Scared. How long can I live? Been on Complera 2 months now.

[strongbrownguy]

I, for the most part am dealing with this the best I know how. Earlier this year I found that I tested positive. According to the doctors, at that time they thought of it being pretty recent. So I officially began treatment with complera in early feb. at that time my CD4 was 541 and VL was at 20,000. After 4 weeks (march 1) on treatment my results showed my CD4 at 671 and VL 60. The whole ordeal is nerve wrecking considering I had always been safe. But my question is. Is it REALLY possible to go forward and be healthy and live long without complications? With this virus. There are days I honestly ask myself that question.

[strongbrownguy]

Was just wondering if there is anyone else here on complera and if they have had sudden heart issues or felt weird around the area of the heart.

[Jeff G]

Hi Brownguy , hopefully some one will come along who is on that drug and help you out . I have merged your threads so that you can get the answers you want in one place

In the meantime you don't need to start a new thread for each question you have , Thanks , Jeff .

[mecch]

Is it REALLY possible to go forward and be healthy and live long without complications? With this virus. There are days I honestly ask myself that question.

Yes.
And its normal to wonder about the question, and worry, for awhile after you get diagnosed....

[life2]

I was diagnosed in late Nov last year (cd 149, VL 239k) and started Complera on Jan 3.  After 28 days my CD4 jumped to 310 and VL fell to 2442.  My next labs are scheduled for next week.

I experienced some dizziness (that could have been the from the complera or an allergic reaction to dapsone) ,  brain fog, minor diarrhea and fatigue particularly an hour or so after taking each daily dose.  All of the side effects disappeared between 4 and 8 weeks after starting the meds with the exception of the fatigue and even that has diminished quite a bit.

Be sure to discuss ALL side effects with your doctor!!!  Your doc needs to evaluate these and consider all meds your on and any other health conditions you have. 

You can still live a long, healthy and great life.  As someone also recently diagnosed I'm just now starting to see this myself.  Granted, it's still a roller coaster for me. 

[WillyWump]

Hi Strong, Welcome.

You can live a normal/near normal lifespan if you stay adherent to your meds. So go ahead and plan on being around for a long time. Already you have shown amazing progress on meds, congrats on that, you will be UD in no time and then your CD4 will have a chance to rebound possibly even higher.

I'm 5 years into this and I can tell you that I really feel just as good as I did pre HIV, maybe better.

-Will

[Fisher]

Hey Strong:

I wrote similar words to Rad.
Do not worry! Ya . . . right!

Just starting therapy, you are right next to undetectable, already!  My doc told me it usually takes three or four months to reach UD.  You are for all intents and purposes, undetectable right now, just after beginning therapy!  No doubt that if you have discipline with your regimen, you’ll be “safe and home” by your next results! And your CD4+ is healthy, very healthy! My doc also told me that the CD4+ rise after the VL is controlled, several months later.  But you are “already there!”

Time heals. And the early days are filled with fear and uncertainty.  And it is quite natural to have fear and uncertainty, and frankly, most everyone’s experience (my guess), quite common to go a bit if not absolutely and entirely nuts!  Just the way it is . . . So enjoy!

And at some point you'll calm down and remember that you have a lifetime to live!
And the quality of that lifetime is likely to have much less to do with HIV then your approach to living. Probably the extent and duration, also, provided clear and precise, or close to precise discipline with your HIV regimen.

In time, you may actually become more fearful about crossing intersections on foot or lightning strikes!  Nah!  That’s not gonna happen. Although more likely, I’m afraid, from my perspective, you and I will may likely always live with an  uncertainty that may linger with us throughout our lifetimes. . .

But you will have a full lifetime to live. And now, perhaps a heightened appreciation of that wonderful gift, this precious opportunity.

So live! So SHINE though all your days, as you’ve always done! I’m doing my best to do so!  We cannot change what happens to us, but we have full freedom to choose how we respond, how we choose to live our lifetimes. . .

[strongbrownguy]

WOW!! I want to thank all of you. In reading your responses,I  felt for once, not alone. I mean 2 of my best friends know and I have their support. But you still want some comfort from those or someone in the same boat as you. Again I really have to stress the appreciation for you all. I will tell my doc about the side effects of lack there of at this point. In the beginning I was extremely tired and did have some pretty vivid dreams. That has now surpassed. But I workout at least 4 days out the week and run. In fact I run half marathons. ( still in disbelief about Boston) that was so heartwrenching). But one thing that had me concerned, was every now and then I feel like little blips in my heart or like a little strain. I will mention this to my doc. Hopefully it's nothing. Ironically I had a echo cardio gram in December and everything was reported normal. I take my medicine everyday and have managed to complete 4  half marathons since starting treatment in feb. I just want some form of security that I won't fall out and drop dead  during  any of my races because of the medicine and the effects it can have on the heart.  Hopefully I haven't been too long winded. Again thanks everyone.

[Theyer]

Welcome
I would say keep on saving for retirement , you have , it reads like , caught the virus early so less damage , and can tolerate your meds and the lab results are Good. Its good to converse with others in the same boat plus there is a wealth off knowledge here .
Enjoy being healthy
m

[Joe K]

Hey Strong,

I suggest that you learn how to gauge your health by connecting with your body and mind as you live with HIV.  I've been poz for 29 years and the one thing that always kept me sane, was my belief that what I was doing was the best option for me.  Not to discount the experience of others, but they are not you.  I believe that if you condition yourself to be realistic in how you live your life, that you will live a very long time.

I believe it to be paramount, that you know and believe that what you are doing for yourself is what you need and want to do to live a quality life.  While I might look to others for inspiration, I know that for me to be content I need to understand what my body tells me and how to put that into perspective in relation to my history and health.

I no longer fear wild swings in my numbers, or getting ill, or whatever, because I have faith in my ability to monitor my health and to seek treatment when needed.  I suggest you live with HIV, by refusing to give it one more inch, that what it absolutely demands.  To do that, it helps when we can be secure that our health is not in jeopardy, just because of a temporary situation.

Always remember, you have HIV, HIV does not have you.

Joe

[LiveWithIt]

I would guess that the highest you can expect to live is to around 125 years old.

[strongbrownguy]

You all are awesome! Sorta brought tears to my eyes. It may sound strange. But I feel supported. Ironically my doc called me today and asked me to come in tomorrow for a follow up and get my blood drawn for being on the med 2 full months. Hoping it goes well. Again thanks you guys. You rock. ;-)

[Jeff G]