8 days after PEP course, have kidney pain and some white spots on tongue

[superwalrus]

Commencing Day 5 on Truvada/K for PEP program.  I am extremely highly dirven by anxiety not knowing how I am going to test you know.  My case was the condom slipped off in the last two minutes of vaginal intercourse (insertive).  It was me (man) and she.  She told me she is safe but she has had a number of multiple partners@!

Now I spend every hour of my day looking at people wishing I could be as carefree as they are.  I have begun to value things I used to take for granted.  But nothing is stopping my anxiety.  Can anyone advise the best way to reduce anxiety?

Also I have nausea and fatigue throughout the day.  Any advise on how to counter those?

Finally, my first two days were a breeze.  it is just now that things have become quite tough.  I wish there was a support group or some experienced PEPpers here who could provide a word of encouragement and advise.

Your responses will be highly appreciated!

thanks

[Matty the Damned]

The circumstance you report really doesn't warrant PEP. You were protected up until the condom came off and even then your chances of contracting HIV are very, very small.

You do need to be tested but you should expect that test result to be negative. Normally the HIV window period is 13 weeks but if you take PEP you have to count those 13 weeks from the date you cease taking the tablets.

So the fact that you're experiencing side effects from the PEP isn't going to earn you much sympathy with us. You don't really need to be taking the pills and remember, most of us positive folks take these pills all the time and we manage to cope.

I should add that the fact the woman you had sex with has other sexual partners doesn't mean anything in terms of HIV transmission. It's all about what you do, not who you do or the quantity in which you do them.

MtD

[superwalrus]

Matty, your post was very helpful thanks!  I deeply apologize for the over paranoid tone of my message.  I completely understand what you are saying.  The anxiety is real though but I could pipe it down.  I just went through a divorce before this, so a depressing period got a bit more complicated.

Without shedding any more unnecessary tears, my question is would anyone know what is the best way to treat fatigue, nausea and perhaps anxiety too? I heard that hearbal remedies should be avoided as their interactions with Truvada are not known or could be unsafe.  What other possible remedies exist for nausea, fatigue and anxiety that are safe and that has worked for members in this forum?

[Matty the Damned]

Matty, your post was very helpful thanks!  I deeply apologize for the over paranoid tone of my message.  I completely understand what you are saying.  The anxiety is real though but I could pipe it down.  I just went through a divorce before this, so a depressing period got a bit more complicated.

Without shedding any more unnecessary tears, my question is would anyone know what is the best way to treat fatigue, nausea and perhaps anxiety too? I heard that hearbal remedies should be avoided as their interactions with Truvada are not known or could be unsafe.  What other possible remedies exist for nausea, fatigue and anxiety that are safe and that has worked for members in this forum?

The easiest way for you to stop the nausea fatigue is to stop taking the PEP. Such side effects are common with the medications you're taking, particularly the Kaletra. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that you have some degree of diarrhoea as well.

If you insist on seeing the course of PEP through then you will have to cope with the side effects. There is no other answer.

I experience side effects from my HIV medications and I've learned to deal with them. But then, unlike you, I don't have a choice about whether I take them or not.

Anxiety is a mental condition and it's treatment is outside the remit of this forum. You should discuss that particular problem with your doctor.

MtD

[superwalrus]

Thanks.

[Matty the Damned]

You're very welcome.

MtD

[superwalrus]

Matty, you said "Normally the HIV window period is 13 weeks but if you take PEP you have to count those 13 weeks from the date you cease taking the tablets.".  The practitioner I went to said we will test you the very next day after you complete the PEP course using NAT testing, which she said was accurate.  I could not reconcile what she said with what you said?  Could you please elaborate what you meant?

thanks

[justifiedguy]

Superwalrus,
I do feel for you. I'm currently on 9th day using truvada and kaletra. I've noticed that I have little to no side effects if i eat a lot. So, eat frequently... Especially close to when you take the tablets. We all have different systems so that might not work but I wish you the best!!

[superwalrus]

Justified guy, really good to see someone in the same boat as me, although I would hardly wish this upon you or anyone.  It is just that I cannot talk to anyone about this and after a certain point you go frikkin crazy trying to bottle it all up, as people start noticing how tired you are, etc.

I think your suggestions make sense.  I am going to try those.  My kidneys are weak because they had stones in them in the past.  The aids practitioner who prescribed me the PEP said that shouldn't matter as having stones doesn't mean that kidneys themselves have problems.  Don't know how correct she is but I am going to a doc to get her to see me.  Regardless, the tabs seem to have slightly more side effects.  Do you get a metallic after taste in your mouth in the morning?  What do you do about them?

Let us keep each other posted as to how the days go by.  It may be good to share.  Hang in there!

[Ann]

Justifiedguy,

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

Only those Moderators and members who are authorized to answer questions in the Am I Infected? forum are permitted do so. Unauthorized responses may be deleted without permission of the poster. Repeatedly posting replies of this nature may result in a Time Out or permanent ban, at the discretion of the Moderator Team.

Please consider yourself warned!

Ann

[Ann]

Walrus,

You and JG are not really "in the same boat" as he had a more serious risk where PEP is recommended according to the PEP guidelines, while PEP is NOT recommended in your situation. You don't need PEP, while he does.

Regarding the testing window following PEP, there is an in-depth explanation here. Do NOT post in that thread - if you have additional questions after reading that post, ask them here in your own thread. Thank you for your cooperation concerning where you post.

