Foot Pain

[Fitt4]

I recently had a scary hiv encounter - unprotected sex with a female for :20 -- weeks after felt like i got all the symptoms - white tongue, rash on testicles, headaches, diarrhea.  Anyhow, i got tested at six weeks -- negative.

However, I'm still getting pain on the top of my feet and ankles - doc trying to tell me it is from anxiety...and to get on with my life....

has anyone ever heard of pain in the feet as a result of anxiety -- i'm worried that it is from hiv....and should be re-tested...

been thinking about it constantly for over 2 months.

[darealrae]

I was wondering how to get a hold to you to talk about HIV symptoms. I think that I have it, I have many symptoms but their are a few big symptoms that I am missing. I just want to get a little more information. Thanks

[Fitt4]

thanks to both of you.
i hope you both are right!

so weird that it feels fine at night, but hurts during the day...today its been better...i'm just trying not to think about it.....

happy holidays!

[chcnme]

LOL - yeah!  I ditto what socgirl said!! I'll never forget when I went for anonymous testing back in... I think it was 1986.  And why did I go?  Because I was scared to death I had it.  Why was I scared I had it?   Because of prior sexual encounters and because I was working communicable diseases when HIV came on scene around 1983  (doing STDs, penicillin resistant gonorrhea was our biggest problem until HIV came on scene, and then - after that - we ALL focused our attention on the new "mystery disease".  We had seminars, had to study, learn how it was transmitted, who was at risk, read read read, we had patients being admitted with it.  Pretty soon, every little ache, pain, white spot I had, etc was enough to convince me I had HIV, undiagnosed.  I was FINE, but I worried myself about 10 lbs lighter in about six months time wondering about all those past questionable sex encounters 5 years earlier!  I finally went in for testing  (went two counties over to get the test done because I was convinced it would be positive, and I didn't want any colleagues knowing I had HIV LOL.)  That's how "sick" I was from just thinking about HIV.  Waiting for that test to come back was the worst week of my life, but when it came back negative, I was FREE of the horrid grips of thinking I had HIV.
Then I went on to be a pre and post test counselor.

Fitt, best of luck.  I think you are fine.  One good thing about a scare like this, once you get through it - it will usually change your life forever (and usually for the better).

[socgirl]

Ok fitt....i understand your anxiety about the foot pain being a possible symptom of hiv....but as we have said here before....IT IS NOT A SYMPTOM OF HIV!!!  Stop driving yourself crazy...i couldn't stress this enough.  IT is not HIV...it is something else or just your mind playing tricks on you.  For god's sake, go to the doctor if you're really that concerned about the foot pain.  Ask for a referral to a neurologist if necessary.  I understand why you keep posting...it gives you reassurance that you're ok if we keep telling you that you are, but it obviously isn't enugh for you, as you keep posting the same concerns about this foot pain.  

do yourself a favor...go to a therapist for your anxiety and a neuroligist for the foot pain...put your mind at ease.  Also, i wish you luck for the 12 week test, but i have a strong feeling it will be negative and you're absolutely fine. :)  Promise me that if it's negative, you will do what you have to do to move on with your life.  It must be terrible to live every day paranoid that you have hiv.  And some advice...if your'e going to have sex again, use a condom so that you don't have to re-live this experience again.

have a happy holiday and RELAX!

~andrea

[Fitt4]

Thanks for the encouraging news.

It just seems so bizarre/ironic that it happenen 4/5 weeks after encounter -- also, seemed ironic that it is always in "both" feet, not just one foot, but both.  what made me think it could be anxiety is that it often happens when i am at home with my family, and really thinking about how stupid i was.....

it also happens a lot when i'm on airplanes, and have a lot of time to "think"...but then again, the pain also randomly just pops up in both feet - like yesterday, it was around all day in both ankles/feet.....and them when i read about peripheral neuropathy that threw me for a huge loop!!!!

i do appreciate your words of advice, i hope to god its not related to what i think it's been related to.

appreciate it!

[Fitt4]

also, does it matter to you that the foot pain started like 5-6 wks after encounter? it hasn't just begun???

[chcnme]

Hi Feet :)  I am absolutley positive that foot pain after sex with someone 11 weeks ago has nothing at ALL to do with HIV.  Nothing. Even if you had had HIV for a decade or more all other causes of the foot pain would be ruled out before a doc would say "HIV-related peripheral neuropathy".  I think that because your feet are hurting for possibly a valid reason other than what happened 11 weeks ago, you're afraid it's related to HIV.  It's NOT related! This isn't a foot forum though, but I will tell you that if they keep hurting, you need to get seen by a doctor for your feet (NOT for anxiety). If the doc keeps chalking this continued foot pain up to "anxiety", go find another doc.  If that doc can't pin point it, then FORGET about it - it will likely resolved.  Sometimes people's ankles and feet just start hurting for no apparent reason - or because they have new shoes, bad shoes, walk on pavement all day, have bad arches, may have a stress fracture(s) they sustained 20 years ago jumping off a wall and didn't know it when it happened.  Those are things that can cause nonspecific foot pain.  Here are some other things to consider with foot pain - ever played any sports?  Ever?  Do you have any family history of diabetes on either side?  Has a doc checked your glucose lately (your "sugar") ?

