Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 09:59:17 am

Login with username, password and session length


Members
Stats
  • Total Posts: 772945
  • Total Topics: 66310
  • Online Today: 377
  • Online Ever: 5484
  • (June 18, 2021, 11:15:29 pm)
Users Online
Users: 3
Guests: 340
Total: 343

Welcome


Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS.  Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning:  Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.

  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

  • Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators of these forums. Click here for “Do I Have HIV?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

  • We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are true and correct to their knowledge.

  • Product advertisement—including links; banners; editorial content; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from POZ.

To change forums navigation language settings, click here (members only), Register now

Para cambiar sus preferencias de los foros en español, haz clic aquí (sólo miembros), Regístrate ahora

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS  (Read 7443 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline trai

  • Member
  • Posts: 70
Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« on: June 10, 2007, 12:09:56 pm »
Guess the topic says it all. 
12/2003  Tested Neg
02/2003  Tested Neg
08/04/2004   Tested Poz
08/05/2004   514     51536       
08/23/2004   516       81600    
01/07/2005   449       27500    
07/01/2005   308       35600    
07/21/2005   527       8140    
09/15/2005   512       3950    
12/02/2005   434       0    
03/15/2006   309       0 
10/   /2006    356      0  
01/08/2007   311       7899    
05/10/2007   345       9133    KS Diagnosis Started Meds for First time.
07/05/2007   692       793
10/   /2007    626       0
01    /2008    ???        0
07/08/2008   6something  0
08/   /2008  Stopped meds

06/2010   ???      0

Offline Longislander

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,489
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2007, 12:16:05 pm »
Hi Trai, welcome to Aidmeds~

Sorry about the KS, and I wish you the best with meds~

Paul
infected 10/05 diagnosed 12-05
2/06   379/57000                    6/07 372/30500 25%   4/09 640/U/32% 
5/06   ?? /37000                     8/07 491/55000/24%    9/09 913/U/39%
8/06   349/9500 25%              11/07 515/68000/24     2/10 845/U/38%
9/06   507/16,000 30% !          2/08  516/116k/22%    7/10 906/80/39%
12/06 398/29000 26%             Start Atripla 3/08
3/07   402/80,000 29%            4/08  485/undet!/27
4/07   507/35,000 25%            7/08 625/UD/34%
                                                 11/08 684/U/36%

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2007, 12:19:13 pm »
Good luck trai, what treatments have you gone on and how are you dealing with the KS?
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline trai

  • Member
  • Posts: 70
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2007, 12:30:04 pm »
My doc started with my Truvada and Reyataz and we are going to monitor the KS to determine if I need further treatment for it over the next 6 months after starting the HIV meds.  My actual numbers used to be in my signature until we move to the new server here. 

I am tolerating the meds well...the first couple of days were hell...but much better now...my HIV neg boyfriend is great and very surportive.  IN addition to to starting meds...I ask my airline to give me a base hardship transfer to help me with taking the meds...since all I flew was international trips from the New York area to Europe, and Asia.  My doc recomended I fly domestically if I could to minimize the extreme time zone changes. 

The nice thing about that hardship transfer was I came off of reserve and held a hard line.  The other flight attendants here will know just how good that is being off reserve.

Well the odd thing about me having KS is that my numbers do not reflect me developing it.

My last CD4s were 309 and my VL was 9900.  As some people might remember I went a year with being undectable without being on meds.

As to how I am dealing with....well I have my moments.....my boyfriend is not leaving me, haha...my friends that know have been great...more curious then anything...as they have not seen KS before....and I do not worry about how the lesion look on my legs or my arms.  We are getting ready to head to the gay beach near where one of the places I live. 
12/2003  Tested Neg
02/2003  Tested Neg
08/04/2004   Tested Poz
08/05/2004   514     51536       
08/23/2004   516       81600    
01/07/2005   449       27500    
07/01/2005   308       35600    
07/21/2005   527       8140    
09/15/2005   512       3950    
12/02/2005   434       0    
03/15/2006   309       0 
10/   /2006    356      0  
01/08/2007   311       7899    
05/10/2007   345       9133    KS Diagnosis Started Meds for First time.
07/05/2007   692       793
10/   /2007    626       0
01    /2008    ???        0
07/08/2008   6something  0
08/   /2008  Stopped meds

06/2010   ???      0

Offline JohnOso

  • Member
  • Posts: 817
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #4 on: June 10, 2007, 03:24:06 pm »
Sorry to hear about the KS developing.

