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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: tippytu on July 10, 2013, 01:46:29 pm

Title: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: tippytu on July 10, 2013, 01:46:29 pm
So I guess I've finally convinced myself that I am not gonna die tomorrow (well not from HIV anyway)
But my question is can you live with this & not get sick? I don't mean AIDS I mean like any of the associated illnesses that come along with HIV?
I want to keep working & now I'm stressing out that even tho I may never develop AIDS that I'm going to be I'll all the time? I mean I want quality of life too not just quantity! My husband has HIV also so that puts double the stress on me like if we both get sick & lose everything we have worked so hard to obtain,
Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: Jeff G on July 10, 2013, 02:09:40 pm
I moved your thread for you !

If HIV is well treated and you are adherent to your meds there is no reason why you cant live a life without those issues with just a little luck .
Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: tippytu on July 10, 2013, 02:41:15 pm
Well I was caught during seroconversion.  CD 4-330 30% vl-2767 put on combivir & isentress 3 weeks later when baby was born cd4-480 45% vl-ud ..hubby cd4-880 vl-ud he is not on meds..

I have not missed one dose however baby is on meds so I do it at same time but she is almost done with hers so afraid I might not do too good once I stop giving her hers.

Also I can't find a straight answer since hubby is one who infected me & we are both undetectable can we have unprotected sex?
Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: Jeff G on July 10, 2013, 02:48:42 pm
Well I was caught during seroconversion.  CD 4-330 30% vl-2767 put on combivir & isentress 3 weeks later when baby was born cd4-480 45% vl-ud ..hubby cd4-880 vl-ud he is not on meds..

I have not missed one dose however baby is on meds so I do it at same time but she is almost done with hers so afraid I might not do too good once I stop giving her hers.

Also I can't find a straight answer since hubby is one who infected me & we are both undetectable can we have unprotected sex?

You better do what ever it takes to get your meds in you if you want to see your kid grow up ... I don't mean it in a harsh way but yeah , its that important .

I don't think having unprotected with your hubby will hurt a thing if you are sure you are in a secure monogamous relationship so that there are no other STD's brought home .   
Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: LiveWithIt on July 10, 2013, 03:10:40 pm
Yes, there are some people who are naturally immune to HIV, they are believed to gave survived the black plague.

There are some people who are non progressors  (who never took medicine) .  I have one in a group I go to and he will be going to DC to be studied soon.  He may have some of the genes of people from northern Europe who are naturally immune.

But for most people, no, eventually you will get sick.  The good news is if you do get sick there are meds to make you well again.  I got sick around 97 and I was lucky that this was when Protease were just coming around, probably saved my life. 


But it really doesn't make sense to get sick from not taking meds, you don't know what other problems you may get including permanent  neuropathy. 
Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: tippytu on July 10, 2013, 03:47:21 pm
Since hubby is undetectable with no meds...does that mean he may be elite controller or long term non progressor?
Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: skeebo1969 on July 10, 2013, 03:50:25 pm
Well I was caught during seroconversion.  CD 4-330 30% vl-2767 put on combivir & isentress 3 weeks later when baby was born cd4-480 45% vl-ud ..hubby cd4-880 vl-ud he is not on meds..

I have not missed one dose however baby is on meds so I do it at same time but she is almost done with hers so afraid I might not do too good once I stop giving her hers.

Also I can't find a straight answer since hubby is one who infected me & we are both undetectable can we have unprotected sex?

I hope I am reading this correctly, please correct me if I am wrong...  You fear that once your baby finishes her required time for taking the meds that you'll have issues adhering to yours?  If this is the case, it should be something you bring up with your ,doctor at your next visit.  Unintentionally missing doses can create problems that you don't want, you don't want unnecessary resistance issues that can arise from skipping meds.

Were you put on meds during your seroconversion because you were pregnant at the time? 

Regarding the unprotected sex question, yes you can do this but do so with confidence that it's a monogamous relationship.  I apologize up front by raising any doubts, but you know sometimes shit happens.  Last thing you want is something to add with the HIV diagnosis.

