Hello everyone, firstly I wanna say sorry to hear about your status, and secondly I hope you are all well. Im going to find out my status in November which I am convinced will be positive due to the amount of symptoms, it wouldnt make sense if it were anything else. Even though I had a low risk encounter (unprotected receptive oral from a sex worker) I just want to ask everyone on this site that is HIV positive the symptoms they got before being diagnosed with it if you had any at all, what stages did you get these symptoms and how long they lasted? I think it would make things a little clearer to get information from people with first had experience.

Hey,

I'm not HIV positive, but I think it's wrong for you to place to much focus on the possible symptoms, or convince yourself that you have the diease based on that, especially with such a low risk encounter. Most people don't experience any symptoms at all, and the possible symptoms are vague, at best. They could be down to pretty much anything.

I know what you mean Bubba, but when you get such strong symptoms like I have been getting, its so hard to think it could be anything else, but then again I say to myself I must be so unlucky to get it from a low risk encounter like that, it dont make any sense. Ive had a low risk encounter, yet again im getting strong symptoms.

Just curious what are your symptoms? Everybody says that symptoms are not a good way to figure out that your have hiv. Alot of symptoms that are of hiv are shared with hundreds of other things. so dont get to worried yet. If you test positive then you will know. all that this added stress does is make every little thing that is wrong with you look like a symptom. try to relax and you will hopefully be ok. I myself got a elisa test 7 weeks in early september, after a high risk exposure. It came back negative, but I still experience symptoms. Im going to get tested again in October and if that comes back negative to i know im alright. Your exposure was pretty low risk, so you can be confident that If your test is negative you are hiv free, but you should still get tested for other stds because you never know.

I can almost say you are fine.
I had EVERY symptom in the book.
Dry mouth.
White tongue.
Swollen Glands
Flu symptoms
Sores
Body night sweats
weight loss
Memory loss
etc.......
EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!
I am negative, stress causes ALL the symptoms.:angel:

I had the following symptoms:

Skin sores on forearms
Swollen glands in groin
Swollen glands in underarms
Swollen glands in the neck
flu like illness 2+ months after encounter
various unfamiliar skin issues/rashes

I have tested negative at 6 months even after all of the symptoms above after a possibly high risk encounter. How many of these symptoms were caused by stress? I don't know, but stress is your big enemy so don't fall victim to it! Worrying will do you no good and might even be very bad for you.

Best Wishes to you,

Ronnie

Hello everyone, firstly I wanna say sorry to hear about your status, and secondly I hope you are all well. Im going to find out my status in November which I am convinced will be positive due to the amount of symptoms,)))))(((((( SYMPTOMS PRESENT OR NOT HAVE NO MEANING AT ALL TO WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE IS HIV + OR HIV - ))))))))))))))))))) it wouldnt make sense if it were anything else. Even though I had a low risk encounter (unprotected receptive oral from a sex worker)((((((( THE PERSON GIVING THE ORAL SEX WOULD BE AT GREATER RISK IF ANY AT ALL )))))))))) I just want to ask everyone on this site that is HIV positive the symptoms they got before being diagnosed with it if you had any at all, what stages did you get these symptoms and how long they lasted? ((((((( REREAD MY FIRST INSERT ))))))))))I think it would make things a little clearer to get information from people with first had experience.

I don't care what you read on the internet I don't care how strange or unusual you symptoms may be or seem to be ..... WHEN YOU SYMPTOM HUNT YOU WILL GET EVERY SYMPTOM AS YOU READ AND THAT'S A FACT !
Many people that have every symptom in the book ( so they think ) find out they NEGATIVE and many people that go for a routine std screening that never had a symptom in their life find they're posative .
Symptoms or not it doesn't matter ..... Its the test that is the true answer and the test alone .
....... Lost Spirit .............

That's really true!

When I went through my scare I never read up about any symptoms or anything, as I'd always known that most people never got any, anyway. Even with all the stress I never felt physically ill or had any symptoms, and I really think this is purely down to the fact that I never read up about them. I'm sure that had I done so, I'd have experienced all of them.

Your mind plays tricks on you, and it's amazing how much your mental state can impact your physical health.

