Author Topic: AIDS question (Read 8197 times)

michaelman333 · « **on:** June 20, 2006, 06:16:14 pm »

So my BF was diagnosed with HIV in Jan. They think we had gotten in within the previous two months.

His #'s seemed good and then all of a sudden they dropped.

Yesterday his Dr. Diagnosed him in AIDS status. We are both obviously shaken up a bit. He keeps saying that he is going to die within 6 months based upon the research he has read.

I am a bit scared and I wondered what others' experience's were. This al happened so fast and I am not sure the answer.

Eldon · « **Reply #1 on:** June 20, 2006, 06:43:24 pm »

Just calm down, with the meds that we have available to us if followed as prescribed, his #'s can turn around. I've seen it happen. If he drinks or smokes, he's going to have to drop it to help his helper cells generate more helper cells to fight this battle.

allopathicholistic · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2006, 06:54:02 pm »

Quote from: Eldon on June 20, 2006, 06:43:24 pm

Just calm down, with the meds that we have available to us if followed as prescribed, his #'s can turn around. I've seen it happen. If he drinks or smokes, he's going to have to drop it to help his helper cells generate more helper cells to fight this battle.

As Eldon said, I've seen it happen too. First hand. I went to 419 from 42, a tenfold increase in 9 months. My VL is under 70 copies. I fully agree with Eldon's advice re: booze and cigs -- to this list I would add illicit drugs, strenuous activities, and, to the best of your abilities, processed and fst foods with lots of additives -- but especially illicit drugs. If you wanna give us the actual numbers (you don't have to of course) and other details (again, optional) that info would be helpful

michaelman333 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 20, 2006, 07:01:41 pm »

well i know that his #'s went from 315 cd4 -121cd4

i worry though he refuses to stop smoking and drinking .. they are his major vices ... that is what worries me sometimes

allopathicholistic · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2006, 07:14:28 pm »

Quote from: michaelman333 on June 20, 2006, 07:01:41 pm

well i know that his #'s went from 315 cd4 -121cd4

i worry though he refuses to stop smoking and drinking .. they are his major vices ... that is what worries me sometimes

hmm, hmm $:-\$ .... baby steps if anything. that might be better. it's something. in times of stress, cold turkey might be a horribly bad idea. what about cd4 percentages?

Teresa · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2006, 07:20:51 pm »

Is he on meds?? My hubby was diagonised may of this yr..CD4 85. Hes on meds and feels pretty good..go next week for his first set of labs since starting his meds.

Hugs
Teresa

michaelman333 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2006, 07:31:03 pm »

just starting them

so that should be a good sign.

Teresa · « **Reply #7 on:** June 20, 2006, 07:39:39 pm »

Hopefully he will start doing and feeling alot better. I hope he doesnt have any side effects from the meds. Have you clicked on the drugs at the top left corner. It talks about all the drugs and the possible side effects. If you havent you should...its very good at explainingg the drugs.

Teresa

jkinatl2 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2006, 07:48:08 pm »

Personally, I would go shopping for another doctor. Any doc who claims that someone has six months to live with a new AIDS diagnosis is at LEAST in dire need of a second opinion. People just don't seroconvert, pass into AIDS, and die in less than a year. Not without some serious mitigating circumstances.

Before you and your BF commit to a lifetime of drug therapy, I would do some serious second-opinioning.

*edited to add*

The first year of diagnosis, CD4 counts and Viral Load can fluctuate WILDLY before they settle. Your doctor should know that.

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #9 on:** June 20, 2006, 07:52:35 pm »

JK is on the money here. Get a second opinion. HIV is notorious for it's mad fluctuations in the first 12- 18 months after infection.

Oh and welcome to the forums.

Fondly,

MtD

Joe K · « **Reply #10 on:** June 20, 2006, 08:08:16 pm »

Most definitely you need a new doctor, because the one you have just won't cut it. Forget the numbers and labels for a minute and just work on getting a good doctor to start working with and to begin I would request a full copy of all of your labs from your current doctor, to take with you to the new doc. (No need wasting money repeating tests)

I understand how the labels can scare the hell out of you, but like JK said, you don't get HIV and die from it within a year. You both need to just slow down, start doing some research into both the disease and to find a new doctor and then go from there. I also understand the fear you face and realize that what I suggest is easier said than done, but that's another lesson you need to learn. Managing HIV takes work and the only way you will really feel comfortable is when you understand what HIV can and cannot do.

For now, just take is slow. Your emotions will roller coaster and it's all normal. This is a time when you just support each other and be kind to yourselves. It will get easier, I promise, but some days just suck no matter what. Most important is you found your way here so feel free to ask whatever you need to, so you can both feel more comfortable. As others said, read some of the lessons and relax.

