HIV/AIDS

by **Guest** on Fri Jan 11, 2002 6:09 pm

After an exposure in November, I have tested negative twice, most recently around Xmas. However, I continue to experience a stiff neck, strange back pains, and numbness in my right arm. And for four weeks I had a mild sore throat also very dry. In addition, I have gastric problems - some reflux, pain when swallowing, etc. No diarhhea, no fever, no swollen lymph glands. I have had the generalized back and neck pains for over six weeks now. If I were experiencing an initial hiv infection, shouldn't it have resolved by now, and shouldn't I have become syptomless? If this is not hiv, what can it be? Do older people convert after longer times?

by **Guest** on Sat Jan 12, 2002 3:22 pm

Your symptoms are not typical of acute retroviral syndrome. This in the first couple of weeks after exposure, has fever, rash, swollen glands. Older people dont' in general convert later than younger people. As for what it could be, I can't answer that. You need to be seen and examined. The list I'd give you would be long, and by definition, inaccurate. GR
[quote] After an exposure in November, I have tested negative twice, most recently around Xmas. However, I continue to experience a stiff neck, strange back pains, and numbness in my right arm... [/quote]

by **Guest** on Sun Jan 13, 2002 2:12 pm

Dear GR: Thank you so much for your reply. I have been seen twice at MGH, where the doctor said categorically that I did not have ARS. But it still seems that I am sero-converting in a slower, perhaps slightly less traumatic way. Is the only solution to keep having tests? My symptoms are so unusual and long-lasting to me that I can only come to the conclusion that I have hiv. And I keep struggling with the "to be or not to be" question because of my personal situation.

One final question: does HAART get one back to feeling normal after a time, with usual amounts of energy, etc.? Or does one have to live with constant disorders?

Your site is a great service!

Kent
[quote] Your symptoms are not typical of acute retroviral syndrome. This in the first couple of weeks after exposure, has fever, rash, swollen glands... [/quote]

by **Guest** on Mon Jan 14, 2002 8:04 am

There are superb hiv docs in Boston. Because I try to not list people's names on this site, I might instead suggest that you get seen at the Fenway Community Health Center. They are great.
While your hypothesis of slow conversion makes some sense, it doesn't fit how the virus works. It multiplies very fast-- more than 10 billion new viruses per day!
Yes, HAART does make people feel normal again. Their energy comes back, they gain weight back and all the infections go away.
Thanks GR
[quote] Dear GR: Thank you so much for your reply. I have been seen twice at MGH, where the doctor said categorically that I did not have ARS... [/quote]

by **Guest** on Sat Jan 26, 2002 5:39 pm

Dear GR: Thanks for your earlier information. I had a negative test result again on blood drawn Jan 14, but continue to have no energy, seemingly atrophying muscles, weight loss (almost 10 pounds) aches in my back and neck and some gastro-intestinal distress. I gather that no treatment is offered until one tests postive. Is there another definitive test (PCR?) that would allow me to get treatment? I feel in a no-man's land, with the doctors I have seen obviously categorizing me as a "worried well", but observing myself going downhill everyday. How can I get such a test? Believe me, if I felt at all decent I wouldn't bother you with this. If I have to wait another 30 days for another standard hiv test, I don't know what will happen. Thanking you in advance for your advice,

Kent
[quote] There are superb hiv docs in Boston. Because I try to not list people's names on this site, I might instead suggest that you get seen at the Fenway Community Health Center... [/quote]

by **Guest** on Mon Jan 28, 2002 6:56 am

Yep, the test to get is a viral load by pcr or bdna. I'd consider seeing another hiv doc if your doc won't do it. And, if the viral load is negative, you don't have hiv. You should then get a full medical work up for your symptoms. GR
[quote] Dear GR: Thanks for your earlier information. I had a negative test result again on blood drawn Jan 14, but continue to have no energy, seemingly atrophying muscles, weight loss (almost 10 pounds) aches in my back and neck and some gastro-intestinal distress... [/quote]

by **Guest** on Mon Jan 28, 2002 1:16 pm

Dear GR:

Thank you again for your info. Is there any chance I could come to your office or lab for the PCR test? I am happy to pay whatever it costs, and make a contribution as well. It would save starting from scratch with another doctor.

K
[quote] Yep, the test to get is a viral load by pcr or bdna. I'd consider seeing another hiv doc if your doc won't do it... [/quote]

by **Guest** on Mon Jan 28, 2002 5:16 pm

You can see me at the river valley hiv clinic [moderator note: phone number has been removed] or the holyoke health center [moderator note: phone number has been removed].
I'm more than happy to see you, I wouldn't want anyone to ever think that I'm advertising here though. Cuz I'm not. GR
Dear GR:

Thank you again for your info. Is there any chance I could come to your office or lab for the PCR test...

by **Guest** on Mon Feb 18, 2002 1:17 pm

Dear GR:

To refamiliarize you: I tested negative on Dec. 4, Dec. 24, and Jan 14 after a mid November unsafe exposure. I continue, however, to have shoulder aches and pains, and numbness in my right arm. I did finally get a PCR test, the results of which I will get next Monday. I also got a p24 antigen test.

My question is this: will the HAART therapy eliminate the CIPN that I think I have? Or is this something that positive people have to live with? All the pain-killers I have tried just do not work. I think I had an unusual form of ARS, where I lost weight, had a lot of neuropathy, and then put the weight back on, butg never had fever or lymph gland swelling.

Your site is great, and the information provided is invaluable. I suppose there are a lot of us who think we fall into the small percentages at the ends of the bell curve.

Sincerely,

Kent
You can see me at the river valley hiv clinic [moderator note: phone number has been removed] or the holyoke health center [moderator note: phone number has been removed].
I'm more than happy to see you, I wouldn't want anyone to ever think that I'm advertising here though...

by **Guest** on Mon Feb 18, 2002 3:10 pm

Hi Kent, I guess you mean peripheral neuropathy by CIPN. People with hiv don't get peripheral neuropathy in the first year or several years of hiv infection. It comes with disease progression. The aches and pains, numbness etc are more typical of arthritis and possibly a disk in the spine. Not exposure to hiv 3 or 4 months ago. GR
[quote] Dear GR:

To refamiliarize you: I tested negative on Dec. 4, Dec... [/quote]