POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => I Just Tested Poz => Topic started by: Translation88 on February 07, 2012, 09:34:59 am
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Hello, everyone. I'm a twenty-three year old male living in Florida and I just found out this past January that I'm HIV positive. First and foremost I'd like to say thanks to all those that maintain these forums as well as those that contribute and participate in an open dialogue. I myself can already feel positive effects from the support shown to everyone here so, thank you.
My story begins with a rather strange experience or so it was for me, I came home one day from bar hopping with friends and woke up to a sharp pain in the epigastric region of my abdomen, this pain was followed by heavy acid reflux. This continued on for nearly 2 months with every symptom that I was experiencing getting worse and worse, somebody I love very much actually told it looked as if death was next to me. Any who I eventually realized I had dropped nearly 40 lbs in two months due to being unable to eat, mind you throughout this entire time the doctors I was seeing would tell me it was simply acid reflux.
I finally found a good GI who performed lots of blood work and an endoscopy in which he found candida esophigitis, which lead us to the diagnosis of HIV+. Well to make a long story short I went to see a highly recommended specialist here in the SFL region, as of last week my CD4 count was at 41 with a VL of 200,000 this of course had be very worried I honestly thought I wouldn't last more than a year or two, and no matter how much the doctor reassured me I wasn't feeling any better at least not emotionally.
Well It's now been a week since I've been on the meds, Truvada and Isentress along with a host of other meds for OIs and I can report that I'm feeling a lot better not only physically but after reading these forums emotionally. So again I wanted to thank everyone that's posting on here and making the rest of us feel a little bit better with your kind words.
Let's hope that in the next 100 years testing HIV positive is like getting the common cold or flu. Peace and love for all my brothers and sisters out there! 8)
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Translation, welcome to the forums. I'm glad you found it and are able to talk about your situation even though it must not be easy. I'm glad you are on the road to recovery and wish you a long prosperous life I know you have ahead of you. I too just started on Isentress/Truvada and must say I havn't noticed any side affects at all. Hang in there, stay optimistic, and remember you have wonderful people on here who offer emotional support and opinions from real world experiences! Keep me posted on how your treatment is progressing for you :)
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Welcome. Glad you're feeling better and look forward to hearing more from you.
Best wishes and take care.
Wolfie
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It's very good to hear that you're doing much better. And I expect things are going to continue to improve. Since you're now dealing with living with HIV, I'm glad you found your way here.
I think you already have a sense of how supportive people can be here. You're always welcome to ask any questions you may have and to discuss anything that's on your mind. You've done the most important thing to stay healthy by finding a good doctor. Gradually you're going to learn everything you need to know to stay healthy.
Welcome!
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Welcome Translation!
I'm glad you are feeling better, you will continue to see improvements now that you are on meds both physically and emotionally ;)
You sound like you have a good grasp on things which will make the road alot easier for you. Be sure you shoot for 100% adherence with the meds and you will do just fine.
Hope to see you around!
-Will
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Thanks for the support and replies everyone :) I've honestly found that listening to what my doctor said about my pill regimen and staying on top of it to be the smartest thing I could do. I'm usually forgetful about this kind of stuff but I've become so much more organized now, I seriously have like 3 different alarms that go off every 12 hours for my pills, once again thanks everyone hope to keep in touch :)
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You've been throough a lot of crap buddy. I'm glad things are looking up for you now. Welcome! :)
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Welcome to the community Translation. Sounds like you have a pretty good perspective on things as they are unfolding towards the good. I started Truvada and Isentress in October and last week I found out I was undetectable - the meds really do work. Ask any questions that you need to to keep the mind still and hopeful. Folks here are incredibly knowledgeable and generous as you already see.
PS - In south Florida now awaiting cruise this weekend ... where's the sun ?
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I was diagnosed exactly one year before you, on January 15, 2011. I was also one week away from my 23rd birthday. As others have said, your viral load will drop quickly and your immune system will steadily improve so long as you are adherent to your medication. Remember that knowledge is power and that you can and will successfully manage this disease. I recommend purchasing a pill box (if you haven't already done so) in addition to the alarms. You have a great attitude and, eventually, this will become just one routine facet of your life. Welcome.
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Good evening, everyone. A quick update to my previous post. Nearly 2 months after starting on Truvada and Isentress my CD4 has gone up from 41 to 121 and my VL is now undetectable. I'm feeling pretty great my energy is back, and no longer have any physical symptoms. Once again thanks to everyone for the positive feedback and the encouragement!
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Great progress in a short time! Now let's watch each lab show how your body and the meds continue to kick the sh*& out of the virus and win. In Canada, we have an expression " keep your stick on the ice " (it's a hockey reference for those who have wandering minds lol) and keep moving forward
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Good evening, everyone. A quick update to my previous post. Nearly 2 months after starting on Truvada and Isentress my CD4 has gone up from 41 to 121 and my VL is now undetectable.
Fantastic progress. Congrats! and your CD4's will continue to climb over time so onward and upward! ;)
-Will