So it's confirmed. :/

[edaf]

On December 12, 2014 my husband and I went in to get a free rapid HIV testing done at our school and they came out positive. Same day, we went to get blood drawn from an agency called Terros to get confirmatory results. But I mean, before we got those results back we pretty much knew. Chances of us both getting falsy results to begin with is probably very slim to none. Because of that we were referred that same day to what was called Central Eligibility. Dec 12 was a Friday, we went in to Central Eligibility on December 15, Monday. They filled out a bunch of paperwork which apparently they then refer to an agency of our choice. We got a list of like 5, we just chose the top one on the list, Care Directions, as we did not really understand what we were doing. About 2 weeks after that, a case worker from Care Directions contacted us so she can come over and fill out more paperwork. To be honest, I wanted to say "Why are you coming to our house? We are not disabled." But I held back. About a week after that phone call she came over.
About 5 weeks after the visit we finally had our first "doctors" appointment. Unfortunately my husband was stuck in the hospital and he was unable to make it and he had to reschedule. I wanted to reschedule and not leave him in the hospital but he cried and begged for me to just go and get started on meds.
 When I got there, I was started off with a Psychologist who asked me questions in regards to my history and my mental health. She was also nice enough to give me her cell phone and told me to call her as soon as my husband was released so she can start the process so we can start meds together. I was then escorted to a nutritionist, who checked my water, fat, and muscles. She told me my diet was perfect, but she gave me multivitamins, vitamin D, magnesium, and protein powder either way. She also said I should lose 10 pounds. I then got 14 bottles of blood drawn. I did not see a doctor that day. Lol
The next day my husband was released and I made the call. They took him in and he went through the same thing the day I called.
2 weeks later we went in to see our doctor. Almost 3 months after diagnosis we were finally able to see a damn doctor. Seemed like a long process.
We told our families the day we were diagnosed and they were pretty angry that it took forever. But anyway...our results:

My Viral Load: 2347
My CD4 count: 384

His Viral Load: 16545
His CD4 count: 38

The doctor put us both on Tivicay and Truvada. Because of his low CD4 count, he was also prescribed antibiotics to help fight infections. He also has an xray that needs to be done this Friday to see if there is some kind of infection in his chest that I honestly do not remember what is was called.

I am really stressing about my husband's CD4 count since it is super low. I am getting all extra cautious with everything. Yesterday was his nephews bday and we had the party in our house. His sister and niece were clearly sick and I asked them to leave. I felt so guilty but I did not want to risk it, even though they understood. I think my husband was upset, but just did not say anything.

Anyway, I am so nervous about side effects. We have not felt anything yet. But I read something about body fat redistribution. Unfortunately, we are both very superficial. We rather feel nausea and lose appetite than get awkward bodies.

How difficult is it to get CD4s back up? The doctor told us it could take years, and that makes me anxious. Seems like I am stressing about it more than he is too. lol. I know I need to take care of myself as well, but from the numbers it seems I am healthier. I don't know. I just want him to be Ok.

[michiganguy2002]

My bf's CD4 was 8 when diagnosed and it went to 34 within one month and then the next month it was in the 70's. It's been almost two years and we are shooting for high 300's. He was on antibiotics for about the first year and stayed very healthy and has remained healthy. He was very sick when diagnosed....

My CD4 was 391 and within 6 months after starting treatment I was over 500 with a less potent drug.

Sorry to hear about your DX, but just like my doctor said to me-- it's going to be ok.

 

[zach]

sorry about yalls diagnosis, you packed alot in that message, i'm just gonna run through some of the high points

i hacked up your post and responded in red

My Viral Load: 2347
My CD4 count: 384

His Viral Load: 16545
His CD4 count: 38

both of your viral loads are very controllable, you'll both be undetectable in short order, that is what to focus on right now

I am really stressing about my husband's CD4 count since it is super low.

his cd4 count is low.... thats all that means, don't read anything into it

I am getting all extra cautious with everything. Yesterday was his nephews bday and we had the party in our house. His sister and niece were clearly sick and I asked them to leave.

don't do that, time with family is good for the soul, go hug babies

Anyway, I am so nervous about side effects.

don't stress, seriously, don't let fear get the better of you. most of that is overblown

But I read something about body fat redistribution.

old information, about old drugs, ignore that, nothing to fear

How difficult is it to get CD4s back up?

there is nothing you can do to directly raise cd4, suppress the viral load then be patient.... BE PATIENT, it takes time

but from the numbers it seems I am healthier. I don't know. I just want him to be Ok.

you may be healthier, don't use numbers to determine that

Take a deep breath, relax, you're both going to be ok. It takes time, both emotionally and physically.

Glad you're here, sorry you have to be. Come in here and vent or ask anything you need.

[wolfter]

There's no timeline to know how quickly (if at all) that your CD4's will climb.  It happens very quickly for some, years for others and another group that thrives despite remaining with a low count. 

There are many here who were down to single digits who clawed ourselves out of danger.    I went from a vl of 6.7 million to UD in less than a year but it took several years to achieve a CD4 of 400.  I prefer to think of mine as quality ones instead of worrying about quantity.

[tednlou2]

I'm sorry to hear about both diagnoses.  Good you know and both in care now.

Are you saying it took 3 months to see a doc and learn what your labs looked like?  That's unfortunate.  If docs cannot get someone in right away, they should at least do blood work, to know whether someone needs more immediate attention.  Your husband fit that. You were not in the danger zone, but they didn't know that.  I know many agencies are busy, understaffed, etc, but waiting from early December to late February for labs is just too long.  But what's done is done. 

The X-ray they did was looking for PCP pneumonia.  It's a fungal issue, which most people have in their lungs.  Healthy immune systems keep it at bay.  Under CD4 200, then risk gets larger and larger the lower the count, and it is very serious. 

As for recovering CD4s-- If he was more recently infected and this low count is the result of acute or fairly recent infection, then counts usually bounce back pretty good.  Not in all, but the immune system is still in pretty good shape really.  If this is much longer infection, then many have a slower time getting those CD4s up.  Others jump from 38 to 800.  It all depends on your body.  I often read it is not as important how many you have, but how well they work.  Well, once you get over 200, because you still have the chance of opportunistic infections under 200. 

Keep in touch and let us know how it's going.  Why was your husband in the hospital?

Ted