Getting AIDS diagnosis after 1 year of infection?

[cokaine]

I am concerned and baffled about this "virus strain" deal.

I was infected in December 2004 and was diagnosed in December 2005. My numbers were in the 100's. I tested negative On July 2004 for HIV and have so every 6 months prior to that.  My VL was in the 30k when diagnosed 12/05 and I started my HAART regimen immediately. Since then slowly my numbers have climbed to the 400's and VL is undetectable.

Before getting my first lab results my doctor explained to me that I was going to most likely be on meds within 5-10 years depending on how fast the virus progresses. He also mentioned very few people get below the 200 CD4 count in less than 2 years. He was almost certain that since I tested negative a year prior my numbers would look ok. After receiving my lab results I had an AIDS diagnosis. The doctor told me that I had a potent strain and that my body was not fighting the virus well on its own. So i assumed that without HAART I would not be alive for long. He continued to say that perhaps my body prior to HIV infection already had low numbers of CD4 counts. But I am baffled. Is having a potent strain kill quicker?

[Miss Philicia]

HIV is different in every person. I suspect genetics comes into play.

[Peter6836]

Philly is right HIV is different for all people. I too tested negative one year then the next received an AIDS diagnosis. Just keep going and fight on. Life is still full of many wonders, take each day and experience it. Do not look at things negatively.
Peter

[J220]

I concur with Philly, and this goes to the heart of the matter about how HIV affects every person differently. There are a lot of studies out there and much progress is being made as to why some people can stay off meds for years and years, and others need them sooner. I don't necessarily think it has to do with a particular strain or mutation of the virus, as much as with some of the apparently inherent individual factors such as PD-1, TAT antibodies, or other biochemical processes that seem to affect disease progression. So as Peter says, don't feel bad that you needed meds quickly (I too had to start after 1.5 years), the important thing is how your body responds to treatment, which if done properly, will keep us all alive and healthy for decades to come and/ or until a cure is found. And yes, I feel confident that a cure will be found. Cheers, J.

[Matty the Damned]

Hey Coke!

Matty the Damned was diagnosed with HIV in May 2002 and was the owner of a bright and shiny AIDS diagnosis in April of the following year.

MtD

[Queen Tokelove]

I agree with the rest of the crew, it does affect us differently. I was diagnosed in '97 and has not been on meds at all. The lowest my cd4 has been was 261 in March. I was prepared  to start meds cause I thought it would get lower but rebounded to 340 in June. I guess I have a mild strain but realizes that my body is still fighting. I know the day will come when I will be diagnosed with AIDS.

[otherplaces]

Just over a year after infection I had to start meds.  It's just different for us all.  Whether it's the strain of virus or the body type...who knows!  My CD4's hopped around like crazy and then just crashed, but now I'm undetectable and doing well, feel good physically.  While my cd4's fell fast, on the other hand I tolerate my meds EXTREMELY well.  Win some, lose some.  I guess I just take my health at face value...feel good, undetect....on we go.

best,
brian

[madbrain]

My bf tested negative in mid-April 2006, and I did so in June. On november 2, he tested positive, and had an AIDS diagnosis as well, due to only 13% CD4 :-( He is on meds now. I tested positive at the same time. We both had low VL when diagnosed, but he also had low CD4 unlike me. We both have the same virus and no drug resistance. We both got it around the same time. FWIW, I believe I infected him, not the other way around, but have no way to be certain. My doctor said it was most likely genetics that caused him to gets AIDS so quickly, and not me.

[David_CA]

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of rhyme or reason to it.  I was diagnosed HIV+ in March '06 and got my AIDS designation in November.  My T-cell count and percentage were both higher than my husband's were.  Being that we live and sleep together and spend lots of time together, we had to have been exposed to the same bacteria, but I'm the one who ended up with PCP.  He ended up with a lot of stress and worry; I'm not so sure which of us was better off during that time.

