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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: xtremepms on January 07, 2007, 10:15:42 pm

Title: Blood test are sorta in...
Post by: xtremepms on January 07, 2007, 10:15:42 pm: [/i]
We got Tom's labs back, well only half of them. His TCells have went up by 1, he is now at 635. They did not do a viral load on him, but instead sent his blood out to be tested for HIV. They retested the viral load and he should get the result soon. But I am confused, and would like your help.

In his first test, he had a TCell count of 634 and his viral load was around 650 (sorry I cant remember his count.). What I don't understand is why his counts are so good. Prior to being tested, his last sexual encounter was May '06. He was tested in Aug 06. Wouldn't his counts be worse then that. Not that either of us are complaining, it just seems as from what I have been reading here that once you seroconvert, your viral loads are very high, and TCells are low.
His last HIV test was in March of 04, it was negative. So we know he got in in the time period between 3/04 and 8/06. He would of already seroconverted by then.
Am I just an idiot for wondering about this?
Cono
His numbers just are making me curious. I don't like mysteries.
Title: Re: Blood test are sorta in...
Post by: aupointillimite on January 07, 2007, 10:38:26 pm: Wait, so exposure would have, at the latest, occured in May 2006?

Acute HIV infection (when viral load is high and CD4 counts are low) would definitely be over by now. From my understanding, the immune response that brings HIV from acute infection into clinical latency takes only 9-12 weeks.

I got my first labs about two months post exposure, and they were pretty crappy... but three months later they had rebounded extremely nicely.
Title: Re: Blood test are sorta in...
Post by: Eldon on January 08, 2007, 02:37:07 am: (http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o134/forfun_06/3338477911.jpg)

Hey Cono,

I agree with you just as well about mysteries. When you get his viral load results, you will be able to have a better pciture of this. What happened that they did not do a VL test with his CD4's?

"What can I notice right now that makes me smile?"
Title: Re: Blood test are sorta in...
Post by: xtremepms on January 09, 2007, 12:16:58 am: They drew the blood for it and somehow or another they tested for HIV instead. Not sure if it was a lab error or the wrong test was checked on the lab req., I guess it doesn't matter who's fault it was, we are still waiting.
Title: Re: Blood test are sorta in...
Post by: thirtysomething on January 09, 2007, 12:22:44 am: Hi Cono,

You shouldn't be surprised by his numbers. I was freaked out (and sometimes I still am) that my numbers are so good. It's been 9 months now that I'm poz and I have great CD4 counts and undetectable viral load. Tom's a lucky guy with good genes!
Title: Re: Blood test are sorta in...
Post by: xtremepms on January 29, 2007, 08:01:24 am: We got his viral load back last week, and it went down... to 408. Doctors are happy, said his body is doing what it is supposed to be doing.

He is feeling better about this now. He if finally having an optimistic attitude again. He does not want to go on meds, I am not sure he can adhere to taking daily meds. If the side affects are to much he will stop them. He did however, promise me one year. We will see.

Cono
Title: Re: Blood test are sorta in...
Post by: Queen Tokelove on January 29, 2007, 08:12:09 am: I agree with the others, his numbers look great. I know if I had his numbers my doc wouldn't even want to put me on meds. What is his doctor saying about this? He should only start meds when he is ready to. Some people like to start meds early and fight the aggressive fight while others like to wait until their viral load is a bit higher or cd 4 has dropped significantly. Or there are those that have to start meds immediately, it's all up to the individual.
But the news sounds great, please keep us posted.
Title: Re: Blood test are sorta in...
Post by: AustinWesley on January 29, 2007, 01:59:15 pm: Quote from: xtremepms on January 29, 2007, 08:01:24 am
We got his viral load back last week, and it went down... to 408. Doctors are happy, said his body is doing what it is supposed to be doing.

He is feeling better about this now. He if finally having an optimistic attitude again. He does not want to go on meds, I am not sure he can adhere to taking daily meds. If the side affects are to much he will stop them. He did however, promise me one year. We will see.

Cono

Hi Cono,

I may have come in late on this, but from what I understand the general concensus is that Viral Loads are sky high often when someone is first infected and over time as the body fights back it starts dropping along with T cells and eventually levels out at what they refer to as a base or set point where things level off before ultimately declining.

Are you saying his viral load is only at 408? If so, that sounds to me like he has one Hell of an immune system with high CD4 numbers as well.

I don't think any doctor would even suggest he start any meds at all.

I've talked with so many people who's numbers were just all over the place. The biggest problem is that everyone's are going to be different and more often than not most don't know the exact time when they were infected. I know my doctor would say this wouldn't sound like a recent infection.

But, it's really a moot point anyway. His numbers are fantastic and it could be years before anyone recommends meds. When I was diag. in March last year my CD4 was 627. Now it's at 354 as of Jan 18th.

Just make certain to keep on top of checking every 3 months or so. It's easy to get caught up in the numbers game. I swore I wouldn't do it again, but more important is to keep track of actual health I think.
Title: Re: Blood test are sorta in...
Post by: xtremepms on January 29, 2007, 09:06:38 pm: They are not talking about meds just yet, he goes again in 3 months for more blood work. I think the doctors are saying a few years before meds is needed.

We will cross that bridge then, and I am sure I will be asking all kinds of questions then. He is non compliant with life, I am sure he wont change when it is time for meds.

