Aa
Lymph nodes
Hello everybody.
My possible exposure was unprotected vaginal sex one year ago with a female of unknown status. I didn't come inside and it was probably only 2-3 min of penetration time. If I experienced ARS, I can't say for sure although I do remember being a little sick in the Fall and several times in the winter.
I recently posted regarding OHL, but I feel like I should've posted about what's really been bothering me which is lymph nodes. ALL of my lymph nodes have been periodically aching (not swelling though) for the last 2 months: first it was the groin, then the neck, then the armpits, and now the collarbone and back of head. I'm convinced I have HIV. I'm testing next week, but in the meantime I'd LOVE to hear some theories about how this could be anxiety (something I've suffered from my whole life.) My friend is a med student and felt my lymph nodes all over and said, "dude, your lymph nodes are NOT swollen at all." But why would I be having these radiating pains? I also have radiating pains in my wrists and ankles and upper back, where there don't seem to be any lymph nodes as far as I know. I also have lateral white blotches on my tongue that directly line up with my teeth and resemble the photos I've seen online of so-called "scalloped tongue." I thought it was Oral Hairy Leukoplakia (OHL) at first, but I stumbled upon one site that said OHL and something called "frictional keratosis" are very similar looking. After posting about said subject, I read that white "teeth lines" on the inner cheeks was usually a dead give away for Frictional Keratosis, which is essentially due to teeth clenching during sleep. Needless to say, I just about exploded like a firecracker with sheer joy when I ran to the mirror and saw these lines on the inside of my cheek. Only to become deflated anew when I realized having Frictional Keratosis and Scalloped Tongue doesn't mean I can't ALSO have OHL. That's me lately. A rubber ball bouncing up and down from ecstatic relief to the darkest suicidal depths. Who knew the internet could turn me into such a complete freak?
I know I need the test, which I am going to do early next week. Just terrified in the meantime that I infected my beautiful finacee. I refused to have sex with her until I got my 2 months negative result, which in my ignorance, thought was conclusive. Imagine my HORROR when I recently read that sometimes even 6 months isn't conclusive!!!
Any help would be most appreciated!!! Similar stories? Am I crazy? Please don't just tell me to get the test. I know that already, I'm just feeling really isolated right now and am craving something resembling human contact.
Thank you,
-Z
My possible exposure was unprotected vaginal sex one year ago with a female of unknown status. I didn't come inside and it was probably only 2-3 min of penetration time. If I experienced ARS, I can't say for sure although I do remember being a little sick in the Fall and several times in the winter.
I recently posted regarding OHL, but I feel like I should've posted about what's really been bothering me which is lymph nodes. ALL of my lymph nodes have been periodically aching (not swelling though) for the last 2 months: first it was the groin, then the neck, then the armpits, and now the collarbone and back of head. I'm convinced I have HIV. I'm testing next week, but in the meantime I'd LOVE to hear some theories about how this could be anxiety (something I've suffered from my whole life.) My friend is a med student and felt my lymph nodes all over and said, "dude, your lymph nodes are NOT swollen at all." But why would I be having these radiating pains? I also have radiating pains in my wrists and ankles and upper back, where there don't seem to be any lymph nodes as far as I know. I also have lateral white blotches on my tongue that directly line up with my teeth and resemble the photos I've seen online of so-called "scalloped tongue." I thought it was Oral Hairy Leukoplakia (OHL) at first, but I stumbled upon one site that said OHL and something called "frictional keratosis" are very similar looking. After posting about said subject, I read that white "teeth lines" on the inner cheeks was usually a dead give away for Frictional Keratosis, which is essentially due to teeth clenching during sleep. Needless to say, I just about exploded like a firecracker with sheer joy when I ran to the mirror and saw these lines on the inside of my cheek. Only to become deflated anew when I realized having Frictional Keratosis and Scalloped Tongue doesn't mean I can't ALSO have OHL. That's me lately. A rubber ball bouncing up and down from ecstatic relief to the darkest suicidal depths. Who knew the internet could turn me into such a complete freak?
I know I need the test, which I am going to do early next week. Just terrified in the meantime that I infected my beautiful finacee. I refused to have sex with her until I got my 2 months negative result, which in my ignorance, thought was conclusive. Imagine my HORROR when I recently read that sometimes even 6 months isn't conclusive!!!
Any help would be most appreciated!!! Similar stories? Am I crazy? Please don't just tell me to get the test. I know that already, I'm just feeling really isolated right now and am craving something resembling human contact.
Thank you,
-Z
Yes I will definitely let you know the results of my test, which is on Wed. I'm so nervous because my regular Dr. just told me my White Blood Cell count is 5.3, which strikes me as kind of low. "Normal" range is 4.8-10. I was extremely sleep-deprived and tired the morning my blood was taken. I'm hoping that had something to do with it.
I'm a very fit, regular long-distance runner who eats well, so I would expect a more reassuring number than 5.3. a 7.5 or 8 would've been a lot more encouraging. Then I read about this morning/lack of sleep low white blood cell correlation and I'm CLINGING to that. Any body out there have any experience with this? Meaning, has anyone had their WBCs counted twice, once while tired and/or in the morning and another time well-rested and/or the afternoon?
I'm a very fit, regular long-distance runner who eats well, so I would expect a more reassuring number than 5.3. a 7.5 or 8 would've been a lot more encouraging. Then I read about this morning/lack of sleep low white blood cell correlation and I'm CLINGING to that. Any body out there have any experience with this? Meaning, has anyone had their WBCs counted twice, once while tired and/or in the morning and another time well-rested and/or the afternoon?
Thanks Teak.
