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Avatar universal

Guys, I can't take it anymore.

This whole window period is really freaking me out.  I've tested negative out to 11 weeks and my last test is 13 weeks.  I'm just certain that it's going to be positive and I'm falling apart.  After having sex and getting sick I know I have it.  I see that everyone on this sight is saying 3 months.  If a test is negative at 11 weeks then why would it be positive at 12 13 or 6 months if the cutoff is 3?  Another thing is, if I test negative at 3 months, should I test at 4 months and 6 months?  It's so hard to believe that I'm negative cause the symptoms were so specific and precise.  What should I do?  Should I be confident about testing at 13 weeks?
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Avatar universal
So wait is "uncertainty"  -ve or positive coz he said in one of tje post he tested ositive so which is it was his tesr wrong?
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186166 tn?1385259382
...and you're talking to someone on a post that is TWO YEARS old.
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Avatar universal
It's easy to say that but the negative mind will keep haunting you.
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Avatar universal
okay!  Then how about Swedish Fish?  You can't go wrong with that.  They're yummy!

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480448 tn?1426948538
I prefer candy.

;0)
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Avatar universal
nursegirl knows what she's talking about!  Yeah, you obviously have the facts straight.  Even if I do push it out to 6 months, at least I'm becoming educated on the subject. I obviously can't help myself but hearing what you have to say is very reassuring to me.  Thank you.  I wish I can send you flowers to your job or something.  You're to nice to be on a website and giving people your piece of mind. I'm not going to argue with that.  
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480448 tn?1426948538
I get what you're saying...but you're wrong on a number of points...one being the symptoms...in MY experience....the people I've known or cared for with HIV never had ONE symptom.  Your symptoms could be related to just about anything...including anxiety.

The tests aren't questionable at this point.  You had a neg at 11 weeks...we're talking a matter of mere days until the conclusive mark.....the chances of it turning pos are about impossible.  Even the good docs have never seen a test change like that...and they've seen a LOT of them...you simply are NOT going to be the first.

I understand that your situation is unique to you...and that there is a ton of anxiety behind it.....but there isn't ONE indication that you will all of a sudden turn pos.  You say at 12 weeks, you'll let it go.  Sadly, I doubt it....this is common...then you'll start to question whether you need to test out to 6 months, and so on.  This is classic HIV anxiety.

Also...you do not have to have OCD or an anxiety disorder to experience HIV anxiety.  It is situational..problem is...so many people cannot trust what the experts and people who know their stuff have to say enough to at least keep it to a minimum...and then the anxiety spirals out of control.

Lastly...you do NOT "know the stats"...or you wouldn't still have a single doubt left...you would understand that basically.....with the irrelevant exception of a few days...you are conclusively neg.  We're not talking the difference between 2 weeks post exposure and 12 weeks.  People that are going to be pos are going to test positive by now.....with a few VERY rare exceptions...none of which apply to you.

I understand the need you have to test again next week....I just sincerely hope at THAT point you will finally believe that you do NOT have HIV and will be able to move on.  I truly do.
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Avatar universal
I think it's a wonderful test for early detection or for people who have been raped and a negative is considered a good sign.  Don't get me wrong.  Personally, I'm not bashing the test.  I did pay for it.
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Avatar universal
Yes but PCR tests are not used for diagnosis.  It's like a 50/50 deal.  A negative PCR test is GREATLY appreciated but not as accurate as my 8 week Elisa.  CDC does not recommend this test.  It's used to monitor people who are on meds.  See why the fear remains?
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Avatar universal
You know what! Don't even respond to the above.  It's useless.  Nothing but tests results should be of importance.  It's not like I'm a hundred percent sure I know what it's like to have hiv.  So maybe my test results are more accurate then my feelings.  I'm trying to be just a little more intelligent then my usual self.  

Thank you Lizzie, Teak, Kerano, nursegirl, alienshadow and the doc!

I'm going to try take it out of my mind for good.



