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Awating Results and Not Coping - Help Please
Hi there,
Firstly, I would like to say that this forum has given me a lot of comfort over the past few weeks.
I am a 31 year old female and basically my story goes that about 7/8 years ago I slept around with guys (one night stands) without using protection apart from the contraceptive pill. None of them used drugs etc., and neither do I. All of my friends did this also. Stupid and wreckless I know but coming from Catholic school whereby our sex education was limited to "pregnancy prevention" we were more or less ignorant to everything else.
I thought that an STI would manifest itself quite quickly etc., and that it was difficult to pick them up.
Anytime I went to Dr. they would never ask me about sexual screening or anything. I had a pap smear done a few years back and all was clear and am due another one this week.
To date I've had absolutely no symptoms of anything. But after reading around I decided to be tested yesterday. As a result my anxiety levels are gone on high alert and I'm crying constantly. I'm also doing my MA and am in the final 3 months. I'm studying away from home (Ireland) in London and feel so isolated and afraid.
I feel left down by the Drs. in Ireland and the education system there.
Do you think that after about 8 years that I would have some symptoms? I'm so frightened and scared please help me.
My results are due next Tuesday and I'm not handling this situation very well at all.
Yours petrified
S.
Firstly, I would like to say that this forum has given me a lot of comfort over the past few weeks.
I am a 31 year old female and basically my story goes that about 7/8 years ago I slept around with guys (one night stands) without using protection apart from the contraceptive pill. None of them used drugs etc., and neither do I. All of my friends did this also. Stupid and wreckless I know but coming from Catholic school whereby our sex education was limited to "pregnancy prevention" we were more or less ignorant to everything else.
I thought that an STI would manifest itself quite quickly etc., and that it was difficult to pick them up.
Anytime I went to Dr. they would never ask me about sexual screening or anything. I had a pap smear done a few years back and all was clear and am due another one this week.
To date I've had absolutely no symptoms of anything. But after reading around I decided to be tested yesterday. As a result my anxiety levels are gone on high alert and I'm crying constantly. I'm also doing my MA and am in the final 3 months. I'm studying away from home (Ireland) in London and feel so isolated and afraid.
I feel left down by the Drs. in Ireland and the education system there.
Do you think that after about 8 years that I would have some symptoms? I'm so frightened and scared please help me.
My results are due next Tuesday and I'm not handling this situation very well at all.
Yours petrified
S.
Good for you about the test results.
As far as your parents, I'm sure they know more than you give them credit for. I am also sure they love you and would have help you though this. The problem is you never gave them a chance. How do I know they love you? They require your boyfriend to sleep in a different room when he is over.
As far as your parents, I'm sure they know more than you give them credit for. I am also sure they love you and would have help you though this. The problem is you never gave them a chance. How do I know they love you? They require your boyfriend to sleep in a different room when he is over.
Coz I was soooo stressed out my Dr. who is sooo lovely gave me my results back today (even thought I wasnt due to get results until next Tuesday!) and i'm so glad to report that everything is clear. I tested negative for HIV, Hepatitis B and C.
In fairness to my Dr. she was sooo sweet to ring me as she knew I was crying all the time.
Longone unfortunately my parents are devout catholics and would be unable to cope with discussing info like that. Infact I think that they have very little information on it themselves. Very ignorant indeed as their catholic education was even worse than mine. They never received sex education! When I stay at home in my parents house with my boyfriend we sleep in separate rooms! Need I continue......
In fairness to my Dr. she was sooo sweet to ring me as she knew I was crying all the time.
Longone unfortunately my parents are devout catholics and would be unable to cope with discussing info like that. Infact I think that they have very little information on it themselves. Very ignorant indeed as their catholic education was even worse than mine. They never received sex education! When I stay at home in my parents house with my boyfriend we sleep in separate rooms! Need I continue......
How come people rely on public health to inform them about sex. Did anyone ever hear of a Mother and Father?