Keep repeating:  My foot pain is NOT related to the event that occurred 11 weeks ago.

Merry Christmas!

[Fitt4]

Thanks for the encouraging words.

Both feet still hurt today, as do both ankles..seems like its sort of shooting down from the ankles.  The whole time, started about 5 weeks after encounter, it has been BOTH feet/ankles, at the same time.

You're sure that i can be sure, that this doesn't have anything to do with HIV????  Foot pain? or ankle pain? Its been 11 weeks since my encounter...

Merry xmas and happy new year to you too !

i've enjoyed the chats.

[chcnme]

Fitt - if you do get tested, the results will be what they will be, and they will probably be on the VERY good side! Stop worrying about your foot (or feet now);  this would totally NOT be related to the very very very remote possibility of your having a positive HIV test.

I'm gonna change your name to Feet instead of Fitt :)

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!  From 2007 on, I bet you will never EVER have a sexual encounter with someone you don't know without (no pun intended)  wrapping it up!:)  All joking aside, it's not worth it - not ever.

[Fitt4]

I think i'm going to.
Part of me is too scared to though, but i keep telling myself the results will be on the good side...

One doc told me he's never seen anyone test positive after testing negative at six weeks, but who the heck knows what that is worth these days.....

(tonight, the pain is in both ankles and down into the feet -- and early today, it felt like it was on teh bottom of my feet -- keeps freaking me out.)

[chcnme]

Good - get tested again.  Do it.  Get this over with.  You will feel a lot better when you do.

[Fitt4]

Got it.  But, now i think that scares me even more!  I think I will get re-tested at 12-week mark, which is next week just to be safe....

Obviously, as you can tell, I've been told that 6-wk negative is encouraging, but who knows anymore.....just frustrated...

I want my life back the way it was....

Praying for a negative next time..

[chcnme]

Hi fitt.  Yes, the urine tests for those are fine.  If the frequent urination has resolved, don

[Fitt4]

thanks.  is a urine test enough to test for chlamadyia and gonnorhea? (that's what i had done)

As for the prostatitis, i never had "painful urination", but i was urinating like crazy.....more so than ever...i hope that diagnosis was accurate...

2 different docs told me 6 week negative is somewhere around 98% reliable, unless other circumstances are involved (iv drugs, chemo, etc....none of which concern me..)

i know it would be safe to test again at 12-week mark, right?

just hoping negative at six-week mark is a good sign....

thoughts?

[chcnme]

Many times it is caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea BUT - you tested negative on those, and so - it was probably related to the prostatitis, which is due to an inflamed prostate gland, which can come from various things, unrelated to sex, which can cause urine and bacteria to back up, and boom - you then can come down with epididymitis. If you have any recurring painful urination, go back to the urologist.  You could have gotten this sexually  (the epididymitis)  But, it could have been totally unrelated to a sexual encounter, too.  Feel some relief that you didn't test + for the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.  

The timing of the foot pain?  I wouldn't worry about it being HIV-related.  I know you are going to worry, though, but try not to.  It would not be related to HIV infection.

Since the "window" of seroconversion in HIV is anywhere between two weeks on up to six months, you need to know what a test at 6 weeks means and what it doesn't mean.  You need to know a lot when testing for HIV, and this can be done at the health department.  It should have been done. I'm sorry for you that it wasn't done.

Best of luck.  

[Fitt4]

Thanks - that is all valuable info.  What causes epidimytis?

So weird regarding the foot pain -- just hope its not hiv-related...i know people are saying its not, just the timing of it is bizarre...

In your mind, is the six week result pretty reliable? My test was done thru Qwest Diagnostics...

Thanks for taking the time.

[chcnme]

Hi Fitt. I'm sure it did freak you out. Glad you're negative on the Chlamydia and Gonorrhrea. Yes - a rash like that can most assuredly be caused from epididymitis, and the good news is - it has cleared with the doxy.  I'm glad the prostatitis also cleared.  

And all those other symptoms (headache, and perhaps - not likely but perhaps - the foot pain) can be caused from the anxiety that can come from thinking you may have contracted HIV during the encounter.  Pain localized to the top of the foot over a long period with burning sensation is not your typical "this is all anxiety-related".  That's not to say it warrants further workup at this time, but - if it continues, then sure - be seen specifically for your foot.

The thoughts of having contracted HIV from a one time encounter are terrifying.  Getting tested was the smart thing for you to do.  The negative HIV at six weeks is good news.  In fact, it can be said to be wonderful news.  I am disappointed, though, that no one did pre and post test counseling on you because had this been done, you would be 1) more educated on the virus and testing and all the things that go with both a negative and a positive test,  and 2) you would probably not be worrying yourself so badly now and would have this behind you.