I remember your posting here before, but haven't seen you for awhile (i mean, how could I forget that chest  :D)

I hear my F/A friend talking about reserve, holding a line, and being on VJA (etc.).....I don't see how you guys keep all that stuff straight.

Take care,
John

Offline aztecan

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #5 on: June 10, 2007, 07:46:07 pm »
Hey Trai,

Having KS show up with those numbers is unusual. Sorry you had it happen to you.

I hope the meds are not causing you too much grief.

Are you taking boosted Reyataz? It is unusual these days to here of people not taking a Ritonavir boost with it.

Hope you enjoyed the beach.  ;)

HUGS,

Mark
« Last Edit: June 10, 2007, 10:10:44 pm by aztecan »
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline Robert

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,658
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #6 on: June 10, 2007, 09:59:45 pm »
HI trai.

Yeah, it's been a long, long time.  Sorry you're back to posting due to the KS.  I do remember your numbers always being quite good so it is somewhat surprising you getting KS.  The virus does funny things.

Mark (Aztecan) is right.  Are you taking Norvir along with the Reyataz and Truvada?  That's the combination I'm on and I'm real pleased with it.  Side effects are minimal.  Results are great.  But for some reason, the Reyataz requires a boost of Norvir for some reason or it just sort of peters out. 

And, hey, congrats on the boyfriend.  That explains why we haven't heard from you in awhile.  That's a good thing.  And how are the dogs (Huskies, right?)  OK, I hope.

robert 
« Last Edit: June 11, 2007, 10:13:44 am by Robert »
..........

Offline edfu

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,090
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #7 on: June 11, 2007, 03:27:57 am »
KS is not like most HIV opportunistic infections that usually require a low level of CD4's or a high VL.  KS can occur at any level of CD4's and at any VL.  True, it's much more likely to occur at such levels, but those levels are not as essential or meaningful as for other OI's.  Its occurrence is also being reported more frequently among HIV-negative gay men.
"No one will ever be free so long as there are pestilences."--Albert Camus, "The Plague"

"Mankind can never be free until the last brick in the last church falls on the head of the last priest."--Voltaire

Offline heartforyou

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,132
  • I must be a survivor in many ways...
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #8 on: June 11, 2007, 05:44:05 am »
Trai,

I wish you a good recovery.

As an ex- fight attendant I know too well how much strain long distance flying puts on you.
It is a good idea to minimise the crossed timezones as that puts an immense stress on your body.

Enjoy the skys baby

Hermie, ex Lufthansa purser
Infected 1983. Diagnosed in 1987 and still kicking
Dovato once daily. Hydrea

Happiness is the freedom of breathing fresh air every day.

Offline allopathicholistic

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,258
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #9 on: June 11, 2007, 09:31:38 am »
My doc started with my Truvada and Reyataz and we are going to monitor the KS to determine if I need further treatment for it over the next 6 months after starting the HIV meds.  My actual numbers used to be in my signature until we move to the new server here. 

Sending well-wishes for beating the ks and it's good to hear your body is tolerating the regimen well

Offline Basquo

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,385
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #10 on: June 11, 2007, 01:24:10 pm »
I'm sorry you're going through this, and i wish the circumstances were better, but I'm glad you posted.  I've missed you!

Best,
Creighton

Offline BassMan

  • Member
  • Posts: 77
  • Gran Canaria 2006
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #11 on: June 11, 2007, 06:58:34 pm »
Hi Trai

Sorry to hear about your KS diagnosis. The exact same thing happened to me. I got it with a CD4 around the same as yours and started meds for the same reason. My consultant referred to it as a "dermatological wake-up call." Apparently it has less to do with your CD4 count and more to do with the way certain HIV proteins interact with HHV-8 (human herpes virus 8 ) in your skin.

