Hi again. Not sure if you remember me...the paranoid pregnant lady w/ the indeterminate test. I had the pcr and it was negative-under 400 copies. I went in for a prenatal appt. yesterday. I have to see all the doctors in the group. Well he was very unpleasant, basically talking like the next test will show up positive and when it does they have to get me on medications. He did not bother to talk about or look at my history for risks. He said that the pcr test does not mean much because it (a positive) could be between 70 and (I'm not sure the higher number he said). I do not know what my number was on the pcr, I was only told it was under 400 and negative. I thought that would end the mystery. Is it true that the pcr does not mean anything? I went and had another elisa/western blot yesterday but now I'm a wreck again. Any input would be appreciated.
p.s. glad you are back.

A pcr is not considerd definative because of the fact that the outer shell or protien body or ( ANTIGEN ) of Hiv is not unique to hiv and some other viruses and even some bacteria may share or be very close to the antigens of hiv's body .
Its not the outer shell of hiv that amkes it so dangerous but hwats inside it ( RNA ) which is very very infectous to the immune system and also other parts of the body .
A pcr in most cases ( if there is anything there ) will show a false posative befor a false negative ....... As long as its after at least 28 days post exposure .
The indeterminent western blot means that the antibodies found are soooooo close but the test can't answer whether or not they are in fact the rite ones ( it is very rare but sometimes it does happen )
(( I just wanted to comment a second .....))
Doctores can be very ignorant and cold and that realy (( P____S)) me OFF .
And they realy should be more careful how they come off to there patiants .
If you had never had any kind of dangerous exposures then I don't realy see how you would in fact be exposed to hiv .
Has you're husband ever been tested ?
During all of this .........
As far as the pcr what I'm looking at ( from what I've seen over the years is ........
The virus will ( in many but all cases ) show up befor the presence of antibodies because when the virus first enters into a new host it will replicate out of control and be at very high numbers during this time it uses this opportunity to spread through the body and ( set up housekeeping so to speak ) hiv can infect any of the different classes of whiteblood cell but the ( CG+ OR T-CELLS ) die off the fastest .
Most of the other white blood cells that are infected can still perform most of they're normal jobs but they also circulate through the body spitting out copies of the hiv virus and that is how it spreads to just about anywhere .
When you goe back to the doctores and if you're ( ELISA ) / ( WESTERN BLOT ) are still inconclusive ( DON'T ASK ....... TELL THEM ) that you want a ( PCR TEST FOR HIV1 AND 2 ) and now I think they even have a combo test that does both .
Like I said the elisa was reactive and the western blot was inconclusive because that means that the antibodies found were so close BUT not reactive .
The bands that were active are the ( P-24 ANTIGEN ) and befor only 1 was reactive and it takes 2 to be diagnosed as hiv+
So lets play it by ear ..... Take it 1 day at a time and see what happens .
I'm so so very sorry for what you're going through ( AGAIN ) and all my heart and prayers are with you :angel:
I know how hard it must be and even worse because you are pregnant BUT keep hope and take heart :angel:
And lets just see what happens :angel:
Doctores can be very heartless and crual and just out rite mean and they realy do need to learn a lot about the mental aspect of they're chosen profession and believe me I know what ( @!*!) they can be .
If you're were exposed and the pcr was taken no earlier than 28 days ............
1) the virus would be at detectable levels because of the new entry and burst of replication
2) a reactive elisa and indeterminate western blot does happen because sometimes ( because of sensativity ) the elisa will react befor the western blot has a chance to
3) the fact that the elisa was reactive and the western blot indeterminate would mean that you're body was pretty much geting started to fight the virus and the virus was still realitivly high in you're bloodstream .
The pcr isn't considerd conclusive because too many cases of false posatives would occure as long as it was after the 28 day mark .
Keep me posted and I will most certainly be here to help as much as I can :angel: and also get back to you as soon as I can .
.......... Lost Spirit .............

((Crying)) Thank you again. Yes, some doctors can be very ignorant and cold. This one sure was. He made me feel terrible. Yes, my husband has been tested in the past, probably 7 or 8 years ago. I don't have any reason to believe he has been unfaithful. He or I have never used drugs. He is always with me when not working, never goes out without me. Last time I was tested was with my last pregnancy 3 years ago. You think I should ask for another pcr if this one comes out indeterminate also? And why Hiv2? I thought that was very rare? I'm not sure about asking for all these tests because we have to change insurance companies and at this rate I'll never get accepted. I guess I'll just have to sit and wait patiently (patience is something I don't have) for the results of this test. Will keep you posted. Thank you again.

I do not have HIV but I am a mother of three and I just wanted to say something to you. I also tested with my pg's and I was scared to death because I was sure I had something. I was too careless in the past. Thank goodness it was negative but I remember THAT fear! I have read so much about HIV and researched and even if I ever had it come back positive I would be more at east because it's not a death sentence anymore. People live long healthy lives. It's the one's who are scared to get tested that its gone to far that suffer for waiting. Your very wise to take the test for your protection and the one's you love. However it turns out know you will be the best mother because you will NOT take it for granted now. Good luck to you, your in my prayers.

