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Confusing Information?

Most sites and experts state that MOST people show antibodies for HIV at one month but they also state that MOST people infected with HIV have some form of ARS symptoms as well. It is said that while you have symptomatic ARS you will probably test antibody negative even if infected. If this is true then how do MOST people test positive at one month post exposure? This seems to be conflicting information. I know people say symptoms are not reliable in determining HIV infection but some of what I am experiencing logically could not be anything else. It is going on seven weeks post exposure for me but I still have major abdominal cramping and pains, sore white toungue, diarrhea, sore throat, swollen glands in neck, nausea, I have lost over 10 pounds and my upper thighs are sore and weak. If this is ARS which I am sure it is, when can I expect to test positive? Mass hotline says 6.5 week test reliable but I find this difficult to believe in light of my symptoms.

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Avatar universal
Hi england66,

It is the "hiv anxiety support" group, you can find it in the "popular groups" box on the right of this webpage.

Alternatively you can find it under the "user groups" selection page, it is not under the health forum page.


May God bless


reallyregret
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
*which I have for two years from exposure
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Avatar universal
Man, I had all kind of symptoms: the worst are swollen lymph nodes which I have after 2 years and I tested negative 7 times out to one year. Hang in there!
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Avatar universal
People keep telling me my result will not change but I have never had thrush like this before and I have not taken antibiotics , do not have diabetes, not a smoker. Not only that, but the nausea, diarrhea , cramping and overall fatigue all at once seems highly unlikely not to be HIV related
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
please take some yoga and meditation classes. that will really help. ur negative result is not going to change in 12/13 weeks test.
trust almighty
god bless
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
where do I find the anxiety forum? It is not listed under the health forums for HIV
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Avatar universal
Hi england66,

Your 7 week negative test is unlikely to change.

Take your next test in another 5 weeks (at 12 weeks), that will be conclusive.

If you really need to vent your anxiety, post them in the anxiety forum?
You get to vent whatever fears you need in that forum, it is not going to be productive here.

You are too anxious, which is why you are losing your appetite and not eating well.
Not eating well results in your loss of weight and your abdominal cramps.

Take care.


May God bless


reallyregret
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for trying to kick me out. I know that you are doing this for the benefit of me...
I am trying to cool down too. but when i see a worried well like myself i try to help nothing more nothing less.
I will kick my self and will not contribute...
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186166 tn?1385259382
please move on from this forum.
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Avatar universal
Hey, Oral thrush can be caused by stress.
The doctor told me that continous stress and anxity lowers the immune system causing many issues.
try to cool down...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am sorry to post again but I am so scared I don't know what to do. I am planning on going for a test today I think,as I can't take much more of this. I still have oral thrush (diagnosed by doctor) that has not gone away after almost two weeks. I feel extremely sick to my stomach, abdominal cramping, sore glands, still losing weight and no appetite. I have really messed up and in my head I know that I am positive but once I get the result I will lose everyone that is important to me. I feel backed into a corner that I did to myself and I have no way out. I just don't understand why my immune system is not kicking in, or why I am getting so ill so fast?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had a negative rapid test today which is 51 days or 7.2 weeks
Helpful - 0
1366547 tn?1287363950
Well that's the spirit...

You really are being over dramatic about this. I understand that you are scared, and you are doing the right thing by getting tested. Chances are hugely in your favor that you will remain negative, especially since this was a one-time encounter and you have already had a negative test at 6.5 weeks! There are many doctors that would say that is proof you did not get HIV considering your low risk to begin with. Just try to remain calm and wait it out until 3 months has elapsed.

You are very obviously constantly googling symptoms of HIV and then SURPRISINGLY finding every single symptom in yourself. Facial wasting, as Lizzie said, is a side effect of taking medications for HIV infection, not from the infection itself!!! But since you read that, you decided you are "losing weight in your face." I would not be surprised at all if this and almost every other symptom you have listed is entirely in your head.

You have to look at this from both angles- you could be negative. Stop just thinking you are positive and take both viewpoints in stride. Instead of assuming the worst, hope for the best. There is no harm done to you whatsoever in hoping for the best. You have clearly prepared yourself already for the worst, so now also prepare yourself for what you will do if indeed you are negative!

