POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => I Just Tested Poz => Topic started by: singboi on March 24, 2007, 10:26:58 am
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hi guys
finally mustered up enough courage to post in this forum. tested positive for hiv on Feb 14th together with syphilis infection so it's a coinfection. got my 3 penicillin jabs but when i went to see my hiv doctor for the 1st time, he said he'll need to do a blood test to rule out the syphilis infection and if it's still there, he'll have to do a lumbar puncture, has anyone been thru that? my next syphilis test's on the 30th of April. had my first bloodtest yesterday, 9 vials of blood in total. now i'm just worried about my numbers since it's the first test. does a low CD4 count from the first test mean that i have to start meds straight away or will the doctor do another one to see the trend of the count? i believe i was infected in Oct/Nov'06. spoke with my medical social worker but she ain't of much help. where i am, Singapore, hiv meds are not subsidised by the government so if i need to start meds i will have to pay for them from my own pocket. and people who cant afford them are just left to die. i cant believe this is happening in my country and i seem to have lost hope in trying to battle this disease. there's only one hiv support group here and they're not much help either. i dont know where else i can find help but on this forum. gimme your 2 cents please
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Hi singboi,
First of all, a warm Welcome to the forums :)
I can relate to you, I discovered I was positive around the same date, got syphilis with it too, got the 3 jabs in the butt (ouch), and got the same thing about lunbar puncture from my doctor, and I'm scared about that, if someone else can answer how this procedure works and how to avoid it being too painful I would appreciate.
I'll let others comment on CD4s and meds as I'm relatively new here. Good luck :)
Milker.
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milker- thanks for the reply, at least i know someone is going thru the same thing as me. let's hope things will turn out good for the both of us.
trelium-thanks for your private message, but somehow i can't seem to reply to you, something wrong with the link. is there any other way i can email you back? needa ask you a few questions.
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Hey
Ok Lumber Punctures - following a rough conversion I lost control of my legs and had other weird symptoms. To cut a long story short I ended up having a LP..
The worst thing to hear is people say its the worst experience of their lives. Well for me thats not true. Basically, a local anaesthetic will be injected in your back..you MUST relax as this really helps. You will be most likely be asked to roll into a foetal position on your side so that they can open up you spine to get the relevant liquids out. The LP will test for a number of things. Its so important to relax and take your mind to a beautiful beach or in bed with a great man..I had no pain from the initial LP.
It lasts about 15 minutes but honestly all I can say is dont tense up as this will make you even more anxious. I always tell myself these guys/girls are here to help me I will do everything I can to help them make it easier.
Anyway its important to lie on your back after for a couple of hours. My worst experience was post LP headaches.Tablets helped but then I did something really dumb and flew a couple of days later for work..The air pressure caused me to be very ill with shoulder aches and headaches and passing out. Again I ended up in hospital as these can also be symptoms of an infection so be aware although its very unlikely. When you get home lie on your back as much as possible and rest but you must also walk aroung to get the fluids moving again..
Drink water and dont FLY!!
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OH yeah - I also found out that its best not to look at the instruments - they are not bad and the quack (doctor) said that if you are slim then its so much easier as they can find the correct spot much better than if you are a little overweight..
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I've had over 10 LPs in the last several years. After the test is over and you're allowed to get up, go get the largest cup of strong coffee you can get. (Yes, you can add cream and sugar) That will prevent the headaches associated with the LP. When we talk headaches with LPs, we’re talking the migraine type.
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Oh yeah - I forgot about the strong coffee - this was recommended after I collapsed with the headaches and pain..what great advice was that - also though it was suggested to eat chocolate - sounds good to me - coffee- chocolate and a marlborough light..
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This LP thing scares me as shit >:(
Milker.
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milker, it's not as bad as it sounds. Just make sure you lay still and don't jerk or move while they are doing it. You get the little sting when they numb the area and then you feel the pressure when they do the LP. It was the headache that was the killer. I didn't know about the coffee until I was having my 8th LP done. It pissed me that no one else had ever mentioned it before hand. I've had it done a couple different ways. On my side in a fetal position and bent over that bed table. Either way is good.