You really do not need to be on PEP. Hiv is a fragile, difficult to transmit virus and it's more difficult to transmit from a woman to a man. I was with an hiv negative man for a year and a half before I was diagnosed with hiv. Despite never using condoms during all that time, he tested negative. We started using condom after my diagnosis. We were together a total of eight years and he still tested negative after we split up.

You are more likely to walk outside your house today and find a multi-million dollar winning lottery ticket lying on your doorstep than you are to end up positive over this brief situation - with or without PEP. You do not need PEP. Why some doctors go against the PEP prescription guidelines is beyond me.

Ann

[superwalrus]

I was told by the practitioner who prescribed me the PEP course that the NAT tests right after the 28th day should give reliable results.  However I read that you should wait for 13 weeks after the 28th day?  Is she misinformed?  thanks.  Can I do a preliminary test right after the 28th day that would give me some reliable results?

[Ann]

Walrus,

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. It doesn't matter how long it has been since you last posted in your thread or if the subject matter is different.

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 so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.





I already answered this question earlier today. Read my post to you in reply #10.

And to be clear, NAT testing will not be conclusive the day after you finish taking PEP.

You do not need PEP.

Ann

[superwalrus]

Ann, your post was good to read.  Thank you for your words.  Since the doc has put me on PEP I don't want to question her now.  I will just do my best.  Question:  I read somewhere that white tongue is a HIV symptom.  My tongue has a white coating throughout.  Could it be because of side effects from the meds or something to worry about?

[Ann]

Walrus,

A white tongue is just sometimes the normal state of affairs. If you're referring to oral thrush, it wouldn't just be a white tongue, it would also be a painful tongue. Carbonated beverages like Coke would make your eyes water. I know, I've had oral thrush. It's painful. I really doubt that your white tongue is thrush. If you're worried about it, show your tongue to your doctor or dentist.

You are getting yourself all worked up over nothing. Continue taking the PEP if you want, but you don't need it. I fully expect you to test negative, with or without PEP.

What a waste of hiv meds when so many who actually need them go without.

Good luck finding that winning lottery ticket on your doorstep. That's more likely to happen than you ending up positive over this brief experience.

Ann

[superwalrus]

Ann, thank you.  I understand your annoyance.  I am taking the meds but I am trying to take it easy now.

If I do test negative, I guarantee you that the meds will not go waste.  I will find a way to pay back to AIDS foundations and I mean not just in terms of money.  It is a promise.

[superwalrus]

I completed my PEP medication 8 days ago.  I had some side effects from the medications especially a heavy toll on my kidneys.  I am still having kidney pain.  I also noticed that I have some few white spots on my tongue and white coating towards the back.  I have had this white coating even during taking PEP on and off but I am seeing small white spots for the first time.  I don't feel pain but now that I am conscious of it, I do feel my tongue slightly heavier and I do feel some sort of sensation as if there is something slightly pricky on my tongue.  Could these be signs of acute HIV infection?  I understand only tests can be true confirmation.  But just wanted to get some idea if the white spots are something to be concerned about.

I have also had lot of stress as I am going through a lot in my personal life, not to mention waiting to test after some time.  I have back pain as well.  So not sure how much of this is stress related. (By the way, I just did a ORA quick test two days ago.  The tests were negative.  I know that I have to wait for three months but I did this just to check.)

Any thoughts or comments would be highly appreciated.

[Ann]

Wally,

Once again, 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. It doesn't matter how long it has been since you last posted in your thread or if the subject matter is different. Get with the program already!!!

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 so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.





You need to talk to your doctor or dentist about your tongue. I've told you this before. And no, it is not related to seroconversion or hiv.

You also need to talk to your doctor about your kidneys.

You have been repeatedly told that you never needed PEP for your situation in the first place. I've yet to see the insertive partner end up poz over a broken condom and you were never going to be the first, PEP or no PEP.

I fully expect you to continue to test hiv negative. For your other problems, see your doctor. None of it is hiv related.

Ann

[superwalrus]

Ann, Thank you again for all your responses!  I appreciate them.  And thank you for merging my post to the thread.  I will use the same thread from now on.

You are right about going to the doc.  I took my appointments and the earliest I got was for next week.  I was just wondering if you all had some comments given my case, or if I needed to do something else in the meantime.

Ann, since you have mentioned couple of times about the unnecessity of PEP in my case, I thought of elaborating some more on it.  Yes, I had hetero sex and I was the insertive partner.  So from that point of view, I now understand what you mean by lower probability of contracting HIV.  The reason why I took PEP was because of two reasons - (1)  The practitioner told me to take it and I just could not find it in myself to disobey her, given my limited knowledge and no experience in this area at that time.  (2) I realize I did not mention it before - my condom breach happened with a SW.  It was quite reckless and stupid of me to do this in the first place, but both the sex and the breach did happen.  I talked to the SW about this.  She said not to worry because she tested three months ago but she could very well be in the window.  She also looked healthy.  But that is neither here nor there.  She also told me this is the first time she had a breach and that she has unprotected sex only with her boyfriend.  Again, this did not give me much relief.

As a result, I just went ahead and ploughed through the treatment.

[Ann]

Wally,

It doesn't matter that you never mentioned that the incident happened with a sex worker. It's not people who are high or low or no risk, it's activities that carry the risk factor. It's not WHO you do, it's HOW you do it. Make sure you get those three letters in the correct order when considering your risk.

Anyway, we always assume the other person is hiv positive when we give risk assessments. It doesn't matter how healthy you tell us they look (I'm poz and I look perfectly healthy) or what they do for a living or whatever. None of those factors matter. What matters is what activity took place. What happened to you was low risk.

I fully expect you to test negative. Now get to the doctor and get your other issues sorted out.

Ann