medical student, tested positive

[medstudent]

Hi everyone,

So i just tested positive in September this year. It was actually during my first day of medical school. As part of our health screening we were tested for blood borne viruses as standard. I remember leaving the test that day without a care in the world, thinking there wasn't a chance of me being infected. I've always been very careful sexually. When I've been in a committed relationship, i've always ensured that myself and my partner are tested before we had unprotected sex. I've also never used IV drugs.

So several days later i got a call from the occupational health consultant asking me to meet her the next morning because there was a problem with my test, and that she wasn't comfortable telling me over the phone. Well i knew exactly what they were testing for, and said to her "i know you've tested for Hep and HIV, so i know it must be one of them so you might as well tell me". I'd imagine my reaction was something similar to what each of you went through. There was this mess of shock/anger/fear/crying/more crying/and more crying.

I met with the same consultant then next day to discuss the implications for med school. I also met an ID consultant who would be taking over my care and several ID nurses, which involved lots of chatting, blood tests and cups of tea.

The second test confirmed the diagnosis of the first and my CD4 was found to be 450 and viral load only 512. So that was good news i guess.

So now, 3 months on.. I've been on Stribild for just over a month. It was only just in the process of being licensed by my local health board, and the consultant had heard great things about it so he advised since i was young, fit and healthy, that i wait a few weeks and go straight onto that, rather than switching meds.

My first round of blood tests since being on the meds should be available this week, so i'll get to see what effect the drug has had on the virus. Keeping my fingers crossed

[Theyer]

I am sorry this has happened but glad you found us and added your story to the many. What,s the current situation with your studies and what country do you live in. I ask because off the difference between your Post and the one preceding it from exarmy.

So a great big Welcome to you.

m

[ms3053]

Good luck!!! I tested positive not too long ago. I just try not to think about it much. It gets better they tell me. :0)

[medstudent]

thanks for the kind messages folks

after all those years striving to get into University my first immediate thought was "does this mean i can't be a doctor?" But once it started to sink in i started worrying about the implications for my long term health. I'm glad to say after some lengthy chats with my consultant I'm feeling a lot more positive about the situation.. no pun intended.

I live in the U.K.. something i'm pretty thankful for since being diagnosed. Once the result was confirmed and the resistance tests were completed I was straight onto Stribild, no questions asked, no HMO/PPO/insurance company hoop jumping. Thank god for the NHS. My heart goes out to people in other countries who struggle to get onto the right treatment.. i really hope things work out for you

[justmints]

Glad things are going well Mr! Been on Stribild for three months now and all is fine here. Think I was one of the first in Glasgow to go onto it. A few years time I am sure you will be a great Doctor

[xinyuan]

hi, medstudent.

First, your private messaging will activate after the 3rd public post.

You are not alone. Quite a few medical people here. Was just recently diagnosed last November.

When it activates, feel free to PM me to ask questions or vent.

[Theyer]

thanks for the kind messages folks

after all those years striving to get into University my first immediate thought was "does this mean i can't be a doctor?" But once it started to sink in i started worrying about the implications for my long term health. I'm glad to say after some lengthy chats with my consultant I'm feeling a lot more positive about the situation.. no pun intended.

I live in the U.K.. something I'm pretty thankful for since being diagnosed. Once the result was confirmed and the resistance tests were completed I was straight onto Stribild, no questions asked, no HMO/PPO/insurance company hoop jumping. Thank god for the NHS. My heart goes out to people in other countries who struggle to get onto the right treatment.. i really hope things work out for you

I agree thank the Gods for the NHS , the problems that get discussed here with insurance , differant states in the US having huge difference in the services provided, the heartless petty minded pharmacy problems , it does make one thankful.
Glad that your teaching Hospital are working well with you , hopefully they will have the imagination to see this as a potential resource in the long term , with your dual position . Long term things though . All the best ,fell free to pm me if you think it would be helpful in the future.

Michael

[Theyer]

Glad things are going well Mr! Been on Stribild for three months now and all is fine here. Think I was one of the first in Glasgow to go onto it. A few years time I am sure you will be a great Doctor

Welcome justmints , how about your very own intro thread when your ready , all the best

Michael

[medstudent]

Nice to meet all of you! 

my first round of blood tests came back.. my viral load is undetectable, which i'm so so pleased about, and my liver/kidney function are perfect. i don't get a repeat CD4 level until January, at which point i'm expecting that to have come up a little too.

@justmints.. snap, i was the first person in _________ to be prescribed Stribild! have you had any side effects?