Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 07:00:52 pm

Login with username, password and session length


Members
Stats
  • Total Posts: 772946
  • Total Topics: 66310
  • Online Today: 441
  • Online Ever: 5484
  • (June 18, 2021, 11:15:29 pm)
Users Online
Users: 0
Guests: 331
Total: 331

Welcome


Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS.  Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning:  Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.

  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

  • Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators of these forums. Click here for “Do I Have HIV?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

  • We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are true and correct to their knowledge.

  • Product advertisement—including links; banners; editorial content; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from POZ.

To change forums navigation language settings, click here (members only), Register now

Para cambiar sus preferencias de los foros en español, haz clic aquí (sólo miembros), Regístrate ahora

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Welcome to Do I Have HIV?

Welcome to the "Do I Have HIV?" POZ forum.

This special section of the POZ forum is for individuals who have concerns about whether or not they are HIV positive. Individuals are permitted to post up to three questions or responses in this forum.

Ongoing participation in the "Do I Have HIV?" forum (posting more than three questions or responses) requires a paid subscription, with secure payments made via PayPal.

A seven-day subscription is $9.99, a 30-day subscription is $14.99 and a 90-day subscription is $24.99.

Anyone who needs to post more than three messages in the "Do I Have HIV?" forum -- including past, present and future POZ Forums members -- will need to subscribe, with secure payments made via PayPal.

There is no charge to read threads in the "Do I Have HIV?" forum, nor will there be a charge for participating in any of the other POZ forums. In addition, the POZ Basics "HIV Transmission and Risks" and "HIV Testing" basics, will remain accessible to all.

NOTE: HIV testing questions will still need to be posted in the "Do I Have HIV?" forum; attempts to post HIV symptoms or testing questions in any other forums will be considered violations of our rules of membership and subject to time-outs and permanent bans.

To learn how to upgrade your Forums account to participate beyond three posts in the "Do I Have HIV?" Forum, please click here.

Thank you for your understanding and future support of the best online support service for people living with, affected by and at risk for HIV.

Author Topic: Driving me Crazy!!  (Read 10531 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Dollar

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Driving me Crazy!!
« on: April 15, 2007, 02:47:39 am »
During vacation last feb. I ended having sex with a co-worker. Since them, my fears for getting something are been getting bigger and bigger.
At first my fear was about STD's and later HIV became and issue. I was so worry that the very next day after we had sex  i had the runs and also no appetite.
Its been almost 8 weeks and im still having problems with my stomach. I dont know if is because the anxiety or is because a hiv infection. Also i feel some kind of weird pain in my neck and armpit.
I have to say that i was using a condom during sex. But in some moment (have to be at the end) the condom broke and i may have been expose for a short time.
I asked the girl about her status, and she told me she was tested last december and she was negative.
Anyways i asked her to take a test again.
Also, a week after this episode with the girl. I went to my doctor and asked him for an Elisa. After two weeks the results came back negative...but that doesn't help me because i took the test only a week after having sex with this girl.
I have another appoinment with my doctor in two months, and he request another elisa...im so afraid of the result. Its been the most horrible 8 weeks of my life. Please help me.

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2007, 06:37:28 am »
Dollar,

Hiv is a fragile, difficult to transmit virus and more so from a woman to a man. While you did have a slight risk, you were protected for most of the time. I'm fully expecting you to continue testing negative.

You don't need to wait two more months. A test at three months is conclusive. You also don't have to test through your GP, you can find a clinic that will do a rapid test at three months by going here: HIV testing center database, and entering your zip code.

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL STIs together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with a sexually transmitted infection. Sex with a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results. Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.

And by the way, symptoms or even the lack of symptoms means nothing when it comes to hiv infection. ONLY testing will reliably reveal your hiv status. Your stomach problem sounds like stress to me, but get it checked out by your doctor.

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 Dollar

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2007, 01:52:01 am »
Ann:

I just wanna thank you for everything you do in this forum. I have been reading a lot of posts and you are always there, ready to help everybody.
Thanks again for answer me. I know only a test would give me a real and definitive answer,  but you (your words) made me feel a little better in this horribles days.


Offline Dollar

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2007, 10:29:23 am »
The girl is going to the doctor today and she is taking a test. Hopefully everything is fine with her. That will give me a lot of peace

Offline Andy Velez

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 34,126
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #4 on: April 16, 2007, 11:54:24 am »
Dollar, hopefully your friend will test negative. I'm sure that will be very reassuring to you.

But there's an important issue for you to be aware about. YOU are the one responsible for your health. In relation to any circumstance which was risky, you need your own test result, not someone elses.

