POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => I Just Tested Poz => Topic started by: Trev13Ire on May 20, 2014, 07:01:37 pm
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Hi all, I was diagnosed positive on 13 May with a referral to a hospital. I am now waiting for an appointment. My last test was in 2007 and I know for sure I didn't become positive in the last year, so I've had this quite a long time I reckon.
I have a condition called achalasia the last twenty years and this means that the bottom of my oesophagus closes up tight and it's hard for me to swallow food. After my last operation in 2004 I have been okay until 2 months ago when the symptoms got really bad. I have had 2 procedures in recent weeks to try and correct it and they haven't lasted. I don't want to go back for another procedure because now I think it is because of the HIV.
I also have trush on the back of my tongue, a rash just below my belly which gets really itchy from time to time (it was also on my penis but seems to have cleared now) and I keep feeling itchy on my face, head and legs. I am tired all the time which I put down to the achalasia but now I'm not so sure!
I'm just wondering if any of you have/had these symptoms and do you know if they will clear up once I start treatment? I fear I won't be starting treatment for awhile because I'm waiting to hear from hospital and then I reckon they'll have to take blood tests to first see how low my CD4 count is...
Any and all replys are greatly appreciated :) Thanks
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The thrush and skin conditions can be from a variety of causes including HIV. Your doctor will need to determine their cause.
The symptoms will usually improve as your CD4 count improves on meds if they're due to your immune system, but in the US doctors would normally prescribe an anti-fungal for the thrush, and possibly something for the rashes, itching, flaking skin depending on how severe it is to help with the symptoms as your immune system improves.
Not sure what country you're in. Can you get in to see a regular or infectios disease doctor, or do you need to wait for a hospital appointment?
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Thanks for the reply AusShep. I am living in Ireland. I have seen my GP in regards to trush and rash. The trush I have had for longer and nothing he prescribes is making it better. As for the rash, he refused to prescribe anything for it and told me to get blood tests in a clinic which is how I found out I'm pos. I told him my status and he said he'd rather let the hospital decide what to do about the rash.
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Hi Trev,
Sorry to hear of your diagnoses but glad you found this forum, many people here are very well informed with HIV issues.. My name is Frank and I was diagnosed only 4 months ago with low cd4's 13 and once I started meds, I began to feel so much better but it did take some time.. I had PCP and KS and was itchy all the time.. now I am still recovering but out of the hospital and on hiv meds.. It really is amazing how well these medications work, my cd4's are now 184 which is a whole lot better.. I can not advise you on anything since I'm pretty new with hiv knowledge but can tell you that lots of people on this site have alot of experience and will help you like they did me.. I truly hope you feel better soon and best of luck.
Frank
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Hi Trev and welcome to the forums . Im sure others will come by to welcome you and share their story . Many of the itchy skin conditions will resolve pretty quickly when you start treatment or treat the conditions ... so please let us know how you are doing with an update when you get the chance .
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Thanks a lot guys! I've been to see the Infectious Disease Doctor and he told me that all my symptoms are HIV related. It may sound weird but I was really relieved to hear that and I understand when I start treatment all the symptoms will disappear. He explained that because I am so slim and because of the symptoms I'm experiencing that my CD4 count is most definitely very low. The last time I was tested was 2007 so I could have had HIV a very long time.
Just knowing why I've been sick for the last few months is such a relief and I'm so glad I went to get tested and didn't spend another year wondering what the hell was going on with my body. Though, if I had gotten tested every year like I'd planned to I would have known I had it before the symptoms got so severe so I've only myself to blame really.
Anyway, doctor has really put my mind at ease. I'm back in two weeks for my blood test results and to start treatment and then to start feeling well again. :P
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Hi Trev,
Sorry to hear of your diagnoses but glad you found this forum, many people here are very well informed with HIV issues.. My name is Frank and I was diagnosed only 4 months ago with low cd4's 13 and once I started meds, I began to feel so much better but it did take some time.. I had PCP and KS and was itchy all the time.. now I am still recovering but out of the hospital and on hiv meds.. It really is amazing how well these medications work, my cd4's are now 184 which is a whole lot better.. I can not advise you on anything since I'm pretty new with hiv knowledge but can tell you that lots of people on this site have alot of experience and will help you like they did me.. I truly hope you feel better soon and best of luck.
Frank
Not sure if I'm reading correctly, you had a CD4 count of 13? You have obviously been really sick! I'm really sorry but so glad you are feeling a lot better now. Did you notice any side effects from the meds or anything?
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I had all the same symptoms as you itching in all the same spots, dry red flaky skin rashs on scalp, beard area, sides of nose, eye lids, eye brows,back of ears, and my whole private area very itch that started a year before I found out I was poz. Then a cough that stuck around for a month at least. Felt like there was a lump in my throat that I could swallow past, very bad trush that would come back every day, lost lots of weight from no appetite plus vomiting and diarrhea couldnt hold any food down for about 2 months before diagnosis. Very tried that went from mild to severe over a couple years. Ended in the hospital thinking I was dieing. Had cd4 of 2 and after I got on meds it was only 2 or 3 weeks before I felt a million times better I could eat had energy all the symptoms went away except for the rashs took awhile to stop now I only have red skin on my mustache area but it dosnt itch im comming up on a year in july
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Hi Trev, yes thats right 13 cd4's and Mr. 2t's had 2 cd4's, I know someone here on the forum who had "0" cd4's and now is doing quite well.
And I just recently started having problems with my medication but until I see a doctor I'll keep taking them, I ve never missed a dose, it's my lifeboat in this sea of hiv ;) at least till I get another better boat.
I hope your test come back with some good numbers but if not remember many here have been there and worst and come back fine, wish you the best my friend.
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Thanks 2tcells and Almost2late. You have both had a really bad time but thank god for medication! I hope to start medication really soon. I'll post up my stats as soon as I get them.
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Welcome
Completely understand the relief that can be gained from a diagnosis. Plus your GP sounds sensible , hope all goes well.
m
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good stuff here. you guys hold it together, gonna be fine
welcome to all of you recently dx'd
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I just want to wish u the best of luck to u.
The best advice I can give u is to be adherrent to yr meds, and have a healthy lifestyle.
A year ago I too was diagnosed, cd4 was zero, and I was in intensive care for 5 weeks - " almost kissed the coffin" but now Im doing great :-)
Warm thoughts to you from small Denmark
Hugs
Peter