapist today, on top of the medication I was given. I hope to get this all sorted out soon, and really your reassurance is helping me while I am trying to help myself.

[Ann]

One,

If you read the Welcome Thread before posting like you're supposed to, you will have read the following posting guideline:

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.

Please consider yourself warned!

Ann

[OneGirl1983]

I apologize for disrespecting the rules. I was genuinely trying to better understand how often false negatives occur and trying to seek information that would help me understand how likely a false negative would be in my case. I was not trying to badger anyone or belabor the same issues.

Sorry,
One