HI Mom: I am sorry but I really think you need a new doctor.....Doctors are not G-d and anyone who thinks they are, well as far as I am concerned they are dangerous. It is hard to find a good doctor who really knows what they are doing so if they are rude to you then why on earth would you want to see them......Peace......

Mom I council people with hiv and also infectous diseases and what I learned is that ( MYSELF INCLUDED ) is that doctors do overstep they're bounds and try to handle what they (Can't) AND SHOULDN'T .
One person I met along the way was tested and asked the doctor if they were going to use an elisa and the doctor replied " WHAT'S THAT"
And as for my self I had hepC , hiv and also syphalis ( all at once ) and the syphalis went undetected and untreated for over a year .
Because the doctor tried to blame everything that was happening to me on hiv .
18 shots of (penicilin high concentrate later )
And all my problems disapeard .
SO yes I know how cold a doctor can be and in my opinion I realy do think that a psycoligy course and a mandatory law to reffer a person to the required specialist when diagnosed or under suspicion of certain illnesses should definately apply .
Sorry just venting .............
Its just for all you're going through you realy do need all the compassion there is to give :angel:
WE LOVE YOU MOM :D !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
keep posting ..................
.......... Lost Spirit ...............

Vent all you want LS. I understand. I'm sorry for what you have been/are going through.

Angel, unfortunately I cannot switch doctors due to insurance issues. I do like a couple in the practice but some I do not. It is their policy for me to see all of them during my pregnancy because I don't know who I'll get when I go into labor. The doctor I normally see is very good, and ironically she is Dr. Insensitive's wife. I'm going to see if I can just see her through this.

Mom great ti hear from you again .
Look I know you were afraid before and the tests given helped to make you feel a little easier and with the non reactive pcr the odds are in you're favor .
BUT the doctor should have been MUCH MUCH more kinder when he told you he wanted to schedual a ( JUST TO BE SAFE ) follow up set of tests .
If he was more sensative you would not be as stressed and worried and I just don't think that was very profesional and responsable on his part .
To to put it in a kinder manner for you ......
You're elisa was reactive you're western blot was ( inconclusive ) you're pcr show a 0 value ( which is a very good sign ) and you're having a follow up set of tests ( to make sure ) and also rule out any possability .
How long until you get you're results from these tests ?
Lets be hopeful and keep praying as my prayers are most certainly with you :angel:

Hi again :)
Yeah, I was actually feeling ok about it before this last appt. Then his words really threw me for a loop. Now I'm having all those same feelings and "what if" thoughts again. I can't even sleep at night.

I know odds are in my favor right now, but I'm always such a pessimist. And the fact that I have hypochondria does not help either. I know I have to change.

I'm not sure when the test result will be in. How long does it usually take? In the past pregnancies I've always just gone for the bloodwork and didn't give it another thought after that. Then at my next appointment they would tell me the results. I will be sure to post back though. Thanks for the prayers.

Hello MOM just checking up on you and I hope you're ok :angel:
I'm here if you need me :angel:
And so are the rest of all the wonderful people here :angel:
WE LOVE YA MOM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:angel: :angel: :angel: :angel: :angel: :angel: :angel:

Mom, I had some strange test results with all of my pregnancies. I had to have amnio fluid drawn twice with my youngest because my test showed I was positive for TB. I didn't and don't now have TB and I have been tested and I am not even a possible host for the antibodies. Go Figure..... Your body could just be adjusting to all the hormonal changes and throwing the tests off. Try and think positive thoughts and know we are all thinking the same positive thoughts for you.

Casey

LS, thank you so much for thinking of me. You are so kind. I'm hanging in there. No word yet. Hopefully I won't have to wait the long weekend.

Casey, thank you for sharing your experience. Hopefully it's just some fluke with the pregnancy.

Casy you are truly just a WONDERFUL person :D
And I just wanted to say HELLO MOM :D
I haven't seen anything new from you and I thought I would just check up on you and let you know you are in my thoughts :angel:

Thanks Spirit. As are you. And get that grin off your face. My motherly insticts tell me your up to something..........show me your hands.

MOM how ya doing there????

Hi. I'm still here. Still waiting. I called today and results are not in yet. I talked to my regular ob (the one I like) and she assured me that this does happen sometimes in pregnancy. She even went on to say "it's negative". I told her to put a note in my file to call as soon as the results are in. Long weekend though, so maybe Tuesday.

Hello MOM I hope all is well with you :angel:
And I just wanted to check up on you :angel:

Hi LS, still no word yet. It's after 5 so I'm sure the dr. office is closed now. Maybe tomorrow. I hope all is well with you also.

