28 year old very lost since being diagnosed yesterday

[shaunsag]

I went to our local health clinic and was told I tested positive for HIV_1 but negative for HIV_2, I take it as HIV1 is a  very mild stage compared to HIV2. she made me  an appointment for may 20Th to go to a place called Montgomery aids outreach  where they will perform test, and possibly start me on medicine.  I feel health wise 100% do I really need to start going through with this? I have Blue cross blue shield insurance so the cost will be reasonable?  so how much medicine will I probably be taking? should I get another test done elsewhere? I feel hopeless and that my life has came to an end at a very early age, is going through this really worth it?  I know I have a lot of questions thank you all for your replies.

[mecch]

Take a deep breath. GO to the AIDS outreach and get confirmation that indeed you have HIV.
There are subtypes of HIV  - HIV1 and HIV2
HIV 1 is the common one and the one in North America.
Very few cases of HIV 2 in north america.
Where do you live?

I think you have received a lot of info, are stressed and misunderstood some info.

HIV 1 and HIV 2 are NOT "stages", one more serious than the other...

HIV is perfectly manageable if the person goes to doctors and takes the treatment when suggested by doctors.

Yes - you NEED to go get a confirmation.

After you get a + confirmation, you can educate yourself about living with HIV and the treatment.

Don't feel hopeless. Whether you have HIV or not. HIV is a manageable disease, you can deal with it, and have the life you expect. It takes time to understand that.

There are lessons under NEWLY DIAGNOSED  in the menu here.

But its not clear what test you had so it does sound like you need a confirmation, first.

[Grasshopper]

Please read here more about the two main types of HIV :

http://www.aidsmap.com/HIV-1-and-HIV-2/page/1322970/

YES....despite feeling health wise 100% , you really NEED to start through with this = perform more tests = confirmatory hiv test, CD4 and Viral load etc etc.   You may also be advised to start with medication.

If you don't know much about HIV & Aids, start here :

1) Introduction :  http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Introduction_4702.shtml

2) Medication : http://www.aidsmeds.com/list.shtml

Do yourself a favor, and go the Montgomery aids outreach. Follow their advise. HIV is nowdays not a death sentence anymore...PROVIDED you follow your doctors advise and take your prescribed medication. The sooner/earlier you start with medication the better your chances are of never getting ill with anything related to Aids.

Be strong and wish you the best

[zach]

Hi Shaun, welcome to the party  Lets take this one thing at a time, then some words of reassurance.

I take it as HIV1 is a  very mild stage compared to HIV2.

not so much. but hiv1 is just the most common strain, you've got your run of the mill north american hiv.

they will perform test, and possibly start me on medicine.

good luck with all that. don't get shellshocked, a lot is going to get thrown at you very quickly that you won't understand. it can be overwhelming. just take a deep breath, anything you don't quite get run it by us.

I feel health wise 100% do I really need to start going through with this?

outstanding you feel good, keep reminding yourself of that. as far as treatment, wait and see, a lot will depend on your lab work to determine where you're starting from. if you numbers are good, you have time to consider whether or not to go on meds. if they are more advanced numbers, you'll need to go on meds sooner, or even immediately. more on that later.

I have Blue cross blue shield insurance so the cost will be reasonable?

probably. the truth is no one can afford meds. in some way or another, whether insurance or assistance programs, everyone gets help. having good insurance going into this is a huge help.

so how much medicine will I probably be taking?

hard to say. maybe only one pill per day. maybe four. maybe more. also depends if you need prophylactic antibiotics. cross that bridge when you get there. your first labs, and results of your genotype profile will help you and your specialist determine that.

should I get another test done elsewhere?

just go to the appointment at montgomery (alabama? hello from georgia, we have a member in bama, he'll be around in due time to say hi i'm sure), they'll take it from there. it sounds like you have a preliminary positive. you'll get a confirmatory test ran by the specialist. other tests will be done as well. more on that at the end of the my post.

I feel hopeless and that my life has came to an end at a very early age, is going through this really worth it?  I know I have a lot of questions thank you all for your replies.

Your life is not at an end. We have all learned to live with this virus. You will too. You can do this. Some of us have battled back from the brink, extremely sick, and some of the members here are what is called "Long Term Survivors" or LTSers. Those old fucks have been hanging around for 30 years, and still going strong. Yes it is worth, this is your life, it is always worth fighting for.

We have a lot of answers, so don't ever be embarrassed to ask.

I want to welcome you. We're all sorry about your diagnosis, but glad you've found this group so quickly.

You're going to be OK. Try to relax, and go slow. No rush. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

In the flood of information they going to throw at you, there are a few things you should take note of after you're confirmation test.

Genotype profile. This will determine if your strain of the virus has any resistance to meds. There are many med options, very effective stuff. Don't panic if you are resistant to a few.

Viral Load... important. Listen, even if this number is in the millions, don't panic. But this is a picture of the virus. The higher the number, the more virus you have in you. The meds suppress the virus, to the point of reaching undetectable, we call it UD. That is your goal. That is the fight.

CD4 count... also important. Look at this number as a gauge of the strength of your immune system. A normal count is 500 and above. 200 and below indicates AIDS. Don't panic if you have a low CD4 count. Many of us started with single digits. You can and will come back from it.

CD4%...  in the long run, this will become a more important number, right now, not so much.

