Random stabs of pain. Anxiety or HIV?

[ashler1977]

I am a male in my mid 30s who did something very stupid early February. Met a girl in a bar and we went on to have unprotected oral sex (she did a fellatio to me) followed by protected sex. Full story here:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Lump-in-the-neck-after-unprotected-oral-sex-insertive/show/1701567

I have been told several times in this and another forums that I had no HIV risk whatsoever, however I had very scary symptoms three weeks after the incident including a small-marble size swollen lymph node in the left side of my neck followed by an urinary infection. All this went away 2 weeks later (Dr. suggested me to take Cyprofloxacin). I took an HIV test 5 and 9 weeks after the incident. My urologist told me I can be calm with the 9 weeks test, although official guidelines suggest a 12 week test. Again, due the nature of my "risk", most experts I consulted said I have nothing to worry about.

14 weeks after the incident I also tested for other STDs: Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, NGU. Everything came back negative. Instead of being happy I was a bit sad none of them was positive. I was hoping one of these could explain the lymph node on the neck and the urinary infection.

Shortly afterwards (so +3 months after incident) I have started experiencing random stabs of pain throughout my body. They are in very small areas, I get them in lymph node areas like jaw, armpits, groin. Sometimes I get them in areas that are not lymph nodes as well. They last for a few seconds, then they go away. Lymph nodes are not swollen.

Of course, those random pains in my body have scared me A LOT and now I am considering going for a final HIV test, but at the same time I am VERY scared to do so. I am thinking that I may be a case of delayed seroconversion (virtually everyone infected with HIV test positive at 6 weeks, but some do test later, hence the 12 weeks window).

I would like to know if anyone had similar symptoms. Can be this be caused by stress and Anxiety? It's about 4 months now since that night and there has not been a single day where I didn't think of HIV :(

Thanks in advance.

[ashler1977]

At the moment I am working on the oral thrush:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Undiagnosed-Symptoms/Diagnosed-with-Oral-Thrush--but-tested-negative-for-HIV/show/1772090

I will update on how this goes.

Thanks for your concern.

[nursegirl6572]

Thrush is in no way HIV specific, so if you're thinking that, put it out of your head.  There are multiple causes of thrush.  I've had it before, plenty of others have too.

Again, like I've told you, I really think if you are still worried about HIV, you should get some help.  HIV anxiety is a very real thing.  All you have to do is browse through our HIV community to know that.  Most of the posters had no risk, yet continue to have high levels of anxiety and not be able to convince themselves that they don't have a worry with HIV.

Anxiety doesn't always go away on its own, and when left untreated, can become debilitating.  I urge you to give some thought to reaching out to a professional.

[ashler1977]

I tested 4months 1 week because I could not do it before due work.

I have been diagnosed with oral thrush (I don't know why I have this) with a swab test. I am now working on that with my doctor.

Thanks.

[nursegirl6572]

Why are you testing at 4 months?  You've been around this site, both on the HIV side, and here enough to know that 3 months is conclusive.  Not to menion, you never required testing to begin with because you didn't have a risk.

You really should look into seeking professional help, you can't seem to move past this,

[ashler1977]

Tested negative at 4 months 1 Week, but I have been diagnosed with Oral Thrush. Will need to work on that :(

[RubyWitch]

If you were negative at 9 weeks, it is very, very likely you'll remain negative at 12 weeks. But...........12 weeks IS the difinitive timeline for a 100% conclusive result.

It doesn't take a great deal of strength to get off your butt, so go get tested. Then get educated about HIV. Knowledge really IS power.
Peace
Greenlydia

[ashler1977]

Thank you for your comment.

Yes, it's true oral (insertive) seems theoretical risk at best, but when you have the Dr. of the HIV prevention center telling you "it's a risk" plus "you should come at 3 months" to be sure, then you freak out. And that's the problem. Should I have done the test at the proper time (i.e. not 9 weeks but 12) I wouldn't be writing here. I guess I just need to get the strength and go there for a final test.

Thanks again for your response.

[RubyWitch]

You say you're not going to post on our HIV Prevention Forum again because "they consider I had no risk."

They're right, ya know. You NEVER had a risk for HIV, and you NEVER needed to get tested for HIV.

Testing for other STDs is a good idea for anyone who is sexually active.

You cannot contract HIV from oral sex. Our saliva contains protiens and enzymes, and our mouths contain air.......all of which will render the virus inactive.
You then had PROTECTED sex...........no risk.

We  ALL get random aches and pains throughout our bodies. That's life. 99.99% of the time, they mean nothing. In your case, I'm pretty sure they mean you have developed a good case of health anxiety. You are so incredibly focused on your body with a very hypochondrical mindset of HIV running rampant through your groin..........

Go ahead and get tested if you want, if you think it will actually convince you that you don't have HIV. I'm guessing that you'll just come up with  other reasons why your test was negative.

Go to the HIV Anxiety Group, which you can find at the bottom of the main index of forums/groups. Perhaps joggen can help.

If not, then you should get into some therapy for your anxiety and I strongly recommend you educate yourself about HIV/AIDS. If you were not ignorant (IGNORANT DOES NOT MEAN STUPID!!!!!!) about HIV facts, you would not have had to write to any of us in the first place because you'd KNOW you never had a risk. Don't you think you'd feel a whole lot better if you had that knowledge?
Peace
Greenlydia

[ashler1977]

Thanks for your message.

I already posted my question at the Prevention board. I am not posting there again as they consider I had no risk. That's why I am writing here at the anxiety forum. I had two negative tests, but both before the "official" 12 weeks mark, that's what scares me yet.

I'd like to know what people think of my symptoms and if someone else had similar symptoms. Anyone?

[remar]

It sounds to me like you're fine. You have had several tests and they've all came back negative. You can always test again for your own peace of mind.
We have an HIV for here at Medhelp. You may want to also post your question there.