hello doctor,
(apologies in advance for the long question but i wanted to be precise)
my high risk exposure was in MID AUGUST (17th?). a combination of unprotected/protected sex 3-4xs with male of unknown status (a few minutes of mild penetration then a condom for the finish...no ejaculation inside)
but i'm not sure if i am experiencing symptoms of ARS or the HIV virus.
and around late (NOVEMBER 24th (3 months/14 weeks after) i began to undergo extreme stress as my father was hospitalized and I believed he was dying. thereafter i began experiencing generalized fluctuating body temperatures(early morning ~98deg to late evening ~99.4def), depression, headaches, spontaneous crying spells, loss of appetite, breakouts, chest pains, a forceful hear beat, pallor,fatigue. I self medicated myself with alcohol.
after my father was released he was hospitalized again on 2days later on Dec 1st
.
while i was in the ER room with him i began experiencing peripheral neuropathy (?) which lingered for about 3-4weeks. i had also taken pseudoephedrine/ been taking high dosage birth control pill which was congruent to the onset of the weird sensations in my feet, legs, arms. afterwards i started googling symptoms and HIV came up which added to my anxiety 10 fold. I read about lymph nodes and began feeling for them. I can feel four small movable non tender nodes in my neck and i started freaking out! around december 18th i think i had a night sweats along with some nightmares but i woke up a couple of times with a wet neck and that's about it...i noticed it only occured when i was really stressed and/or took a pain reliever before bed. ive experienced this before years ago when i was undergoing major depression where i basically didn't leave the house for 6months and gained 30lbs.
and just last week my neck and armpits feel tight and tense...like i think it's because i've been extremely stressed /depressed for two months now. my thoughts of suicide are recurrent. ive had them years ago but now i've begun thinking of scenarios to end my life. i know i need to seek professional help in area and i will.
>>>my history includes a 4yr ongoing battle with chronic bulimia/ednos/laxative/diuretic abuse which is related to my gum disease (periodontal: receding gums, change in bite, loosened tooth) which has been ongoing...way before i ever had sex. i lost my virginity in august with the high risk encounter.
>>>i also have a history of migraines that began when i was about 17..(im 22 now)
>>>prior to that i have had several cavities and and a root canal and a wisdom tooth extraction. I also have TMJ.
>>>my dermatologist examined me last year and predicted that i have a hormonal imbalance (i produce too much testosterone) and referred me to an endocrinologist. I've always suspected this.
>>>joint problems that have been ongoing for years since my eating disorder began.
my questions vary:
1) is that i read that cervical lymph node enlargement (the lowest one is the Jugulo-omohyoid) can be due to severe dental problems like mine as bacteria drains into various cervical sites. is that true?
i don't really know if they are swollen, i have to dig around to find them and i keep poking them everyday. i don't have any idea how long they've been there. when i dont touch they shrink. i dont have enlarged nodes anywhere else.
2) are my symptoms most likely related to extreme anxiety...i'm already a chronic worrier and insomniac which is probably why i am bulimic...when i get stressed i have episodes...stemming from being a part of a longterm childhood abuse scenario.
3) is it feasible to develop ongoing ARS symptoms 14-15 weeks after exposure? would they last for 5+ weeks?
4) am i experiencing peripheral neuropathy or is it nerve damage?...i heard pseudoephedrine/naproxen can cause tingling burning sensations etc...and thats what i took the day it started bc i had a headache and couldn't find advil (150-mg in 48hrs). it also started directly after wearing 4 1/2 inch heels nonstop that weekend to the mall/out dancing and i'm flat footed. it felt like the balls of my feet were strained and burning. but it has disappeared after almost a month
5) is it possible the tingling, fatigue and other symptoms are related to anemia or a vitamin/mineral deficiency...like B12? ive had tingling before 1yr and a half ago and i was still a virgin with NO sexual encounters. i attributed it to severe laxative abuse and vomiting ...which is still ongoing. I don't eat much meat besides tuna and chicken and i used to be a strict vegetarian.
i keep looking for symptoms but all i have are enlarged(?) cervical lymphnodes and formerly what i think was PN and recent fatigue. i think it's due to my major depression tho...
please help me. any opinions are greatly appreciated.