newly diagnosed

[ctp3]

I was diagnosed with HIV a few months ago I have yet to start treatment and I've been dealing with extreme lethargy since just before I was diagnosed. I'll wake up and be fine for a few hours and then just get really tired. My question is; is this common, is there anyway to fight it without meds or do I need to start treatment right away? Should I change my diet? Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. Please and tank you

[Jeff G]

Hi ctp3 , and welcome to the forums . Many people do see an improvement in energy after beginning meds . If your lab numbers and doctor agree its time to begin meds its something I would advise you to strongly consider doing .

You must be ready to take them and be adherent to the regimen that you choose because the decision to begin ART is a lifelong commitment in the absence of a cure .   

[ctp3]

Hey Jeff! Thank you for the welcome and the reply. I haven't seen a doctor since I was diagnosed because I can't really afford to and I've  been trying to start testing and treating at the local health department but they ate ALWAYS busy. I've only been infected for about four months now and and i haven't really dealt with any physical symptoms except energy loss since maybe the first month . I'm just concerned cause I don't know if this loss of energy is normal or if it means my tcells  are too low or if i can rectify it by getting more sleep. I know looking for medical advice via the internet isn't very  smart but maybe speaking to someone who genuinely  understands what I'm going through will help point me in the right direction. I'm an otherwise healthy twenty year old and I've never dealt with any serious sickness before. I'm just a little unsettled

[Jeff G]

Hey Jeff! Thank you for the welcome and the reply. I haven't seen a doctor since I was diagnosed because I can't really afford to and I've  been trying to start testing and treating at the local health department but they ate ALWAYS busy. I've only been infected for about four months now and and i haven't really dealt with any physical symptoms except energy loss since maybe the first month . I'm just concerned cause I don't know if this loss of energy is normal or if it means my tcells  are too low or if i can rectify it by getting more sleep. I know looking for medical advice via the internet isn't very  smart but maybe speaking to someone who genuinely  understands what I'm going through will help point me in the right direction. I'm an otherwise healthy twenty year old and I've never dealt with any serious sickness before. I'm just a little unsettled

Have you been diagnosed conclusively with a western blot test ?

Either way I urge you to seek out a qualified doctor who deals with HIV to be assessed . This isn't something to let go and you could be in need of immediate treatment to prevent things like pneumonia ( PCP) .
Waiting until you can afford it may backfire on you and end up negatively impacting your health and costing far more then than now .   

[mecch]

I meant to say - people CAN speculate about the whys, of the fatigue. Better you get your numbers and see a doc, as well..

You were infected just a few months ago? Meaning, before the diagnosis, you had previous HIV- tests......

[buginme2]

Do not wait to see a doctor until you can afford it.  Are you in the United States? If so, contact a local Aids Service Organization.  They can set you up with a case worker and arrange medical care for you.  There may be other options for treatment beside the local health department. 

[ctp3]

I meant to say - people CAN speculate about the whys, of the fatigue. Better you get your numbers and see a doc, as well..

You were infected just a few months ago? Meaning, before the diagnosis, you had previous HIV- tests......

Yes it was a few months ago. I'm bf twenty and have been getting tested for stds and hiv since since I was 18 my mom always stressed the importance of it when i came out.

[ctp3]

Do not wait to see a doctor until you can afford it.  Are you in the United States? If so, contact a local Aids Service Organization.  They can set you up with a case worker and arrange medical care for you.  There may be other options for treatment beside the local health department.

I've been to an immunology place and they basically said I could become a part of their research, pay four thousand dollars for blood  tests or go to the health department.

[ctp3]

Have you been diagnosed conclusively with a western blot test ?

Either way I urge you to seek out a qualified doctor who deals with HIV to be assessed . This isn't something to let go and you could be in need of immediate treatment to prevent things like pneumonia ( PCP) .
Waiting until you can afford it may backfire on you and end up negatively impacting your health and costing far more then than now .   

Yes, my diagnosis was conclusive. I got a blood test and a swab. I don't plan on letting it go though and you're right trying to wait til i can afford it is probably a bad decision.

[mecch]

I'm bf twenty

Im so old, please be kind and tell me what does "bf twenty" mean?

Sorry for your diagnosis.

I would be discouraged too, if someone told me I needed 4K just for blood test....

Here's the thing. Which I guess you know.  You won't survive HIV (well, only a very few are non-progressors) without medical care. 

So you have two challenges yep - financial, and then sticking to medical care.

The financials might be a daunting challenge, so you need to buck up and start figuring out all your possibilities/solutions.  If its going to be tough going, that sucks.  But maybe the solutions will present, and you are at present, unaware of them, so wasting your energy worrying.

Same paradigm applies to medical care for living well with HIV.  You have to be proactive and then you'll stay healthy, and you'll have all the facts and know whats worth worrying about and what doesnt apply to you.

[ctp3]

Im so old, please be kind and tell me what does "bf twenty" mean?

Sorry for your diagnosis.

I'm sorry, "bf twenty" was a mistake on my part. I'm just more or less overwhelmed by the whole process. It's a lot of information to take in and I'm a naturally worrisome person so I'm beyond stressed, but you're right there may be solutions I haven't learned of yet because I have yet to exhaust all of my resources and all of my worrying is for nothing.

[mecch]

Well there is plenty to worry about, and its human to worry, but pick your battles based on knowledge....