Positive as of 1/8/10

[Ravhyn]

Have tested negative for the past four years since ex husband contracted HIV.  Found out yesterday that I am Positive. Found out the first test was positive on Xmas eve (Really wish they would have waited like 4 days for the holiday to be over).  My husband now is still negative. Go for blood work on Monday. Haven't been sick at all. Spent all summer around kids with swine flu and am not vaccinated didn't get it.  So I've been undiagnosed for four years and hoping that as much as I've been around sick children (I ran a inhome childcare until the positive test result) That my immune system is still intact (Hopefully my viral load is low and my T cell count high!)

I am going into this though feeling positive. I've read literally hundreds of articles recently on everything HIV/AIDS related that I can get my hands on.  I've even gone and read the "Denialist" sites and viewed this from every angle that I can.  I am comfortable in the knowledge that new meds out now, and in process will allow me to hopefully lead a semi normal almost full life and hopefully before my time runs out (I'm shooting to hit 75 =) ) that there will be a cure, or at least a vaccine to end this epidemic. 

I should hopefully know what my Tcell count and Viral Load is in the very near future.

[Inchlingblue]

It sounds like you have a good handle on everything.

Just curious: when was the last time you had tested negative? You and your ex stopped having sex four years ago?

Keep us posted on your progress/numbers.

[mecch]

Have tested negative for the past four years since ex husband contracted HIV.  Found out yesterday that I am Positive. .....  So I've been undiagnosed for four years and hoping that as much as I've been around sick children (I ran a inhome childcare until the positive test result) That my immune system is still intact (Hopefully my viral load is low and my T cell count high!)

Sorry about your diagnosis.

I don't follow your post exactly.  First you said you were tested negative for four years recently. THen you said you been "undiagnosed for four years".

Which is it?

[skeebo1969]

   Man, sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis and yea, it would have been nice for the doctor to wait til your holidays were over.

   As the others have stated, I am a bit curious about your testing negative for 4 years since being away from your ex.  Add to that, your current husband has tested negative.  So I assume I am correct in thinking that you have tested repeatedly over the last 4 years and those results were always negative, right?

   Has your doctor confirmed your results via a Western Blot test?  What you've stated above is often deemed medically impossible.  I am not disputing anything you've said, I just wonder if perhaps you've received a false positive.  While rare, they do occur.  Have you had any sexual relations with anyone other than your husband?  I know that's a janky question and I do apologize. I know right now you must be stressed out... and I want to welcome you to the forums.

   If you haven't had those results confirmed by a Western Blot test I would request your doctor do one first thing Monday morning.

   Good luck with everything... and once again sorry!

[Rev. Moon]

Sorry about your diagnosis, but welcome to the forums.

I think I understood what you meant by 4 years.  That was the last time you had a test prior to this one, right?

At any rate, best wishes.  Keep your good attitude!

[Ann]

Rav,

If you've tested negative at three months or more after the last time you had unprotected intercourse with your ex-husband, then you're either not positive or you got hiv elsewhere.

Has your diagnosis been confirmed with a positive Western Blot? Because if it hasn't been, then you cannot yet consider yourself to be hiv positive.

Many things can cause a false positive ELISA antibody result. This is why your diagnosis must be confirmed with a WB.

Conditions that can cause false positive results include pregnancy and underlying (and possibly undiagnosed) autoimmune disease. Sometimes false positives just happen.

Please get your diagnosis confirmed before posting further.

Ann

[Ravhyn]

Sorry I made that seem confusing lol. I had one HIV test about two years ago.  It was negative, had one the day after ex husband was diagnosed and then one three months later. What I meant by undiagnosed was that I didn't have it (at least i hadn't shown up) My ex husband 4 years ago was my only exposure to the virus. Since then I have been with one man, and he is negative. No blood transfusions, no needles and I don''t leave my house but maybe twice a year to stock up at Sam's Club. I am a very reclusive person.  Because of the issue with my ex husband, I have PTSD and hospitals are a trigger so I avoided them at all cost. Now, I have no choice. 

Thank you everyone for the welcome and sorry about the confusion, playing World of Warcraft and forums are not a good combo for me (LOL)

CHristmas eve they gave me the results of the Elisa I thought at first it was a false negative because at the time I had a Staph Infection/MRSA.  Not to mention I have had Epstein Bar. a lot of other factors like my husband negative after 3 1/2 ish years of excessive unprotected sex.  Yesterday they gave me the results of the Western Blot and the Aptima (Dr.said the Aptima was a new HIV test) and I tested positive for HIV-1.  It took me off guard because its been so many years and with the exception of the MRSA and a herniated disc I was fine.

[john33]

Rav sorry to hear about the results of your test.
welcome to the forums, take the time to read up on things and try not to stress out too much.

John

[Ravhyn]

Thank you John.

I have been doing lots of reading since the Elisa test came out. I'm honestly, not too stressed.  It's not a death sentence anymore (Obviously you guys are proof of that :=)

I'm comfortable in the knowledge and the care that is provided these days, and I look forward to being here for a long time. I'm stubborn, and I have wonderful support on this end.

I've kept all my friends and family up to date since the first positive test. All of them know about the deal with my ex husband. I'm a very open book and not good at hiding stuff from them.  I was overwhelmed with the support from all of them. Actually, totally shocked.  One friend I thought for sure was going to snub her nose at me told me that I wasn't getting rid of her that easy LOL.

The only way she said I'd get rid of her is if I became a zombie, then she would have to rethink or friendship if I tried to eat her or her kids. =)