As far as the particular incident you are concerned about during which the condom broke at some point, the risk for you was very low. HIV is not an easy virus to transmit. It's significantly more difficult to transmit from female to male. But low risk is not the same as no risk. So I recommend you get your own test done. The CDC recommends doing that at 13 weeks after a possible exposure. 

I certainly expect you will be negative but that's not the same as getting an actual test result.

Cheers,
Andy Velez

Offline Dollar

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #5 on: April 18, 2007, 01:49:14 am »
Andy:

Thaks for your words. I have perfectly clear that i need my own test. But just by knowing that my friend is fine, would give me a lot of peace. Anyways, im still going to the doctor to take the test.

Thanks again


Offline Andy Velez

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 34,126
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #6 on: April 18, 2007, 09:17:20 am »
Good luck to both you and your friend.

Cheers,
Andy Velez

Offline Dollar

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #7 on: April 28, 2007, 05:03:45 pm »
She got her results last monday and the results were negative. Good thing i guess.
She's been very calm all this time and after the results she just said to me: "i told you i was fine".
Now,  the thing is that i never saw those results, and my mind is make me think that she may be lying and bla, bla, bla.....why we are like that?????...or it is only me??? ???
Anyways a part of me is feeling better, and im  just waiting for the weeks to pass so i can go and have my test done. Hopefully everything will be ok.

Offline Andy Velez

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 34,126
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #8 on: April 28, 2007, 06:51:14 pm »
Yes, and as I have said before I expect you will test negative too.

In the meantime if you choose to stay productively busy during the waiting period you will find the time will pass more easily than you imagine is possible. Really.

I expect you to come out this ok.

Andy Velez

Offline Dollar

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #9 on: May 02, 2007, 09:44:59 pm »
Thanks Andy for your words. Lately i had been doing very good, and as you told me, trying to keep my self busy enough to dont think about it that much.

As i said before, after having sex with my friend i went to a depress/anxiety period, the one im getting out rigth now. During that time had the runs for weeks, but i know that everytime im sad, or depress, or with anxiety my digest system start to bother me. Anyways, i have been doing good lately with that. No more runs for the last two weeks at leat (maybe because im feeling less stress about it).
The thing that is still bothering me are the weird pains in my neck and armpits. This pains go on and off during the days, and there are days that does not bother me at all.
This is the only thing that makes me still worry.

I know you guys will tell me again just to go and have the test done (im doing that in a couple weeks) but maybe is something you can tell me about this pains.

Off course im been reading a lot of websites, and -as you said- symtoms or lack of symtoms doesnt mean anything about hiv. This pains are the only thing that worries me. No fevers, No Headaches, no sweat at nigth, No ulcers in my mouth...only the pains.

Thanks for your answer guys. You're been helping me a lot. 

Offline Dollar

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2007, 06:38:06 pm »
Andy, Ann.....are you there?  :(

Offline ACinKC

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,994
  • Bring it VIRUS! #2 Ranked In-crowd Member!
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2007, 08:17:19 pm »
The pains mean nothing overall.  They are not specific to HIV.  Work with a Dr to determine why you are having them.
LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT A
RIDE!!!

Offline Dollar

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #12 on: May 30, 2007, 01:14:26 pm »
Its been weeks since my last post. Today i got on the mail my "home acces express hiv test" Is FDA approved and they say is  99.9% accurate.
Im taking the test tonigth (finally). Im just waiting for a friend to come and help me because, to tell you the true, the time have been pass but no my scareness.
During this past weeks  the diarrhea disappear. The weird pain in my neck was still there and went to nothing almost 2 weeks ago. But last week i start having another symtons. My joints (wrist and ankle the most) were bother me with some pain, and also i been having headaches for 6 days in a row.
Its been 14 weeks since that day in feb. And i hope for some good, GREAT, news in the following days.

Thanks averyone for your help and support.
I let you know what happend.

pd.- im taking this "home acces test" just because i wanna know it this way. The fact of going to the doctors office and have to wait for them in a room is gonna be horrible. I prefer to know it this way. And another day (whatever is the result) go to see the doctor to take a regular elisa (just in case)

Offline ACinKC

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,994
  • Bring it VIRUS! #2 Ranked In-crowd Member!
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #13 on: May 30, 2007, 01:27:55 pm »
Im betting negative.
LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT A
RIDE!!!

