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Teak, Please Help

Teak,

I'm sure you remember my story, monogamous relationship for one year. Break up and I get pityriasis rosea, hocking up yellow mucus with a sore throat deisgnated as a sinus infection, my highest temp was 99.7. I also developed a small ulcer in the back of my mouth and rawness in my lips (probably from checking my mouth and tongue licking so much, not sure). My ex has been tested (full panel) and everything came back negative.

I've now been on 2 courses of antibitotics, ZPAC first and Sulfameth (forgive me if I got this name wrong) and I still have a sore throat and swollen cervical gland. The rash is dissipating and has lasted about 6 weeks thus far. I've had 2 antibody tests, one at doctor's and one at city health clinic at 4 and 5 weeks. I also had a DNA PCR test done at 6 weeks, all were negative.

However, I still feel like ****. My doctor has started me on Zoloft which has caused me to be extremely nautious and lose my appetite for food (was fine before). Everyone has told me I am fine (2 Family Doctors, a Dermatologist and a Medical Worker).

I went in to urgent care yesterday and they did a CBC on me and indicated my white blood cell count was high to the left (which supposedly means bacterial infection) and that my liver enzymes were also high. I also have, what was described by a nurse at work as thick white globs in my throat and esophagus. These were washed away with one drink of water completely, but came back as
streaks later. Could this be esophageal candidiasis or simply post nasal drip? I'm completely confused and wondering why I still feel this way and would appreciate any help.
19 Responses
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219662 tn?1223858560
zero chance, forget the test
get some psychological counselling instead
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
What are the chances of dirty needle usage at a Regional and City clinic as well as my doctor's office? I can't seem to shake this liver issue and I still feel quite weak. No real thrush anymore and I stopped taking the antibiotics. Do i need to test again?
Helpful - 0
219662 tn?1223858560
No, you're both HIV-negative
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Looks like the white stuff subsided, I think the Zoloft I'm on is giving me quite a bit of dry mouth and im guessing thats why my saliva near my gums was coming out that way. Had a talk with the ex today and I believe her 100% on the test results. Shes taking Paxil, Retin-A Micro for her face, adderall (sp?) and some ambien here and there. Any of those affect HIV tests?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Also,

I'm positive I have caught genital herpes from my previous relationship with the same female. I've ntoiced red spots that dont blister on three occassions now within the past 2 months.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This past weekend I've grown a lot more white stuff on my tongue and have noticed that I have a terribly dry mouth. I've lieterally pulled lines of saliva out from my lower cheeks/gum area. I was on 3 straight antibiotics -- ZPAC, Sulfameth and Doxycycline and I was also using a topical corticosteroid cream. I am feeling very weak in my legs and pretty lethargic still...

I'm still worried due to the mouth issues now and developing a crack in the right corner of my mouth which healed in a day or two. I know my ex said she had a negative test but why are these symptoms persisting?
'
Helpful - 0
219662 tn?1223858560
I agree with her if you had to pay for it!

It certainly sucks when you can't get diagnosed.
But it happens all the time, you just have to live with it.
Main thing is forget about HIV, no way.
And be careful with those meds, at least check for drug interactions before you take them (docs NEVER do that, so you should do it yourself).
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My WBC count was "high to the left" indicating a bacterial infection. I went into the doctor today and she said it was viral, looked like rhinitis. Back of my tongue and throat were dark red. I had some pretty bad post nasal drip that I guess has been cleared up, she didnt mention anything about it.

She told me I was being dumb for requesting an RNA Viral Load test :)


Helpful - 0
219662 tn?1223858560
Yes, you are crazy, man.
Taking many meds can mess you up big time, FYI.
Be careful with those pills.