Hi MOM, just checking in to see if you have received any news yet. You and the baby are in my thoughts and prayers

Casey

No call yet. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing. I'm afraid to call again. Last Friday my doctor promised to call as soon as the results are in but now it's been almost two weeks. How long does it usually take? I'll call tomorrow if still no news.

update: I called the lab and they said result probably won't be in till the first of next week due to the holiday.

Hang in there mom :angel:
We are all praying for you :angel:
And we all love you very much :)

Hello MOM I just wanted you to know that I am still here with you and my prayers and heart as well .
I'm so sorry for what you're going through and my heart goes out to you for all you have been through :angel:

Hi there. I'm still waiting. It's getting so frustrating. I don't know why it's taking so long. I could probably do a home access and send it across the country and get the results in a few days. Sigh....maybe today.

hey there,
i just wanted to let you know that it took me a long long long time to get my results. i got tested after my first pregnancy as i got very very ill with an infection typically with full blown AIDS the infectious disease people treated me like i already was on my dealth bed, so i was pretty sure i was +. they said they would have my results in 3 days. 8 days later and several pounds lighter from making myself sick, i finally called. they put me on hold and in that time i was thinlking that not only was i positive, but the reason it took so long was because it was a unique strain, or the viral load was so high they had to re-check the numbers and re-test the sample, then i thought they were tracing the call so the CDC could quarrintine (sp?) my house and family for further testing (yes, seriously) then the receptionist came back and said that the doctor simply forgot to call me, i was negative.

"oh my god...... i knew it......what?" i said. she had to tell me like 10 times before i believed her. so i guess the moral of the story is.... no news is good news. they shouldn't let you sit around and worry like this. please call and get your results. i am 99% sure they are in by now, and they would have called you right away should they have found something. in my opinion/experience.
best wishes.

Well, the results finally came in this morning.....the western blot was negative. I'm not sure if the Elisa came up positive and the w.b. negative but I guess that doesn't matter as long the w.b. was negative. Right? Must have been some weird thing with the pregnancy to make it turn up indeterminate on the first one. I thank you all for your words of encouragement. You guys are great :). Even though I don't even have any risks the experience was very stressful and messed with my mind. Thank you for being there.

Hi I have been following your story for a while. My main reason for visiting this board lately. I was worried for you! I am so glad it wasn't positive and can't imagine how much you were freaking out being pregnant and all. Wow what a relief! I can't believe the test results took so long to come back especially since it was sort of an "emergency need to know" situation. I am surprised the doctor didn't arrange for your test results to get back the next day or something. When I was tested 4 years ago my results came in four days later. Well all that matters is your ok. I bet you had a hard time functioning while waiting for the results huh!

Thanks besafe. I can't beleive the test took so long either. I guess they weren't as concerned as I was. My doctor has been saying all along negative and sometimes this happens but like I said it messed with my mind big time. Yes, I have been having a very hard time functioning and I can't tell you how many hours I spent looking up indeterminate tests with pregnancy. And bless my husband for putting up with me. I've been driving him crazy.

Just remember this if it ever happens with any of your future pregnancies. They say it's very rare but I'm proof that it does happen. I see you are due 2/14. I'm due 2/12! I'm going tomorrow for the big ultrasound.
Oops, just realized you had your baby in 2004. I only saw the edd 2/14. You need to change your sig!

Congratulations, mom!!! ;)

God bless.

Mom I am so happy to hear the negative result cheers. Now you need to relax and enjoy the rest of the pregnancy, because there will be no rest afterwards.

Casey

Congrats, enjoy the baby!
~s~

hey, mom! That is just great news!! Hug the little one for all of us...chris

See that I kind of figured with the pcr and the inconclusive western blot that you would be alrite ( with the exception of stress ) the hormones and over production of antibodies that it was just a fluke ( although a false alarm it was a very loud one )
And I hope you tell the nasty doctor to ( !#*!@!#) off ( LOL ) like I said he didn't have to be so nasty about it and cause a total ( FREAK OUT )
If it is state law to have a hiv test and it does in fact turn out to be inconclusive then a (follow up ) test is needed ( no matter what ) a pcr is not considerd conclusive because of the sensativity and the probability of false posatives and in some very very cases the person can actualy control the ( accute phase ) of the virus and those people are known as ( non-progressers) and that happens for reasons that are still unknown .
Well anyways I'm glad you're ok , alright and even half left ( just kidding )
Now after you calm down try to save some for all those kids ( you're gonna need it ) LOL
Good luck and I'm happy you're in good health :)
this was the one post I was waiting to read and also looked forward to :angel:
Be well :angel: be happy :) and most of all KEEP SMILING :D :D :D because you do it so well :D
Love ..............
............ Lost Spirit ..............

Ok, Spirit, the world wants to know, where have you been? Just know that when we don't hear from you, the universe goes out alignment until we do...chris