AND STOP GOOGLING SYMPTOMS!!! Go outside and take a walk and clear your head.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes I can, but it won't be negative
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Avatar universal
Hi england66,

Since you have truly been at risk, there is really nothing much that anyone can do for you right now other than to give you advice on the appropriate time period for testing, and to root for you when you are going for your test.

Of course it isn't funny at all especially for the person who is experiencing possible symptoms after he/she has had a possible risky activity. Hiv is after all a serious issue.

But step back and look, you have been taken very seriously all this while, and LIZZIE has given you a very comprehensive answer on your questions in a very long post on Sep 24 in a bid to ease your anxiety and to provide you with information. Adding a little bit of humour after that to lighten your mood is in no way a sign brushing off your concerns.

The bottom line is, you should get tested at 3 months, and if it is negative (which we all hope it will be), then you can come back and have a good laugh with LIZZIE.

Can you do that england66?


May God bless


reallyregret
Helpful - 0
186166 tn?1385259382
nothing more to add that hasnt already been said repeatedly.
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Avatar universal
I don't think what I am experiencing is funny at all, the thrush is definite and pronounced and is unaffected by the Nystatin that I was given from my Doctor. It is affecting my chest now as well, and when the thrush is really bad in my mouth I also seem to get a pink , uncomfortable rash on my butt . My butt looks like it has diaper rash and it hurts to sit on it but it is not permanent, comes and goes.
Helpful - 0
186166 tn?1385259382
what does loosing weight in your face, waist and legs have to do with anything?  dont tell me you've been reading about "wasting"...lol...that is caused from the meds ! ! !

scaly rashes on elbows?  skin is rough and flaky?  try lotion...not hiv related.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was given medicine to gurgle with last week for my thrush and it has not helped at all. My tongue is way worse now and my chest hurts too. I am continuing to lose weight in my face, waist and legs too. I seem to be going into serious immune decline with no reponse. What is happening to me? I also am getting weird dry, scaly rashes on my elbows, the skin is all rough and flaky. I am so scared, how can HIV affect me so quickly? Why isn't my immune system working?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am sorry, and you are right this is pointless and not helping myself in any way at all. I am just stressed and scared because I had such a good life and can't believe I have thrown that all away. I don't have anywhere to turn to and have misused this forum. For that I am truly sorry and I will not post here again until I get my results back.
Helpful - 0
186166 tn?1385259382
the long and short of it is that MOST of the symptoms experienced by posters on this forum are psychosomatic.

psychosomatic:  of or pertaining to a physical disorder that is caused by or notably influenced by emotional factors

white tongue:  the tongue is NOT a pretty thing to start with and most everyone's tongue can look "white" at times.  the thing is...we dont go around sticking it out and examining it all the time looking for signs of hiv.

loosing weight:  usually brought on by anxiety which can strip one of their appetite.  also staying on the computer for hours on end and not eating regularly can cause someone to loose weight.

diarrhea:  DEFINITELY a huge symptom of anxiety and fear

swollen nodes:  can be caused by prodding them all the time to see if they are swollen  (most ppl, when seen by a dr...dont actually have swollen nodes...they just think they do)

thrush:  caused by things other than hiv (antibiotics/steroids, etc)

i could go on and on about how the mind can produce all the symptoms that you are experiencing...BUT my time would be futile, since you have convinced yourself that you have hiv, despite your 6+ weeks negative result WHICH IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY TO CHANGE.

so bottom line is regardless of everything we have told you...it is of no use ! ! !  what i can tell you is that we cannot babysit you through this and there is no need for you to continue to list your so called symptoms.

you can test at 3 months for your conclusive test result.  until then...GET OFF THE COMPUTER AND STOP ADDING FUEL TO THE FIRE OF YOUR ANXIETY ! ! !

Helpful - 0
1183190 tn?1326108934
I was diagnosed with Pharyngitis,swollen nodes in neck & armpits, fever,wieght loss- 2Kgs

and you dont have fever...fever is almost always present in ars... hope it reduces your anxiety
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
When you say nobody had it worse than you, did you have diagnosed thrush, explosive diarrhea for two weeks, weight loss, swollen glands? What were your symptoms?
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1183190 tn?1326108934
Mate

Nobody had it worse than me....

I still tested negative @6,12.13,17 weeks negative with 4th generation kit...

I know its easier said than done,stop googling symptoms...

You will come out of this and you will have a happy life with your wife and kid

Just hang till 3 months...
Helpful - 0
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