POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: stillsick on July 31, 2006, 10:30:23 pm
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Hi all,
I used to post on the old website as SimonLee but have forgotten by old login details, hence I had to set a new one up. I apologise in advance for doing so. For the past few months, I have stayed away from Aidsmeds hoping I can free myself from the HIV merry-go-round I have been on for too long. Sadly, I'm back on the ride again.
Since my unfortunate exposure, I have never felt well again. I have rapid tested out to 58 weeks and needless to say, all have been negative. I have not had a PCR test following the advice of Ann. My health has deteriorated drastically in the past few months. I'm constantly down with colds and struggle to recover from every bout I catch. For example, I had a sore throat once and it took me 5 months to shrug it, and now, I have had a dry cough from a cold for about 4 weeks and it doesn't look like it's about to end any time soon. I've been to the doctors each time and even he is baffled why none of the medication has been effective. My suspicion is that my body is struggling to fight any viral attacks due to HIV eating away at my white blood cells. Other ailment I have been experiencing include dyshidrosis, continual weight loss, achy muscles, permanent bloodshot eyes, white tongue, constant throat clearing etc.
Please believe me I really don't want to come back here to ask for your help. I really am desperate and wonder if any of you think I may still be infected and not be detected on the tests I have taken?
Thanks for your time.
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Eight weeks with a negative result. I don't think it will change in 5 more weeks. All your symptoms are lasting way longer than the symptoms you get with ARS.
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Rod, just to clarify: stillsick said he tested negative at 58 weeks (not 8). I'd say that's conclusively negative!
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Hi ricknh,
I guess my question is: despite a 58wk negative, should I still be concerned that my chronic cough and dyshidrosis could be due to HIV? It seems like most other people don't exhibit the symptoms i do... my symptoms just never seem to end! I'm constantly ill. Even for HIV+ individual who have been diagnosed for one year, do they generally fight off illnesses quickly? or, do people (like me) struggle to recover?
Thank u
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58 week negative?
Under NO circumstances could you POSSIBLY have HIV.
The testing window is 13 weeks. Period.
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Thanks Rick for catching my mistake. As everyone told you you are Negative.
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stillsick: You might consider visiting an Infectious Disease (ID) physician. He/she can help find out what is going on with you. There are chronic infections that can affect people for a long time and being fixated on HIV might prevent you from finding out what is truly going on with your body. Best of luck to you.
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Ronnie99, I believe you were told not to post in any threads other than your own.
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RapidRod: I was told not to hijack a thread, Something you do all the time by the way.
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I asure you when you know half of what any of us know, you still would not be qualified to give advise to anyone.
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Ronnie,
You were told to stay in your own thread. Check your PMs.
Ann
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Actually, as I recall my thread was locked. Can't post there anymore.
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Actually your thread is not lock.
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I appreciate your comments JK, RR, Rick. I'm sorry to bug you all. Should I really not be concerned WHATSOEVER about HIV? It frightens me a little because it just seems like I never fully recover from illnesses anymore and my conditions are always chronic. Furthermore, I have started (for the first time in my life) develop autoimmune conditions such as dyshidrosis. I still have suspicions I am a late seroconverter... Do HIV+ people usually take much longer to recover from illnesses in their first and second year of infection? Sincerely
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Still,
If you're ill you need to see a doctor. We cannot help you any further. You have been told umpteen times that HIV is not a concern for you. I urge you to read our Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) and take your health issues (which have nothing to do with HIV) to your doctor.
MtD
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I'm sorry to be back again... I was feeling fine trying to control my fears and then my composure fell apart yet again.
I read on the following website: http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/insite?page=ask-01-03-04, that Dr Mark Holodniy has stated that he estimated that late seroconversion happens and that he knows or has read of around 65-70.
Can anyone verify that?
Depressed.
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Here is the answer from link you posted:
The person most able to help you deal with your questions would be a counselor or therapist. I urge you to contact one as soon as possible.
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Still,
The Q&A you linked us to isn't even one of Dr H's. But you know what? The answer fits your situation perfectly.
Clearly, however, this experience has left you with a lot of stress and emotional uncertaincy. Do not look to lab tests to resolve these issues. These are cognitive and emotional problems, not virological problems. These worries are clearly having a very big impact on your ability to live with yourself and other people. The person most able to help you deal with your questions would be a counselor or therapist. I urge you to contact one as soon as possible.
