POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Positive Women => Topic started by: scribble on May 17, 2011, 09:14:19 pm
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Hello ladies. I am new to the site so I wanted to introduce myself and let you all know a little bit about me. I am a 27 year old female. I found out I was HIV positive about a month ago. My daughters father gave this to me, he knew for years and never once mentioned it to me! I take responsibility for my actions and don't blame him completely but I had no idea. My last test that i had in 07 was negative and I hadn't been with anyone since then so I never got tested again. Anyway he left me after I had our daughter and he is now in prison and decided to write me and let me know about him being positive so I could get tested and get our daughter tested because now he has found God and wants to do what is right. Anyway, here I am. The best news is that my daughter is fine! She tested negative and is 4 years old so she is clear, thank God for that. Well, i have a lot of mixed emotions and all kinds of fears and everything! I think this sight and you all can help ease my mind somewhat and give me some where/one to talk to who has been there before. Well when I found out on April 11 my cd4 count was 76 and my viral load 750,000!!! I was devastated because I am a nurse and I knew that was not good! So I had to start medication immediately. I have been on Atripla for about 3 weeks. I had a few of the dreams but I have a awful rash and my hair started coming out more and more everyday! I was in the doctors office yesterday very sick, and they said I was going through IRIS syndrome. They done new labs but I haven't gotten the results. I just pray that my levels and headed in the right direction. Anyway, I woke up with a worse rash today so they told me to stop the atripla and on Thursday I will start Truvada and Isentress. I don't know what that will do but I hope my hair stops coming out and I hope to get good news on my lab results later this week. I am wondering how everything will affect my nursing career and all kinds of things about my future. I have been dating someone since August of last year and I told him the day I found out and he tested negative, thank God. And he still wants to stay with me but I am so scared and needless to say I haven't had sex with him since I found out. He bought a case of condoms and wanted to go on like normal but I can't right now. I feel so contagious. I don't know if anyone knows what I going through or has any advice but I am open to any suggestions! It easy to tell someone something when you haven't been in that situation, so I am hoping I can depend on people here to help me! thank you all for the support and the website!
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Hi scribble I read your othe post before this one, glad they have decide to change meds, sometimes it take's a wee while for the side effects to ease, but in this case it's better they took you off the Atripla...hope you don't have any problems with the other combo, but I hear it's a pretty good one...I'm on Kivexa, and Reyataz.
I'm so please to hear that your daughter is negative, take care of yourself and stick around, I don't come into this forum very often but I do read it and keep interested about the ladies here, and there are some amazing ladies here believe me.
listen to them they will point you in the right direction.
Aroha
Jan :-*
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Hey Scribble,
Love the name. Welcome. I started Isentress/Truvada in October and it's been a good run thus far.
Glad you have a four-year-old who's healthy and greeting you each day.
Gonna watch The Voice...gotta run.
Em
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Hi Scribble
Welcome to the forums. Hope you will find this site as supportive and as imformative as I have since I was diagnosed 4 years ago.
Sad story about your infection. I am glad however he mustered the courage to tell you to get tested and now you can take care of yourself. I know it will take you a long time to heal from the shock of this and from what he did to you, but start by not blaming yourself for what happened.
Wish you all the best.
Karry
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By the way, Scribble, it appears you must be Irish and near a rainbow for you've found a pot 'o gold of a guy...
"I have been dating someone since August of last year and I told him the day I found out and he tested negative, thank God. And he still wants to stay with me... "
I agree with Karry. You've been through a lot in a short time, so you're still getting over the stress.t's traumatizing to have a big life shift like this.
So regarding getting over that contagious feeling in order to have sex again. Go at whatever pace you're comfortable. Your guy seems to be smart enough to know you'll need some time. And, quite often, creativity or different techniques turn the tide.
Would things be easier if you got a babysitter and had a full, fun date night? Or, how about receiving full body massage from him and simply teach yourself to let go again. Small steps.