And why ARE you taking antibiotics, may I ask?
Was any bacterial infection diagnosed?
You might be making a big mistake there if you are just taking them for the fun of it.
Those pills are not like candy, they have side effects.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
What concerned me about a dirty needle at one of the sites was that my rash came back on the right and left sides of my chest. None really developed into pityriases rosea-like lesions (oval with slamon colored middle), just pinkish blotches. I know a dose of steroids won't completely wipe out the Pityriasis Rosea, but it concerned me that the rash came back and looked different. My doctor took a look at it and was not concerned, though.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The steroids were topical Olux-E (I used a whole 50g bottle in ~4 days -- way too much, and have been using the other bottle and samples on and off) and the antibiotics are Azythromycin and Sulfameth, I'm now on Doxycycline. So, third round of antibiotics, maybe I do have and need to treat a fungus. My liver does have me worried, though. This could be due to high cholesterol because I'm easily 30lbs overweight at age 23 and don't get much exercise.

I recently started on Zoloft for my anxiety and noticed an increase in my nausea, I did throw up 2 times but that was because I drank tons of water and milk checking to see if my fungus would go away. I did feel like I had to vomit again today and had a dry heave. I've literally been obsessed and constantly stressed out, crying as well, but it seems the Zoloft is keeping my BP down. I went into the ER 4 weeks ago and had hypertension, and I'm still feeling tingling in my feet, scrotum etc.

I know the only way I could have become infected now was if one of the places (Regional Clinic, City-State Clinic who offered me a free STD panel and my personal Doctor's Office) used a dirty needle. Being the worry wart that I am, I am starting to obsess over this as well.

I'm trying my best to overcome my anxiety, but I still feel like I need to be tested because of my symptoms. Thank you guys for responding to my nonsense and Teak, I respect you with all my heart. You are a great person and fantastic resource for people and I truly with you the best going forward.

(Please let me know if I'm crazy, too!)
Helpful - 0
219662 tn?1223858560
Antibiotics and steroids can make your fungal infection worse.
Maybe that's what's happening with you.
You definitely don't have HIV.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Now get a grip. Even people that have unprotected sex with HIV positive partners do not always contract HIV on their first or their 100th exposure. The only way for you to tell is by testing at the correct time. Your symptoms are NOT specific to HIV.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've got candidas (glass test), a persistent swollen node in my left cervical neck, enlarged liver with higher liver enzymes, I had a rash which included my penis, mouth ulcer, cracked lip, sore throat with nasal drip, 99.7 fever,  occasional light night sweats, overall feeling of lethargy, lots of eye floaters, among other symptoms. I was on some significant corticosteroids and have been on antibiotics for 2 weeks and tons of anxiety and panic.

I know I've tested negative at 4 and 5 weeks but I was on a great deal of corticosteroids when I did my PCR DNA test which came back not detected.

My ex girlfriend told me she was tested and was negative for HIV and Hep C (as was I a while back), however I am feeling no better. How could I possibly be HIV negative?
Helpful - 0
219662 tn?1223858560
Most people with an obsession at least have had a scare of some sort.
But you - an HIV-negative boyfriend for crying out loud.
Why does it have to be HIV???
If your liver is bothering you, check for Hepatitis.
Check for bacterial infections, strep, whatever.
The key is to work with your doctor if you feel sick.
Forget about HIV.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I understand I'm negative, but I still have doubts for some reason -- maybe I was infected during one of the tests? I tested at my regional clinic, city clinic and private doctor's office. This sore throat and swollen glands as well as enlarged liver/high enzymes aren't encouraging me to believe. I've been through 2 runs of antibiotics with no luck. I'm sorry if I sound ridiculous, I'm just constantly worried.

FYI my ex was clean for Hepatitis C as well.
Helpful - 0
219662 tn?1223858560
Your partner's negative, you're negative, why are you even thinking about this?
You're wasting your time and money and you're worrying for nothing.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Teak,

Thank you for your response. The doctor at urgent care said I did not have thrush on the tongue and the white stuff in my throat changed locations. They did go ahead and do a throat culture which I will get back on Friday. I still do feel a slight sensation in my abdomen, near my liver. Do you think there is any risk for HIV in this situation?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thrush, will not wash away with a drink of water. Esophageal candidiasis is painfull. Antibiotics can however cause thrush.
Helpful - 0
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