Author Topic: Introducing myself (Read 5368 times)

BorbaColen · « **on:** January 16, 2012, 01:09:24 pm »

Hey guys,

Well, it's been some time that I visit this forum, and i finally decided to join.

How r u doing?

I'm Borba, from Brazil, and I'm having a lovely summer. I was infected in october-november 2010, and I got the positive test in 10th June 2011. It was a shock, of course, my boyfriend gave me a lot of love and support, and I do believe that the virus actually made us to love and care for each other even more. He is negative, we have always played safe.
I told my parents in August, as I dont live with them anymore. Lots of crying, but everything seems to be fine. Exercising, eating healthy, no alcohol and looking forward to work and study that is yet to come in 2012.

My numbers:
August 11 - CD4: 560, VL: 185
December 11 - CD4: 960, VL: <20

I'm not taking any drugs. At least they are free in Brazil.

I guess that's it. I just wanted to say hi. This place has helped me a lot, and now I'm looking forward to contribute.

ps: Please forgive bad english, i'm not native
pps: as a brazilian, I'm REALLY sorry for the "Ai se eu te pego" success

ratcat · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2012, 01:17:54 pm »

Fantastic numbers dude

. Welcome

BorbaColen · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2012, 01:24:01 pm »

Thankyou

spacebarsux · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2012, 01:50:19 pm »

Welcome.

If your VL remains that low you might be one of the lucky few whose body naturally controls viral multiplication which means you may not need meds for a long time- although it is a bit early to say that.

Best.

BorbaColen · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2012, 02:08:14 pm »

Thanks, spacebarsux

Yeah, my doc also told me that. I have a friend that was infected almost at the same time as me, and he is already on drugs. Doc said that 1 year infection and VL < 20 is a great great sign.

Bests

leatherman · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2012, 03:05:51 pm »

welcome Borba

Quote from: spacebarsux on January 16, 2012, 01:50:19 pm

although it is a bit early to say that.

goodness, it's way, way too early to even talk about that.

It's actually very common for someone to not need meds within the first couple (or longer) years after infection. After the initial infection period settles down, many people go for years will little viral load increase before the HIV seriously begins to replicate (known as the "clinical latency period").

notice the red line

in this handy-dandy chart about HIV VL increase and cd4 decrease

spacebarsux · « **Reply #6 on:** January 16, 2012, 03:25:18 pm »

Yes, I know all of that Leatherman. I said that bearing in mind the OP's virtually undetectable VL (without treatment) in the first year of infection, which is atypical and could mean that he's among the lucky few (but early to say that-yes).

newt · « **Reply #7 on:** January 16, 2012, 03:27:44 pm »

Quote

goodness, it's way, way too early to even talk about that

I disagree, it's an exceptional natural immune response and worth a chat or two.

This said, things do change....

- matt

PS - welcome

BorbaColen · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2012, 04:56:22 pm »

Hey folks

Well leatherman, my doc showed me exactly the same graphic, and I've been studying about HIV since I was infected, including this forum as a source:). You're right, its a bit too early to classify me in any category, but what matters is that my body is doing great right now, and I'm working for it to keep doing just like that. I'm not creating expectations or anything, but of course I'm happy with the numbers

Been + has changed me a lot, in a good way, ironically. It has even changed my goals in college, work, family and specially my own particular world. Its soon to say anything, but I'm glad to have this space of sharing and discuss

BorbaColen · « **Reply #9 on:** January 16, 2012, 06:00:12 pm »

Thanks newt

Gman49 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 16, 2012, 06:17:59 pm »

BorbaColen

My VL have been UD since I've been diagnosed in Dec 2010 but confirmed Feb 2011 I am on meds (Atripla) since march 2011 but have been told that I am a LTNP. My ID and researchers are reviewing my numbers about whether I should stay on meds. Please keep me abreast of you progress

Also welcome to the forum

Gman

BorbaColen · « **Reply #11 on:** January 16, 2012, 07:00:02 pm »

Thanks, Gman

If you are UD, why are u in treatment?
My next test are on late feb

denb45 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 16, 2012, 07:11:23 pm »

Quote from: BorbaColen on January 16, 2012, 01:09:24 pm

My numbers:
August 11 - CD4: 560, VL: 185
December 11 - CD4: 960, VL: <20

I'm not taking any drugs. At least they are free in Brazil.