Em
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Hi, Scribble,
I started writing to you and I think I lost it. I, too, am a nurse. I have been living with HIV for 21 years. I have AIDS, but plenty of cd4 cells and an undetectable viral load on a twice daily regimen for more than six years.
IT GETS BETTER.
Hang in there! Hopefully you live in a city that has support groups you can go to. If not, I hope you will return to check your replies. You can also post on theBody.com.
Peer support is crucial.
The Americans with Disabilities Act protects you at work. Some employers may give you trouble if they are not well educated about HIV. Always use Universal Precautions. Your HIV status is very sensitive and personal information, and I urge you to share it only on a "needs to know" basisi. Once it's out, you can't put it back in. Never ask someone to keep a secret you couldn't keep yourself.
Is there anything you would like to ask me?
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Scribble,
Hello and welcome. I remember reading that 4 or so months ago. Sometimes the men sound like a bunch of catty old women, but they are good and just full of more info. then I knew existed. If I have a bad day, I'm almost guaranteed a good laugh going on the off topic forum.
I take Truvada and Isentress. Other then some bothersome side effects haven't had much trouble with it. Diarrhea and fatigue are ones that happen the most, but for me they are the worst that has happened so I don't complain to much about it. My hair did get thin though, another bothersome effect but then again not so bad.
My viral load fell real fast. Mine was 125,000 or so when I was diagnosed, and 3 months later I was UD. My CD4 was 33, and is up to 69, but that going up slowly is normal from what I've been told and read. I also just had an infection so that could have kept it down also.
I understand about the sex part, but I'm on the other side, I want it and he won't give it. He's not the guy I got it from. I got it from my ex and we broke up last year, nothing to do with the aids he had, he was just being mean. When my ex was diagnosed we didn't have sex for almost a year, that includes oral, he was just to scared. But we worked through that. Just like now I am working through the same thing with the guy I am now seeing.
Have a good day
michelle 8)
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I just really want to thank everyone that replied. once I get off of work I will write back and let you know a little more. Today is my first day with Truvada and Isentress. Is it better to take Truvada at day or night? I have to ask my doctor but I took my first isentress about 30 minutes ago. I kind of dread waiting to see what happens. But I keep reminding myself that God doesn't make mistakes. I can do this!!
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Hey ladies!!!! I just got a call and my cd4 count is up to 305!!!!! The doctor was amazed!!! On April 17 it was 76! My viral load won't be resulted until tomorrow. I am so happy right now!!! I have a awful headache, I guess its the Isentress but idk anyway I can deal with that if my body is getting stronger. I have a beautiful little girl that needs here mother to be around for a very long time!!
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Way to go, girl! I hope it only gets better and better for you!
Hugs and good vibes @ you!
Karry
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I take my Truvada and Isentress in the morning with my breakfast. I don't milk with it though, sometimes it leads to more gas. I take my second Isentress in the evening. I get headaches also,that's one of the reasons I take my first set with food sometimes it helps with the headaches.
Michelle 8)
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Hey Scribble! Great news about your t-cells!
I've been diagnosed for 22 years. And I'm also on Isentress and Truvada. It's probably the friendliest combo I've been on, and I've been on quite a few different ones. I actually take my Truvada at night, so I don't have to deal so much with the gas that's a side effect (I figure I can sleep through it). Of course it's up to you when you take it; whenever you're most comfortable.
I'm sure things will keep getting better and better for you. Glad you joined us!
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Hey Scribble,
I'm glad you asked that question about when do you dose because I got to see BT's reply. My doc and Inchingblue, another forum member, suggested the I/T in the a.m. -- so that is when I take it. I didn't realize it was that dose that was most gas-inducing, I just figured it was the regimen in total. I will say, over time, it's lessened (the gaseousness). The only headaches I get still seem to be the weather-related migraines I've had for years--I've not seen any increase with meds. Congrats on that incredible CD4 rise! You must be quite relieve to see such a difference so quickly.
Em