No, I think you mis-understood, I was not suggesting that ETS surgery is a likely cause of periferal neuropathy - I really know little about the complications of ETS surgery. Be cautious however, only a health care provider can accurately diagnose periferal neuropathy and if you have one, there are many possible causes. On the other hand, periferal neuropathy is quite rare in persons with early HIV and you have PROVEN that you do not have HIV. I suggest you discuss your symptoms with a neurologist. In the meantime, put your fears of HIV from the exposure you describe away. EWH
So from what you are saying is it possible that the ETS surgery could cause peripheral neuropathy?
I am experiencing pain in knees sometimes in hands, tingeling, cold/warm burning sensations, crawling, itching, and pins and needles. This has gone on for 6 weeks straight. This is nowhere exageratered or 'in my head' this is very real. It brings me to tears quite often because it is so bothersome. I don't know whether to associate it to the hiv exposure or the surgery.
Welcome to our forum. I'll try to help. I can certainly understand how the combination of an unprotected exposure to a somewhat risky partner and your combination of symptoms might be concerning. The good news however is that your negative tests prove that you were no so unlucky as to have gotten HIV from this exposure. The odds were in your favor even before testing but your test results are now definitive.
Here are the reasons the odds are in your favor:
1. Most IV drug users do not have HIV. Even if he'd injected drugs more than once or had shared needles, the likelihood that he had HIV is less than 1 in 10, on average.
2. The risk of infection from a single act of unprotected vaginal intercourse is about 1 in 1000.
Thus putting these numbers, the odds are in your favor and as I said, the test prove you did not get HIV.
In answer to your specific questions:
1. Would this surgery a month and a half prior to the exposure and the following allergic reaction effect my immune system?
No, neither the surgery nor the allergic reaction would change the reliability of your test results. They are to be believed.
2. Is my test at 3 months post exposure conclusive?
Yes. In fact, test results are conclusive at 8 weeks so your certainly are.
3. Do you think that this pain/sensation that I am feeling is arthritic or something neurological?
I cannot tell you that without examining you. I'd suggest you see your own doctor or, if you do not have a regular doctor, see an internist to discuss this. You've already had neurological issues (hence the ets) and arthritis is common. You could have both. Either way, you can be confident that neither of these is due to HIV based on your test results.
4. Can too much rest/anxiety cause this kind of pain to come on?
Anxiety can certainly enhance or make persons more aware of pain and discomfort. this may be a contributor. The best way to address this discomfort is to establish and ongoing relationship with a health care provider that you trust and can work with. Sometimes these things take time to work through.
I hope you find my comments helpful. time to put your concerns about HIV aside. Your test results are to be believed and you do not need more testing. I hope my comments are helpful to you. EWH