You have a 58 week negative. That's over a year. The window period is 12-13 weeks and you are absolutely, reliably hiv negative. It's high time you not only went to your doctor with your concerns, but also went to a mental health care professional to get to the bottom of what is really troubling you. Whatever is going on has nothing to do with hiv.
There is nothing more we can do for you here. Please read the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) and take note of the posting guidelines. You will not be allowed to repeatedly come here to question your conclusive, negative results.
Ann
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Hi Ann, I have in fact been seeking advice from a psychologist about this. However, I have found it quite useless and discontinued it after two months. Not to mention, it was costing me a lot of money. Deep down I know I am positive, even though my tests so far has indicated otherwise. I am either a late late seroconverter or a non-converter altogether. When I was younger, I was down with dengue and malaria (mosquito-borne diseases). Does that suggest poor bodily immune system? Even though I have been relatively sick-free prior to the time of my exposure, I have been ill intermittently for over a year now. My throat is often inflammed for months at a time. Colds plague me every month. I've developed psoriasis and dyshiodrotic ezcema out of nowhere! My tongue has remained furry. Not to mention my fever at 10 days after exposure sitll sends shivers down my spine. Etcera etcera. Now, my girlfriend whom I have had unprotected sex with after my 3-month test has now lost significant amounts of weight. She is often ill and has had chronic blocked throat for 5 months now. I'm worried about her. She is faithful unlike me the bastard. Does any of these ring any panic alarms at all? Do you still think that I'm HIV- or do you think I warrant a PCR test now? Sorry to bother you, I really don't have anyone to speak to about this now. You have been very kind. Thank you, Stillsick.
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You don't need a PCR test, you're are negative. This forum can no longer be of any help to you. You are beyond the scope and help of this forum. I wish you luck in your endever.
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Hi Ann, I have in fact been seeking advice from a psychologist about this. However, I have found it quite useless and discontinued it after two months. Not to mention, it was costing me a lot of money. Deep down I know I am positive, even though my tests so far has indicated otherwise.
I'm worried about her. She is faithful unlike me the bastard. Does any of these ring any panic alarms at all? Do you still think that I'm HIV- or do you think I warrant a PCR test now? Sorry to bother you, I really don't have anyone to speak to about this now. You have been very kind. Thank you, Stillsick.
Stillsick
The thing with mental problems is, that you are in no position to decide whether it is useless or not.
In the very next line you are writing that you know deep inside you are positive. I am sorry sir, but you cannot know....The test prove otherwise.
Secondly, read your quotes I took out of your previous post. You are referring to yourself as a bastard because you have been unfaithful.
Mental problems often constitute themself physically. Thatīs where the term psychosomatic is coming from.
Many individuals who are suffering from depression for example have lots of physical symptoms, the source however is mentally.
You are HIV negative, but you need help.
Start again with a counselor, maybe anotherone, but you need to get counseling. Seriously.
I say this out of compassion not to criticize.
Best regards
Darkfiber
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DarkFiber,
I apologise for not acknowledging your post. I read your post very carefully and found your comments most useful. After reading, I took some time off from my obsessive googling for symptoms and HIV tests. I especially appreciate highlighting to me the bit about psychosomatic symptoms. Please believe me, I'm trying very extremely bloody hard to shake off my fears (I am still...). I feel I'm improving slowly but it hasn't been easy. I wish to also post an URL that was helpful for me: http://www.minddisorders.com/Py-Z/Stress.html which talks about stress and its effect on lymph nodes. I have read numerous articles about how stress DOESN'T affect lymph nodes, but I think it probably does. Anyway, thanks and I hope never to post here again. I can only live to hope.
Stillsick (now 15 months negative...)
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I'll keep it short.
I've just been diagnosed with lymphangitis. And recently I rapid-tested myself for HIV1/2 (2-yrs after exposure) and it was negative. I also took an Amplicor HIV PCR-DNA qualitative test at about 1-year mark and it was negative as well. I was wondering if my recent diagnosis is cause for concerns to doubt my negative tests?
Appreciate input from the resident experts.
Thank you.
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Dear Still
No - your tests are conclusive and you are HIV negative. Lymphangitis occurs in a diverse bunch of people, most of whom are fit and well before developing it. It's a bacterial infection which if caught early enough is extremely treatable.
Best wishes with your recovery.
Matt.
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Still,
I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread.
If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.
Please also read through the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.
You are hiv negative. Whatever is causing your lymphangitis has nothing to do with hiv.
Ann