POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Positive Women => Topic started by: leshai on October 23, 2007, 01:12:53 pm
-
Hello and Good Day, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I tested positive on 11/18/97. Since then by the grace of God healthwise I have been doing good. I kept putting off the thought of going on meds as I was caught in the "I aint sick " bubble. I was able to maintain a decent cd 4 (always stayed between 400-500, and viraql load vever over 20,000. Until this past summer I started being exhausted, I mean it was hard for me to even get out of the bed in the morning, I was no feeling like my normal self, so I stopped the bullshitting (sorry for cursing) and I went to the doctor, On 10/16, I was informed by the doctor that while my viral load had not increased much 27,000; my cd4 had dropped to 135(14%). What a day that was .........I am now on a mission to not let HIV/AIDS take me out. I started Atripla last night, took it at 11p, 2 hours after eating.. it is 1:04p the nexy afternoon and I am at owk feeling okay, but have yet to sleep...no other side effects so far. I called the doctor and they are prescribing Lumestra to counteract the Insomnia. I am a 33 year old mother of three, never used drugs only occassional alcohol use. Please pray for me as I am scared out of my mind, but am really putting on a brave face for my family. Thanks
-
Hello Leshai and Welcome.
Three kids, you're blessed and you've got a lot of people counting on you! I hope the regimen suits you and starts raising those CD4s right away.
There are mommies on this forum who will have a lot to offer you in terms of taking care of yourself, keeping your game face in perspective and being present for your children.
Glad you posted here. This site is one place where you can let your guard down, confess your fears, find answers and get insight.
Best regards to you.
Em
-
Thanks... It is know almost the end of my shift(6pm) and I am still feeling okay, not too tired. Hopefully I can get some zzzzz's tonight
-
First let me say, Welcome to the Forums. From reading your post, it seems you have been + for as long as I have. I just started Atripla about a month ago, the only side effects I had was the drunken feeling for a few nights along with a few funky dreams. I no longer have those side effects, they went away on their own in a few days.
I had been blessed during those years by having pretty decent cd4s and the highest my viral load has ever climbed was 80,000 but it also went back down on it's own before I even started the Atripla to 16,590, my body was still making the effort to fight the virus. The lowest my cd4 dropped to was 215 when my doc and I came to the conclusion that it was time to start meds. Since taking the meds, I have noticed that I am not as tired as I use to be and feels better. I still have to get blood drawn for my appointment on Halloween but I am expecting good results and hoping to become undetectable.
I think you have a great mindset of not letting this virus get the best of you even when sometimes it may feel like it is kicking the shit out of you. Continue to stay proactive when it comes to your health and try to keep stress as far from you as possible. How old are your kids? Do they know your status? I will keep you in my thoughts and in my prayers. Please keep us informed on how things are progressing with you....
-
Hie Leshai
i just wanted to welcome u to the forums too. i'm not on meds yet but i have a feeling i soon will. i'm glad everythings ok so far hope it continues like that. best of luck to you!!
-
Hi Leshai, welcome to the forums! I do hope you get some sleep. You know, you could not be sleeping because of all the anxiety you're feeling over having to start meds etc. Your feelings are your feelings, but know that they will pass. All feelings eventually pass. I hope to hear from you more and hope you got some sleep last night.
-
hi leishai
any update? how are you doing with your meds?
i was recently diagnosed (August), my cd4 is not high, only 205 and may start meds soon.
take care
mesu
-
Hello my newcomer friend..ha..I forgot your name already..
Sometimes I get brain farts.. :o Oh well..a part of my life so I just deal with it.
\
I am glad you posted in this group..All the ladies and Mom's can help you with your questions..
Your not alone, especially in this group...We are all here for each other..
When I first started therapy, I thought I was losing my mind..Sustiva was giving
me nightmares, but in time they passed..
Still I take a sleeping pill. I never did take any, until I started my cocktails..
It all happened in one month..I was going though menopause, breaking up with my ex and starting all these new meds..
It was too much for me to deal with all at once..
So I saw a therapist, and she was great, She gave me something to help me sleep, plus
an anti anxiety medicine...omg that did the trick.
Being a women, going though menopause, fighting with my ex, and just starting my meds I thought I was going insane..
She also gave me an antidepressant because I felt like I was jumping out of my skin,
couldn't sleep, plus night sweats and hot flashes, were all too much at once.
My therapist said, "this anti depressant pill wont change your circumstances but it will
keep the floor underneath you from fallen out...
I just needed something to get me though all this, and it worked..
I no longer need anti depressants, still take my sleeping pill, with my other meds,
and I am more calm now than I have ever been.
Got rid of my ex, pass my menopause and take my fat pills....oops my hiv meds..
It never goes away, but at times you wake up just like everyone else..Some take
there morning vitiamins and some take there cocktails..
The fact is that almost everyone you meet takes pills for one thing or another..
Soon, you wont even think about it..It becomes a part of your day, and you learn to
work with it..
Just give yourself sometime...OK.. ;)
-
Hey you guys; sorry I hae not posted in a while, going on month number two with Atripla; and doing great so far so good...No more side effects; sleeping like a baby....continue to pray for me...
Thanks
-
Good to hear from you and glad you are doing well with the Atripla. Have you reached undetectable yet? I have and did it in about the same amount of time as you have been taking it. Let us know how it goes...
-
Leshai:
You will find that we women are a tight-knit group and we like it when we all check in. We tend to worry when we don't hear from someone for awhile. I'm glad you're feeling better. Please let us know how you're doing.
Peace-
Betty
-
Well finally some good news..
Thanks for posting back and letting us know how you are doing..
Its great your able to sleep now without a pill...hip hip hooray...for you girlfriend..
Me, I still take my sleeping pills..never did sleep well since i was a little girl..oh well.
Glad to know your doing well..
How are your children doing, Do they know, or are they too young to understand
all this..
You take care of you, ok..luv n concern :P me..