Neuropathy

[Rosiebutler00]

Could peripheral neuropathy occur if I was infected around 6 months ago? And is it possible to progress to AIDS in 6 months? I can never understand when people say late hiv infection can someone tell me how long that is, is it a few months or years?

[RubyWitch]

You've received excellent advice from iommi and B23121 and I agree 100% with that advice........but, it seems you are unaware that Ireland has numerous free testing clinics that are also confidential. I have copied and pasted just a few. If you do not live near any of these, I'm sure you could call for information regarding a clinic/hospital closer to you. I completely agree with iommi that for your peace of mind, you should test. As she pointed out, enough time has passed that any test you take now will be 100% conclusive and you can move on with your life and leave this terrible anxiety behind you. We all wish you the very best.
RubyWitch


Sexually Transmitted Infection Screeening

STI screening is free of charge and confidential at any of the following locations. Except where stated, all clinics are for the general population.

Listed by Region:

Dublin
GUIDE Clinic, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin 8, 01 4162 315
(Young Persons Only clinic on Thursdays)
MaterHospital, Dublin 7, 01 8032 063
GMHS Clinic for men who have sex with men and transgender people only
Baggot St Hospital, Dublin 4, 01 6699 553

Louth
Outpatients Dept, Louth County Hospital, Dundalk, 086 8241847
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda - 086 8241847

Monaghan
Outpatients Dept, Monaghan Hospital, 086 824 1847

Westmeath
Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, 086 416 9830

Laois
Portlaoise STI Clinic, Out Patients Department, Midland Regional Hopsital, Block Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois
Contact Number: 086 8591273
Opening Hours: Tuesday evenings, by appointment only, 5.15pm- 7.15pm

Cork
South Infirmary, Victoria Hospital, Cork City, 021 4966 844
Youth Health Service, Cork City, 076- 1084150

Kerry
General Hospital, Tralee, Co. Kerry, c/o 021 4966 844

Waterford
Regional Hospital, Waterford City, 051 842 646 (By appointment only)

Carlow
District Hospital, Carlow, c/o 051 842 646 (By appointment only and clinic is held on alternative Tuesdays)

Tipperary
South Tipperary Hospital, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, c/o 051 842 646 (By appointment only and clinic is held on alternative Wednesdays)
General Hospital, Nenagh, Co Tipperrary, c/o 061 482382

Limerick
Regional Hospital, Limerick City, 061 482 382

Clare
General Hospital, Ennis, Co. Clare, c/o 061 482 382

Galway
University Hospital, Galway City, 091 525 200
Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway 090 9648 372 (extension 676)

Mayo
General Hospital, Castlebar, Co. Mayo,   094 90 21733 (Extension 3076 - Tues am only and Ext 3501 – Mon, Wed, Thurs, Friday)

Sligo
Regional Hospital, Sligo Town, 071 9170 473

Donegal
General Hospital, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, 074 91 23715

[Rosiebutler00]

I'm actually from Ireland so there's no such thing of Walgreens my best bet is to go to my mum and tell her everything I can't put up with it anymore, but thank you so much for putting up with my repetitive insecurities!

[iommi]

I hope your mom will be understanding to your mistake and appreciate your honesty.
It is better to be safe than sorry and you are doing the responsible thing to make sure. We all make mistakes and it is important to learn from them as I'm sure you have.
You'll get through this and will be stronger when you do.
We are here for you.

[Rosiebutler00]

I know I really should stop commenting it's just so hard to think of even testing i have visions of it going positive really really scares me.. Because it really is the symptoms that makes me think I have HIV I don't really think I had sex, I've never had any sort of sex before and it was in a nightclub it's just the symptoms and the uncertainty, I'm sorry if I'm wasting anybody's time

[iommi]

You are not wasting our time, but you maybe wasting yours.
Searching HIV symptoms often don't distinguish between acute or chronic symptoms. HIV symptoms mirror so many other things that symptoms don't prove HIV.
Not sure where you are from but I assume the U.S.
Find a local clinic and have an antibody test done. They are free.
Or if that is not an option walgreens have an oral swab test around $40. If you opt for the oraquick at walgreens be sure to follow instructions carefully so you'll be completely satisfied with the negative result.
If the test says read your result in 20 minutes, time it correctly and then throw it away. DO NOT think you'll be checking more thoroughly if you go past the test time. After the test time they will eventually become unstable and give you a false reading. Test, I believe you'll be negative, then you can put this all behind you. For now, stop searching the net, you are working yourself up.

[B23121]

Also. Stop googling symptoms. All that does is fuel anxious people. Symptoms mean nothing in regards to diagnosing HIV.

If it has been 6 months since you "think you had sex" and ONLY if it was unprotected. You can take an HIV test now for conclusive results.

[B23121]

You really need to see a doctor or counsellor with your concerns.

Your health anxiety needs to be addressed. As Iommi said. Your anxiety seems to be causing you issues.

Only if you had unprotected intercourse with someone should you have the slightest concern of HIV.

[Rosiebutler00]

Actually I have bad health anxiety and literally anywhere I feel pain I go straight to google, I've always had bad circulation ever since I can remember if it's slightly cold my fingers go white and numb and I have patchy reddish whitish skin, lately I've noticed if I leave my feet in a certain position for a period of time they go numb but one I stand up its fine I've just noticed this every time I wake up so of course I googled it, and seeing as I've had hiv anxiety for a while the Minuit it said HIV could be the cause I freaked out and ever since yesterday when I researched that I've been noticing my fingers are kinda sore and that my arm is feeling kind of heavy like litter ally straight after I researched it I get these symptoms

[Rosiebutler00]

I'm 16 and it was a nightclub full of my age or younger so I guess I'm just scared to tell my parents but I've come to a state where I'm too anxious, thanks for your help

[Rosiebutler00]

I know symptoms are never the best to diagnose but I just want to know how long it takes for peripheral neuropathy to be caused by HIV does it takes months like in my situation or years? And what is considered late /advanced HIV

[iommi]

You may not have had a risk, your problem is you don't remember. Being you don't remember you are scrutinizing your body. Anxiety is making you more concerned then you should be.
Since you don't remember and you're uneasy about that night and it was 6 months ago, why don't you get an hiv test? Being this is 6 months ago it will be 100% conclusive.
It's hard to answer your enquiries when you haven't proven a risk.

[Rosiebutler00]

Thanks for replying, it's a really confusing situation because I actually don't know if I even had sex.. I was drinking and in a nightclub I've been terrified since that i had sex  and can't remember, I'm so sorry if I'm wasting your time but what is considered late or advanced HIV?

[iommi]

There are classic symptoms for hiv but because our immune systems may react different it's not like cookie cutter reaction.
This one symptom doesn't raise an hiv concern.
ARS occurs 2~4 weeks, rarely later, but by weeks, not months if at all.
Quick progressers are rare and that is 2~3 years.
Sounds like your unclear memory of the night is causing you anxiety.

[iommi]

Could you tell us what your risk was?