Please read my story and give me some advice. About 2 and a half months ago I had protected vaginal sex with an escort. Everything went okay, but afterwards I somehow got to thinking about HIV and started to really stress myself out. I started having abdominal pain a few days later. At 15 days i had a PCR test that came back negative. I felt okay for a while, but i was still having the following symptoms: Abdominal Pain, loose bowel movements, muscle aches, what I thought was oral thrush (doctor said it was dry mouth), and red patches in my mouth that were painful. I was still very worried so i had another PCR test done at 45 days, which I was told by several people to be conclusive. I am still having some mild symptoms. The most common is still the mouth ulcers and pain. It seems like the mouth pain is only bad when I am thinking about it and poking around with my fingers and tongue. It went away for about a week. But then I went on vacation and started drinking alcohol and it got really bad again. I saw a top doctor in chicago who said I was crazy and that there was no way I had HIV.

I just don't know what to think anymore. I have never been under this much stress in my entire life. I am on the internet everyday looking up symptoms and pictures. And I have been having various symptoms for the last 3 months. I am on several meds for anxiety and I also have mild OCD. I just don't know what to think anymore. I have been told by so many people that I don't have HIV and that my test results were conclusive, but i just can't accept it and I still am having symptoms. HELP ME PLEASE!!!!

also, my girlfriend who i have unprotected sex with had an antibody test done close to 3 months after my exposure (we had unprotected sex the day after my exposure). The test came back negative. She thinks I am crazy too. She has been under no stress and has not had a single symptom.

The most reliable test is an Elisa at 13 weeks and a follow up at 6 months to be 100% sure. PCR tests can be very good at detecting the virus early, but they are not generally used as diagnostic tests except for newborns.

I have also had two pcr tests, one at 12 weeks and one at 19 weeks. I also had Elisa tests at 7, 11 and 19 weeks. I still am going to do a 6 month Elisa to put my mind at ease. Note though that the amount of testing I have done is not generally recommended. I just did it on my own because I'm paranoid.

Anyone else...please, I need some more advice

Dear Ronnie: didn't you post this question some time earlier? Anyway, that's neither here nor there. Here's the advice (although I don't think it's what you want to hear): you had two PCRs both negative, you had protected vaginal intercourse (PROTECTED!!!), your doctor thinks you need to settle down, you're on meds for anxiety and state that you have mild (MILD???!!!) OCD, and even your girlfriend (who also tested negative) thinks you're a loose cannon...the advice? When three people tell you you're drunk, sit down!:blob_fire

You do not have HIV (if everything you've shared with us is true). Your symptoms are related to your OCD and anxiety. Stay away from the internet to help you diagnose your symptoms for your imaginary HIV status because, I will tell you this, you will discover, by relying on the internet, that you will diagnose yourself with HIV!:wave:

OK? Chris

Cflas: I think you are confusing me with the person who started this thread although he apparently had two pcrs also. He's not the same person as me....

Ronnie

Hi,
Just a little background, I work in a hospital laboratory. I have medical background, am an experienced patient (self proclaimed), and can easily worry myself into oblivian if I allow myself too. (meditation helps alot).
It sounds to me like hiv is negative. Take some deep breaths and relax.
I believe that the symptoms you are feeling are possibly side effects of one or some of your meds. Or maybe just coincidently a stomach virus.
Also, just to be funny I'd ask, "was she worth it?"
Wish I could help more. Only you can control your emotions. You can do it.:)

thank you for the support I am trying my best to get past all this. I have a lot of good days were i don't think about it. Then all of a sudden I notice something that could be taken as a symptom, and I go off the deep end. I really am trying to move on.

It's a really scary time, and I can bet you a dollar for everytime you worry that it has alot to do with the feeling of guilt for your actions...the odds are in your favor since you did use protection...when we let our minds wander free, they can make us feel as though we have anything...please, calm down. Most likely you are okay, take the test at three months...it will make you feel a whole lot better...Until then, realize that you have no control over what has happened in the past, but you can control how you feel and react, and there is no sense in worrying at this point...my guess is that you are just fine.
-S-

Just to update everyone, I took a 3 month test that came back negative. I have now had two PCR tests and an antibody test at 3 months. Everything has been negative. Is it safe to put HIV behind me now?