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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety And Coldness On The Limbs After Completing PEP Regimen
Question: Hello Doctor,
My previous question answered by you is in this link:-http://www.healthcaremagic.com/AskDoctorInboxServlet?page=viewQuery&queryId=185717
Now I am almost ending the PEP regimen with Truvada and Isentress.
Have 100% compliance so far. Except for the initial 3 days of mild coldness of limbs I didnt have any side effect so far.
But still I am under lot of anxiety and waiting for the completion of 3 weeks after my PEP finishes tomorrow.
I have a few questions :-
1. What are the tests shall I take after 3 weeks and then after 3 months. Is there any quick test I can take after 3 weeks ?
2. SInce you are very confident on the infection getting aborted by PEP, I have a question regarding this, I Have read PEP aborts 80% infections but how many PEP failures with recent drugs have you seen so far ? Or is it you have access to latest research journal which confirms HIV infection abortion by PEP ?
3. I understand I had a low risk for the oral but now sometimes I have a feeling if my condom was intact as I didn't check after the encounter. That is also increasing my anxiety. So far trying to distract myself with activities but still it lingers somewhere in mind, Its the stigma attached with this disease which makes us so vulnerable and being in a country like XXXXXXX it gives chill. We really need to remove the stigma attached.
My previous question answered by you is in this link:-http://www.healthcaremagic.com/AskDoctorInboxServlet?page=viewQuery&queryId=185717
Now I am almost ending the PEP regimen with Truvada and Isentress.
Have 100% compliance so far. Except for the initial 3 days of mild coldness of limbs I didnt have any side effect so far.
But still I am under lot of anxiety and waiting for the completion of 3 weeks after my PEP finishes tomorrow.
I have a few questions :-
1. What are the tests shall I take after 3 weeks and then after 3 months. Is there any quick test I can take after 3 weeks ?
2. SInce you are very confident on the infection getting aborted by PEP, I have a question regarding this, I Have read PEP aborts 80% infections but how many PEP failures with recent drugs have you seen so far ? Or is it you have access to latest research journal which confirms HIV infection abortion by PEP ?
3. I understand I had a low risk for the oral but now sometimes I have a feeling if my condom was intact as I didn't check after the encounter. That is also increasing my anxiety. So far trying to distract myself with activities but still it lingers somewhere in mind, Its the stigma attached with this disease which makes us so vulnerable and being in a country like XXXXXXX it gives chill. We really need to remove the stigma attached.
Brief Answer:
PEP in your case would be highly effective and not to worry.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome once again.
1. You can take up HIV DNA PCR test which can reveal HIV infection earlier. But this test also will be delayed in detecting the infection as there is exposure to ART.
2.I had not come across any failure with PEP with my patients or in my practice. But studies revealed that there was 1-2% failure with PEP initiated within 72 hours. That too it was more with those who initiated after 48 hours or who had poor compliance.
You had started the PEP by 17 hours and had 100% compliance. So there is no question of PEP failure in your case. So do not worry about the same.
Because of fear for HIV, you have doubts whether the condom could be intact or not. Nothing to worry You would be free from HIV. Stigma against HIV has come down considerably when compared to what it was fifteen years back.
Dr S.Murugan
PEP in your case would be highly effective and not to worry.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome once again.
1. You can take up HIV DNA PCR test which can reveal HIV infection earlier. But this test also will be delayed in detecting the infection as there is exposure to ART.
2.I had not come across any failure with PEP with my patients or in my practice. But studies revealed that there was 1-2% failure with PEP initiated within 72 hours. That too it was more with those who initiated after 48 hours or who had poor compliance.
You had started the PEP by 17 hours and had 100% compliance. So there is no question of PEP failure in your case. So do not worry about the same.
Because of fear for HIV, you have doubts whether the condom could be intact or not. Nothing to worry You would be free from HIV. Stigma against HIV has come down considerably when compared to what it was fifteen years back.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much Sir.
It really relieves my anxiety. I have never before visited any CSW and in this incident also I went for a massage in a massage parlor, somehow my brain switched for half an hour and neither I was intoxicated nor under any drug.
Afterwards I think how this had happened as i had always kept distance from such activities. Really a big lesson for me and somehow it will keep me in right path when I will have a married life.
it has also made me aware of the anxiety and pain people go through everyday of which I was ignorant so far and now wont be anymore and will help them in anyway possible.
I hope everything will be alright.
One question is I am a regular smoker, does it anyhow affects my medication ?
It really relieves my anxiety. I have never before visited any CSW and in this incident also I went for a massage in a massage parlor, somehow my brain switched for half an hour and neither I was intoxicated nor under any drug.
Afterwards I think how this had happened as i had always kept distance from such activities. Really a big lesson for me and somehow it will keep me in right path when I will have a married life.
it has also made me aware of the anxiety and pain people go through everyday of which I was ignorant so far and now wont be anymore and will help them in anyway possible.
I hope everything will be alright.
One question is I am a regular smoker, does it anyhow affects my medication ?
Brief Answer:
Smoking would not interfere with the efficiency of PEP.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
There is nothing to repent much. It can happen to anybody at this young age. When the sex drive is much, we might likely to deviate from the social norms. It is not a big issue as you had the PEP in right time and the most effective combination.
Smoking would in no way have any effect on the efficiency of PEP in aborting the infection if there was any.
Dr S.Murugan
Smoking would not interfere with the efficiency of PEP.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
There is nothing to repent much. It can happen to anybody at this young age. When the sex drive is much, we might likely to deviate from the social norms. It is not a big issue as you had the PEP in right time and the most effective combination.
Smoking would in no way have any effect on the efficiency of PEP in aborting the infection if there was any.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Excellent counselling Sir. Really helped me in reducing my anxiety and guilt feeling,
Thanks a lot and have a great life.
Thought of closing the discussion with the above reply but now cannot find the close button. Apology
Thanks a lot and have a great life.
Thought of closing the discussion with the above reply but now cannot find the close button. Apology
Brief Answer:
You are most welcome
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome once again. I appreciate your expressions very much and you can close the conversation if you do not have any more questions to ask.
DR S.Murugan
You are most welcome
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome once again. I appreciate your expressions very much and you can close the conversation if you do not have any more questions to ask.
DR S.Murugan
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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