Hello....new to the boards. I came here to research thyroid problems, but my
anxiousness led me here. I am 28 years old, and have been married for 7 years. Both my husband and myself have been completely faithful. When I was 17 and 18, I had a lot of emotional problems. I won't bore everyone here, but I had unprotected encounters with guys, mostly one time things and they pulled out before "finishing". Then a few years later I had 2 more unprotected encounters where the guy pulled out.
My husband told me yesterday that he was having an Hiv Test in addition to his yearly blood work and physical because he had never been tested. He was heading up a blood drive and wanted to donate himself. He didn't think it would be right to donate without being tested. He is not worried at all.
I am so scared.....I have been researching hiv online nonstop. The only symptom I seem to have is a problem with yeast infections (although at some point I have convinced myself I have every symptom). However, that was two-four years ago, and issues such as being overweight and thyroid problems may have contributed to it.
If I don't get some reassurance soon, I think I will drive myself crazy!!!

Don't drive yourself crazy! Relax, take a breath, and decide want you need to do. Sometimes, as I paraphrase, yeast infections are just yeast infections and not indicative of any great disaster looming over the horizon. I'm glad you came to this post and hope that I can reduce some of your anxiety. Most people who come here have, at one time of another, been in exactly the same predicament you're in. We make it through, one way or another, and come out on the other side, as will you.

However, the only sure way to make certain of your HIV status is to be tested and I certainly recommend that, if you are uncertain, you get tested. Secondly, stay away from the internet - it is the worst way to diagnose what ails you and will make you even crazier than you already are. And third, tell us how you feeling, dump your panic here (and don't pick it up again). We're here for you. chris

INTERNET=BAD NEWS!!!!!
I don't think anyone, after the intial thought buries in thier head, wants to get tested. However, there comes a time when you just get so fed up with the worrying, and decide to just go for it. It seems to me that the worry is doing that to you, and I can sense the courage within you to do what you have to do. Although it may not be easy, you'll get through it.
And just to reiterate what Chris said about not self diagnosing from symptoms, I agree fully. It's a huge mistake that about 95% on this board have made, and people everywhere will keep doing it. There have been many women on this board who get recurrent Yeast infections and turn out okay. And I think you'll be okay as well.
-Sarah

Thanks for your encouragement...
I know I need to get tested, and in a way I'm glad my husband is doing it first because I would end up backing out.
Deep down, I think I've let this fear keep me from doing a lot of things in my life. Having children and planning for the future have always scared me because I thought I would find out I'm HIV positive. I'm just so mad at myself for being so stupid when I was younger. I didn't think enough of myself to care about the future, and I haven't even considered that my husband could give it to me because I've been so busy beating myself up ...okay, enough of my pity party!
I will try to keep you guys posted and keep an eye on my post for word from you guys
Thanks-M

I sometimes fear and paranoia have a greater hold on us than just about anything else. Everyone is absolutely sure that they have contracted the disease. Everyone is sure that the deserve whatever punishment comes to them. Everyone is sure that there life is over. You and your husband need to proud and supportive of each other. The two of you are taking a big step...and, like you said, you can begin planning for your futures. Keep us posted, chris

Hello.....well my husband had his test and should get the results in 1-2 weeks. I have succeeded in driving myself bananas this weekend. I can't sleep, the last thing on my mind is hiv when I do finally sleep. It's the first thought I have in the morning. I have been racking my brain for symptoms (I know it is a pointless and stupid thing to do). I know I said I had trouble with infections a few years ago, and I have a question about that. I thought I had an infection in 1999, but didn't finish the treatment. From time to time, symptoms would flare up and I would think "Maybe I have an infection" but in a week or so they would fade. Finally in Spring 2003, after trying over the counter stuff twice in 2 months, my ob/gyn gave me two prescriptions for stuff.....after a very uncomfortable summer, I was pretty much in the clear. My ob/gyn said it was a really bad infection and ordered a cbc w/differential. These are probably two stupid questions but here goes....1. If my infection was caused by my being hiv+, wouldn't the differential show something abnormal (I know it wouldn't say hiv+), and 2. Is it possible this was the same infection from 1999 that never went away and got progressively worse.
Please give me your input

I'm not sure what "infections" you are referring to. Are these yeast infections? Well, depending upon what the doctor was looking for may have been why he ordered the CBC with differential. However, if he didn't say anything at the time, I would think that the blood work came back relatively normal. To answer your second question...if we're still talking about yeast infections...then, sure, it's possible that these were simply two different incidents and not related to each other. If we're talking about another kind of infection (and i've just been too dense to pick up on it), let us know. chris

CAN I GET A WHOOT WHOOT!
Hello all......sorry it took so long for me to get back here. There was an issue with some things and my husband just got his test results
NEGATIVE!!
I will probably still have a test during my next physical to be extra sure.....but I am not worried. We have been together and faithful for over seven years and have not used condoms in that time. The chances of my husband being negative and me being positive are slim to none. Besides, although my anxiety convinced me otherwise for a while, I have no symptoms. And after at the very least, over seven years of infection with no treatment or diagnosis, I would have some indication.
Anyways, thanks to you guys for being supportive when i had my mini nervous breakdown!!!!!

you go girl!!!! Whoot! WHoot!

congratulations on being okay! I wish you guys a happy life together :D

Congrats bookchick, I have to tell you that I have recently been through something very similar!

I have been with my husband for 6 years, we got married this May. I recently found out that I may have genital herpes, and I freaked out.

About 8 years ago, I had a few risky encounters with a few different men. I managed to put it in the back of my mind, and never got tested. When I found out I might have herpes, I thought, "Oh my god, what else might I have?" I went through ALL of the same things that you did! I literally made myself sick worrying. I couldn't imagine how I was going to tell my husband something like that!!

Anyway, just today I found out that I am negative. The first thing I did was burst into tears, I was so relieved.

I wish you all the best of luck, K

Congrats!!!!!!