no antibodies???? - HIV Prevention Message Board

scaredmom2232 · 06-21-2005, 01:02 AM

Hi, I'm new here. I am a 19 year old single mother who is very scared about HIV. I was with some about 3 months before I became pregnant with my son, I got tested for HIV 9 months later and it was negative, then when my son was 2 months old, almost a year and a half after that encounter I tested negative again. It seems as though I have every symptom possible. I get hot very a lot and I take my temp. and it's normal. I have joint pain and I don't know if any of this has to do with being almost 90 pounds overweight. But recently a scary thought has entered my mind that I can't seem to shake. What if I just don't produce antibodies?? I've heard of viral load testing but that it should not be used for diagnostic purposes. It can be affected by many factors and they need to be taken several times to determine any result. I don't have the money or the patience for that. I just feel like I don't know what else to do. Is anyone here going throught the same thing where they just don't believe their numerous negative results well beyond the "window period"

MrJon · 06-21-2005, 07:41 AM

Hey,It is certainly easier said than done but relax, If you start looking for anything you will find it wherever your health is concerned. I have convinced myself of schizophrenia before (no you haven't! yes I have! Who said that? Me! Oh.) and numerous other things, including HIV. I am still waiting my window out but I have found if you let go of the stress, the symptoms disappear. The answer for me is in the test, you however, i think are negative, as you have tested ok before

If it helps, test and make yourself feel better, but I think your fine x

panaSONIQUE · 06-21-2005, 10:38 AM

It's very rare that it happens, but if you're very concerned about it, you should let your doctor know in order to get a VL test done. I highly doubt that you're positive, but it will be the only way to ease your mind. AND STOP USING THE INTERNET TO DIAGNOSE

-S-

scaredmom2232 · 06-21-2005, 11:35 AM

Wouldn't people eventually develop antibodies at some point? I mean, if there was even a remote chance that some people NEVER developed antibodies, isn't it kind of dangerous to assume that their fine if they had a negative ELISA, and blamed all of their "symptoms" on stress and anxiety? AIDS is not a cold, it's a deadly illness that will eventually kill you, I don't think that's something to play around with. Has anyone here heard of anyones body never in their life producing antibodies and going on years undiagnosed? If so, do you know their circumstances? I become more stressed out when people tell me to do the viral load testing to make myself feel better, because my docor told me that she doesn't want to do it because there is a chance it could come out positive numerous times before it would negative for many different reasons, and that it would just heighten my anxiety and make things worse. I don't want that. I tested for HIV 1 and 2 a year and half after my encounter and to this day I can't seem to get over it. I hear that people with HIV cannot absorb sugar, so now I can't even drink soda or eat candy because I'm petrified I'll get diarrhea. I'm sick of living like this, I don't want to keep feeding into my obsessions, because I don't want my son to turn out the same way. And I heard anyways that after a PCR test that they have to test you with the antibody test anyways, it's all so confusing. You're right, I should never have come on the internet, I should have taken my negative result and moved on with my life.

Amberay · 06-21-2005, 11:52 AM

I went through the same fear. I know how you feel! Has your baby ever had any syptoms? A baby who is born through an HIV infected mother will most likely carry the disease. Most hospitals will test the baby after it is born. I'm sure you are fine. I drove my self crazy with the thought of having the virus. I looked it all up on the internet and found so many of the same symptoms in me. I cried for days! I would say, get tested one more time for peace of mind. You will test neg. again, then close this chapter in your life for good! Move on and be happy! One thing I learned is to not take life for granted. I'm going to be the best mother I can be. You know what? As soon as I tested, and made the decision to move on, my symptoms went away!