Aa
Sorry to be back, new concerns.
Doctors-
Hoped I would never be back..but here I am. My exposure (female of unknown status 2007) and we had many episodes of unprotected penile/vaginal sex. I am 35 white hetero male with no other unprotected relationships. As I have written in past, I have had 2 rapid oral tests at NYS County health dept (3 & 5 months post exposure) Standard blood draw negative at 7 months and all 3 were negative. I have since donated blood for 3 years now and been negative by NAAT and antibody to current (3+ years post exposure). Roughly 14 more "tests" this way, making the total in area of 17 different tests performed out to more than 3 years post possible risk.
My growing concerns: Unresolving skin rashes, jock itch, intertrigo of the skin folds in groin and TONS of erectile dysfunction problems still! I never had ANY of these until early 2008 when almost all started. Fatigue is daily also, however I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. While this may give reason for the fatigue, its the other symptoms that scare the hell out of me. Everything I have read says that recurring skin fungal and intertrigo are usually due to compromise immune system including from HIV.
I am considering seeing an infectious disease doc if my primary will refer but he thinks I am crazy. 1) Please tell me what your thoughts are regarding this idea and if there is ANY way that all this testing is missing HIV infection. 2) Do my symptoms to date and ongoing for almost 3 years sound indicative of HIV disease at all? 3) I am trying to believe the tests, however you must admit that my symptoms are possible classic for HIV, or am I wrong in thinking that?
Please kindly respond, Thank You and God Bless.
NYFirefighter
Hoped I would never be back..but here I am. My exposure (female of unknown status 2007) and we had many episodes of unprotected penile/vaginal sex. I am 35 white hetero male with no other unprotected relationships. As I have written in past, I have had 2 rapid oral tests at NYS County health dept (3 & 5 months post exposure) Standard blood draw negative at 7 months and all 3 were negative. I have since donated blood for 3 years now and been negative by NAAT and antibody to current (3+ years post exposure). Roughly 14 more "tests" this way, making the total in area of 17 different tests performed out to more than 3 years post possible risk.
My growing concerns: Unresolving skin rashes, jock itch, intertrigo of the skin folds in groin and TONS of erectile dysfunction problems still! I never had ANY of these until early 2008 when almost all started. Fatigue is daily also, however I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. While this may give reason for the fatigue, its the other symptoms that scare the hell out of me. Everything I have read says that recurring skin fungal and intertrigo are usually due to compromise immune system including from HIV.
I am considering seeing an infectious disease doc if my primary will refer but he thinks I am crazy. 1) Please tell me what your thoughts are regarding this idea and if there is ANY way that all this testing is missing HIV infection. 2) Do my symptoms to date and ongoing for almost 3 years sound indicative of HIV disease at all? 3) I am trying to believe the tests, however you must admit that my symptoms are possible classic for HIV, or am I wrong in thinking that?
Please kindly respond, Thank You and God Bless.
NYFirefighter
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are correct that nothing in science can be 100% BUT when you have been repeatedly tested using multiple methods (antibodies, PCR, etc) over time, your results are about as close to 100% as one can reasonable expect to get. I have never heard of someone with a story similar to your being proven to have HIV and am confident that you will not be the first. Please feel free to share this and prior exchanges with your counselor, I think that he/she might find it helpful. EWH
I truly appreciate your up front and honest reply. I am thinking maybe counseling is in fact next for me. I know nothing in science can truly be 100%, but is it safe for me to say that I am DEFINITELY HIV negative at this point? Have you even heard of someone with my testing history ending up positive with no other exposures? I have been told to trust and believe the tests.....but its truly the symptoms that make it hard for me.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the Forum. I'm sorry to hear of your continuing difficulties. I can also tell you with complete confidence however that they are not due to HIV of any sort. You are correct that some people with HIV do have problems with recurring skin infections and intertrigo but most people with these problems do not have HIV - you are one of these folks. Anxiety is a profoundly powerful force and can contribute to many of the problems you describe (ED and fatigue, for sure). My heartfelt suggestion is that you speak with a mental health professional to help work through these difficulties. Please understand that I am not calling you crazy. You have been extensively tested, it is now time to look elsewhere. This is where I would go next. EWH
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