Just to clarify, I don't think I'm in the ARS stage. I'm worried I could be one of those early starters of the real deal, so-called "Phase 3" HIV, which is the end of the asymptomatic period. Also, my lymph nodes aren't swollen. They ONLY hurt. Does anyone else have this? Any HIV positive people out there who first became aware they were positive by painful unswollen lymph nodes bouncing around their whole body? Within about 1 year of infection?
It's pretty freakin scary.
Thanks,
Z
Just to clarify, I don't think I'm in the ARS stage. I'm worried I could be one of those early starters of the real deal, so-called "Phase 3" HIV, which is the end of the asymptomatic period. Also, my lymph nodes aren't swollen. They ONLY hurt. Does anyone else have this? Any HIV positive people out there who first became aware they were positive by painful unswollen lymph nodes bouncing around their whole body? Within about 1 year of infection?
It's pretty freakin scary.
Thanks,
Z
I know I just need to go get the test. (I'm going tomorrow or Tues)
But I'm seriously freaking because I have lymph node aches ALL over included the dreaded "back of head" and collar bone! How could this be anxiety? It REALLY feels like my immune system is fighting a losing battle!!!
Can someone PLEASE tell me if this is typical for HIV+ people after one year??? Also I have a mild sore throat that comes and goes.
Thanks,
-Z
But I'm seriously freaking because I have lymph node aches ALL over included the dreaded "back of head" and collar bone! How could this be anxiety? It REALLY feels like my immune system is fighting a losing battle!!!
Can someone PLEASE tell me if this is typical for HIV+ people after one year??? Also I have a mild sore throat that comes and goes.
Thanks,
-Z
There is a very good chance you dont have HIV. But the only way to know is to get tested. So get tested. And from now on always use condoms.
i'd rather spend my life KNOWING that i DONT have hiv, than live it THINKING that i do !
You're right. Sorry it's just that sometimes it's nice to hear reassuring info because it can help build my confidence up to go get the test. Some people are not as strong or brave as you are and getting reassured when you're down in the dumps can be the final push to just go and get it. My anxiety has been through the roof with all this and going to get the test, literally just walking to the place, is not going to be easy.
Thank you though.
Thank you though.
STOP with the self diagnosis ! ! ! !
3 months is conclusive...and in your case...it's been a YEAR !
get your test and move on with your life.
3 months is conclusive...and in your case...it's been a YEAR !
get your test and move on with your life.
Thanks Lizzie Lou. Really? Even though I've read that sometimes 3 months is inconclusive I'm just looking for a little more concrete support with regards to the lymph nodes, OHL, one year post-exposure symptoms, etc.
You all are SO knowledgeable that I can't help but crave specific information. Despite fully understanding the dubious nature of self-diagnosis. I am going to get tested, but it can't hurt to ask these things, right? Or maybe it can, haha. I am a nervous WRECK after all.
Thanks,
Z
You all are SO knowledgeable that I can't help but crave specific information. Despite fully understanding the dubious nature of self-diagnosis. I am going to get tested, but it can't hurt to ask these things, right? Or maybe it can, haha. I am a nervous WRECK after all.
Thanks,
Z
your negative result at 2 months is HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHLY unlikely to change. expect a negative on your next test.
Thanks for your reply, Zed. Did you ever get tested? I assume it was negative? Was the pain convincingly real??? Mine sure is.
-Z
-Z
I had a "ZERO" risk incident back in Feb but had remained very anxious for about a month and I felt the same pain in my groin and armpits and sometimes in my neck without having any swollen lymph node. Once the anxiety gone, the pain disappeared.
I read about many people who suffer the same discomfort in their groin and armpits when they think they might be infected with HIV with no swollen lymph nodes. This pain will vanish once anxiety vanish.
I read about many people who suffer the same discomfort in their groin and armpits when they think they might be infected with HIV with no swollen lymph nodes. This pain will vanish once anxiety vanish.
One more thing to clarify,
My risky encounter one year ago was an infedility when my GF was out of town,which I feel BEYOND guilty about. I NEVER cheat on my woman, but there I was, completely wasted after partying with total strangers (something I also never do), asleep actually, and I wake up to the distinct sensation of a woman blowing me. In that drunken pitch black oblivion, I foolishly allowed things to escalate to where she was mounting me. I made her stop after about 2-3 mins (can't be sure about the time) saying, "I really can't do this." I'm not making any excuses, but sometimes I think if what happened to me happened to a female from a male it would easily classify as rape in a court of law. Especially because this same girl made a pass at me earlier in the night and I rejected her and said I was in a serious relationship, at which point I left and headed for the bedroom, closing the door and passing out for at least several hours. I firmly believe that if that door had had a lock on it (it didn't), I wouldn't be in this predicament. **** MY LIFE.
My risky encounter one year ago was an infedility when my GF was out of town,which I feel BEYOND guilty about. I NEVER cheat on my woman, but there I was, completely wasted after partying with total strangers (something I also never do), asleep actually, and I wake up to the distinct sensation of a woman blowing me. In that drunken pitch black oblivion, I foolishly allowed things to escalate to where she was mounting me. I made her stop after about 2-3 mins (can't be sure about the time) saying, "I really can't do this." I'm not making any excuses, but sometimes I think if what happened to me happened to a female from a male it would easily classify as rape in a court of law. Especially because this same girl made a pass at me earlier in the night and I rejected her and said I was in a serious relationship, at which point I left and headed for the bedroom, closing the door and passing out for at least several hours. I firmly believe that if that door had had a lock on it (it didn't), I wouldn't be in this predicament. **** MY LIFE.
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