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Can Anxiety Cause All This?
Hey everyone,
For 2 weeks I've been dealing with so much anxiety, like so much anxiety, of getting HIV from a protected sex (they told me it was low to no risk of having HIV). It was my first time having sex though.
After that I experienced heart racing, then muscle pain in the upper back, dry mouth (this is the most annoying one), stiff neck, and I kept imagining I had fever ( I dunno if I had fever or not but constantly checking sometimes hotter sometimes not ). Then lately with all of the anxiety I experienced night sweats. I mean why do this sounds like I really am sick? Is everything I'm describing can be caused by anxiety? Do they normal? I remember reading HIV symptoms the next day after having sex and suddenly I really coughed that instant. How can I stop it?
For 2 weeks I've been dealing with so much anxiety, like so much anxiety, of getting HIV from a protected sex (they told me it was low to no risk of having HIV). It was my first time having sex though.
After that I experienced heart racing, then muscle pain in the upper back, dry mouth (this is the most annoying one), stiff neck, and I kept imagining I had fever ( I dunno if I had fever or not but constantly checking sometimes hotter sometimes not ). Then lately with all of the anxiety I experienced night sweats. I mean why do this sounds like I really am sick? Is everything I'm describing can be caused by anxiety? Do they normal? I remember reading HIV symptoms the next day after having sex and suddenly I really coughed that instant. How can I stop it?
I just found you all by chance while I have been debating to go to the hospital. Just reading these posts has helped so much. It really is comforting to know I am NOT losing my mind or having a heart attack.
Kevin Here are 2 questions for you to answer:
1. Do you go for DAILY testing in case you picked up tuberculosis, leprosy or any other diseases or conditions that are ACTUALLY possible to catch from someone who has them and is sitting beside you or touching you on a bus?
2. Does it make sense to get tested for something you CAN'T actually have?
1. Do you go for DAILY testing in case you picked up tuberculosis, leprosy or any other diseases or conditions that are ACTUALLY possible to catch from someone who has them and is sitting beside you or touching you on a bus?
2. Does it make sense to get tested for something you CAN'T actually have?
Thank u for replying with those facts.. yh I thought I knew anything about HIV so I dunno maybe I thought that if I got careful enough I wont have it. But as u can see, I'm just as afraid as before. I never thought that doing oral is "seen as low risk" by some docs. The word "risk" is actually frustrating. Yh I would abstain from sex until I'm fully ready. But u don't think I should have any test? I want to believe in those journal u wrote nursegirl. It makes sense. I will try to.
Have you ever sought professional help for your HIV anxiety? If not, you need to do so. With as rare as HIV actually is, and as EASY as it is to prevent it (either abstaining from insertive sex, or using a condom for insertive sex)...there's just no reason for you to be so worried every time you have a sexual encounter, when you're clearly not placing yourself at risk (not even remotely).
I would strongly advise seeking professional help, you have to learn how to dismiss these anxious thoughts. In the meantime, I would steer clear of any sexual activity until you can get the anxiety under control, because all you're doing is fueling the fire.
I would strongly advise seeking professional help, you have to learn how to dismiss these anxious thoughts. In the meantime, I would steer clear of any sexual activity until you can get the anxiety under control, because all you're doing is fueling the fire.
You have zero risk from oral. No one in history got HIV from oral, so you are no different from the billions of others who didn't get it from oral. Time to stop worrying every time you have sex.
This link is on nursegirl's profile.
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/546013/HIV-and-ORAL-SEX-The-Facts
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This link is on nursegirl's profile.
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/546013/HIV-and-ORAL-SEX-The-Facts
.
Dear nursegirl.. I never thought I would be back here again. But I had an exposure yesterday. I performed oral on a boy. He didn't ejaculate though but maybe there was precum i dont know. I mostly just lick and i remember not sucking hardly. I didnt know what came to me. But I did have the sanity of not having penetration sex. Though he tried to I wont allow it. He also perform oral on me. I had cracked lips and some cuts maybe. I brushed my teeth an hour before that. This makes me sick. Now I'm stressed out and to relieve some stress I confess to my parents. I can't believe I have to undergo another 3 months of hell. I am convinced this time I wont be safe. Helppp..
