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Main Forums => I Just Tested Poz => Topic started by: bobsmth on November 05, 2012, 03:08:24 pm

Title: From negative to AIDS
Post by: bobsmth on November 05, 2012, 03:08:24 pm
Hi, I'm new here so hope I'm in the right place. Just need to vent I guess.
I've just recently tested positive. I have had regular hiv testing about every three months. the most recent negative test was on the 2nd of October.
I can't believe what my first hiv labs were. I was confirmed positive on the 19th of October and on the 29th of October my CD4s are 206, 12.2%, with VL at 57,000.
Anyone else go from testing negative to Aids that fast?
Bobsmth
Title: Re: From negative to AIDS
Post by: lincoln6echo on November 05, 2012, 07:57:12 pm
Hi there.
Sorry about your diagnosis and hope you are doing ok.  You'll get some great info and advice here.

Being diagnosed with HIV doesn't mean you automatically have AIDS.  HIV is the virus that can lead to AIDS.   

I'm new as well and have a similar story as you.

I was neg June 25, but tested Positive on Aug 31. 
My CD4 was mid 300's, 5% and VL about 6 million. 
Technically though I didn't have AIDS. 

You have a CD4 of 206.  From what I've been told and read, technically an AIDS diagnosis would include a CD4 of 200 or below plus an opportunistic infection. I know that's only 6 points off so does that technically mean it's not an AIDS diagnosis?

From a strict data perspective maybe not but i'm curious as well.
Maybe some of the more experienced folks on here can comment.
Glad you found the forum.
Title: Re: From negative to AIDS
Post by: Mrmojorisin on November 05, 2012, 10:49:27 pm
Actually your viral load isn't all that high. As for your cd4 count, well that would depend on your count prior to infection and since nobody has that count done until they are diagnosed you do not know what normal is for you...you doc can give you answers.

 Btw-Welcome to the forums..
Title: Re: From negative to AIDS
Post by: bobsmth on November 06, 2012, 02:13:51 pm
Okay thanks for the support and info.
Title: Re: From negative to AIDS
Post by: mecch on November 06, 2012, 03:36:58 pm
Welcome here.  Sorry you seroconverted.
Did some one tell you that, that you have AIDS?  Who?
What does that mean to you?
It seems far too early for a doctor to tell you you have AIDS!  You are in acute infection if you tested NEGATIVE just a few weeks ago.

It is 2012.  If you need drugs quick, so be it. If in a few months, your system resets all right, you won't need drugs.... Until you need them.

As long as you have medical care, and access to meds when you need them, there is NO REASON to think you are going to have AIDS, in some dated "understanding" or "definition" of what that means. 

If you have a momentary low point of CD4, during acute infection, this does NOT mean you have AIDS.   
Title: Re: From negative to AIDS
Post by: thunter34 on November 06, 2012, 04:01:40 pm
Hi, I'm new here so hope I'm in the right place. Just need to vent I guess.
I've just recently tested positive. I have had regular hiv testing about every three months. the most recent negative test was on the 2nd of October.
I can't believe what my first hiv labs were. I was confirmed positive on the 19th of October and on the 29th of October my CD4s are 206, 12.2%, with VL at 57,000.
Anyone else go from testing negative to Aids that fast?
Bobsmth

Hi, Bob.  Very curious about a few things here.  You had a negative result on the 2nd of last month, but a positive confirmation on the 19th?  That's only 17 days in between.  You said that you were getting tested every three months (which is more frequent than most), but here you were tested less than 3 weeks apart.  Wondering how you came to get tested again so fast. 

And to go from a positive result to not only having a Western Blot confirmation, but a complete set of labs within 10 days of that first result...well, that's pretty remarkable turn around.

Title: Re: From negative to AIDS
Post by: bobsmth on November 06, 2012, 05:36:29 pm
I had gone to my family Dr. for flu like symptoms (possibly primary infection) about the first of September. When it didn't clear up right away the dr. ordered a cbc lab which had some abnormalities: low sodium and something else that didn't mean anything to me. Meanwhile I was feeling back to normal and the Dr. scheduled a follow up labs for the first of October. His labs didn't include HIV, I got that test independently(was negative).However his tests showed a very low platelet count. Two weeks or so passed and he suggested I test for Leukemia and HIV. Thats when I tested positive.
Title: Re: From negative to AIDS
Post by: mecch on November 06, 2012, 05:47:39 pm
And this family doctor told you that you have "AIDS"? 

OK thanks for your PM! 

I think you're dealing with a heavy, and frankly depressing diagnosis, pretty much like a lot of people do.  So try not to burden yourself too much with the worst case scenarios, or dated scenarios, which really don't apply.  As I said in my reply, via PM.

It is what it is.  But probably it's not AIDS...   

Anyway, welcome to forum and sorry you had to get an HIV diagnosis, of course!
Title: Re: From negative to AIDS
Post by: NY2011 on November 22, 2012, 07:50:22 am
Going from negative to AIDS in a month or so may not be completely accurate. The disclaimer for an AIDS diagnosis is usually that you have to have low numbers AND a corresponding opportunistic infection.  Lab results during seroconversion are generally pretty bad, but it has been widely observed that people begin to regulate months later, known as homeostasis. It seems as if the virus aggressively attacks the immune system in the beginning, while wildly replicating, and then retreats after some time has passed.  Your body also begins to produce antibodies, which obviously can't destroy the virus, but may help in controlling it to some degree. Either way, the body generally adapts, and a new baseline is established after the acute phase.

The silver lining in all of this is that you found out early. If you maintain medical treatment and initiate a drug regimen that you can stick to for life (or at least, for now), you are likely giving your immune system an excellent opportunity to fight this infection. 

I went through this crap last year. My numbers were atrocious (see below), and I couldn't understand how I had progressed to AIDS within two weeks of being infected. But, the more I read and talked with my doctor, the more it made sense about how the virus comes on strong in the acute phase and during seroconversion.

Four things I suggest doing:
1) Seek out an HIV specialist or infectious diseases doctor.
2) Seriously contemplate starting on medication.
3) Ask about prophylaxis, such as Bactrim, to prevent infections while your numbers are still low. The prophylaxis drugs are dropped once the numbers improve.
4) Read about it. A lot. Ask questions. And, check the dates of the information posted online. I find that nothing pertaining to HIV treatment written before 2005 or 2006 is really relevant anymore. thebody.com has a section called "ask the experts." I've run many questions past the doctors on that site, and if it's a question they can answer, I usually get an answer within a day or two.

Be well, and take good care of your self.




Title: Re: From negative to AIDS
Post by: Common_ground on November 22, 2012, 08:12:05 am
I had a somewhat similar experience, you can see my numbers below.

Even thou I can not say for sure when I was infected and a itty bitty small chance of false negative in 2011 my guess is that I seroconverted in November 2011 given I spent a nite in the hospital for stomach ache and throwing up 24/7.

Given my viral load when i tested poz I was not in acute phase.

Im doing well now, I was also never sick and havent feel bad aside from adjusting to the meds (which took me a good 2 months), my other labs are normal and I urge you to chill out , take a deep breath and believe that things will be ok.