TO POSTERS WHO CONTINUE TO POST AFTER BEING TOLD TO MOVE ON

[nursegirl6572]

This forum has rules for a specific reason: To allow EVERYONE a fair chance at getting their question answered in a timely fashion.  It is simply unacceptable to keep starting new, duplicate threads or bumping old threads about your situation when you've been given an assessment and have been told to move on.  It is also extremely rude and thoughtless.

Here is a link to the rules of the forum comprised by MedHelp:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/New-Guidelines-for-HIV-Community---Please-Read-Before-Posting/show/461468

READ THEM CAREFULLY.  

If you continue to post excessively after being warned you WILL be reported to MH and action will be taken.

[Emily_MHManager]

Hi everyone -

We are closing this thread.  Nursegirl6572 has made her point well, and an ongoing discussion about it, or any member who may or may not be actively posting for whatever reason, isn't necessary.

Please make your own thread to ask medical questions about HIV (if you haven't already).

Thanks,

Emily

******************************** CLOSED THREAD *******************************
                                 NO NEW POSTS, PLEASE

[nursegirl6572]

OK ok....could we PLEASE not turn this thread into yet ANOTHER discussion about this issue?

MEDHELP has decided a long time ago that THIS forum would adhere to the official guidelines of the CDC and test manufacturers, so that's what we do, bottom line.  

You can't continue to worry about there being differing recommendations between the two forums.  It is that way because of the rules of this site and the fact that we are not doctors.  The responsible thing to do is to adhere to the guidelines.  When the official guidelines change, then we can gladly change our advice.  The more discussions like this that there are, the MORE confusing and concerning it is for the posters.  Like I said in the other thread...we don't owe the posters any more explanations other than that we adhere to the official government placed guidelines.

[nursegirl6572]

I'd appreciate it if people didn't use this thread as a place to ask questions about HIV.  There are a million other threads out there.

Thanks.

[bomber18]

I agree that some people on this forum are very knowledgeable but we need to know that it is more of a comforting forum and even the experts know internally that the poster is at risk and all that is happening to his bosy is somehow weird that he is still neg. My conclusion is that that virus is still a mystery even after 30 years regarding symptoms and body reaction. I hope admins do not remove my reply as they do lately. Thank you for your time and if admins do not erase my id and if i have the courage to go test i will post them even if positive (considering i do not die on the moment i hear my pos result).

[nursegirl6572]

BUMP

[joggen]

BUMP

[nursegirl6572]

BUMP

[interestedparty71]

I think the most frustrating thing is not so much people that repeatedly ask questions for reassurance (although that is very frustrating) but the people that come on here for advice and then seek to challenge that advice, citing bizaare and inaccurate sources, our their own assumptions about HIV. This just sows doubt in the validity of advice for all the other users of the forum.

[joggen]

Thanks for posting this Nursegirl. This needed to be said and I certainly share your frustration.

From my experience on HIV forums, it's clear that for a substantial portion of posters, the forums just don't work for them. For the highly anxious, words on a computer screen have limited reassurance power. The poster may receive a small reduction in anxiety, and then it comes back, so they return to the forum to try to receive that small benefit, without addressing the root of the problem, and the cycle continues...Many seem to use these forums as sort of a psychological support line, which is not their intent.

For those with a need to continue to post after being assessed as not having a risk, etc., I think the best next step for them is to seek a more personal format for advice. Visit your local Planned Parenthood or county health department and talk out your concerns with an HIV counselor there. If the anxiety is severe and interrupting their life functioning, visit your primary care physician. Or seek a professional therapist (I would recommend someone who would have knowledge about HIV, like a nurse practitioner). Just being able to talk to another human being in person is almost certain to reduce HIV Anxiety, because a substantial portion of the anxiety comes from the isolation involved.

These forums were never meant to substitute for personal advice (i.e. read the disclaimers) and too many people seem to try to use them that way, because the nature of their concerns can be embarrassing to talk about. But the professionals I've mentioned have heard it all before- there is no reason to be embarrassed about talking about sexual stuff to professionals in this day and age.

[nursegirl6572]

"However, for people like me, with no one else to turn to and with the knowledge that this forum provides some of the best knowledge out there, I continuously turn to people on this forum for answer"

We recognize the anxiety involved, but due to the common behavior of people posting over and over, rules were put in place.  

Medhelp has other forums that are appropriate, the best one would be the HIV Anixety group.

What is VERY frustrating is that people seem to just ignore our requests to stop posting, even when the rules are re-posted.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

Nursegirl, I've read the guidelines and I feel bad that I have abused them a bit. I feel bad because it was people like you, Lizzie Lou, Teak, and Getitright that provided me with great knowledge throughout the duration of my scare leading up to my HIV test and who tried to help see me through after the "CONCLUSIVE' NEGATIVE RESULT at 11 weeks and 5 days.

However, for people like me, with no one else to turn to and with the knowledge that this forum provides some of the best knowledge out there, I continuously turn to people on this forum for answers. Especially when new scares and anxieties pop up. Like my most recent one.

Again, I vastly respect and appreciate the knowledge, understanding, time, energy, and effort people like you put into this forum and helping people like me. Helping complete strangers. You guys are awesome and if and when I finally beat this thing I plan on contributing in one way or another or in making a donation.

Thank you and I apologize to the people who heavily contribute to this forum if I've abused my posting rights.