Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
This Forum is made
possible in part by GlaxoSmithKline.
Ask the Experts about Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment
Swollen lymph nodes after stopping Pe
Jun 29, 2008
Hey Doc,
I recently decided to stop PEP because of the low risk nature of the exposure (insertive unprotected oral sex with Thai sex worker). After stopping both sustiva and combivir I felt pretty good for about two days, but then started having tightness in the throat, swollen neck lymph nodes, fleeting headaches, and fleeting joint pain in my right arm. The sustiva rash (looks like light red moles) has not gone away.
Are these indicators that I actually had the virus? Are there side effects with stopping PEP after only 2 wks? Can anxiety alone cause these things?
I am so freaking worried that if I have it... I will be resistant to sustiva.
I plan to go to a hospital tomorrow to get bloodtests done to make sure everything is in good order after the meds. I am also considering a viral load test. Would an HIV RNA assay be likely high if I did have it?
Thanks so much for helping me through this extremely tough time in my life. I've never been so scared.
Response from Dr. Henry
The symptoms you describe would be unusual to be due to your HIV meds. I recommend follow-up with you primary care physician to evaluate your complaints. KH
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
