Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

stupid queston re HIV tests

41 replies

poppy34 · 23/05/2007 17:38

I've recently had one of these done as part of a whole set of tests due to gyne problems and I didnt think anything of it when they mentioned they were testing for it (I was pretty freaked out anyway as am not the best with blood tests).

Now I'm pretty wound up anyway about results of these tests (without giving too much away as this isn't my usual name) and have now started obsessing about maybe reason for my problems is due to HIV. I've had no symptoms and have been a very good girl generally except for a couple of instances of unprotected sex about 8/9 years ago when I was young free and single (yes stupid to thin on now). Have no reason to think either my DP or my ex (who I was with for 5 years) have it. Also

my dp had HIV test done due to work issues about 2 years ago which came back negative but we'd only been together for about 3 months at the time so I'm not sure if you can read much into it.

Sorry - I've got myself in a bit of a state about this (mainly cos I'm in a bit of mess mentally for other reasons) and not really found anything helpful in my net trawling so wondering if anyone has any more info.

OP posts:
Original poster
poppy34 · 23/05/2007 17:51

feel embarassed to have posted this now -had very bad afternoon obessing abotu various why me/what ifs of my situation.

OP posts:
misdee · 23/05/2007 17:55

dh has had several HIV tests. it is becoming a normal test. he is negative as expected. had to be done to go on the transplant list and as the local hospital thought he was showing 'symptoms' (errr end stage heart failure symptoms actually ) they asked to do one before he was even going on the list.

when do you get yoour results?

btw i panic over every blood test they ever do

Original poster
poppy34 · 23/05/2007 18:01

thanks misdee! I'm not sure - I'm due to see doctor again next week but don't know if they'll do the blood test results then (they did the standard antenatal tests when I was in hospital 2 weeks ago when I was having my baby induced at 20 weeks due to defects). The "proper results" of tests and autopsy arent due for another 6 weeks or so so I'm not sure if we don't wait for all results until then.

When I'm sitting here feeling normal I know that its unlikely I've got HIV (I've not led a risk free life but on the other hand I'm not high risk either). The trouble is that I'm in a real mess having after all this (I seem to be getting worse if anything) and am going up the wall now waiting to find out what (if anything) caused him to die. Today's reading involved fact that m/c and birth defects could be caused by HIV.. hence where my post came from

OP posts:
Original poster
poppy34 · 23/05/2007 18:02

and really sorry to hear about your dh - hope everything goes ok for you both with the transplant list etc

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 23/05/2007 18:07

oh gawd, I think it is perfectly normal to panic over tests like these.

I had my err carefree days in bloody Africa so I really crapped myself when all the tests were done!

And even then, they repeated the tests for my second pregnancy and there's no way I could have got it in between and I still panicked.

It's normal to fear the tests. Try not to worry.

misdee · 23/05/2007 18:08

ah right, didnt know about the iduction at 20weeks due to defects, so sorry to hear that

too much lookingn at the internet can cause more concerns. i am not sure how long HIV tests take to come back, dh were done about 2.5yrs ago now. have they offered you any couselling at all?

foxinsocks · 23/05/2007 18:09

oh sorry poppy, have only read your second post now.

I'm so sorry . I hope they have offered you counselling.

Original poster
poppy34 · 23/05/2007 18:10

thanks !! can't say anything to dh -not cos I've got anything to hide -but cos he is already pretty worried that I'm falling apart as it is (felt really bad as he worked late last night and acme home to find me in tears).

Re counseliling - got my first session with bereavement counseller tomorrow so am hoping that will help.

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 23/05/2007 18:12

I hope it will poppy. Don't be worried about letting it all out to dh/counsellor - often when you say things like this out loud and get someone else's perspective, it makes you feel so much better and more rational.

Original poster
poppy34 · 23/05/2007 18:16

hopefully - honestly I've been internet madlady on this in terms of rates of recurrent m/c , genetic defects , various infeections (I've done a fairly thorough panic job on lots of things these last few weeks including whether dh's nosebleed means he has some sort of blood disorder).

pity I can't use that imagination positively and imagine myself having a healthy pregnancy and baby

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 23/05/2007 18:21

google's a dangerous thing for medical conditions isn't it! It's so easy to think you tick all the boxes for something.