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Thanks Rapid.. when it comes to pain and needles i'm such a pussy :-[
Milker.
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you can ask them for a sedative like valium or xanax to help keep you calm. i've had 2 so far and they were no big deal. i was really scared too but by my second one i felt much more relaxed.
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Hi singboi
Having just been through my first year I can still remember very clearly what it all felt like at the time and send you lots of hugs... hang in there... the seemingly endless rounds of doctors and hospitals and tests on top of the shock and fear and millions of worries and questions will settle down, and though it will be different to before, you weill reach a kind of normalcy. Be patient with yourself and kind and gentle.
There are several singaporeans who visit these forums, you are not alone. I hope in time you will find a supportive community. The cost of meds, medical insurance and government policies is a concern that all of us share in one way or another. One option that some people make use of is buying meds in Bangkok. Some of the regimens are available at greatly reduced cost though the drawback is that there are few to choose from. While the situation in singapore might be difficult with government policies and social stigma, I know that there are some very good doctors there who are understanding and supportive.
you asked about your numbers and whether or not the doc will wait to start you on meds. It depends on what your numbers are and how well your immune system is coping with the infections.
the best thing you can do for yourself is to read the information on this site and the posts of experienced people and become informed so you and your doctor can form a partnership in making decisions. I found that understanding more about this disease helped me deal better with the fear and participate more actively in maintaining my own health.
lots of hugs and best wishes
j
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you can ask them for a sedative like valium or xanax to help keep you calm. i've had 2 so far and they were no big deal. i was really scared too but by my second one i felt much more relaxed.
Thanks antibody it's good to know. I'm still scared as shit about this. I'll have my results beginning of may. Why was your second one easier, what did you do?
Milker.
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ROFL @ Milker, relax guy. It doesn't hurt to have it done. It was just the headache. Just remember the coffee and it will be a breeze. Just lying on your back for about an hour after the LP, is more troublesome than the procedure. You have to lay there until the site seals well. You'll do just fine. As many blood tests we have to endure, you must be a mess during testing time. :D
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I had a LP done as well due to Syphilis. When I was first diagnosed (at the same time as HIV+) with syphilis, they gave me the 3 rounds of shots in the butt (those damned things hurt). Then after my syphilis numbers dropped...a couple of months later, they climbed back to even higher than when I was originally diagnosed. That's when they decided to do a LP to see if it was coming from my spinal fluid (because I had not been reinfected since I had no sexual contact since my diagnosis). I was scared to death. My I.D. MD actually came down to the E.R. to perform the procedure (no other docs were available to do it)...and he did a great job. The secret is to keep very still and not to tense up. Basically, curl up in a little ball and try to relax. I guess I was lucky, I didn't even get a hint of a headache afterwards. Goodluck to you on your numbers and hope to hear back again on your status!
Tony in VA
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13 days before i see my doctor and i'm scared as shitting in my pants about LP. I've had a salty mouth for some time and i'm sure it's related to syphilis. LP scares the shit outta me. My doc already has the results, but hasn't called saying I should see him so I feel maybe i'm escaping it. If I have to have LP I will tell you the date coz it may be mistaken with the end of the world.
Milker.
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Well I was worried shitless just like you for I had heard the horror stories. But my I.D. MD did it (which if yours can, that's great as most I.D. docs have done plenty since it is kind of common for syphilis)....but it was painless and I didn't even have anything afterwards. I hope yours goes as well as mine did. Please let us know how it goes and I think the worse part is the worrying before you have it done. You'll see!! :)
Tony in VA
PS: My LP fluid came back positive (big time) so I had to be connected to an Antiobiotic drop for ten days. Yes, that meant having a PIC line inserted in my upper arm and wearing a fanny pac all day and night that would carry a pump so the antiobiotic would be pumped in me 24/7. It was somewhat bothersome as I had to go to work hooked up to this thing and I didn't do anything socially during those 10 days.
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milker, rofl, you're a trip. No you can't have a drink before you have your test. milker, a good f@#k hurts worse. ;)