Great numbers, free drugs in Brazil

I'm jealous

Welcome to the forums

BorbaColen · « **Reply #13 on:** January 16, 2012, 07:19:35 pm »

It's illegal to sell hiv drugs in Brazil, the only way to get them is trough the public hospitals and other medicals institutions, for free

WillyWump · « **Reply #14 on:** January 16, 2012, 08:51:30 pm »

Welcome to our humble abode!

Awesome numbers

-Will

tednlou2 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 17, 2012, 01:48:30 am »

Borba, welcome and very nice to meet you. It is nice to hear you're doing so well. By the way, your English is very good. If you hadn't told us, I wouldn't have known it was your 2nd language.

All the best and I look forward to hearing more from you!

Ted

BorbaColen · « **Reply #16 on:** January 17, 2012, 06:20:06 pm »

Thankyou all, people here are really kind.

I've been thinking about joining a group in my town called "Somos Positivos" (We are Positives, in portuguese) that is basically like AA, for gay + men to share their lifes and dramas. Altough seems great, it also seems scary to be so exposed, and even scarier if somebody at college or work find out.

Its not that I want to play hide and seek forever, I'm just not ready to tell the world, even knowing that I want to fight for the hiv cause in the future. Am I being paranoid? How do you guys handle the "exposure drama"?

tednlou2 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 17, 2012, 08:04:30 pm »

Quote from: BorbaColen on January 17, 2012, 06:20:06 pm

Thankyou all, people here are really kind.

I've been thinking about joining a group in my town called "Somos Positivos" (We are Positives, in portuguese) that is basically like AA, for gay + men to share their lifes and dramas. Altough seems great, it also seems scary to be so exposed, and even scarier if somebody at college or work find out.

Its not that I want to play hide and seek forever, I'm just not ready to tell the world, even knowing that I want to fight for the hiv cause in the future. Am I being paranoid? How do you guys handle the "exposure drama"?

You have to be ready for being totally "out" or even partially "out". If you're not right now, then it's okay. In full disclosure, I've not told anyone. The 3 who know my status do so, because it was told to them at the hospital.

But, I have begun taking my best friend with me to my doc appointments, which are at an exclusively HIV practice. I keep waiting for him to put things together, but he is always with his head stuck in his phone in the waiting room. Now, I'm just kinda interested in seeing how long it will take him to figure out that we are at an HIV clinic...lol. All kidding aside, I completely understand wondering who will find out, if you're not ready for that. But, even though I haven't told anyone, I don't think I'd be worried about going to a group meeting. But, a group meeting like that here would be held in some building, where I couldn't imagine ever running into anyone else--unless they were poz, too. I think it is worth taking the chance, if it is really something you want to join.

Best!

mecch · « **Reply #18 on:** January 18, 2012, 04:44:45 am »

Quote from: BorbaColen on January 16, 2012, 04:56:22 pm

You're right, its a bit too early to classify me in any category, but what matters is that my body is doing great right now, and I'm working for it to keep doing just like that.

If your body is controlling HIV wonderfully it isn't because of any "work" you are doing. Its great you have this response. Its great that the HIV diagnosis has had positive impacts on many aspects of your life.

Just my opinion that this immune response is because of genetics and not lifestyle, diet, beliefs, thoughts. Though if you believe that, and that helps you, OK with me.

BorbaColen · « **Reply #19 on:** January 18, 2012, 09:48:57 pm »

Quote from: tednlou2 on January 17, 2012, 08:04:30 pm

I keep waiting for him to put things together, but he is always with his head stuck in his phone in the waiting room. Now, I'm just kinda interested in seeing how long it will take him to figure out that we are at an HIV clinic...lol.

Hahah well Ted, maybe he just doesnt think he should say something, and its waiting for you to start the conversation. I cant imagine someone at the clinic to busy playing angry birds to notice lol

Thanks for your words. I have been thinking about it, and I guess I'm gonna take a shot as soon as I get back from my parents.

Quote from: mecch on January 18, 2012, 04:44:45 am

If your body is controlling HIV wonderfully it isn't because of any "work" you are doing. Its great you have this response. Its great that the HIV diagnosis has had positive impacts on many aspects of your life.

Just my opinion that this immune response is because of genetics and not lifestyle, diet, beliefs, thoughts. Though if you believe that, and that helps you, OK with me.

Yeah, mecch, you are right. Altough I do believe that having a healthy life style helps anyone fighting anything, including hiv, dont you? My body had a great response, and I'm so glad, but I think that taking care of my body can improve things even more, as this has a direct effect on my immune system. And that is so important to us. We should always keep that in mind, even when crying and feeling like garbage, like I was last night.

Bests

~Borba~

Forums Index

Welcome

Author Topic: Introducing myself (Read 5368 times)