Tested Pos

[pozpessimist]

Havent been ill at all except some nasty something that I ended up waiting out in december and never got it checked. (doc thinks around time of initial infection).  At the beginning of august was hospitalized for a week with pnuemonia, valley fever ect... a whole mess of stuff after not feeling right for about 3 weeks and hoping it will go away. this time it didnt.  Finally was dragged to the hospital where at first they didnt know what was wrong with me and after insistence from my mom they tested me for HIV (at first ER didnt want to do test).  So later in a dementia/drug filled stupor I was told that the tests came back positive and that my CD4 count was 19 (a quantative viral count wasnt taken it seems).  Also during this time I had a million things of blood drawn to make sure i didnt have anything else, a couple of scans, oh and that colonoscopy was not that fun.  So they tested me for pretty much everything under the sun which I do have to thank them for there thoroughness I guess.  Now im pretty much holed up in my house afraid to catch something while my CD4 count is so low and im going crazy(hopefully not literally) here. I got tested on the 22nd of August and had CD4 86/14.3% and my VL was 266k.  Last thursday I finally started meds and am taking atripla.

Sorry for the long blah rant/story i just wanted to get it out

[Dale Parker]

Hey Poz: I was tested at the end of March this year and had pretty much the same numbers as you.  My CD4 was 21, viral load 500,000+ CD4 to CD8 ratio was 0.0.  After 3 months on the meds my numbers rose to CD4 159, viral load 750 and CD4 to CD8 ratio 0.2. Health wise prior to testing I had shingles 18 months before testing and some skin rashes that the doctors thought were allergic reactions to something.  Other than that I was almost never sick and when I was it was only a slight cold. I did panic about picking up something with my numbers so low.  I had my cat put down as I was worried that I could pick something up from her. 
After a month or so I decided to live my life as I normally would.  I've been camping 4 or 5 times, ride my bike almost every day, go to the malls and have just started to volunteer at one of the HIV/Aids groups. I do try to avoid people who are sick with colds and stuff. I am also a little more conscious about hand washing. I do make sure that I wash food and get rid of leftovers after a few days in the fridge.  I did give myself food poisoning as I ate some cabbage stew that was 5 days old.  The food passioning could have been due to my low numbers but could also have been because I moved to a new place and the fridge isn't as cold as my previous one.
   I do try to live my life as I normally would have prior to be diagnosed.  I may get sick from being around or doing something that I shouldn't in my "condition" but I will cross that road when I come to it. I say get out and do what you feel like doing just be a little more conscious of things and don't be afraid to back off if anything makes you uncomfortable.
Best of Luck
Dale

[skeebo1969]

  Pozpessimist,

     Your name kind of reminds me of the state of mind I was in when I originally joined the forums back in October of 2005.  I took on the moniker SadTom because well... I probably need not explain, seems you already understand how I felt at the time.

     It can be tough in the beginning, but as time goes on day by day it gets easier.  The antiviral you are on works really well and should have you up and out of your house in no time.  Seeing that your Cd4 count is so low I would recommend you get plenty of rest, eat as best you can, and try to limit contact with anyone who is sick.  If you feel the need to get out for a while, take a walk.....  oh speaking of that are you on anything else like Bactrim?  If you are remember to heed the warning on the label for sun exposure....  Just remember to be good to yourself, do what makes you happy within limitations because your mental state will of course help your physical well-being.

    Welcome to the forums, and oh no need to apologize for posting in this forum for support.  To be honest your rant is far shorter than my introductory rant was......  judging from that alone you are going to be OK.   

    You will find that this forum is a great support system and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  There are many members here who have lived with this virus for many years and they are a valuable source of information and support. 

   Take care of yourself,

   Thomas