David

[bimazek]

cokaine
the virus changes slightly in everyone that is not on meds every three days, so the body has to fight a slightly new version, this is not a new strain, but if lots of changes happen then a new strain emerges, many peolple who use cocaine and tina get really bad numbers very fast because it hurts thier bodies, i personally had a new poz buddy, who went the route of tina and now he has lost many front teeth and looks like he has been poz for ten years in one year, it breaks my heart and upsets me,

keep taking meds, rest alot, eat right, sleep, exercise and your numbers will go up

dont do the really bad things

give yourself a break

[grubby]

i was diagnosed in dec 2004 and started meds in june 2007,my bf who i was infected by was med free for 15 years until this year.i guess there are no answers as to why and trying not to sound glib about it i realised that i was stressed and overworked just prior to starting meds,graham

[dixieman]

There are so many different factors to consider? Now if had not start taking meds... I probally would not be here typing this today... figure? and I've known people whove never had to take meds for years on end... and a few still don't...

[AustinWesley]

I am concerned and baffled about this "virus strain" deal.

I was infected in December 2004 and was diagnosed in December 2005. My numbers were in the 100's. I tested negative On July 2004 for HIV and have so every 6 months prior to that.  My VL was in the 30k when diagnosed 12/05 and I started my HAART regimen immediately. Since then slowly my numbers have climbed to the 400's and VL is undetectable.

Before getting my first lab results my doctor explained to me that I was going to most likely be on meds within 5-10 years depending on how fast the virus progresses. He also mentioned very few people get below the 200 CD4 count in less than 2 years. He was almost certain that since I tested negative a year prior my numbers would look ok. After receiving my lab results I had an AIDS diagnosis. The doctor told me that I had a potent strain and that my body was not fighting the virus well on its own. So i assumed that without HAART I would not be alive for long. He continued to say that perhaps my body prior to HIV infection already had low numbers of CD4 counts. But I am baffled. Is having a potent strain kill quicker?

Hey Coke,

I completely understand how you feel.   Same thing happened to me although I still wonder if there was a lab error.  When my CD4 came up at 139 less than a year after diag. I was totally stressed out.   It seemed very surreal to me because I didn't look or feel sick at all.   It's wierd to me because some people I know have amazing olympic counts yet they have been sick or look to me like they have AIDS.

Since starting meds I went to Undectectable the first month and my counts have been climbing ever since.  I feel fine and I'm thankful I don't have any serious issues.   

Ironically, the guy I'm dating has had always way high CD4s and was showing Undectectable without any meds.   However, he has been sick in the past and was in the hospital at one point. 

It's all such a big numbers game and now I am not really playing it anymore.   I don't think any of these doctors know what the Hell they're talking about anymore either. 

I sort of look at it this way.   I'm not sick and don't look like I'm dying so I don't dwell on wondering why anymore.   I have to agree with what another poster said at least I don't have any issues tolerating the meds.

And I know several people who were diagnosed with AIDS 10 and 20 years ago that are doing just fine.   Hopefully the future will bring newer and better treatments.   In the meantime I just want to get on with life and have moved past that point finally.

Luckily, the meds work well so hang in there. 

Wesley

[Jeffreyj]

Hey Coke

snif snif j/k

The good news is your meds are working really well. Keep taking them and try not to miss a dose, you will live a long time. I hope your name has to do with a love for soda?

All the Best!

[Carolann]

Cokie,

One thing you need to remember is that a lot of people when initially infected may have their CD4 count drop below 200.  This can happen when newly infected because your body is newly dealing with the virus.  Often your body adjusts and jumps back into a normal or nearly normal range. 

The sad thing about an AIDS diagnosis is that it is forever.  The reason has much to do with protecting people living with HIV.  You don\'t want a person losing certain benefits when his or her health improves. 

Don\'t get hung up on the \"diagnosis\" or assume that you have some \"super bug\".   It sounds like you are doing well on your meds.

Interesting monicker name.  Before anyone gives you a hard time, my favorite perfume is \"Opium\" and believe it or not, there was much controversy surrounding the use of that name.

Take care,

Carolann

[Oceanbeach]

Hi Cocaine,

I guess we should add my name to the list... I tested positive in December 1994 but went through seroconversion a few months prior to that.  I had been tested every July and every December for several years.  Today is my 11 year anniversary of AIDS diagnosis.

Healthcare was offered in December 1994 but I was too busy trying to save the working world, one company at a time.  Disability was offered immediately following my HIV+ diagnosis but I refused that as well as treatment.

I found myself not being able to walk a city block without resting for at least 20 minutes and 11 years ago, I was admitted into the AIDS ward at St. Mary's with PCP.  I sometimes wonder if had I accepted early treatment, would I still be working?  Hell, save the working world, I can't even save myself.  Have the best day
Michael