Newly Tested / Restults Advanced - Hopeful with Atripla

[tplmc1964]

Hey everyone:

In doing some research about my meds I stumbled upon this forum, liked what I read, so thought I'd join the family. Considering a group therapy right now to get used to all of what's happened to me, but not entirely comfortable with that idea yet. I've read several posts, some were my story some not so much - So, about me:

Age 45 - Poz - 11-18-2009 a day I'll never forget. First results - Dec.9 2009 =
VL 48,000 CD4 = 300 - Scared the daylights out of me.

Good news, DNA not compromised, I began Atripla that day. So far, so good, some vivid dreaming, but about it. May get worse, may not, I think it's a small price to pay for something my life now depends on. Just some comments on a host of similar posts -

I'm very fortunate - my insurance picked up all but a $25.00 copay and my heart goes out to all of you who are not in this boat. Remember, there is assistance, tons of it. Tell your Dr. do not stop the meds because of cost.

My last HIV test was in 2005. I believe I sero-converted sometime in summer of 2006, then went asymptomatic for this long. A week after I learned I was POZ I developed a fungal rash, nasty, shingle - chicken pox thing. ( I thought I was seroconverting then) no, I was demonstrating a compromised immune system. Scary, scary news.

Since my CD4 was above 200 my Dr. did not put me on Bacterium, just gave me the warning signs. I take my temp three times a day (overkill? Can't be too careful) I do get spike fevers, at night, but not every night, it's the virus.

I believe I contracted HIV through oral sex. I never have anal sex with casual partners, at all either position...I just have horrible gums. If you have bleeding gums as I do, or are prone to oral infections, even normal ones, be aware you can catch HIV orally.

Get tested, get the ones you love tested. I was afraid of it, I thought ignorance was bliss...obviously ignorance could have killed me. Fortunately from a routine check up where my MD spotted skin tags on my lower back and a light rash on my forearms, she took no chances. I'll never forget what it felt like to have the floor go out beneath my upon the initial news, then to find out how sick I was and I do know it could have been much worse, didn't help.

My first test on Atripla is sched. for Feb. I'm afraid of my CD4 count. I had the same questions about PCP but they use 200 or less as the benchmark. Just be careful and be smart about basic hygiene that is, wash your hands, use antibacterial soaps and take your temp until your CD4 is healthier. Just my advice but I don't think it's hypersensitive...well maybe a little. <G>

My partner believes he is neg. He does not recall any kind of seroconversion issues in two plus years, nor do I. He is going in for oral surgery on Tuesday and I begged him if nothing else to tell the surgeon he's been exposed. He promised he would. I hope to God he will. I think he's afraid, and I guess I am too, for him. His chances are slim of being neg after all this time.

I was infected during a breakup we had two and a half years ago, I have no idea who I got it from nor do I care, why waste the brain power? My partner has been very supportive, but he doesn't talk about it with me unless I bring it up first and even then, the conversation is short lived. Again, I think it's his fears. Although it's frustrating, because I need to talk, I need to share how I am feeling. HIV is not just the disease it's the psychological trauma, the fear, the unknown, the depression....all of it. We have ceased anal sex altogether and oral until my viral load is undetectable and my CD4 is in a safer range.  Obviously I want this to all happen tomorrow, but I know it will be months. Reading some of your success stories have been really encouraging, so thank you for sharing them.

No, HIV is alive and well, just something that isn't on the news every day anymore so I guess we got lazy...I did.

For now, that's all I had to say - that and thank you. I am looking forward to meeting new friends and having  a supportive family here. If anyone has anything they'd like to ask me, feel free to ask anything. I don't offend easily.

For those who have received recent good news, I'm thrilled for you, I hope to God in the coming months I will have the same to share.

Happiest of holidays to all -

Tim

[tommy246]

Im similar to you, diagnosed dec 2008 but infected sometime from jan 2006 ,im 49 yo . my numbers you can see below  my pnuemonia wasnt hiv related i had bronchitis didnt see the doc etc, ive been on atripla a month now feeling great more energy only side effects is my lipids have gone up slightly so will get to the gym and watch the diet and alcohol . Starting at 300 you should rise to normal levels quite quickly , mine shot up from 590 to 790  in 23 days and viral load down to 266 from 59.000.GOOD LUCK,and keep reading this site its the best its been my therapy as im not into joining groups , another great place to ask medical questions is the johns hopkins hiv website , dr gallant a top hiv specialist awnswers you within three days very helpful.

[tplmc1964]

Hey -

Thanks for the reply, wow those are some impressive improvements. I have no expectations, I expected my initial tests to come back undetectable with a healthy CD4 count. ...see how expectations disappoint? I've learned to just keep an open mind so that I have and hope for any improvement. Won't know until Feb. 2010 my first labs on the meds.

Also, thanks again for the leads on the other sites - it's been difficult finding good ones that aren't full of horror stories, misinformation or contradictory information, so I'll check those out too.

You have have a great day - and stay in touch.

Thanks again,
Tim

[max123]

hi tim,

welcome to the forums...they're a wealth of information and frequently, a great source of cyber support 

it's a good thing that you got the diagnosis when you did and have started meds. hopefully you do well on them. definitely take some time educating yourself on the need to's regarding staying healthy! it's a different ballgame now, but it appears that the pitfalls can be minimized by knowing which lines can safely be crossed & which shouldn't be.

i too am 45. formally diagnosed 8/09 and infected somewhere in the preceding 1.5 years.

max

ps: try to have your bf test...the earlier the detection the better off he will be in the long run