Question
Am I experiencing side effects 3 weeks after PEP?
12 July 2022. Related: All topics, PEP/PEPSE.
I had sex with a random person and the condom broke few minutes before I came. I pulled out when I was about to cum. I told this person to do her HIV test and she did 2 tests with a home test kit and the 2 results were different, one negative and the other positive from the picture she sent me.
Immediately I saw this I called a helpline concerning HIV and PEP. I was advised to go to the nearest pharmacy to get PEP which I started within 36 – 48 hours after exposure which was on the 7th May 2022.
It’s being 4 weeks post PEP now. On the 3rd week after PEP. I developed prickling feelings all over my body, my back, chest, legs, hands and face. Now on the 5th week. Because of this I did an home test for HIV which both were negative, but I still wasn’t convinced due to these prickling feeling all over my body after PEP. I went googling one morning and googled all day and immediately I developed a bitter taste in my mouth and loss of appetite which is resolving itself now. And I also had a little cut on my finger nails from cutting my nails and has refused to heal after days it happened.
I don’t know if this is the side effect of the medication or not . Or if this may be symptoms of seroconversion. The PEP medication I use was Acriptega.
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
After 3 weeks it is not likely that your symptoms are being caused by PEP. The half life of Acriptega is not long enough to remain in your body without a side effect until 3 weeks – you would have experienced this during your course of PEP.
Your symptoms are not suggestive of seroconversion. Tingling can be caused by a number of things – it can even be normal. Have you been able to speak to a doctor about these symptoms?
It is possible that theses are being caused by stress.
Testing negative twice and using a suitable combination for PEP within 72 hours means seroconversion is not likely. Do you know the type of test? Was it a 3rd or 4th generation test?
Please see this link for more information about PEP:
https://i-base.info/qa/
Josh.
Hi Kevin – info on PEP is at this link:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
This includes saying that TLD is sometimes called LTD.
https://i-base.info/guides/12423
Hey I’m Kevin!
I have had unproductive sex with the girl and she had HIV! After few hours.. around 15 I took the first PEP tablet with letters LTD not TLD when I went back home some of friends told me that they are not familiar with such kind of PEP with laters LTD… So, I am distressed that I have taken the wrong meds because I am 2 months and 2 weeks … it’s very soon for the last blood test… Can you please let me know about TLD and LTD because my doctor has told me it depends on the manufacturing industry..
Hi Concerned, for more information about testing and transmission please see here: https://i-base.info/guides/testing
Morning Josh
I started within 1 hour and completed a 28 day PEP course 23 days ago after a condom break with a positive woman. But since about a week ago, I’ve been having crawling prickly heat sensations all round body. Went for antimalarial for 3 days initially cus of mosquitoes exposure, but tested negative to malaria, blood counts essentially normal, sugar level 5.2, RVS ab determine non reactive. My body sensations is really disturbing in my muscles and even head. Not getting any better or worse unless yesterday when I wee more and ate less. No 4th gen test here. No fever, no chills,
Hi Irene, when did you last take PEP? and over what time period have you noticed this weight loss?
The symptoms you have mentioned are very general. If you are concerned/they do not go away, please speak with your doctor for further investigations and management.
I tested negative when I was left with two doses to finish my PEP but now I am experiencing a lot of headaches diarrhea dizziness loss of appetite weight loss etc
What could be the problem