My symptoms are as follows, main thing that scares me is painless nodes in the neck and armpit for 6 weeks now. Ive been having on and off night sweats, my hands go numb in the morning. Ive got this sinus problem too which has been like that for 2 weeks now, constant nose block on 1 side, doesnt seem to go away. I am suffering from anxiety as I mentioned in my previous post that I am currently seeing a pshychiatrist. Ive been to the doctor about the nodes, she says there not that big and non tender. Ive done a blood test (CBC) for anemia and infections, it all came back normal, been to the dentist for possible mouth infections, all normal, given blood for a thyroid reactivity test which I should get the result next week for, which I reckon is going to be normal. Im just left with my worst enemy. Its just the nodes that are driving me crazy, all of you guys that mentioned enlarged lymph nodes as 1 of your symptoms, how long did you have it for, this question is mainly for ronnie as youve had nodes in your neck and armpit like me, id like to hear from the others too. Many Thanks

First off swollen lymph nodes are somewhat vague of a symptom for some people like me. My swollen "glands" are more generalized and not the pea to grape sized hard swollen masses that some describe. My situation is more generalized swelling in those regions. In other words my neck looks large and somewhat swollen, as does my groin area (upper inner thighs). My underarms feel swollen and ache somewhat, but they don't look abnormal. I know that my neck is swollen because people I know (who I have never mentioned this situation to) tend to rub their neck when they talk to me these last few months. They don't even seem to realize they are doing it but it is obvious to me that they notice my swollen neck and are sort of bothered by it.

I still have these swellings today and they started about 5 and a half months ago.... As I noted though, all of my tests have been negative....

Ronnie

No, I don't remember anyone mentioning that swollen lymph nodes were one of their symptoms for HIV. I remember reading that people who thought they had swollen lymph nodes thought they were HIV positive and turned out to be negative.

I never had a single symptom for HIV before I was diagnosed. Besides, receptive oral sex (even unprotected with a sex worker) is not a significant risk for HIV. It is a risk for gonorrhea, syphilis, clamydia, etc. but not for HIV.

I do think you have a major case of the guilts and I'v thinking your shrink will help you through this. chris

Ive had the screening for all STD's ie Chlamydia, gonnorea, they're all negative, Im just left with the HIV test which worries me so much, I must have caught some sort of infection to get these enlarged nodes as they dont enlarge for no reason, and these symptoms coming on 3 weeks post possible exposure scares the hell out of me. Well its just the last test left for me to do in november, and im totally fearing the worst. Its so hard

I think the worrying is what is causing you to feel bad. Anxiety is not good for your health!

I know anxiety has totally taken over my life, ive been suffering from it ever since I even thought I may be positive, ive been in this dreamlike state all this time (usually called depersonalisation or derealisation) nothing seems normal, the mind is such a powerful thing, I cant seem to control it, its totally gone off on one.

See someone about your anxiety. I had a very risky encounter which is not something I had done before. When I got strong symptoms two weeks later, I went off the deep end especially as the symptoms continued. Talk to your doctor about your anxiety ASAP. As to me, anxiety got the best of me. I won't go into what happened to me because you need to think about yourself and stop worrying but you don't want to get depressed over this! Believe me on this one. Getting obsessively worried will bring you down in a big way. Don't let yourself go there.

Ronnie

Thanks Ronnie for your kind words, im seeing someone about my anxiety right now, I dont wanna go on any drugs because I heard there pretty addictive, but I think I may have to go on them, this anxiety and feeling like this has gone on for too long (7 weeks), its a very unpleasant feeling believe me.

Don't worry about needing to use medication for anxiety. I've been on pills for it before, Diazepam and Lorazepam, and they will only put you on them for a matter of weeks, which is too short a period of time to become addicted.

They'll monitor your usage of them closely, and you'll be totally fine!

The drugs are just used as a temporary 'crutch' to help you for a few weeks while you undergo other treament to actually solve the underlying issues.

If you're concerned about this, it may be wise to post on the mental health board. It seems to me that your problem isn't HIV, but the anxiety at the root of it.

Take it easy.

