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HIV testing
I know I posted a few days ago on this forum and I apoligize for posting again, but I am overwhelmed with anxiety. I tested for HIV back in 1996 and then again in 2003. They both came back negative. I have been with my husband since 2002 and no one else. I have suffered from anxiety over the years on and off and it recently came back again. I have been drinking heavily and recently stopped 10 days ago. I went to the doctor last week and was told that I have anxiety. I have a very dry mouth all of the time and food just doesn't taste like it used to. I had the doctor check my mouth thinking I had thrush and he said my mouth looked normal. I am in constant fear that something is wrong with me and can't stop obsessing that the tests that I took didn't pick up the antibodies and that it will take years for it to show up. I am not hungry most of the time and when I do eat, it just doesn't taste good. I am trying to work on not worrying but I just can't shake it.
ooops...sorry...i left off the word "anxiety". yes, that is the one i'm speaking of.
Yes there is one, I sure hope you can put your fear to risk, because you have no reason to worry at all
One year - what HIV test, even back in 2003 wouldn't have picked up HIV? If three months is conclusive, one year is rock solid no doubt conclusive. Logic and emotion are two things competing with each other. Let logic be your guide.
One year - what HIV test, even back in 2003 wouldn't have picked up HIV? If three months is conclusive, one year is rock solid no doubt conclusive. Logic and emotion are two things competing with each other. Let logic be your guide.
fear is not fact.
further questions should be addressed on the hiv community forum. a link is provided in the lower right hand corner of this page.
time to accept your status and move on with your life.
further questions should be addressed on the hiv community forum. a link is provided in the lower right hand corner of this page.
time to accept your status and move on with your life.
I think you need to consider this: the chances you have HIV are almost non-existent. You say you were tested for HIV in 2003 and were with your husband since 2002 - when you were tested for HIV, how long prior to that test did you have sex (unprotected) with someone other than your husband? If it was more than 3 months prior and you know your husband does not have HIV, then it isn't possible you can have it.
alcohol and anxiety pills can cause dry mouth ..you can always take a rapid test and get your negative result which im sure will be negative. for peace of mind
I had a similar thought once, "What if I have HIV, but I just never produce the antibodies to it?"
But the fact is, that is simply not possible. Our bodies always find a way to fight infections presented in our system. HIV is no exclusion.
The HIV screening test you have been taking is very accurate, and the test would have detected an HIV infection happening in your body within 3 months of infection. You may also come to find out while learning more about HIV, that it is a rapidly mutating virus, but that will have no effect on the screening tests whatsoever.
You can be rest assured that you are fine, and there is nothing to worry about. Yes, the fact of getting HIV is scary, and I have been in similar situations where I wasted months of my life worrying about it and secluding myself from the world, only for it to turn out negative. I can guarantee you that you don't have it.
Your anxiety could indeed be causing your dry mouth. I work a very stressful job, and I find myself drinking lots of water during my work shifts, because it is a very emotionally draining job to do. I also had a fear that I had thrush too a few years ago, but my doctor and other outpatient clinics checked my tongue and it was fine. Anxiety could be effecting the way you taste, too.
This is just your anxiety getting the best of you. The drinking will make your anxiety a lot worse, because believe me, I have been down that road. You should try to do things that lower your stress level, for example, meditation is good for you. It mat seem difficult to do with anxiety, but if you give it a chance, it may help.
Also, if this becomes necessary, your doctor should also be able to prescribe you medications, or point you to someone who can get you prescribed a medication to help you control your anxiety.
But the fact is, that is simply not possible. Our bodies always find a way to fight infections presented in our system. HIV is no exclusion.
The HIV screening test you have been taking is very accurate, and the test would have detected an HIV infection happening in your body within 3 months of infection. You may also come to find out while learning more about HIV, that it is a rapidly mutating virus, but that will have no effect on the screening tests whatsoever.
You can be rest assured that you are fine, and there is nothing to worry about. Yes, the fact of getting HIV is scary, and I have been in similar situations where I wasted months of my life worrying about it and secluding myself from the world, only for it to turn out negative. I can guarantee you that you don't have it.
Your anxiety could indeed be causing your dry mouth. I work a very stressful job, and I find myself drinking lots of water during my work shifts, because it is a very emotionally draining job to do. I also had a fear that I had thrush too a few years ago, but my doctor and other outpatient clinics checked my tongue and it was fine. Anxiety could be effecting the way you taste, too.
This is just your anxiety getting the best of you. The drinking will make your anxiety a lot worse, because believe me, I have been down that road. You should try to do things that lower your stress level, for example, meditation is good for you. It mat seem difficult to do with anxiety, but if you give it a chance, it may help.
Also, if this becomes necessary, your doctor should also be able to prescribe you medications, or point you to someone who can get you prescribed a medication to help you control your anxiety.
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