Feel overwhelmed yet?  Long post I know. Short answer, confirmation test, then get your VL and CD4, then decide on a treatment plan.

Time to put on your game face and fight. Roll Tide.

Again, welcome, you've found a good place... and it's good to meet you, I'm Zach

Explore all those buttons at the top of the page. Many lessons there. If it gets too much, just slow down. You don't have to become an overnight expert.

[shaunsag]

this has made me feel a lot better credit to the moderators and owners as well as those who replied.YOU ALL HAVE GIVEN ME HOPE 

[shaunsag]

JUST GIVING YOU ALL AN UPDATE: I GO TODAY TO THE OUTREACH CENTER HERE IN TOWN, AND WILL FIND OUT WHAT/IF ANY MEDS I WILL NEED TO START TAKING.. I WILL KEEP YOU ALL UPDATED...

[patrickpmh]

Hey Shaun,

I should be ahead of you, but the VA is the worst place to apparently get dianosed.  I got the news April 12th.  I still don't know any numbers!  I have found a local doctor waiting for them to give me an appointment for a 3rd blood draw.

I AGREE THAT ZACH WAS A 300 BOWLER.  (Couldn't think of any other sport).  Good Luck..

PS  I lived in Prattville during my time in the AF, so I knows a lil bammy talk. 

[shaunsag]

:-)

Hey Shaun,

I should be ahead of you, but the VA is the worst place to apparently get dianosed.  I got the news April 12th.  I still don't know any numbers!  I have found a local doctor waiting for them to give me an appointment for a 3rd blood draw.

I AGREE THAT ZACH WAS A 300 BOWLER.  (Couldn't think of any other sport).  Good Luck..

PS  I lived in Prattville during my time in the AF, so I knows a lil bammy talk. 

[shaunsag]

I'm sorry the VA is slacking on that, but there is other options besides the VA, have you considered talking to the CDC? Let me know if need any help or anything to that nature.

[shaunsag]

I just wanted to give you all a great update. Since being diagnosed with Hiv on May 15th. I'm happy to say my viral load is (UNDETECTABLE). I got my lab results back today, I started on Truvada, and Tivaca on JUNE 14TH. AND THEY DREW BLOOD JULY 8TH. AND my HIV-1 RNA BY PCR IS <20, IT ALSO SAYS THE REPORTABLE RANGE IS 20 TO 10,000,000

[Tonny2]

I just wanted to give you all a great update. Since being diagnosed with Hiv on May 15th. I'm happy to say my viral load is (UNDETECTABLE). I got my lab results back today, I started on Truvada, and Tivaca on JUNE 14TH. AND THEY DREW BLOOD JULY 8TH. AND my HIV-1 RNA BY PCR IS <20, IT ALSO SAYS THE REPORTABLE RANGE IS 20 TO 10,000,000

      ojo    congratulationes shaun, great news...I've been living with hiv/aids for twenty years, so, you will be around for a long time, just take your meds as prescribed, Ok?, that's been my secret, no missing doses...wishing you the best and grongatz again...hugs            ojo

[J.R.E.]

Hey Shaun,

I should be ahead of you, but the VA is the worst place to apparently get dianosed.  I got the news April 12th.  I still don't know any numbers!  I have found a local doctor waiting for them to give me an appointment for a 3rd blood draw.

Hi,...

If you are getting your care through the VA, you need to enroll in My Healthe vet site, and get a premier account, If the VA,  pulled labs you will be able to see them posted there, on theHealthe vet site.

Also, you can go to "Release of Information" at any VA, and get a your medical report/labs/etc/  printed for you at any time.

https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/anonymous.portal?_nfpb=true&_nfto=false&_pageLabel=mhvHome&WT.ac=splash_MHVHome_EnterBox



Ray

[shaunsag]

Just wanting to give you all an update on things, I go bafk for blood work october 27th. Ive been feeling fine I just told my partner this morning and he left. I regret telling him I really do I just thiught he would be more understanding which bought me on back to poz. When do u think is a good time to tell ur partner I told him because he wanted to have sex and as we just started dating a few days ago I felt the need to be 100% with him. Not feeling to good with telling him..ur thoughts are greatly appreciated

[Wade]

Hi shaunsag,
Good to hear your doing well !
You were right telling you partner about you status,
he has a right to know before you went to the next stage in your relationship.
In my opinion it would really have made a mess of things later,
so yes I think you did the right thing.
Your young and will meet someone who will be understanding ,
he was not the right one for you.
Wade

[Tonny2]

Just wanting to give you all an update on things, I go bafk for blood work october 27th. Ive been feeling fine I just told my partner this morning and he left. I regret telling him I really do I just thiught he would be more understanding which bought me on back to poz. When do u think is a good time to tell ur partner I told him because he wanted to have sex and as we just started dating a few days ago I felt the need to be 100% with him. Not feeling to good with telling him..ur thoughts are greatly appreciated

     ojo      Hello...happy to hear you are doing better...you did the right thing, if you want to have a relationship, you must be honest with your partner or boyfriend, if he didn't support you, he wasn't meant for you...maybe, if he really loves you, he will be back, maybe he is in shock, but anyway, if he doesn't come back, he didn't love you enough...matbe if you share some information about living with hiv and magnectic couples...well, you will be fine...question...have you been seeing this guy for a while, or yyou just told him right away?...I hope you find the right one soon...hugs                ojo

[shaunsag]

Thanks tonny