Here is the thing that bothers me most, and I am not sure if this is the time or place.... for the most part he is optimistic about this, but he has his days. When he calls me at night, and is quite upset about what his death certificate is going to say, when he is worried about waisting away to nothing, when he hits dirt bottom.... what do I say to him? No matter what he dies from, his death certificate will say complication of HIV/AIDS, the meds will probably make him sick.... I can't lie to him, but on the other hand I need him to not look at the dark side of everything. How do I help him when the dread of this + beer= deep depression? I don't want to sound like a friggin recording on how he can live for years... this he knows... I know there is no answer... just have to follow my gut on this I guess. He is my best friend, and I am afraid to lose him before I have to. I guess I just needed to vent. Sorry.
Thanks for all your help!
Cono
Title: Re: Blood test are sorta in...
Post by: AustinWesley on January 29, 2007, 09:32:21 pm: Hey Cono,

I take it he was recently diagnosed? Oh, I had a couple of drunken phone calls to my sister and a few friends I regret during those first few weeks.

I'm sure my sister worries a lot, but my family I know talks among themselves too. I had a really bad attitude initially. I thought I was going to die. Well, it's nearly a year later and none of that happened. I didn't have to take meds, didn't get sick and have no wasting or any of that.

I originally said I wouldn't take meds to my family, but have since changed my mind. I'm most scared about the possibility of effects, but you know what helped me most was making friends and contacts who'd had it for years, some over 20 years. I'm not a fan of support groups, but there are other social events in most major cities where he can meet other HIV+ people.

It has taken a lot of effort and education, but now my family and I are pretty much back to normal. I'll admit I'm aprehensive about the meds still and that's why I've been online so much the last couple days.

Whenever I get stressed out I talk about it. Unfortunately, in the beginning I was drunk and depressed on several of those occasions and not too proud of that.

But try to maintain a sense of normalcy with him. When you say he won't cooperate or what not, do you mean he has mental health issues or a drug problem????? I know a lot of people who go all self destructive when they are diagnosed.
Title: Re: Blood test are sorta in...
Post by: xtremepms on January 29, 2007, 09:53:25 pm: It is impossible to explain Tom... Tom is Tom. He doesn't have a mental health issue as a rule. He was diagnosed in Aug 06. This has knocked him for a loop. He does love his beer, and that was the one thought on his mind when he was diagnosed... he refuses to give up his beer. He has reduced his intake, by quite a bit, but he still love his Busch Lite.

Tom has issues, as many of us here do. He has struggled with the gay issue, he is worried that his mother will have to bury another child, his brother died a few years ago after a massive heart attack. He is worried about the financial aspects of this. He is afraid of dying alone.

When he calls at night he is usually on beer 12 or more. I understand that causes the phone call, but the beer makes him really state how he is feeling. Any other time he says he is "Wonderful!" I am glad that he knows he can call me, I just have no idea what to say to him when he gets morbid.

He joined a support group and they depressed him... he wont go back. They all had negative things to say about the meds, negative things about life in general. How do I fight that? How do I tell him he can be different? Those in his group live this life. I don't. I can not understand his feelings, I can sympathize with him, but I can't even pretend to know what he is going through. Argh, he just makes me angry sometimes! Then I feel horrible for getting angry at him!

Cono
Title: Re: Blood test are sorta in...
Post by: AustinWesley on January 29, 2007, 10:30:15 pm: Hey Cono,

Ok, this situation sounds much more salvageable and normal to me. He's not gona have to give up his beer and I'd be damned if I gave up everything either.

I'm sure I'm gona get slammed for this, but most of the people at those support groups are wierdos. I was horrified by one and would never go back and most of my friends say the same. I find those people are typically disfunctional and many of them were a mess before they ever got HIV.

A lot of those people are screwy. And, they blame every issue they ever had on HIV. Ugh! Those are a real downer in my opinion and recently a friend of mine started a private support group which is actually more of a social group. I was reluctant to go cause I thought it'd be a bunch of guys talking about meds and all depressing. It actually turned out to be a fairly cool group.

I was so disgusted with the support group I started my own discussion group on Myspace that now has over 300 members. It's not a bitch and moan place and I'll be happy to give you the link if you are interested.

To me it sounds like he's dealing with a lot of the initial depression, denial and what not. I think most of us probably could relate. It's great he's got you as a friend.

Wesley
Title: Re: Blood test are sorta in...
Post by: xtremepms on January 29, 2007, 10:38:06 pm: Thanks Wesley I would like that... he has a myspace account, and maybe this will be better for him.

Cono
Title: Re: Blood test are sorta in...
Post by: AustinWesley on January 30, 2007, 03:52:34 am: Hey Doll,

Here is the link: http://groups.myspace.com/StraightTalkAboutHIVAIDS If you have trouble finding it it's because it's set to private. Here's my Myspace profile if ya have any issues:

http://www.myspace.com/wesleyinaustin

I actually like this forumn very much. But perhaps the myspace one is just another option. There are a few HIV groups on Myspace.

This site has a very organized set up, but I do also like the personal touch Myspace has. I personally find it hard to take people seriously who have cartoons as profile pictures ;) But you'll find that on Myspace too. I just don't give a damn if anyone knows I'm positive so whatever.

Wesley