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Avatar universal
Yes. But give some credit to PCR tests. If you dont have the virus will never develop the antibodies. I believe you had 2 separate negative PCR tests.
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Avatar universal
Thank you all.  I do believe in the Experts on this forum.  But here are my beliefs.  Most people on medhelp have a fear that they have hiv.  Obviously, not everyone has the disease.  So it's easy to say that "you are not infected."  And believe it!  I started getting symptoms.  That's the reason why I even tested to begin with.  I didn't even know whaat symptoms to hiv even were.  I started doing research when I just felt really tired one day.  All of a sudden. And I said to myself, "there is something wrong with me"  but what can it be.  I decided to go get tested the next day because my groin area got really swollen and they were in pain.  The test came out positive.  Then when I was waiting for my wb results, I started having severe chills.  One symptom escalated to another one.  I would even wake up with stuff on my lips.  Till this day, I'm convinced that it was thrush.  That's when I started looking up symptoms and found out that they were all HIV related symptoms.  I know what a hypochondriac is.  I don't think that my mind is able to create symptoms so severe without me knowing about them.  I've been having sex for 10 years now.  It's not like I got a hand job and started freaking out.

So, that's why, tests are questionable.  My fear of hiv is relevant and I'm don't have OCD or any other kind of anxiety disorder.  This is a very serious issue going on in my life and that is why I am uncertain.  Until I take that 3 month test, I can't release this.  NOT after what my body went through.

Statistics are great for someone who is uneducated but I know all the stats.  There's a funny line from a movie "This is not therapy, it's real life."  Meaning that everything I've been hearing and reading has really benefited me but when I look at what I've done and how sick I got.  When I got sick.  How it felt.  The first positive test result.  What others have told me about HIV and the window period.  People who have told me that early tests are not reliable.  All these things make me question the possibility.  

It's not that I'm going against what anyone has to say.  I'm not manipulating the situation.  I just want at least one person to understand me.  

I'm starting to believe I'm negative as well.  The statistics are definitely in my favor.  I just don't want to let it go and have it hit me like a Mac truck.  Get it?
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Avatar universal
I'll tell you why in a minute.  I'm changing a friends tire.  She's being a nuisance.  I hope you hear me out when I post.  
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Avatar universal
If you have concerns see your doctor. They are unrelated to HIV.
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Avatar universal
You are describing anxiety/panic symptoms, not HIV.  
Your questions have been answered by others in this thread.
There is no need to post further questions, as the answers are not going to change.
Have a good night.
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186166 tn?1385259382
you paid $15.00 to have one of the doctors here give you his opinion.  what did he say?  go back and read his response to you

do you honestly believe that dr. hook lied to you?  do you think that we are all lieing?  can you just accept the fact that...yes, anxiety can cause physical symptoms?  it is a proven medical fact.

your 11 week test is NOT going to change.  WHY????????  becasue you do NOT have hiv.  there is no 6 month window period...it is 3 months.

stop searching the internet and get off this forum.  you will NEVER be able to put this behind you IF you do not take the steps to do so.  seek out a professional mental health therapist to help you deal with the facts surrounding your fear.

nothing changes if nothing changes
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Avatar universal
eh, I'm being irrational.  thank you very much guys.  I'll remember what you and the experts have educated me with and think of it everytime the fear strikes.
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Avatar universal
and wrists, knees, elbows and the constant night TERRORS. : (
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Avatar universal
Thanks guys.  Should I forget about the pain on my underarms?
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Avatar universal
NO you don't need to test out to 6 months. 3 months is the guidelines to get a conclusive negative result.
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480448 tn?1426948538
No, no need to test at 6 months whatsoever....3 months is conclusive...and that is actually fairly conservative (meaning MOST people that ARE pos test POS before the 3 month point).

Celebrate your neg status....take a deep breath, enjoy life and be careful.
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Avatar universal
should i test at 6 months as well?

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Avatar universal
That's what I'm hoping for.  I'm crying.  
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480448 tn?1426948538
Meaning your 11 week result is pretty much as good as gold...you're in the clear.
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