First off...Symptoms mean absolutely ZERO natta, zilch when it comes to HIV. Second, may the good site of Healthboards not chastise when I say this as well? I have had yes, white tongue with mold like apearances on it, swolllen lymph nodes NO, in your terms. How do you know they are swollen? Have you had an X-ray to determine such or Doc to determine that? The flu, we all get it. I never did, in fact I never got a bit of Flu Like symptoms. I do not know what your exposure was and do not want you to elaborate, have YOU GOTEN AN HIV TEST? Period Dot!!! That means Elisa followed by Western Blot. I mean business here, do not think yourself as Pos until you know so, and I didn't catch your exposure. Can you please elaborate a little. Finally, PLEASE see your doctor, I have about had it with these internet sites. I hope one day that I can politicize their wrongdoings. AND finally, don't say sorry to us, If I had Cancer or Leukemia, would you say sorry about your status??? I don't think so. We luv ya here, but, please choose your words wisely and think when you talk. Did I do all I could before I thought I was HIV Positive???? Let us know

Hi Chadster Ive been told by my doctor I have several enlarged nodes in my neck and 2 in my armpits. Ive been told there not that big just a little bigger than usual. Theyve run blood tests (CBC) for anemia, infections and protein levels, its all normal. Doc says dont worry about it. (doc dont know why im anxious), my exposure was not that risky (unprotected receptive oral from a sex worker, deep kissing with a cracked lip and fingering), from the views ive got from people and experts Ive got nothing to worry about, I wouldnt be worried or be anxious if these nodes everywhere didnt appear, generalised nodes dont come on for no reason, thats why im so scared.

Hi all, I'm new to this forum:
I see a lot different people got a lot of symptoms.
well here my symptoms;
possible exposure 21 months ago. (tested 3 and 6 months after exposure negative) at that time only mild symptoms, cold, hot flashes, night sweats, rash, loose stool, armpit pain and irritated, depression.all these after 2 weeks of possible exposure.
after my 6 months test I kept going with my life, I did not have any risk all this time and about 7 weeks ago I started getting sick: fatigue, sore throat and my mind started tinking the worse so I went to see Dr. gave Z-packs for sore throat did not work, so I went back to Dr. 1 week later , with fever, depression, joint and muscle pain. I got tested again for HIV came back negative, after the test I got a lot more symptoms (Sore tongue with samll dots, pain in my groin, armpit and neck, neck pain, sweats day and night loose stools and the worse tingling & numbness forearms when I'm resting and heat burning feet a lot PN symptoms.
at this time I don't know what's going on my Dr. thinks is anxiety , my symptoms are so real and my mind started thinking about Hiv again.
well I hope everybody is ok, any coments?
sorry for my post is long and no sure if belongs here
thanks
Latino24

Simptoms! I had none. I did have and alergy redness on my feet then went up my legs all the way to my chest. Then If A friend had not advised my to ask the Doctor to test for HIV I would have not been checked and possible not known for many years to come. I'm glad I did now because I am still working and its been 17 Years. :)

Chuck I know what you are saying, some people dont have any symptoms at all, but a majority people do, my symptoms are just too convincing and cannot think of anything else that could cause these especially the generalized lymph nodes. In theory from my exposure (protected vaginal sex with sex workers, recieving unprotected oral once from sex worker, also deep kissing and fingering) my risks are very low, as kissing and fingering hardly carry any risks and recieving oral sex is probably the safest unprotected sex there is, as I did not give oral sex just recieved it. but in practice with all my symptoms ive defenetly 100% got HIV, I mean my lymph nodes in my neck and armpits are enlarged and painless, I have several nodes in the neck ranging from different sizes and shapes, I have reoccuring night sweats, 4 days on 4days off, the sweating isnt that heavy though. also my fingers go numb while im sleeping. Im just totally freaked out and panicking all the time, im taking my test in 2 weeks time. Im totally fearing the worst.