Was this your first child?

I think you need to give yourself a break. This is all so recent and painful and you sounds like you need lots of cuddles.

Original poster
poppy34 · 23/05/2007 18:22

yes - third attempt though (had 2 m/c last year but they were m m/c at about 6/7 weeks) so had got hopes up having got past the alleged magic 12 weeks.

also dh has 2 skids - I'm not underestimating his pain etc but I think he has a different view point on this to me

OP posts:
MissGolightly · 23/05/2007 18:24

Have you ever given blood? If you ever have you can stop worrying right now because they would have done a routine HIV test at the time which would have been clear (otherwise they would have contacted you).

foxinsocks · 23/05/2007 18:24

oh I am sorry. Have you got a good gynae now?

What a long time to wait for the results of the autopsy .

alipiggie · 23/05/2007 18:29

I'm so sorry that you've having such a difficult and emotional time at the moment. I recently had to have an HIV test too for my Green Card medical and yes it's nerve wracking. Did you not have as part of the standard bloodworks done at booking in for your pregnancy have an HIV test. I thought these were standard these days unless you opted out. Please don't worry yourself too much and don't do any more googling . Sending you lots of positive vibes and best wishes.

Original poster
poppy34 · 23/05/2007 18:30

nope missgolighty haven't as only time I ever tried I fainted. But one thing that the recent experiecnes has taught me is not to be so squeamish so will do from now on if I'm ok.

fox -it is a long time but they get specialist people to do it and need to do various lengthy tests. Trouble is you go through phases - whilst I was ok about it at time , 6 weeks does seem a long time. The consultantant I;m seeing does seem very good (I couldnt have asked for better care through all this).

OP posts:
Original poster
poppy34 · 23/05/2007 18:32

allpiggie - never got standard bloodworks as despite telling gp at 8/9 weeks I was pregnant got bounced round the hospitals locally and took me 10 weeks to find anywhere by which time I'd decided to go privately. Then had 20 week scan and found problems hence despite being pregnant 3 times have never had proper booking in appointment (admittedly 1st 2 were earlyish m/c)

This amongst other things (lets put it this way none of my 3 shortlived pregnancies except for end of htis one have made me have much faith in antenatal care) has really made me very scared re pregnancy etc

OP posts:
Original poster
poppy34 · 23/05/2007 18:33

and it was the hiv as part of standard bloodworks that I'm worrying about - to top off whole experience ended up having nearly 100ml of blood taken to give them enough to do allv arious tests they needed.

OP posts:
Tamum · 23/05/2007 18:37

poppy you poor thing. It seems wildly, wildly unlikely that you have HIV, I really wish you wouldn't blame yourself. When do you get the results?

alipiggie · 23/05/2007 18:39

Oh I'm so sorry. What a rotten experience of ante-natal care you've had. Having blood taken is so awful. Most nurses can't even get blood out of my veins. Please take care of yourself. My bloods were back within 48hrs. If you're really that worried, there are clinics where you can have it done and get the results within an hour I think. Take care of yourself.

Original poster
poppy34 · 23/05/2007 18:39

Tamum -sounds daft but I don't actually know - most likely in 6 weeks when all tests in but could be next tuesday. thing is my dh not due to come with me to that visit (he is out of the country) so I'm panicking generally

OP posts:
Original poster
poppy34 · 23/05/2007 18:40

yes was not the best experience - had a temperature and was being sick/shaking (partly nerves and partly effect drugs they gave to induce me had) when first nurse tried to take blood. Ended up getting the anaesthetist to do it.

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 23/05/2007 18:41

you can call and find out about the bloods. They are normally done quite quickly.

Have you got a good GP? He/she may be able to liaise with the hospital for you and get stuff done a bit quicker.

I'm glad you have a good gynae now.

foxinsocks · 23/05/2007 18:42

could you reschedule the appointment for when dh is around?

alipiggie · 23/05/2007 18:42

Can you not ring them and ask them to give you the HIV result as soon as it's in???? That would help you so much wouldn't it. I thoroughly understand how the wait is so awful. I was no angel in my past life and seeing as my H has had an affair (he said he used condoms but hey he lied about everything else) I was worried too. And yes googling did not help.

Swipe left for the next trending thread