Struggling with the possibility of infection

[rd1990]

Last week I engaged in unprotected sex with someone who showed me neg results as of the 1st of this month but 3 days later he called me and told me that the testing facility made a mistake and didnt leave the test out long enough and he has a prelim positive result . I immediately flipped out went to the ER and they told me a PCP was the only one to prescribe PEP drugs and so I went to the health clinic the next morning they drew blood and sent me to another ER and they pretty much said im past the 72 hour window for exposure and there is not much they can do . Furthermore I think I may have contracted another STD which means my risk of infection is increased . I was the top so I do know the risk is less but significant . I haven't been able to sit still my anxiety and worry has gone thru the roof and I feel like I have nowhere to turn to . Im only 23 and this feels like a nightmare to me im so scared about these test results and the waiting for 2 weeks is only making it harder. I keep obsessing over statistics as well . I feel so stupid and helpless and dont know why I chose to trust this person and the scary thing is not knowing if he was lying and had sex with multiple partners ect . This morning I woke up dizzy felt like I was going to pass out and im just so scared of this infection and feel like Im going to live the rest of my life on meds and alone . I dont know where else to turn to

[Jeff G]

Your symptoms sound like anxiety and are not specific to HIV . I'm sorry you got yourself in this situation but now all that you can do is test at the appropriate time .

You can test at 6 weeks post exposure and again at 3 months to confirm the results .
You really seem to know what your going to have to do so I think you pretty much came here to vent since you didn't ask a question .

Try to keep a healthy attitude and keep busy doing things you enjoy so that the time you must wait to test again will go by much quicker . 
 

[rd1990]

Thanks . I just feel so dumb not protecting myself and using a condom. Now the fear and worry has been eating me alive. I keep reading statistics about the odds of exposure but its really hard to tell bc hiv seems to be so complex. Im worried also because I have asthma and other health problems. This has been a real wakeup call for me and I found this forum very helpful . Im trying to find ways to ease my anxiety thru this waiting period .

[rd1990]

I've been crying all day its been very upsetting and getting that phone call from this person I knew something was wrong . Im worried the one time I chose to have unprotected sex I could have contacted this and changed my life forever. Regardless of the outcome this has opened my eyes to the struggle of people living with HIV/AIDS and I want to do what I can to support the research for a cure.

[Jeff G]

It may not seem reasonable now but you are going to be OK no matter how this unfolds . I have been HIV Poz for 30 years and I still have lots of living to do and lead a very happy life .

Educating yourself is a good thing but try to not obsess about it and spend too much time scouring every post here on the forum , it will make you miserable and do no good .

You will make it through this and be better for it .