[Question #11044] PEP and RNA
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17 months ago
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I'm begging you not to delete this question. I have been told not to restart Lexapro for my OCD until I stop breastfeeding, & cannot bring myself to wean my newborn. As such, I cannot stop worrying about something I remembered that may relate to my false positive p24 antigen test during pregnancy. I will be brief and try not to ask follow up-questions to reduce your time spent.
-false positive p24 antigen in pregnancy, confirmed negative by qualitative PCR RNA (all in 2023). No risk factors for 6-7 years before and 3-4 negative 4th gen tests since any risk factors.
After a potential sexual assault in 2011, I may (very unlikely since I don't remember seeing it on my chart) have taken PeP for HIV (12 years before the false positive).
Question:
1) If I did, could this have suppressed the RNA in 2023?
2) or suppressed the antibodies/antigens from the 6+ 4th gen tests after this incident but before my false positive?
3) Caused my p24 positive antigen since the antigen returns when HIV becomes AIDs?
I suspect my OCD is at play here but this feels extremely real & is making it very difficult to feed/touch my newborn without panic. I hope someone might get educational value from the question and would be so appreciative if you answered. I am so sorry I am bothering you- I have tried for days not to write to no avail and therapy is not helping.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
17 months ago
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Having reviewed your three previous threads, I'm sorry to see you back. By rights we could have deleted this question, as noted by Dr. Hook. But I'm going to reply in the hope that hearing from me as well as Dr. Hook you might come to understand and believe you do not have HIV. I am senstivie to the stresses you have been under -- the combination of sxual assault 12 years ago, a false positive HIV test and the stresses it would induce in anyone, plus your OCD are a pretty tough combination. At that level, I understand what you have been through.
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That said, you really do need to think objectiely and do your best to understand and believe the sober, reasoned, science based evaluation and advice you have had, not only on this forum but probably from your own doctors, and for sure from your husband. I strongly endorse what he said, according to your own comment in one of your previous threads: "My husband won’t get tested bc he has been 2-3 times for work since we got married (last a year and a half ago) and thinks this is all stupid."
1) "If I [took PEP], could this have suppressed the RNA in 2023?" No, this is not possible.
2) " or suppressed the antibodies/antigens from the 6+ 4th gen tests after this incident but before my false positive?" Also no.
3) "Caused my p24 positive antigen since the antigen returns when HIV becomes AIDs?" And once more, no.
"I suspect my OCD is at play here...." I'm sure it is.
"...therapy is not working." You'll just need to keep working on it, hand in hand with your therapist.
I'm sorry, but I'm not going to leave this open for further discussion. This forum does not offer psychological support services; we only can provide facts and our clinical judgement about HIV risks, test results, and so on. The forum cannot help you further. From here on out, any further question along thes lines really will be deleted without reply and without refund of the posting fee. I do hope these final comments help you move along. Best wishes to you.
HHH, MD
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