If the family doc and urologist have both told you to move on (and since your test at 6 weeks was negative), then ... sure - you can move on.  If  you feel you can't move on, though, OR if you think you EVER need testing again for HIV for any reason, get tested through at the Health Department.  Many GPs (family docs) are now opting to refer HIV testing to public health centers because of the ramifications of testing, the stress involved, and because of the counseling that is recommended.  Some GP's, though, are testing without counseling.  

Best of luck to you.  

[Fitt4]

thanks again, i appreciate your time.

you're probably right -- it just freaked me out that i had a rash on my testicles about 10 days after exposure -- got urine test for chlamadyia and gonn - both came back negative -- what else would cause a rash like that?? my left testicle hurt and testicles becamse swollen starting about 6 days after -- that went away with the doxy though - the doc said it could be epidimidyis (sp?)...i mean, what would have cause that rash??

then, week later, doc diagnosed me with prostatitis -- gave me doxy for another 2 weeks.....

then, for whatever reason, started to get worried about hiv -- became mental over it...headaches, white stuff on back of tongue, etc.....and then five weeks after, the foot pain started...mainly on TOP of the foot -- bizarre.....

when i took my test at six weeks, i developed a headache for like a week - felt like a "stress" headache, but you never know...

both my urologist, and a family-friend doc are telling me to move on after the six week test....just need to get this out of my mind......

[chcnme]

Oh, by the way - the "chronic infection" part means you have had HIV for a long time.   Peripheral neuropathy is not seen until way later than just months of infection.  Best of luck.

[chcnme]

Hi Fitt. Yes indeed - a lot anxiety (and you have reason to have a lot if you're afraid you have had a sexual encounter with someone you think may have passed HIV to you)  can cause many symptoms.  Foot pain though?  I don't think so.  I've never seen any patient who exhibited foot pain because they were afraid they had HIV.  I've seen diarrhea, vomiting, insomnia, aches and pains, headaches, nightmares, but never localized foot pain.  (localized meaning in the same spot for months.) The foot pain, however, would NOT be related to an exposure to HIV - not this soon (if you have been exposed.) In my opinion it's also not related to your high level of anxiety, though.  You would have to show me more than foot pain for me to say this pain is all caused from anxiety.  

So - my first advice is for you to separate the two.  If the pain in your foot is bothersome enough that you are in pain or it's interferring with your gait, you walk, you can't wear your shoes, etc., or if it's burning really bad, or if you have foot problems - tell your doc AGAIN that your foot is really bothering you  (leave the HIV off of the conversation).  If he keeps telling you it's anxiety, and if your foot is still hurting you a month from now - tell him you want a referral to an orthopedist or neurologist.  

Second advice:  Call public health is you are concerned about having contracted HIV from a sexual partner you have unprotected sex with., or simply tell them you want to be tested.  It doesn't matter what you tell them, really.  But go through the public health dept to get your next testing done.  If you want it anonymously done, tell them.  You need to be counseled BEFORE the test and when the results come in.  You apparently weren't, and as a result you are sorely missing some needed information on HIV testing.  I cannot counsel you on-line.  But I can tell you to call the Public Health Department, and that is my advice.  Best of luck.

[Fitt4]

what i meant to say was, do you think the foot pain could be anxiety-driven? as this has been on my mind for 11 straight weeks!

[Fitt4]

thanks for the response! I really appreciate it.

what do you mean by CHRONIC infection?

no counseling was done - doc didn't even think i needed to be tested, as it was one-time unprotected sex for no more than :20....

after he gave me the result (took test at six week, 2 days), he suggested for me to get on with my life, etc...he thought foot pain, etc was from anxiety...

do you think the foot pain could be hiv-related?

any thoughts are much appreciated!

[chcnme]

Fitt, I hope you're doing better.  Peripheral neuoropathy comes with chronic infection (it would not be seen in someone who had just been exposed to HIV even if you WERE exposed.)  Did anyone do any pre / post test counseling on you when they tested you for HIV?  I used to work communicable diseases, STDs including HIV pre and post testing counseling.  If you are concerned that this test is not accurate, get tested again.  You can call the public health department and tell them you want to be tested for HIV because you fear you were exposed.  They will instruct you what to do.  The foot pain could be from a number of things, including peripheral neuropathy, bad fitting shoes, sports injury - anything.  But if the pain continues, you are probably not going to stop worrying about exposure to HIV, and so - I think the only way to resolve this in your mind once and for all is to get tested again.  

Best of luck.

[Fitt4]

thanks so much, i appreciate the quick response - it makes me feel better. feet definitely feel better when i take my shoes off -- worried that it was neuropathy due to hiv???

i just hope the six week deal is reliable -- have you heard of other health care professionals state that? or just this doc?

it was only one-time encounter unprotected with female for no more than :20