I know this was a while ago but I am getting somw similar symptoms and was wondering what the results were?
Well I am by means any kind of "rule-maker" on this forum, but everyone else seems to do it, so go right ahead! We'll celebrate with you when the time comes.
I was bloody useless at anxiety-relieving, so I don't have the audacity to offer you any advice. But as I said, never underestimate the ability of the mind to produce some darn convincing physical symptoms.
Stay smilin'
Z
Zulu,
Thanks for your patience. You actually have made me feel better...at least momentarily =). It's crazy how the anxiety can just take over your life. Once you think you're over it, it just comes right back. I guess I just feel so guilty because I've never ever done anything like this before. Is it allowed for me to post my test results when they come back?
All other things being equal - yes, of course.
But that didn't reassure you any, did it? :)
The only reason to try and quantify a risk is in determining whether the risk/benefit is justified in terms of starting PEP. Otherwise, it's a relatively pointless exercise that actually does nothing to alleviate anxiety (that's me speaking from experience).
Perhaps however, it will help you to know that everyone reading this post will understand that you will be worrying about this far, far more than is justified by your risk of contracting HIV - which is, in anyone's language, low.
Thanks for the answers! I definitely have learned my lesson...I just hope it's not too late. I know everyone says that it's rare to get HIV from one random time but a risk is still a risk. It's so not worth it. I totally have re-evaluated things in my life. One last question. Does the duration of the act (2 minutes) and the fact that he ejaculated outside lower the risk at all???
Oh and one more thing. I read about a study done in a major HIV centre in the US. Of all the people presenting to the ER with suspected ARS, only 1% actually turned out to have HIV.
Any negative test is reassuring, but no, it's not correct to assume that if the symptoms you're experience are ARS then you would definitiely have a positive antibody test.
What you're experiencing doesn't sound like ARS to me - but then, what your symptoms "sound like" to me (or anyone else for that matter) don't mean jack ****. You had a risk, and you need to be tested.
On the positive side - a brief look at the anxiety forum will show you your symptoms are much more consistent with anxiety than ARS. Also, a negative test at six weeks (you're not far off that mark) is highly unlikely to change. But I'm sure you know all this anyway.
But the one thing you are probably only beginning to appreciate, is the extent to which HIV anxiety itself can wreak havoc on your body. Don't let it. Listen to your friends. Keep a level head. You're not alone.
You don't have a temp. The only way to know your status is by testing. Excessive drinking and Sex don't mix.