You really need to settle down. Searching for symptoms I've diagnosed myself with tons of mental disorders, sleep disorders, migrains, cancer, STDs, and some others. Barring the sleep disorder, I have been wrong about every single one of them. The sleep disorder is undiagnosed :P cant figure out what it is. And if you do come back +? You have probably 2-3 years without treatment. With new meds you can probably live up to around 30 years. You might have to go through some life stlye changes, but whos to say they wont be better for you, or that you might even enjoy some of them in some way?
I was diagnosed somewhere between 3 and 4 months after birth and never showed any signs. I would have never even been suspected if my mother had not died. If my infant body with a still growing immune system showed no signs, what do you think the chances of yours having a sever reaction are?

Settle down.

Hey thanks for the advice, Im trying my best to calm down, I just pray the tests come back negative in 2 weeks time, it would change a lot if I tested positive, but ive got this feeling its never gonna come back negative, i just feel hopeless at the moment, trying to hold myself together for another 2 weeks before i get tested.

hey, the biggest reason I got tested and thought I had hiv because of my post ahead was the symptoms causes from shaving my testicles and it caused tons of itch and I started checking myself and got really scared. So don't get too scared, it's going to be ok.

Hey there, AAA12345, I can totally understand where you coming from. It's gonna drive you crazy til you find out. I have a suggestion though and please don't take this the wrong way. My friend, it doesn't help to self diognose yourself. There could be a million reasons for those problems your having. Really, I pray that when you do get tested and the results are -, that your doctor does more test to find out what's wrong.

I have to tell you when I tested + for HIV in 1989, I was feeling really sick. Started to loose alot of weight and had most all the symptoms that are described.

I have to be honest. I'm gay and I HAD a feeling I I'd contracted the virus, but refused to be tested because I was one of the guys who said...Not ME, well I was wrong.

To be honest, after MANY years of working with alot of people, the ONLY safe way to not get infected is protection. Doing the things you stated, I'll agree that there MAY be no chance for infection, but you have to also take into account, Oral Sex given by someone who is infected IS a way to get it, the siliva in their mouth, with any unseen nick in your penis...True it would take alot of work, but there are ALWAYS ALWAYS ways things we don't count on.

Stay calm my friend....It WILL BE OK. I pray for ya and hope for the best.

I'm HEATHLY and there is no sign of the virus in my system. Have been for along time now.,..

Hope that helps a little

Hi thanks for that, I just wanted to go back to your symptoms, did your fingers go numb in the night? did you have generalized painless lymph nodes, that fluctuate all the time, re-occuring night sweats? Im totally doomed, I know Ive got this virus, my lymph nodes have been enlarged for 2 months now and I can feel them getting bigger and smaller several times a day, which other infection can my body be fighting for 2 months now? It has to be HIV, im too scared.

i deal with panic disorders all the time and i worry sometimes all day long and the main cause of my worry here lately has been hiv , my mom died of hiv back in 1992 and i tell my self all the time 'you've got it , now i havent been sick alot back in 2002 i had a bowel obstuction that caused my wbc to drop to 1.8 and the dr. ask me did i want a hiv test and i said no , why did i say no because i think my mind has told me so many times that i have it that now i think i do , my wbc have been low since 1995 they range from 1.8 to 3.6 i have ask recent dr.s and they tell me that all my labs look fine and i probally just run low , i do stay tired alot but thats about it thanks

yep anxiety can certainly make you believe without a doubt you have something without even being diagnosed.I have anxiety disorder and have displayed all or close to all of the symptoms of certain health problems and was convinced I had those things turns out I did not it was either all anxiety related symptoms or something much more simple then the I thought.So hang in there and do not diagnose yourself.

thanks alot for saying that i pray i dont have that i wish i could get it out of my mind , i'm 41 today and i have lived with panic for 30 years :wave: hopefully i'll be ok

I never had panic disorder before, but the fear of this virus has turned me into a basket case of worry and anxiety. Such is life, but I'm finally getting a handle on it... Best of luck to you...

I know anxiety has totally taken over my life, ive been suffering from it ever since I even thought I may be positive, ive been in this dreamlike state all this time (usually called depersonalisation or derealisation) nothing seems normal, the mind is such a powerful thing, I cant seem to control it, its totally gone off on one.

im totally like u. the fear and anxiety took control of my life in this moment. im so paranid now. just the thought of being possitive makes me feel soo down.

I agree with the others, don't get stressed out over nothing. Go get tested before you assume the worst.