Dr. Sharma HIV neuropathy plz answer

[benderfender100]

Hello doctor Sharma I am greatfull for your answer I tested NEGATIVE for both HIV RNA and Antibody on the 26th day from my scare, These tests are they capable enough to pick up the virus IF I WAS INFECTED??  How reliable are they!!  However my burning sensation has resolved only lasted for 6 days, dont have it anymmore

Biorad 3rd gen Igm and IgG: Antibody test

GenProbe APTIMA HIV-1 qualitative assay. Sensitivity of the assay is 30 copies/mL (98.5%) and 100 copies/mL (100%). :RNA TEST

what do you think Doctor, and I stopped expercning the burning sensation like i said it there 1 second and its not 10 minutes later... So it is inconsistent plz help, i dont think it's neuropathy at all, because i feel like its anxiety i have it for sure, ALSO I TEST NEGATIVE for HIV RNA with the best TEST i know, APTIMA is very sensitive as it can detect 30 copies per ml of HIV....

Also generally how long does "pereiheral neuropathy" last in acute HIV related cases? When you say "transient " how long exactly is that? Well mine was on and off every day for 6 days and it feels like its resolved and NOT there

I WILL GET AN HIV TEST this Wednesday which is going to be 7 weeks!

Thank you
NOW i dont have the burning sensation anymore, what do u think it was there for only 6-7 days intermittent

[benderfender100]

Well I did have Anxiety Issues in the PAST which i suffered from things like heart palpiatations, hot or heat flushes,  and things like that

Do you think the brief burning like feeling was anxiety related

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. The most common type of neuropathy in HIV is a distal painful sensorimotor polyneuropathy but it usually develops during late HIV infection. It is rare in otherwise healthy seropositive patients. HIV associated distal painful peripheral neuropathy is a progressive disease unless secondary causes like vitamin deficiencies and neurotoxic drugs can be eliminated. The other causes, which need serious thought, are acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, HIV associated multiple mononeuropathies, nutritional and B12 associated neurological disease, etc. there are other HIV related neuropathies.
Diagnosis of HIV involves serum HIV antibody by ELISA confirmed by western blot.  Antibody might be negative if it is a recent infection, window period 1-3 weeks after exposure. In this scenario,HIV RNA (PCR) or core p24 antigen in plasma or ELISA repeated at 6 weeks and 3 months can be done. You need to confirm positive results of rapid tests by western blot.
the peripheral neuropathy work up would include HIV RNA viral load, CBC, FBS, HbA1C, ANA screen, ESR, renal function test, lyme serology, paraproteinemia workup, thyroid function test, hepatitis workup, B12 and folic acid levels, cerebrospinal fluid analysis and electromyography. You would need a neurologist to help you with these concerns. Hope this helps. Take care.