anxiety over oraquick

[j_d22000]

I had a high risk unprotected exposure 14 months ago. At 4 days post exposure I had an almost painless sore on top of my shaft, it healed in a/b 4 days (syphilis sores do not appear that fast), then a twitching in my lip. I have had a myriad of symptoms since a week afterwards, the most prominent being fatigue and it is still on going, and a tightness in my groin accompanied by some testicle pain, and feet pain. I've read swollen nodes can cause testicle pain. Dr. did a CT scan and everything was fine according to them. Testicle pain isn't as bad now but still have tightness in groin. I had a blood draw elisa test at 5 weeks 3 days (and was screened for all other STD's as well) and it was negative. I've taken the in home oraquick mouth swab at 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 13 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year and all have been negative. I'm still scared ******** b/c of the fatigue and tightness in groin and mouth ulcers. I have terrible anxiety and depression and I would like to blame the fatigue being caused by that, but I can't think of what would cause my groin to be so tight and tender. I really do want to get another blood test at the health clinic, but when I went at 5 1/2 weeks I was expecting to know something that day, but they told me I would have to wait 2 weeks. They told me if something was wrong they would either call me, mail me a letter, or a counselor would literally come to my house and talk to me. If the tests were negative then I wouldn't hear anything from them. During that span of 2-4 weeks I nearly killed myself with anxiety just sitting and waiting to hear something or nothing at all. I literally can't go through that again. I understand it takes time to get a test like that back, but the waiting game is hell on someone mentally unstable. I wish my health department would do a rapid test along with the 2 week test so I could at least have some peace of mind when I go home. On top of that I live in a very small town, where everyone knows each other and to be a honest I didn't feel as though it was a very private or professional setting I was in and if I am positive I don't want to find out there. Plus they do report to the state. I would rather have a little time to get my bearings emotionally before I get bombarded from my state and my health insurance company which I have through my employer. And every Dr's office in town is full of nurses that are friends of mine or of my family or friends of high school. So you see why I prefer to use the Oraquick. I don't want to test anymore with the Oraquick b/c I understand the more you test the more likely you are to have a false positive, and I do not need to put that on my plate as well. Can I trust these results and move on with my life? Also I have been a smokeless tobacco user for a/b 10 years, would this affect any antibodies developing on my gums?

[j_d22000]

I did follow them exactly, I know this isn't the anxiety forum but just hearing from you 2 what I've been trying to tell myself this whole time helps a lot, thankyou both for your time and replies

[chipdawg]

definitely not. you are grasping at straws here. you are negative.

[j_d22000]

thank you for your reply, and I'm sorry if I posted in the wrong place. I just joined a/b 10 min ago and wasn't really sure what to do. Would you happen to know anything a/b my concern on being a smokeless tobacco user for 10 years, would this affect antibody development on my gums?

[Life360_Dave]

Hi, youve tested negative at the correct window period (a few times) and you can trust these results. If your having HIV anxiety, maybe post in the anxiety forum to develop some tools to help your overcome this.