Am I at risk PLEASE REPLY ... nervous breakdown !

[complex87]

Late AUG 2011 I went to the doctor because I found a lymph node near my groin area and could not move. I went to the doctor and was urge to take an STD test that included Chlamydia, Gonn, Syphillis and HIV. My results came back and I came back negative on everything except SYPHILLIS. I got treated by a shot of penicillin on my butt.

After that I've had several sexual encounters. I believe 8 men. One was my ex bf who we had PROTECTED anal sex twice and other one was a man whom Ive had PROTECTED anal sex. So in theory 2/8 were PROTECTED anal sex ... but 8 of them were not protected ORAL. I have the simplex 1 herpes which causes me to have cold sores. Sometimes so small that I can't tell.

Anyways the last man (which was on of the 8) was ORAL which was on OCT 28. About 3 weeks to that sexual encounter my ears became extremely hot ... my glands were often warm. Muscle aches all over body (such as muscle spasms/athritis like pain in the wrist and foot) so I went for another check up but this time just for HIV on NOV 23. and the results were NEGATIVE

I was still suffering from some neck pain and warmness so I went back to the clinic on DEC 2 and got tested for ALL STD's GON,SYPH,CHLAMYDIA and HIV, HERPES 1, MONO all came back negative except this time my DOCTOR told me I caught SYPHILLIS again. I was treated again with a shot. Since then I've been depressed because of the sudden ARTHRITS like pain in my neck ARMS, wrist and muscle spasms and I know MUSCLE joints is part of a symptom. I have been not had sex since the 28 of oct and don't plan on ever now .... I've gained a lot of weight used to be 170 now I'm 195 ... I've never suffered from a fever nor have night swears nor had BAD COUGHS. Just headaches on and off. My question is can arthritis like pain start to happen after 1 / 2 month exposure to HIV? I just seen a psychiatrist and she tells me I'm fine and wants my blood work on vitamin definicacy, folate , thyroid etc ... all i think about is hiv please help!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This will be the last answer.  Again, I cannot comment on why your doctor feel you needed more treatment.  I would suggest that you go to your local health department for further evaluation.

You December HIV test proves that you did not acquire HIV at the time you acquire syphilis.

This thread has  gone on far longer than we typically permit.  This will end this thread and further questions will be deleted without comment.  As I said before I would seek a second opinion through your local health department or another physician.  EWH

[complex87]

BTW doctor thank you so so so much for your responses I know I have been quite bothersome ... I just hope I am hiv neg

[complex87]

I've had an HIV test on Aug 26 it was Neg (first time i caught syphillis)

Then I had another HIV test Nov 24 ( Hiv Negative)

Then I had another HIV test DEC 2 ( Hiv Negative )

Last sexual encounter was OCT 28 *Oral Sex*

I hope they did not take advantage of me because I payed for all my docs appots and shots and numerous testing out of my own pocket. I had no insurance 2011 and just recently got CIGNA Jan 1 2012. The penicillin almost cost $300 and doctor visit were $80 (which I WENT like 12 times) and the numerous testing avg to be almost $500. I don't understand how everyone even a medical assistant scared me that I had caught it again. Saying the antibody would be there but would not test positive ... and tell me that I caught it again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I cannot tell you why you were given a shot.  I can tell you however that if your RPR went from 1:4 to 1:1 following your first shot, your blood test did not suggest treatment failure and further treatment on the basis of the test was not needed.  

Persons who acquire syphilis are at increased risk for getting HIV.  If you have not had an HIV test since your intial diagnosis fo syphilis, should should get one. If you have ha a test, believe the result.  EWH

[complex87]

BTW ... I have had PROTECTED ANAL SEX SEP - OCT I had protected anal sex about 5 times within sept oct 28 ... only unprotected was ORAL within sept - oct ... however maybe I was positive with syphillis within those months ... and research says  SYPHILLIS make HIV easier to transfer because of the  SORES ... but I heard people here say you can't get hiv even if you have sores

what happened if you have sores and have syphillis and give oral sex unprotected ... can you get HIV ?

[complex87]

And if it was not active syphillis why did they give me a shot ?

[complex87]

Not to be any bothersome doctor ... please don't get mad but my

clinical abnomalitiess summary said

RPR       R 1:1 DIL *    T. pallidum     Positive *

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Blood tests for syphilis change slowly, over months to years.  A change from 1:4 in August to 1:1 in December does not suggest active syphilis.  The decrease in titers indicates an appropriate response to the therapy you received in August.  EWH

[complex87]

sorry In aug I was 1:4 * positive of syphillis and dec 02 it was 1:1

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I understand the the terminology can be confusing.  The syphilis tests of interest are the RPR or VRL and the numerical values are calle the titers.  these are typically reported out as "titers" such as 1:2 or 1:16.  If you ask these questions of people at the site you were tested at they will know how to answer the question- better yet, you could request a copy of your lab test results.  EWH

[complex87]

I don't get what you mean about test type was and what numerical report ??? sorry I am quite slow ... so I were to call my nurse what would I ask him/her in order to answer your question ...?

I am a gay MALE.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Take a deep breath and relax.  The forum is not manned 24/7.  I will address your question now.  I was working down the question list when you last posted.  

Welcome to our Forum.  It is not clear from your post whether you are a male or female.  The reason I ask is that syphilis is a relatively rare STD and for someone to get it twice in a single year is rarer still.  Most syphilis in the U.S at this time is occurring among men who have sex with other men.  While your question about HIV is answered below, I would appreciate a few more details about your history of syphilis.  These include- Typically a blood test diagnosis of syphilis should be confirmed with a second test.  Can you tell me what your syphilis test types were and what the numerical reports accompanying your diagnosis were?

As far as your HIV tests, believe them.  HIV is not transmitted by oral sex.  Thus, if your only exposures since August were oral sex, your HIV test result from Dec. 2 is definitive and should be believed.    The test you were tested with provides conclusive results at 8 weeks.

As for your symptoms, muscle and joint discomfort are part of the early HIV syndrome but these symptoms typically only last about a week.  Further these symptoms are non-specific and have MANY other possible causes.  I would discuss looking for other causes with your doctor.

I hope this comment is helpful.  Based on your descriptions, be confident that your symptoms are not due to HIV.  EWH

[complex87]

is the reason why no doctor is answering because my case is that bad ?!

[complex87]

anyone ?

[complex87]

http://wellcomecare.com/

That is where I go for my std test in the walk in center. I live in Northern NJ.

[complex87]

also I meant to say I've only had anal sex twice since aug in sept-oct ... every sexual encounter then was just oral.

[complex87]

p.s I had my test done at "BIO REFERENCE" this is what it said on the sheet

"ASSAY INFORMATION: ASSAY for the detection of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (hiv-1) and/or type 2 ( HIV-2).

Method: CHEMILUMINESCENCE (ortho clinical diagnostic)"

thats what my HIV test was tested under.