LobsterUP
11-08-16, 01:19
Hello everyone. I'm new here. My story has been one hell of a rollercoaster, but here goes.
When I was 22 I had unprotected you know what with a guy and a week later, found out he was HIV positive. I went through 3 months of tururous hell of waiting for my results and they came back Negative, so I swore to myself I'd never ever do anything like that again.
Almost 5 months ago, I got very drunk and engaged in a high risk behaviour with someone of unknown HIV status. I was so angry with myself the next day. I went and got PEP to prevent possible infection (as I didnt know if he had it or not). Took that for 28 days.
4 weeks after PEP (8 weeks after the incident), I tested negative which the nurse said is a 95% reliable result.
8 weeks after PEP (12 weeks after the incident), I tested negative again and was discharged from further testing.
I ordered a BioSure self HIV test kit 10 weeks after PEP (14 weeks after exposure) which was Negative.
I then went to two other clinics at 11 and 13 weeks after PEP (15 and 17 weeks after exposure) and tested Negative.
The reason I am anxious is because ever since a week after finishing PEP I felt this 5 second systemic rush which scared me in my body (like fuzzy water rushing up to my head and in my brain
Like waves and back down again). It happened in a flash and since, I keep getting rashes on my arms that come and go (usually in the morning but they ALWAYS fade in under 30 minutes).
Sometimes the cluster of red pinprick dots appear on the back of my hands and fade again after 30 mins but these come and go and have since i finished the PEP.
Bear in mind, PEP has unknown toxic effects which you are told when taking them.
I saw FOUR hiv specialists and all have told me HIV rash would come with fever and be widespread and last for about a week, not come and go and be localised to one area. I e-mailed a further three hiv specialists in different countries who all assured me my testing shows I am fine and they dont think rashes have anything to do with HiV at all.
I had two general bloods done and all my counts, bone profile etc was normal both times.
My GP said these rashes shouldnt worry me and thats its "coincidental" that these have happened after my recent dilemma.
Its like I refuse to believe my results because everytime I have a new rash on my arm (usually the left one), panic sets in and I start googling, or go to get tested or am on the phone to the GP surgery again. Also, the skin on my hands and arms are always very dry and never used to be.
I'm taking Kalms to try and keep me sane, Its difficult, I do think I need a counsellor, but if its not HiV and my GP isnt worried, has anyone else had this
Problem? I know PeP tablets penetrate tissue and into the bone marrow to stop infection (if it did occur and if he even had hiv), so not sure whether thats left a long term affect on me.
I know not everyone here are medically trained but advice and support would be great. I really wish I could believe my results and see the world in colour again.
When I was 22 I had unprotected you know what with a guy and a week later, found out he was HIV positive. I went through 3 months of tururous hell of waiting for my results and they came back Negative, so I swore to myself I'd never ever do anything like that again.
Almost 5 months ago, I got very drunk and engaged in a high risk behaviour with someone of unknown HIV status. I was so angry with myself the next day. I went and got PEP to prevent possible infection (as I didnt know if he had it or not). Took that for 28 days.
4 weeks after PEP (8 weeks after the incident), I tested negative which the nurse said is a 95% reliable result.
8 weeks after PEP (12 weeks after the incident), I tested negative again and was discharged from further testing.
I ordered a BioSure self HIV test kit 10 weeks after PEP (14 weeks after exposure) which was Negative.
I then went to two other clinics at 11 and 13 weeks after PEP (15 and 17 weeks after exposure) and tested Negative.
The reason I am anxious is because ever since a week after finishing PEP I felt this 5 second systemic rush which scared me in my body (like fuzzy water rushing up to my head and in my brain
Like waves and back down again). It happened in a flash and since, I keep getting rashes on my arms that come and go (usually in the morning but they ALWAYS fade in under 30 minutes).
Sometimes the cluster of red pinprick dots appear on the back of my hands and fade again after 30 mins but these come and go and have since i finished the PEP.
Bear in mind, PEP has unknown toxic effects which you are told when taking them.
I saw FOUR hiv specialists and all have told me HIV rash would come with fever and be widespread and last for about a week, not come and go and be localised to one area. I e-mailed a further three hiv specialists in different countries who all assured me my testing shows I am fine and they dont think rashes have anything to do with HiV at all.
I had two general bloods done and all my counts, bone profile etc was normal both times.
My GP said these rashes shouldnt worry me and thats its "coincidental" that these have happened after my recent dilemma.
Its like I refuse to believe my results because everytime I have a new rash on my arm (usually the left one), panic sets in and I start googling, or go to get tested or am on the phone to the GP surgery again. Also, the skin on my hands and arms are always very dry and never used to be.
I'm taking Kalms to try and keep me sane, Its difficult, I do think I need a counsellor, but if its not HiV and my GP isnt worried, has anyone else had this
Problem? I know PeP tablets penetrate tissue and into the bone marrow to stop infection (if it did occur and if he even had hiv), so not sure whether thats left a long term affect on me.
I know not everyone here are medically trained but advice and support would be great. I really wish I could believe my results and see the world in colour again.