Offline Dollar

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #14 on: June 04, 2007, 10:35:41 am »
I got the results this morning. It was NEGATIVE.  :) :) :D :D ;D ;D.
The test was done on May 30.
I used the "Home Access Express HIV-1 Test System" that is 99.9% accurate.
My question is....from Feb 19 to May 30...is enough time for an accurate test result?

Thanks

Offline Matty the Damned

  • Member
  • Posts: 12,277
  • Antipodean in every sense of the word
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #15 on: June 04, 2007, 10:37:38 am »
Yes, it is a sufficient time period. Your result is conclusive.

MtD

Offline Dollar

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #16 on: June 05, 2007, 02:08:53 am »
Another question:

What it means the "HIV-1" in the name of the test system i used (Home Access Express HIV-1 Test System)?????

 a "HIV-2" exist and i can have that one???? ???

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #17 on: June 05, 2007, 04:43:53 am »
Dollar,

No, you do not need to test for hiv2. Hiv2 is only found in fairly isolated pockets of western Africa and occasionally those European nations where there are populations of western African immigrants. Hiv2 is extremely rare in the US.

You are conclusively hiv negative. Make sure you use condoms correctly and consistently and you will remain hiv 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 Andy Velez

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 34,126
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #18 on: June 05, 2007, 02:53:31 pm »
Dollar, since you have PM'd me I am just adding on to what you have already accurately  been told by Ann, Matty and others.

Yes, you are reliably HIV negative. Period. End of story.

Get on with your life and make sure you always use a latex condom everytime you have  vaginal or anal intercourse.

Cheers,
Andy Velez

Offline Dollar

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #19 on: June 12, 2007, 03:18:52 pm »
Hey:

whats the difference between an Elisa test and the test i took: ("Home Access Express HIV-1 Test System"). Im about to go for an Elisa just like my doctor sugest me, and my mind is playing games about an unexpected result.
This coming Elisa will be at 16 weeks....it can be a change in the result between this 2 weeks???

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #20 on: June 12, 2007, 03:20:48 pm »
Dollar,

There is no difference. You are hiv negative and your result isn't going to change.

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 Dollar

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #21 on: June 12, 2007, 03:24:30 pm »
Ann:  :) :) :) ;D ;D ;D

thanks...that answer was quick!!!

Offline powerpuff

  • Member
  • Posts: 138
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #22 on: June 12, 2007, 04:35:36 pm »
hi i'm new, i have some problems login sometimes with my user name is there a reason for this

Offline Matty the Damned

  • Member
  • Posts: 12,277
  • Antipodean in every sense of the word
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #23 on: June 12, 2007, 05:01:08 pm »
Puff,

Please don't post in other peoples threads. If you're having difficulties with your login PM a moderator or email them at editors@aidsmeds.com

MtD

Offline Dollar

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #24 on: August 07, 2007, 12:14:35 am »
hi everyone:

Im back after a month (maybe more) just to let you guys know that back in June i went to see my doctor and had a test for Hiv 1 and 2.This test was take it at 16 weeks, and the result was negative.
After that my life went back to normal, and hopefully will still like that for ever.
My doctor did not sugest to take a test at 6 months....should i take one?

Thanks

Offline Matty the Damned

  • Member
  • Posts: 12,277
  • Antipodean in every sense of the word
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #25 on: August 07, 2007, 12:33:38 am »
Dollar,

You've been told previously that the window period is 13 weeks. Your previous test was conclusive and so is the 16 week result. I could tell you that testing at 6 months is entirely unnecessary but given that you haven't listened to a damn thing we've said so far I suspect it wouldn't make any difference.

Which brings me to ask, if you're not going to listen to our advice why do you bother posting here at all?

MtD

Offline Dollar

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #26 on: August 07, 2007, 12:48:42 am »
If the facts that we are talking are actually my health and my life. I'll continue asking as much as i want, until i feel better.
Thanks for you people that are there, just to help in moments when it seems im losing my mind.

That's why i keep posting!!

Offline Matty the Damned

  • Member
  • Posts: 12,277
  • Antipodean in every sense of the word
Re: Driving me Crazy!!
« Reply #27 on: August 07, 2007, 01:11:33 am »
If you were serious about your health you wouldn't keep surfing the net asking questions that have been answered a million times. Rather you'd seek the assistance of a mental health professional to help you deal with your unfounded fears about HIV.

You've been told that you never had a risk for HIV in the first place so it doesn't matter how many times you test, the results will be negative. Just as it doesn't matter how many times or ways you find to ask the same question, our answers won't change.

If you'd read the Welcome Thread as you're supposed to have done you would know about this 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). The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.

MtD

 


Terms of Membership for these forums
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.