[Question #4038] Had a Panic Attack Dr !! Please help - Follow up Question

84 months ago

Dr I am really sorry to come back here but please help me.

I m happily married with a 2 year old son, i just had a panic attack and i m really nervous after what i read.

I feel my life is over !!!

I was just doing some more reading and i found one post from Dr Bob Franscisno from the body.com which gave me a panic attack and really dont know what to do.

He mentioned oil based lubricants can denature latex condoms causing them to create holes not visible to the eye but can allow hiv to pass through and he recommended people to test in 3 months.

This post was back in 2006. - was he misinformed then?

I also read spermicides cause condoms to leak on mayoclinic website.

In my case it was not the oil based lubricant but some ovule she inserted.

Dr i know you think i m paranoid but the fact she used an ovule and i used the ultra thin durex condom notva regular is making me think the condom got damaged and i m doomed.

MY MIND came up with one more question that has been bothering me which is under, i posted this on medhelp but they deleted it - i dont know why? This created more anxiety.

"I was hoping and wondering if Condom manufacturers like Durex, Trojan, etc have NOT conspired with governments and pharma to create condoms that allow HIV to leak through a latex condom, which would result in more patients, with more business to pharma and more fear in general public about hiv resulting in more condom usage out of fear.

I know its a long shot, but is there any authority that keeps a check on condom manufacturers?

Can condom manufacturers risk doing something like this to fill their coffers?"

Dr i m in a terrible state of mind.

I was doing very well mentally until this evening till these triggers came up.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

84 months ago

About a week ago, Dr. Handsfield counseled you that spermicides do not make condoms leady saying "Oil based lubricants or other products can weaken latex condoms so that they break. They do not lead to microscopic leaks." I'm surprised that you would think that the answer would change in a week- it has not. Further, I'm dismayed that despite my recommendations to stay off the internet several months ago and your pledge to do so, that you continue to go there when you know you are most likely to find information that is taken out of context, out of date or just plain wrong. Now you are back citing a 12 year old statement that you found on the internet. I have nothing to add to the past statements that Dr. Handsfield and I have made in response to your repetitive questions other than to suggest that you clearly have guilt and anxiety issues which need to be addressed with professional counseling unless you can keep from exposures of the sort that you have posted about. EWH
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84 months ago

Sorry Dr....My apologies.

I totally respect you both and will go by your assessment.

My OCD went spiralling out of control.

Sorry again, i feel ashamed to bother you both.

I just did not wanted to test again, i m tired of this HIV testing OCD repititive pattern.

As Dr HHH said i will suck it up and believe i was not at risk !!!

Thank you again you guys are beyond Great !!!

I m emotionally very low right now, please pardon my rambling.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

84 months ago

I'm glad you've taken my comments to heart. I really meant what I said about seeking care.

this thread will be closed shortly.

Take care. EWH

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84 months ago

Ok i made the mistake of going to a reputed pathology lab and got an HIV RNA test done...now i m scared to death after reading that this test has a high rate of FALSE POSITIVES...i cant imagine how will i handle my anxiety if i get a false positive...just too emotionally low and scared....have locked myself up in a room...whats worrying me the most is the use of ultra thin durex condoms coupled with the escort using some sort of spermicide ovule tablet...my ocd keeps repeating that the thin condom was compromised by the spermicide and i contracted hiv.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

84 months ago

You can start by stopping anticipating what your test will show. Despite the relatively high false positive rate for RNA and other PCR-based tests, it is more likely than not that your test will be negative. When it is, believe it an move on. IF positive, you need the advice of a specialist who can order more tests. In addition, you need to pursue counseling for your inappropriate anxiety. It is clearly impacting you in negative ways. EWH
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84 months ago

yes Dr i will followup with an HIV DUO test incase false positive - but i just wanted a last word of reassurance on the use of ultra thin durex condoms coupled with the escort using some sort of product/spermicide ovule tablet - if my condom dint break - it did not put me at any Risk of HIV correct?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

84 months ago

The FACT that you keep asking the same questions is a symptom of your anxiety. Further, it appears that seeking self-requested testing is not helping you either, is it. As we have explained before, the answers will not change just because you keep asking the same questions. Further, hearing the same answers again and again is not an effective intervention for anxiety. There is no evidence that your condom broke and condoms, ultra thin or not remain the best means of reducing risk for all STIs.

This will end this thread. Further repetitive questions of this sort may be deleted without a response and without refund of your posting fee. EWH

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