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ARS Joint Pain
First off I have started counseling for OCD and even filled a prozac subscription-so I'm really trying to not worry but I still need reassurance on one more thing.
About two weeks after my low risk exposure from the stripper and about 6 weeks after another low risk exposure (kiss on the razor burned cheek from a stripper who kissed about 6 other men right before me) I began to have moderate to severe joint pain especially in my hands and feet but mostly in my feet. It was the most severe when I tried to hold things-even light things-for an extended period of time. It lasted about 6 weeks and was my dominant ARS symptom but I also had a mild sorethroat that was severe one or two days and I felt feverish but every time I checked with my flimsy 'fever reader' (a piece of plastic that you put on the forehead and that changes colors in a range) I was usually 95 or 96 and only once was 98.6 degrees. I am thinking to get tested this week though I am a couple weeks short of the 3 month window. Sorry if I'm being silly again-like I said I'm in counseling.
About two weeks after my low risk exposure from the stripper and about 6 weeks after another low risk exposure (kiss on the razor burned cheek from a stripper who kissed about 6 other men right before me) I began to have moderate to severe joint pain especially in my hands and feet but mostly in my feet. It was the most severe when I tried to hold things-even light things-for an extended period of time. It lasted about 6 weeks and was my dominant ARS symptom but I also had a mild sorethroat that was severe one or two days and I felt feverish but every time I checked with my flimsy 'fever reader' (a piece of plastic that you put on the forehead and that changes colors in a range) I was usually 95 or 96 and only once was 98.6 degrees. I am thinking to get tested this week though I am a couple weeks short of the 3 month window. Sorry if I'm being silly again-like I said I'm in counseling.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
As you probably know, Dr. Handsfield and I share the forum. You got me this time. FYI, the reason we share the forum is because we have worked together for nearly 30 years and while our verbiage styles vary, we have never disagreed on management strategies or advice to clients. For some clients an additional benefit is that they hear the same sorts of messages from each of us. I hope that this reply will accomplish that for you.
It appears that your OCD has, once again, gotten the best of you and you are having trouble getting away from your unjustified fears of HIV. Each of the exposures you describe is virtually no risk. This includes your most recent episode of having been kissed who has kissed others. HIV is not spread by kissing of any sort, no matter how many persons she might have kissed before you. To combine these sorts of inappropriate fears with self examination for signs of the so-called ARS is a formula for feeding your OCD. The ARS is a nonspecific syndrome that is caused by any number of viruses and other processes. In your case, that you may have had joint pains in your hands and feet is not consistent with the ARS. The ARS does not last 6 weeks. Further you did not experience the other problems which are part and parcel of the ARS such as sore throat, rash, muscle aches, etc. There is absolutely no medical/scientific reason for you to be concerned about HIV related to the exposures you report, nor any reason for testing.
You need to stop worrying about HIV. You might also consider not visiting strippers since such activities seem to just feed your OCD.
Finally, please note that we ask clients to not post more than twice in any six month period so that others can have access to the limited numbers of "slots" available for those who have questions. Please, no further questions until at least June, 2011.
EWH
It appears that your OCD has, once again, gotten the best of you and you are having trouble getting away from your unjustified fears of HIV. Each of the exposures you describe is virtually no risk. This includes your most recent episode of having been kissed who has kissed others. HIV is not spread by kissing of any sort, no matter how many persons she might have kissed before you. To combine these sorts of inappropriate fears with self examination for signs of the so-called ARS is a formula for feeding your OCD. The ARS is a nonspecific syndrome that is caused by any number of viruses and other processes. In your case, that you may have had joint pains in your hands and feet is not consistent with the ARS. The ARS does not last 6 weeks. Further you did not experience the other problems which are part and parcel of the ARS such as sore throat, rash, muscle aches, etc. There is absolutely no medical/scientific reason for you to be concerned about HIV related to the exposures you report, nor any reason for testing.
You need to stop worrying about HIV. You might also consider not visiting strippers since such activities seem to just feed your OCD.
Finally, please note that we ask clients to not post more than twice in any six month period so that others can have access to the limited numbers of "slots" available for those who have questions. Please, no further questions until at least June, 2011.
EWH
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
thanks for the results. You should consider these results definitive - 10 weeks is plenty of time. EWH
I got tested yesterday. I know it's only 2 1/2 months from the last exposure but hopefully that is enough time. Anyway, it came back negative. I'd thought I'd let you know but also for others who read my post it's nice to know what happened once someone got tested.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Sounds like a good plan. Take care., EWH
Thank you Dr. Hook and I appreciate your response and that from Dr. Handsfield. I will try not to think about the ARS symptoms too much since I'm sure if I dig into my experience I can find each one in some minor way. I have stopped going to strip clubs since the incident I reported in my first post two and half months ago and I intend to not return (I had gone four times total). I apologize for the frequent questions-this has been a rough time of losing my religion (and thus exploring uncharted territory like stripclubs) but I plan to one, be more careful going forward by avoiding those types of places that would set off my OCD and two to put off any more questions as you request. Thank you!
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