And, of course, don't forget the presents that come 9 months later after having fun.



Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: tippytu on July 10, 2013, 03:55:21 pm
Yes you were residing correctly... hopefully I will be able to adhere...will do my best.
& yes placed on meds immediately because of pregnancy...he better be faithful or HIV will be the last of his worries!! Lol oh & I had my tubes tied after baby so no presents 9 months later!
Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: skeebo1969 on July 10, 2013, 04:27:02 pm
Lol oh & I had my tubes tied after baby so no presents 9 months later!

LOL my wife did too...

The last baby wore me out..... I'm getting too old.

I've known two women who went off meds after their pregnancy only to start them up later when their numbers got low.   It's something they did with close medical supervision (ie regular labwork). 

Mind you, this is not advice..... just merely a possible option that could be discussed with your physician. 

Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: Grasshopper on July 10, 2013, 04:53:08 pm
..hubby cd4-880 vl-ud he is not on meds..


Also I can't find a straight answer since hubby is one who infected me & we are both undetectable can we have unprotected sex?

Did your hubby have an ud VL, and was not on meds when you were diagnosed ? (were you infected by a person that was not on meds but had an undetectable VL ? )
Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: 1in1000000 on July 10, 2013, 05:47:47 pm
..hubby cd4-880 vl-ud he is not on meds..

Hi tippytu!

Some people stay undetectable for 2 years this is due to immune system and strain of the virus.
Elite controllers can stay without ART 15 and more years.
So time will show.

I wish good luck to you and your family!
Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: 1in1000000 on July 10, 2013, 05:53:34 pm
Did your hubby have an ud VL, and was not on meds when you were diagnosed ? (were you infected by a person that was not on meds but had an undetectable VL ? )

It is possible to transmit infection before seroconversion than seroconvert and receive undetectable VL.
VL drops down after serovonvertion in some cases to undetectable.
Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: emeraldize on July 10, 2013, 06:03:59 pm
Hi Tippy

How about if your baby's doc advises an appropriate vitamin for your kid. Could you line up your meds with that?  Another approach might be to time it with a morning feeding so you're doing something regular at the same time. Just an idea.
Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: tippytu on July 10, 2013, 06:25:04 pm
Grasshopper I dont know how to quote or I would...Dr say I was infected 3-6 months ago had to be hubby he is only one I've been with...we have been together roughly 20 months & he was with someone right before me..when we started dating he developed swollen lymph nodes so we assume he was infected shortly before that..when his viral load was tested shortly after I was diagnosed it was undetectable...

 He swears he's never cheated but now that I think about it.. how could I be infected if he was undetectable then? Idk its confusing maybe he wasn't ud  when he infected me but then it dropped down???
Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: tippytu on July 10, 2013, 06:34:50 pm
Emeraldize. The vitamins are a good idea..I think the reason I never missed hers was because I realized how important it was for her..as for me well at one point I told hubby I was not taking the meds anymore & I was just gonna let the virus run its course (because every time I take the meds it reminded me I have HIV) well that didn't even last a few hours before hubby said if I didn't he would leave he wasn't gonna sit around & watch me die..

Oh & I had a negative test 6 months ago!
Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: skeebo1969 on July 10, 2013, 06:40:51 pm
He swears he's never cheated but now that I think about it.. how could I be infected if he was undetectable then? Idk its confusing maybe he wasn't ud  when he infected me but then it dropped down???

It's entirely possible...  he could have been infected right before the two of you got together.

It's kind of water under the bridge at this point...  Btw, congrats on the birth of your daughter. :)

Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: skeebo1969 on July 10, 2013, 06:43:44 pm
Oh & I had a negative test 6 months ago!

Weird... maybe that bridge has a life ring under it.
Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: tippytu on July 10, 2013, 07:24:28 pm
Oh & the Dr said it was odd for my viral load to be so low during seroconversion...
Title: Re: is it possible to be HIV+ & not get sick?
Post by: Jmarksto on July 11, 2013, 11:26:13 am
Hey Tippy;  Just wanted to say welcome to the forums and a big congratulations on the birth of your daughter!

Sincerely,
jm