You've got plenty of time to begin this journey.

Teresa · « **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2006, 08:13:57 pm »

I guess i didnt understand..I thought it was his partner that was saying he (himself) only had 6 months to live..not the dr saying it.

by all means if its the dr saying it find a different dr.

Teresa

jon · « **Reply #12 on:** June 20, 2006, 08:20:14 pm »

I got diagnosed with a CD4 of 12. 2 or 3 years later I'm still here. Meds work.

J.R.E. · « **Reply #13 on:** June 20, 2006, 08:29:15 pm »

I am with Teresa here. It was the patient himself that said he was going to die in six months :"from research he had read" ----Sometimes dangerous to read to much.

I had an aids diagnosis in October of 2003. T-cell were at 16. I have recovered, But it was certainly a struggle. And...We all respond differentlly, to the meds. Tell your BF, to try an realax, take his medication as prescribed. What is his current regemen ? What are his current numbers. This info would be helpful.

Ray

cubbybear · « **Reply #14 on:** June 20, 2006, 09:04:38 pm »

Hey Michael.

Many of us wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for meds, as we've been in double and even single digit CD4 counts and bounced back. Your boyfriend's numbers will bounce back once the meds start doing their thing.

Cheers
Matt

AlanBama · « **Reply #15 on:** June 20, 2006, 09:10:40 pm »

Hey Michael,

I'm confused.....the doctor actually SAID he had six months, or that is just what your partner thinks he has? In either case, it's just not true. Slow down and breathe.....

Alan (who heard that six month thing 230 months ago)

lydgate · « **Reply #16 on:** June 20, 2006, 09:31:40 pm »

Did his CD4% fall significantly as well? The percentage tends to be more stable than the absolute count, which can bounce around a lot. And what are his viral load numbers?

USNRET · « **Reply #17 on:** June 20, 2006, 10:24:45 pm »

I was diagnosed with AIDS by my doctor. It was just a routine physical. I was never ill. I have been on Sustiva/Truvada for about 8 months. In 2 months my Viral load went to undetecable. My CD4 Count over double in 6 months and my percentage doubled also in that time. Meds work...don't fret. I plan on being around for a long time...and I bet your BF will also. I'm sure that HIV/AIDS won't be the end of me.

Life · « **Reply #18 on:** June 20, 2006, 10:34:09 pm »

FIRE ZE DOCTAR!

michaelman333 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 26, 2006, 09:10:20 am »

Quote from: AlanBama on June 20, 2006, 09:10:40 pm

Hey Michael,

I'm confused.....the doctor actually SAID he had six months, or that is just what your partner thinks he has? In either case, it's just not true. Slow down and breathe.....

Alan (who heard that six month thing 230 months ago)

My BF thinks he is going to die not the DR. just for the clarification...

aztecan · « **Reply #20 on:** June 26, 2006, 10:31:02 am »

OK Michael,
First, before firing the doctor and moving on, have your boyfriend have a serious talk with him/her.
Since this is the first year, the advice offered by others is right on. His body is still adjusting to the fight it is waging against the virus. Someone already asked what his CD4 percentage was. I would also ask what is is viral load?

During the first year, both of these numbers will vary wildly.

Now, about your boyfriend's vices: Smoking - well, many of us do. If he can quit, mores the better. Drinking - how much? I have known chronic alcoholics who, when tested, had no immune system. But they didn't have HIV. It was the booze.

If your honey is a heavy drinker, it is time for him to start thinking about this lifestyle and possibly changing it. If he can't quit, then cutting back would help. This is called harm reduction and it is definitely better than doing nothing.

How many labs has your honey had? A decision on treatment should never be made on just a few tests. A series showing a pattern, i.e. dropping CD4s and rising viral loads, could indicate a need for meds. But a single or just a couple of labs won't show any pattern and only give an incomplete picture of what is happening.

Don't rush into anything. Your boyfriend should have a heart-to-heart with his doctor, have him explain what he is seeing, what his decision to recommend meds was based on and why.

Take care and let us know how things are going.

HUGS,

Mark

P.S. As the notation below my photo says, I've lived with this a long time, as have others here. Tell your boyfriend his days are not as numbered as he may believe.

Etay1207 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 08, 2009, 07:06:02 pm »

Wow! 121 t-cells? I'm envious! Mine were 71 the last time I had labs done.

BT65 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 08, 2009, 08:14:38 pm »

Etay, I understand you're new to the site, and welcome, but this thread is from 2006.

Forums Index

Welcome

Author Topic: AIDS question (Read 8197 times)