conclusive results

[ForLyfe]

It has been six months since my negative test result.  I am still not sure I am in the clear, should I be tested again?  I have herpes and I have had more outbreaks this past year since the unprotected event.  I have had more throat issues, like soar throat, pain under my jaw line,  clogged saliva gland and pain under my armpits.  It makes me wonder if these things are associated to my unprotected event.  As I have stated before, the female I was with test negative in Oct  of last year and our unprotected or what started off as protected sex till the condom slipped off was in Aug.  I waited almost five months before being tested and was negative. But should I test again since I have so many issues health wise.  I know she recently gave blood and I know they test that, she said since she wasn't contacted that, that further states the truth that she is not HIV negative and that we don't need to worried.  Is that also an accurate indicator?  I would really like to get over this.  Our my results conclusive???

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Listen to the chorus of Forum members who have been in similar situations.  You do not have HIV.  You have negaive tests far beyond what is needed and your partner has discussed thngs with you and indicated that she is not infected on the basis of being tested herself.  Time to more on and stop worrying.  EWH

[duckie984]

you are negative move on, in rare cases it takes up to six months to get a positive result. stress and anxiety can cause more herpes outbreaks. I would suggest get on Valtrex to manage your outbreaks. And maybe seek some therapy, a therapist can get down to the real reason you are obsessing about this.

[ForLyfe]

Thanks for your kind comments, I guess this is something that has been very hard to put behind me.  I am on Valtrex just started it about 3 weeks ago.  I guess I won't bother taking another test, I just feel like it is something that will sneak up on me later.  I wonder what these rare cases are.  

[fashiongirl]

the rare cases are for those who do not seroconvert as quickly...because....they are severly immuno compromised - due to cancer/chemo drugs, severe severe illness, (probably to the point of death) I always thought that I fell into that rare 6 month grouping...but guess what? none of 'situations' applied to me and since i tested out exactly to 6 months (give a few days) i'm fine.

you are too.

I've had all the same situations as you

Pain under arm pits - switched deodarants...pain is gone

Pain under the jaw line - figured out that I have a sensitive nerve in my nose that somehow connects to a nerve that runs under my jaw.  Potent smells and blowing my nose too hard caused it to hurt.  
Went to my dentist and confirmed it was a nerve.

Sore Throat - can be brought on by environmental irritants.  Cigarette smoke, scratching it with food, etc...

you are going to drive yourself crazy if you over analyze your symptoms when you already know deep in your heart that you are negative.  No symptoms are going to magically turn your test from negative to positive.  As long as you tested outside of the window period...you are safe.  Its a healing and learning process.   You aren't a miracle of science (as much as you'd probably like to believe you are) you aren't a 'rare' case, cause if you were, then your doctor would recommend further testing.  You're just a normal human being with a body that does what all other human bodies do.  You'll get there.  I've been battling it for over 5 months and I think i'm finally there.

Just keep telling yourself...'i'm negative, i'm fine, i'm healthy" and keep going about your life and keeping yourself safe so you don't fall into this position again in the future.

And educate yourself well on how the disease is transmitted, so not everything in the world will freak you out (like for instance, myself and a botched pedicure)

Goodluck....i wish you luck and a healthy life ahead.

[ForLyfe]

Thanks for explaining things to me, it certainly helps, I guess I just thought I had "IT"  because all these things I couldn't explain started happening to me.   I don't remember them happening to me in the past, or should I say before the incident. It's coming up on a year now and six months since I took the test.  I just want my peace of mind back, your comment helped point me in the right direction.    Thanks for all you have done, it take a big person to reach out to a complete stranger and offer a hand, I think you all.

[fashiongirl]

Its not a problem.
I guess this is my way of giving back and dealing with my own anxieties, by being able to help other people.  Its an incredibly scary time in ones life and since I know it all to well, i want to be able to shed light on others.

Perhaps, these things did happen to you in the past (symptom wise) but you just didn't really think too much of them because you didn't have anything to attribute them to.  I'm like that.  Sometimes my throat will hurt and now i'll instantly run off on the HIV thing, but before I used to have sore throats and thought nothing of them as just a sore throat.

Our bodies are constantly changing.  When i started noticing the sore under arms, i mentioned it to my doctor and he concluded that this can happen because of PMS.  I told him that I never had that happen and i've been getting my monthly friend for 13 years and he said that our bodies change and our monthly symptoms change and he was right because my monthly cramps have stopped and have now moved into my arm pits.

Our bodies never stay the same...ever.  My boyfriend is a biologist and explains this to me on a daily basis.

I really hope that you are able to move forward with this and if you ever need to talk.  I'm here.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Fashion girl's perspective and advice are accurate and useful.  I encourage you to follow her suggestions and thank her for chiming in.  EWH

[ForLyfe]

I see what you mean... just living can be stressful. LOL  I really am trying to deal with this.  I use to be a guy that never worried about anything.  I would always say, if I can't control it, then why worry about it.   Then I got married had children, house note, day care, private school, etc.  LOL  Yes we are forever changing, that much is true.  I thank you once again for your comment and time.  Again they were very helpful and calming, I feel like I should pay you for letting lay down on your couch and talk. LOL You have been so helpful, you boyfriend is a lucky man.  

[fashiongirl]

Thank you Dr. Hook.  

ForLyfe - It is not a problem at all.  I am just a quick msg away if you every feel your mind getting the best of you and need someone to put it all into perspective.  Please don't hesitate to message me whenever you may need it.