The good news is that in time the lesions should disappear once your meds kick in and your VL becomes undetectable. I had several lesions on my legs and arms when I started meds, but they soon started to fade, turn brown and go flat. Within 12 months they had completely disappeared.

I should say I also had 4 cycles of chemotherapy (doxorubicin), really just to stop any new lesions developing before the meds kicked in, but that was really no big deal. There was no sickness or hair loss or anything like you'd expect with more aggressive forms of chemo. I'm not saying you'll need it, but if you do, I wouldn't be too concerned.

You seem to be handling it fine; I remember being very conscious of the lesions, even though they were covered up for most of the time, and even when they were visible, no one seemed to notice them. Nevertheless for me, they represented a visible sign of my illness and I couldn't wait to see the back of them.

Take care,

Carl
Manchester, UK
Diagnosed December 2002
CD4 810 VL 750,000

Started meds October 2004
CD4 405 VL >100,000

Latest Results: October 2009
CD4 888 38%, VL undetectable
on fosamprenavir/ritonavir & Truvada

VL undetectable since November 2005

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #12 on: June 12, 2007, 05:50:05 am »
KS is not like most HIV opportunistic infections that usually require a low level of CD4's or a high VL.  KS can occur at any level of CD4's and at any VL.  True, it's much more likely to occur at such levels, but those levels are not as essential or meaningful as for other OI's.  Its occurrence is also being reported more frequently among HIV-negative gay men.

Really? I've not heard this anywhere. Would you kindly link to some of these frequent reports? Thanks Edfu.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline J.R.E.

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #13 on: June 12, 2007, 08:04:14 am »
Hello Trai,

Sorry to hear about the KS. Wishing you the best...Keep us updated as to how things are going, and how the regimen is going for you.

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/KS_6757.shtml


Take care of yourself-----Ray
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline sdcabincrew74

  • Member
  • Posts: 540
    • My Manhunt account
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #14 on: June 12, 2007, 09:14:12 am »
Hello my fellow flight attendant.  Sorry to hear of your misfortune.  I am on the same combo, it really is easy to take and should get things in order for you quickly.  Take care of your self and fly safe.
The difference between an overnight and a layover is luck!

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #15 on: June 12, 2007, 09:28:18 am »
Ooops, Sorry Trai, how rude of me! I just realised I neglected to say something to you as well - I did mean to!

While it's good to hear from you again, it's not so good that you've ended up with KS. I hope it quickly goes away with the meds.

Please let us know how it goes, and don't be such a stranger!

Hugs,
Ann
xxx
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline redhotmuslbear

  • Member
  • Posts: 605
  • A genuine certified freak of nature, and a hot one
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #16 on: June 12, 2007, 10:06:28 am »
Bummer about the KS, but good to know you're supporting your immune system by starting HAART.

Do watch the meds, though.  I know several guys who started Reyataz and Truvada, then began having almost Sustiva-like mood disturbances.

Best,
David
"The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do." - BF Skinner
12-31-09   222wks VL  2430 CD4 690 (37%)
09-30-09   208wks VL  2050  CD4 925 (42%)
06-25-08   143wks VL  1359  CD4 668 (32%)  CD8 885
02-11-08   123wks off meds:  VL 1364 CD4 892(40%/0.99 ratio)
10-19-07   112wks off meds:   VL 292  CD4 857(37%/0.85 ratio)

One copy of delta-32 for f*****d up CCR5 receptors, and an HLA B44+ allele for "CD8-mediated immunity"... beteer than winning Powerball, almost!

Offline trai

  • Member
  • Posts: 70
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #17 on: June 16, 2007, 12:43:04 pm »
Thanks everyone for the well wishes.  It has been almost 3 weeks since I started the meds.  No my regimen is not boosted.  Just taking the Travada and Rayataz plus my vitamins rights now. 

Yeah I been reading here from time to time, but not posting much at all.  I have been trying not to let the virus run my life or my thoughts.

Glad to know I have been missed.

I finally decided yesterday that I am going to go have a second opinion concerning my total treatment at the Winthorp Cancer Center at Emory University, since right now all I am on is HIV Meds.