Hi you're right. I need to break this cycle. I am using the meds now. The dentist said if by a week it's not healed then I should go to the internist. Fingers crossed. :) if it work, can I be sure that HIV is not the cause?
I only asked about it to find how long you will have it.
Why haven't you used the medication yet on a diagnosed fungus if you were so worried all the time about hiv that you couldn't even have? You don't believe anyone but yourself even though you have no training in medicine.
Read nursegirls posts and stick to her advice - to try to avoid spending your life in anxiety which is misery.
Why haven't you used the medication yet on a diagnosed fungus if you were so worried all the time about hiv that you couldn't even have? You don't believe anyone but yourself even though you have no training in medicine.
Read nursegirls posts and stick to her advice - to try to avoid spending your life in anxiety which is misery.
Hi.. i dont know how the dentist diagnosed it. Because I cant believe it. I mean I saw what fungal infection like thrush can do qnd I dont think I have it. My mouth is only dry and it have white saliva. When I eat or drink it relieves it. When I eat, the taste do not change and I dont feel lack of appetite. I really dont know why it's fungal infection. It made me re-question my hiv status. I guess I will try to use the medication for the fungus.
It's not related to HIV. Just because people with HIV are prone to getting fungal infections like thrush, doesn't mean that thrush is specific to HIV. It's common and there are many causes, one of the most common being antibiotics. I've had it myself twice in the past.
Literally every "symptom" or malady you get can be somehow connected to HIV (especially on the internet) , but that doesn't mean you have an HIV concern.
Believe your results, you have nothing to worry about.
Literally every "symptom" or malady you get can be somehow connected to HIV (especially on the internet) , but that doesn't mean you have an HIV concern.
Believe your results, you have nothing to worry about.
You got diagnosed with fungal so tell us what the doc said about the infection. Are you on a medication for it and what is the likely outcome?
Hi everyone.. Happy New Year. My New Year moment was a blast due to a negative HIV test result. It's an experience like no other. However I recently got diagnosed with fungal infection in my mouth. :( it's very depressing. I worked so hard to get HIV out of my mind but now it came back that instant. I always read that thrush is a sign of hiv infection. Need opinion. I'm afraid but I guess not that afraid as before. Oh yeah when I test I got cholesterol level of 232 and blood sugar level of 91. Not sure if that's related. But hope to find enlightenment.
Good! put this 100% behind you. If you truly feel this unsafe about having protected sex i would advice you not to have sex until you meet someone truly specaily in a long term relationship type deal. I'm of course not saying you have to do this, but you were smart and had safe sex, good for you! negative results you're fine!!! all those HIV symptoms you thought you were having ended up being nothing at all!
Thanks nursegirl.. I just got my result. And it's negative (not a surprise to u all) but it's really great to get that on paper.. it is 12 week so I definitely am safe.. thanks for all the support. :) I will definitely move on from this.
Testing for reassurance is okay as long as it doesn't get out of hand. Part of the anxiety cycle is the need to seek reassurance, which can result in "checking" behavior (like seen in OCD).
When a person has irrational fears about HIV, one of the "checking" behaviors is testing (another is searching the web, or becoming overly preoccupied with reading HIV forums). Some people get stuck in a cycle where they will test 100 times. When someone tests over and over, it actually results in the opposite desired result, it will INCREASE anxiety, and the reassurance will last only a very short time, then the person will start feeling very anxious again and want to test again, and it goes on and on.
The other problem with excessive testing for HIV is that the person places themselves at risk for a false+ the more they test, and as you could imagine, there isn't much that would be worse for a person with HIV anxiety than a + test result. Talk about exacerbating anxiety? Oh boy!
So, just keep that in mind...you don't need testing by official standards at all, but if you want to test this one last time to convince yourself that you don't have HIV, that's fine...but then concentrate on getting help for the anxiety, which means making a concerted effort NOT to keep chasing your tail about HIV. No more testing, no more internet searches, no more reading HIV forums. It's not easy to stop yourself from doing those things, but it's necessary that you try VERY hard...you have to help yourself.
