SJS and HIV

[kogline]

SJS first. I was given some erythromycin to treat an std, (a real one) and a few days later i had a metallic taste in my mouth, and red gums. after researching adverse effects of erythromycin i came across SJS which is steven-johnsons syndrome. After looking it up i was really freaked out and happened to gain a few more symptoms (again after looking up what they were) and was terrified that my skin was going to fall off my face in my sleep. So i woke my dad up and he took me to the hospital and it turns out i at most just had a mild allergic reaction to the medication.

I think this is the most panic and fear ive felt out of all the imagined illnesses i have had. I managed to convince myself that the skin on my lips were starting to detach from the innerlayer of skin, which was terrifying, and the disease itself is faster and more painful way to die than most of the other things ive had.

right now im freaking out about HIV, this one is kind of contrasted with the SJS where i had alot of panic all at once. With the HIV ive been on a higher than avg lvl of anxiety constantly throughout the day. Unfortunately i have 2 more weeks before i can get a 99% accurate test (6 weeks after getting it). i had a stupid one night stand on new years(which i now firmly believe is a horrible idea for a hypochondriac, cost defenitely greater than benefit) and since then ive had a fever/chills, headache, sore throat, digestion problems, sore in mouth, loss of appetite, night sweats, red splotch in mouth. Just typing that list has got me really freaked out again, im hoping someone can say if they have had similar symptoms and not been diagnosed positive. although im not really sure if it will help. thanks for listening.

[Ravens Lady]

Hi and welcome to Anxiety Zone,

Thinking about HIV and thinking about getting tested is known to cause people anxiety.  And anxiety can have really strong effects on the body causing all sorts of things like the things you listed.  Also, keep in mind that if you recently took that other med, your body may be recuperating from that mild reaction to that med you took, and sometimes meds have temporary side effects.  I think, be patient with your body right now and give it some leeway to be a little off until you feel more relaxed.

As far as HIV goes, I believe people should always be safe and use safe practices, but the truth is that it can be pretty rare to transmit depending specifics of the incident and who is involved.  Its good to get tested I think if you've been involved in unprotected sex, but even so, just because a person has had unprotected sex does not mean they are likely to acquire the virus. (and even people with the virus do not always pass it to a partner).  I still always like to say people should be safe regardless of the stats, but I think its okay to consider better case scenarios if you begin to worry about an incidence of the past.  Be on the safe side and get tested, but keep your mind as optimistic as possible because I think the stats support that. 

I hope that I'm making sense there.

Your physical issues you are experiencing could totally be a combination of stress and the way the brain and body have this uncanny ability to create "symptoms" of the diseases we fear.  Its almost like magic.  The body will say, "Oh, he wants to worry about HIV?  Well, now that I know this, and I've seen a google medical list of symptoms, I'm going to go all out and imitate it!   Just watch me work my magic.  Its going to seem so real!"  Sure, its okay to be on the safe side and get checked by a doctor, also for peace of mind, but do be suspicious of the body's "magical" ability to create the symptoms we fear. 

Give it some time.  Keep us updated on how you are doing!

-Ravens Lady

[kogline]

Thanks ravens, i also got some advice from people in the chat room and with that and your post ive managed to calm down a bit. I still plan on getting tested in two weeks of course but im not walking around shaking anymore, and i didn't have night sweats last night so you guys have been very helpful. I greatly appreciate it, thanks. - Zack