Email 11: Still Confused

I received his email again.

Sir, I am back again asking for your help. I am still so bothered until now about my condition. 

I have been tested twice and both came back negative. But I was doubtful about the test I took in a government hospital here because I found out they were using Beijing biod biotech rapid test which is not in the list of FDA approved tests.

I tried to contact the PNAC or the DOH but I am not hearing any response from them regarding the matter if they check and monitor for quality control the medical devices used in hospitals especially those used for blood screening like HIV.

Here's my story and the list of symptoms I am having.

I have had unprotected receptive anal sex last August 12, 2011 and I also had unprotected anal sex on October 12, 2011.

On the last week of October, I started to feel chills everyday at night and I have stuffy nose and loose bowel once a day every morning. I can also feel 4 lymph nodes below my jawline and one small nodes(less than 1 cm) at the side of my neck. Later on, the chills are felt already even in daytime. I checked my temp every time I had chills and it ranges from 37.1-37.4 persisting for almost 3 months .These continued until the 2nd week of January and it went away on its own without treatment . After the chills and what I think is low grade fever subsides, burning sensation in my feet and hands starts to develop which worsens at dawn. I also experienced dry mouth and white tongue which i could not scrape. I had 2 episodes of hives all over my body which lasted for days and I don’t have any known allergy. Now, I have 1 ulcer in my lips and once I had it at the back of my throat. I also have feeling of tiredness, dry mouth, and burning sensation in my my hands and feet. The burning sensation is on the dorsal part of the feet, around the ankle, in the calf, in the dorsal area of my hands but not on the sole of the feet and the palms and the toes. It is only lately that the soles feel like tingling at times but not so often and there is no burning sensation in the sole.

I have been tested negative for HIV antibody in December 14, 2011 and January 16, 2012 which turned out non-reactive.I also had my stool checked and found numerous fungus in my stool.

I am still doubtful of my result since i am having all these symptoms.I also have been checked for my blood sugar, my thyroid panel and other STD’s and everything went ok, since the doctor thought I was having thyroid problem.

I am 27, male and has always been healthy before.

Do you know anyone who is positive and is having symptoms the same as mine?

If it's ok sir, since i don't have access with specialists here in our place, can you ask your doctor if my symptoms could possibly be hiv? Since I learned that there is a condition called diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome which could possibly occur in early HIV infection and could manifest as parotid gland enlargement, dry eyes and mouth, which could also cause peripheral neuropathy and extraglandular involvement like the lungs (since I also am having occasional back pain). I have all these symptoms except for parotid gland enlargement. I even have my heart pounding when I try to take a nap in the morning.

I am so anxious now and could not understand how I am feeling.

I would want to get tested again but i am already very scared. And it would be hard for me to have access on Elisa or Western Blot. Only rapid test is available in our provincial hospital. Could I rely on the result of my rapid test? 

The nearest hub or social hygiene clinic from our place is 10 hours away.

Thank you po. Pasensya na po sa abala. Hope matulungan nyo po ako sa mga tanong ko.

God bless!

Paranoia Freak

Hi Paranoid Freak!

Thanks for writing me again.

I asked Dr. Ditangco about your symptoms but she said it really is best that you go to a specialist (preferably an infectious disease doctor) so your condition can really be diagnosed. She said it could be anything but it is better to get facts from blood work and other laboratory tests to get a proper diagnosis. 

The only tests that can be done to know if you have HIV are the ELISA,Western Blot and the rapid tests . I researched about the testing areas in Mindanao and I found these areas that you can try again if you are doubtful:

1. Butuan City: Social Hygiene Clinic

    Dr. Jesus Chin-Chui

    Add; City Health Office, Butuan City

    Tels: (085) 3423432; 8151111 loc 1039

2. Davao City: Social Hygiene Clinic

    Dr. Jordana Ramitere, Social Hygiene Clinic Physician

    Add: City Health Office. Magallenes St., Davao City

    Tels: (222) 4187

    Mobile: 09209102718

3. Davao City: Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), formerly Davao Medical Center (DMC)

    Dr. Leopoldo J. Vega, Chief of Hospital

    Dr. Alicia Layug- HIV AIDS core Team Leader

    Add: JP Laurel St., Bajada, Davao City

    Tels: (227)2731

    Mobile: 09204241721

4. Davao City: Davao Regional Hospital

    Ms. Telesfora A. Hinay

    Add: Apokon. Tagum City

    Tels: (082) 221 8593; 227 9536; 400 3653

5. General Santos City: Social Hygiene Clinic

    Dr. Mely Lastimosos, Social Hygiene Clinic Physician

    Add: General Santos City Hospital

    Tels: (083) 305 1510

    Mobile: 09088877512; 09198483116

6. Zamboanga: Social Hygiene Clinic

    Dr. Kibtiya Uddin, Social Hygiene Clinic Physician

    Add: Petit Barracks, Zone 4C, City Health Office, Zamboanga City

    Mobile: 09274836672

7. Zamboanga City: Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC)

    Dr. Romeo A. Ong, Chief of Hospital

    Dr. Jejunee Rivera, HIV AIDS Core Team Leader

    Add: Zamboanga City

    Tels: (062) 9910573; 9912934; 9920154

    Mobile: 0920 4241721

I also asked about the Beijing biod rapid test that you are asking for and Dr. Ditangco said that you can rely on it’s accuracy. However, if you are still doubtful on the procedure your testing center used, just go to the testing centers that I posted above. If you can, just come to Manila and I can direct you where you can get yourself tested again to calm down your nerves. Also by coming to Manila, I can also help you to seek help from the best doctors I know.

I do hope that I was able to answer your questions. I posted your letter here in case somebody with the same symptoms can post a comment about it.

I wish you well and always remember that you will always be in my prayer’s list.

Pozziepinoy

FOR TOPIC SUGGESTIONS, please email me at pozziepinoy@yahoo.com

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