Let us know how you're doing...you're going to be just fine.
When a person has irrational fears about HIV, one of the "checking" behaviors is testing (another is searching the web, or becoming overly preoccupied with reading HIV forums). Some people get stuck in a cycle where they will test 100 times. When someone tests over and over, it actually results in the opposite desired result, it will INCREASE anxiety, and the reassurance will last only a very short time, then the person will start feeling very anxious again and want to test again, and it goes on and on.
The other problem with excessive testing for HIV is that the person places themselves at risk for a false+ the more they test, and as you could imagine, there isn't much that would be worse for a person with HIV anxiety than a + test result. Talk about exacerbating anxiety? Oh boy!
So, just keep that in mind...you don't need testing by official standards at all, but if you want to test this one last time to convince yourself that you don't have HIV, that's fine...but then concentrate on getting help for the anxiety, which means making a concerted effort NOT to keep chasing your tail about HIV. No more testing, no more internet searches, no more reading HIV forums. It's not easy to stop yourself from doing those things, but it's necessary that you try VERY hard...you have to help yourself.
Let us know how you're doing...you're going to be just fine.
Hi everyone just want u to know I'm getting my test tomorrow. It's a week early than planned. (Week 12) I just want this to finish quickly. But it's really nerve wracking.. pls pray for me.
you will be fine! I think the anxiety is from guilt & that's ok. Just keep telling yourself you did nothing wrong, because you didn't & you will be fine! :)
No I'm in Indonesia.
Here we have DUO test by VIDAS at reputable clinic. In fact the test will have 3 method.. HIV1/2 Go Abbott, Rapid 4th Generation HIV1/2 and DUO test (p24 antigen and antibody test). I pay for my test here and you will get tested in 3 methods. Even with that level of screening I cant seem to feel relaxed cause I'm afraid I will get late accurate result. But yeah the guidelines here says that 3 months is conclusive I dont wanna step out of it cause I think my mind will play tricks again. Thanks for the story. I guess my problem is getting tired of uncertainty.
When all this is over I will get into therapy.
Here we have DUO test by VIDAS at reputable clinic. In fact the test will have 3 method.. HIV1/2 Go Abbott, Rapid 4th Generation HIV1/2 and DUO test (p24 antigen and antibody test). I pay for my test here and you will get tested in 3 methods. Even with that level of screening I cant seem to feel relaxed cause I'm afraid I will get late accurate result. But yeah the guidelines here says that 3 months is conclusive I dont wanna step out of it cause I think my mind will play tricks again. Thanks for the story. I guess my problem is getting tired of uncertainty.
When all this is over I will get into therapy.
Your not in the States then?
I think Nursegirl gave you the best advice:
Keeping yourself distracted and NOT allowing yourself to search on the internet or read HIV forums will also help a LOT. Continuing to search the internet and read about HIV will only fuel your anxiety. You have to help yourself.
You certainly do not need HIV testing on account of this experience, you never had a risk. If you feel you must get tested in order to help you move on, test once and once only. If you start testing excessively, that will also fuel the anxiety. The 4th Generation detects after about 14 days. Can you do this test so you no longer have to wait?
Also, anxiety can give you the physical symptoms as well. A person's mind can trick their body. It's a pretty evil game. For instance, in my situation I wasn't at risk after being told in this forum, by 2 HIV specialists & my own doctor. In my mind, I don't fully believe them. Yesterday I got a rash on my neck from my gold chain. This has happened before when the weather gets cold. But of course in my mind its HIV especially since my scare was over 6 weeks ago. Even on the meds & in therapy it STILL goes through my mind. How do I get through it? I have to talk about it out loud & its usually my sister who listens. She then has to repeat back all the information I already know. My logical brain asks why i do this to myself but the OCD part just does it. The only good part is that the anxiety levels are low & there are no panic attacks because of the meds
I think Nursegirl gave you the best advice:
Keeping yourself distracted and NOT allowing yourself to search on the internet or read HIV forums will also help a LOT. Continuing to search the internet and read about HIV will only fuel your anxiety. You have to help yourself.