I am tolerating the meds very well.  It was just very nasty the first 48 hours...then a few days of nasua ect.....and for the first few days I felt stoned and had very vivid dreams.  All this seems to have resolved.  I will be going back in a week or two for my first labs since starting the meds to find out how they are doing.

The transfer to domestic flying has been great...

As for the boyfriend...what can I say...he is great...and is there for me every step of the way.  Though at times my new cancer diagnosis is a bit hard on him...harder at times to deal with then the HIV.   As I told him last night...that I guess after coming to terms with one potentially fatal illness..a second one does not seem that big of a deal to me.  Maybe I have a very warped idea of the way I think.  LOL

Incidentally he is a country music recording artist.  And he loves my Huskies...which are doing great.  The one I rescued about 2 years ago...is a totally different dog now.  She is almost normal...and almost had forgotten all of the abuse she suffered prior to me rescuing her.

T Rai
12/2003  Tested Neg
02/2003  Tested Neg
08/04/2004   Tested Poz
08/05/2004   514     51536       
08/23/2004   516       81600    
01/07/2005   449       27500    
07/01/2005   308       35600    
07/21/2005   527       8140    
09/15/2005   512       3950    
12/02/2005   434       0    
03/15/2006   309       0 
10/   /2006    356      0  
01/08/2007   311       7899    
05/10/2007   345       9133    KS Diagnosis Started Meds for First time.
07/05/2007   692       793
10/   /2007    626       0
01    /2008    ???        0
07/08/2008   6something  0
08/   /2008  Stopped meds

06/2010   ???      0

Offline aztecan

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #18 on: June 16, 2007, 02:57:35 pm »
Hey Trai,

Sounds like a good idea to have the KS followed up. I've known people whose lesions disappeared on their own and others who needed a little help via chemo.

Regarding the Reyataz, I know the standard of care says two capsules once a day, but nowadays most of the time they add a Norvir boost to ensure proper levels of the drug in the bloodstream.

I am not trying to second-guess your doc, mind you. I know someone who has been on unboosted Reyataz since he was part of the human trials and is doing OK.

Just thought I would pass this along.

Hang in there. I will be sending positive and healing energy your way.

HUGS,

Mark
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline edfu

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,090
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #19 on: June 25, 2008, 02:55:23 am »
KS is not like most HIV opportunistic infections that usually require a low level of CD4's or a high VL.  KS can occur at any level of CD4's and at any VL.  True, it's much more likely to occur at such levels, but those levels are not as essential or meaningful as for other OI's.  Its occurrence is also being reported more frequently among HIV-negative gay men.

Really? I've not heard this anywhere. Would you kindly link to some of these frequent reports? Thanks Edfu.

Ann


Here's a documented medical-journal account, just reported, "New type of Kaposi's sarcoma seen in HIV-negative gay men":

http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/999D3BD3-DA40-4442-B307-808F3AA9596D.asp
« Last Edit: June 25, 2008, 06:12:17 pm by edfu »
"No one will ever be free so long as there are pestilences."--Albert Camus, "The Plague"

"Mankind can never be free until the last brick in the last church falls on the head of the last priest."--Voltaire

Offline randym431

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,137
Re: Just started meds...dues to being diagnosed with KS
« Reply #20 on: June 26, 2008, 05:38:24 am »
Hi and welcome.
I too had some ks, but very minor. Like one pea sized spot. I thought it was just a blood blister.
My cd4's were 85 when I started meds. Later, on meds, with a cd4 of 390 my ks spot turned brown and then faded away.

One note, if you ever thought of going on ss disability, I remember reading that having hiv and one OI (like KS) qualified you for SS disability. Seems thats what the guild lines were.

Now I wonder if i should have not jumped at the chance for ss disability, since it pays more than ss retirement. I think my ss report said "if you became disabiled today your benefit would be $1600 a month". That was in 2005. Most ss retirement folks get $800-$900 a month. I wonder if i should have went that route back then...

Hopefully, your KS will soon begin to change to brown and fade. All the best!!!
Diag Sept 2005 VL 1mill, CD4 85, 3%, weight 143# (195# was normal)
Feb 2021, undetectable, weight 215#

 


Terms of Membership for these forums
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.