I'd be my life savings that you will be negative.
I seriously doubt that you had encounters with people in a high risk HIV group.
When your result comes back negative, believe it and move past this.
I seriously doubt that you had encounters with people in a high risk HIV group.
When your result comes back negative, believe it and move past this.
Your anxiety over finishing up your MA may be crossing over into new territory. You may also be feeling a bit out of control, away from family, friends, things familiar, and this new anxiety presents itself regarding your health.
Why are you angry with your GP? He is absolutely right, it would be highly improbable for you to test positive. Expect a negative on your test and stop worrying.
Thanks so much for your responses. My GP told me that it was highly improbable and to get tested for peace of mind as I'm going around in a trance at present getting very little course work done. I've been into her quite a few times over the past few weeks with psycological pains. She put me on relaxers and my pains disappered. It was just complete tension and anxiety.
I'm quite angry with the GPs in Ireland and the general lack of sex education I received. In fairness, for our sex education to be centred mainly on pregnancy is ridiculous considering other things like HIV are out there. I'd rather a baby than an infection and that's the truth. I was sooooo ignorant and naive as were all my friends. But it doesnt stop there. When I voiced my concern to my friends (as they were doing the same as me) they just laughed and said that I was depressed or something! How ignorant! Most are married with kids and are getting on with their lives. I wish I could show Irish teenages in schools this web page to help them make sensible and informed decisions about their sex life in the future.
Even my younger sister 21 has had over 4 boyfriends since she was 17 and uses the pill. I've been onto her non stop but up until this year she used to ignore me. Forunately, she's studying public health in Uni and this year has been taught about infectious diseases which has "put a stop to her gallop".
She is now like me, freaking out and thinking that she has some vicious disease. She's was screened for STDs and was neg but won't go for HIV test.
I'm quite angry with the GPs in Ireland and the general lack of sex education I received. In fairness, for our sex education to be centred mainly on pregnancy is ridiculous considering other things like HIV are out there. I'd rather a baby than an infection and that's the truth. I was sooooo ignorant and naive as were all my friends. But it doesnt stop there. When I voiced my concern to my friends (as they were doing the same as me) they just laughed and said that I was depressed or something! How ignorant! Most are married with kids and are getting on with their lives. I wish I could show Irish teenages in schools this web page to help them make sensible and informed decisions about their sex life in the future.
Even my younger sister 21 has had over 4 boyfriends since she was 17 and uses the pill. I've been onto her non stop but up until this year she used to ignore me. Forunately, she's studying public health in Uni and this year has been taught about infectious diseases which has "put a stop to her gallop".
She is now like me, freaking out and thinking that she has some vicious disease. She's was screened for STDs and was neg but won't go for HIV test.
Most likely you would be quite ill by now without any meds. Though your behavior was "risky", in relative terms your chances are better than great that you don't have HIV.
How long do you have to wait for results? Most antibody tests should have results available the next day.
If you're that anxious, and have to wait more than a couple days for results, go and get a rapid test as pokala said, at your local clinic if they have them in Ireland. IMO it's money well spent.
I wish you the best. Most likely you will be negative, and I know this isn't much comfort, but imagine if you JUST had the experience and had to wait 6-12 weeks for a reliable antibody test.
How long do you have to wait for results? Most antibody tests should have results available the next day.
If you're that anxious, and have to wait more than a couple days for results, go and get a rapid test as pokala said, at your local clinic if they have them in Ireland. IMO it's money well spent.
I wish you the best. Most likely you will be negative, and I know this isn't much comfort, but imagine if you JUST had the experience and had to wait 6-12 weeks for a reliable antibody test.
Can u take a test in other places? The rapid test can give the result very soon so you don't have to wait long.By the way,I read from the forum of Dr HHH(expert here),he says that about 8-9 years,few people with positive blood stay well without symptoms. I really think you should be fine.Hope you get negative result soon.
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