How did you stay calm during the 3 months while waiting to get an HIV test?

(Asked in the proper STD category as well, but would like answers from my LBGT community as well)

I recently asked a question regarding chances of getting HIV from heavy kissing and receiving oral sex from a + individual and I thank you for your answers. I also spoke with some clinics to get more information.

The question I ask now is more of a personal nature. I have the agonizing 3 month wait before I can get accurate results from a test. If you have been through this you can imagine my nerves, how did you cope? How did you keep your mind occupied with other things? Thanking everyone in advance for the mature answers.

it is an agonizing experiance. and yeah i remember it meant a lot less sleep ><

i basically coped by spending alot more time with the important people in my life, and my boyfriend really helped me through it. telling how you feel to some one else really releives the pressure a bit.

but there were a lot of times i was by myself thinking about it. really i basically turned to icecream and old movies. it took my mind away from it if only for a little bit. i just tried to stay more active and avoided things where i focused too much on my own thoughts.

after a while i started to think less of it and actually by the time i could get the test done some one had to remind me to go >.<

but really i hope things go well for you, try not to go crazy and good luck with with your results

your welcome^^ Report It

Think of it like this, worrying about it won't get the results any faster, so you might as well think of other things. Don't stress what you can't change.

And hopefully it comes back negative, and you will remember this stress, and apply it accordingly in the future.

oh man thats a tuff one. I would say assume and make up your mind that no matter what your going to live life to its fullest. Once you convince yourself of that then its time to start living right.

Work out get your body healthy because it will make you feel better and a heatlhy body is important for fighting off infections.

Last but not least, abstain from all sex. (except solo)

There probably is no way to get it off you mind. But just know that no matter what you gotta have a good life.

Hope its just a scare. Take it easy

Just go back to life as normal and continue to be yourself. Easier said than done right? I know it may be hard but really, I think it's all you can do. Spending three months wallowing in depression will not help you in any way. Search for the strength inside yourself. Keep active, do things with your friends and family. If this is any consolation, none of us have any guarantees in life. I may not be at risk of any health issues right now, but I might go outside tommorow thinking I'm gonna live for another 60 years. Then suddenly, I get hit by a bus! No one knows what tommorow holds and if we will live to see it. What you do know is that you are doing just fine right now. So live for today and enjoy each one as much as you can. None of us live forever so we have to appreciate each day we are granted. OK, I think I'm starting to ramble so I'll bring this to a close. Just stay calm and try your best to find things to do to keep yourself occupied for the next three months. Don't worry about it until then. Best wishes!

3 months? My results took an hour to get back...

Well I just went and got my results today ,,, the drive to get them was the worst part so take someone with you if you can. as for how to deal with the wait ... the first few days are the worst then after that you need to accept the fact you can have a good life regardless of the results ... And Play safe always

Three months? Where are you being tested? You can get accurate results much faster than that. Back in the day, I had to wait 10 days for a result and it was indeed a tough 10 days. I found that solitary things didn't quite do it, like movies or reading or whatever. The best thing was to be out and among people, talking and listening and interacting. Whatever gets you out of your own head, though much easier said than done. Best of luck.

For those who don't know and it looks like some do not from the answers given above, the answer to the questions "How long before I can get an accurate test result from the date of exposure to the date of a test? Answer from the CDC is as follows:
"The tests commonly used to detect HIV infection are actually looking for antibodies produced by an individual鈥檚 immune system when they are exposed to HIV. Most people will develop detectable antibodies within two to eight weeks (the average is 25 days). Ninety seven percent will develop antibodies in the first three months following the time of their infection. In very rare cases, it can take up to six months to develop antibodies to HIV.
Information provided by The Centers for Disease"

To answer your question Overthinker, is I didn't stay calm. I sweated bullets for the full three months and when I found out that there was a real possibility that since I was an extremely health person and have an excellent imune system that has managed to keep me very well, that it could be as much as six months to a year before I could develop antibodies in quanity enough to be seen by the test I nearly flipped out the rest of the way.
Fortunately, I had a friend that knew a really good councilor / shrink, that helped me through the period of uncertainty.

I would go back to the clinic and get some counciling or have them recommend a good councilor.

Hope you do well with your test.