You certainly do not need HIV testing on account of this experience, you never had a risk. If you feel you must get tested in order to help you move on, test once and once only. If you start testing excessively, that will also fuel the anxiety. The 4th Generation detects after about 14 days. Can you do this test so you no longer have to wait?
Also, anxiety can give you the physical symptoms as well. A person's mind can trick their body. It's a pretty evil game. For instance, in my situation I wasn't at risk after being told in this forum, by 2 HIV specialists & my own doctor. In my mind, I don't fully believe them. Yesterday I got a rash on my neck from my gold chain. This has happened before when the weather gets cold. But of course in my mind its HIV especially since my scare was over 6 weeks ago. Even on the meds & in therapy it STILL goes through my mind. How do I get through it? I have to talk about it out loud & its usually my sister who listens. She then has to repeat back all the information I already know. My logical brain asks why i do this to myself but the OCD part just does it. The only good part is that the anxiety levels are low & there are no panic attacks because of the meds
Then Im also stressed cause I cant tell my parents. I betrayed their trust. I dont know what I'll do.. i cant even think rationally hardly focused. Now Im getting headache. Everyday there are always symptoms. Other finished others are appearing. Really people can die because of this..
Sorry for talking too much. I need to let it out..
Sorry for talking too much. I need to let it out..
Hi Maria.. well it wasnt supposed to happen. I was drunk and the girl is a sex worker. Im so stressed out. This kind of anxiety is not healthy but I cant seem to shake it off. I just dont want to miss anything in my body. I dont want to be surprised in a later years that I'm infected.. I dont even know what will happen after test. Will I easily believe the result or not? Will these late symptom actually gonna lead to late accurate result? But of course you know all of my fears right? Can you give me advice or trick that the therapy did to u? It's getting heavier to wait to test. My first time sex and so much panic. Lesson learned hopefully not gonna punish me for lifetime.
Hi Kevin -
I have OCD & HIV OCD. I know the anxiety & panic you are going through. However I am on medication & in therapy which helps me so very much.
Something I can tell you that will make you worry much less. Condoms aren't made to fail. When & if they do, they fail catastrophically where you know without a question of a doubt that it did. Also, if the condom came off you would have known that too. It doesn't sound like either of these situations happened.
Was the girl your girlfriend? Is your partner why you are anxious?
I have OCD & HIV OCD. I know the anxiety & panic you are going through. However I am on medication & in therapy which helps me so very much.
Something I can tell you that will make you worry much less. Condoms aren't made to fail. When & if they do, they fail catastrophically where you know without a question of a doubt that it did. Also, if the condom came off you would have known that too. It doesn't sound like either of these situations happened.
Was the girl your girlfriend? Is your partner why you are anxious?
Thanks everyone.. Trying my best to stay distracted, though sometimes it's hard when you found irregularities in your body.
Talking what in my mind helps a lot. It eases my burden, so I'm gonna talk about my fears. Yes, as nursegirl said the "what iffing" is really bad. For example, What if I screwed something? or maybe condom had holes? or maybe it leaked without me noticing since I never check? what if I get the virus from other things like wound on my lips or whatever? that's basically all my fears..
There are times when I relaxed I thought that all of those fears are stupid. What are the odds.. I might get more chance of being in some kind of traffic accidents rather than that kind of bad lucks. Then I sleep, and suddenly awake at night feeling so isolated, dark and cold, all of those fears come right away. I really want this to end. I'm considering having mental help after getting tested. :) thanks for the support. God bless!
Talking what in my mind helps a lot. It eases my burden, so I'm gonna talk about my fears. Yes, as nursegirl said the "what iffing" is really bad. For example, What if I screwed something? or maybe condom had holes? or maybe it leaked without me noticing since I never check? what if I get the virus from other things like wound on my lips or whatever? that's basically all my fears..
There are times when I relaxed I thought that all of those fears are stupid. What are the odds.. I might get more chance of being in some kind of traffic accidents rather than that kind of bad lucks. Then I sleep, and suddenly awake at night feeling so isolated, dark and cold, all of those fears come right away. I really want this to end. I'm considering having mental help after getting tested. :) thanks for the support. God bless!
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You can always get tested if it will help but I really believe your test will come back just fine.