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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: tenzen on February 09, 2013, 06:28:56 pm

Title: Questions about CD4 and life-span
Post by: tenzen on February 09, 2013, 06:28:56 pm
Hello there,

I jus got tested positive by my doctor. I have not taken any further tests yet but since I found out I have been doing so much research. It's very depressing having to deal with these numbers and not just being able to take it as it is. Reading about peple gradually losing CD4 rates until they get aids, it's like I'm seeing my whole future infront of me.

I know that medicine is much better than 20+ years ago but, realistcally, how long can someone with HIV live who just got infected (I am 25). I mean I know there is potential to live long, but are we there yet to say that we can live as long as a normal non-infected person?

My doctor said I could live as long as someone else btu I just want the honest truth. ALso my family has a history of dying old. Almost everyone who died of old age was in their 90s and very sane and healthy. I was so looking forward to age that old...
Title: Re: Questions about CD4 and life-span
Post by: WestSide on February 09, 2013, 06:45:27 pm
Hang in there!  Some talented and very educated people with experience will chime in for you.



Title: Re: Questions about CD4 and life-span
Post by: drewm on February 09, 2013, 06:51:45 pm
With current treatment protocol, you can expect a normal life span. What is a normal life span? That depends on a lot of things. You could get hit by a truck or get cancer. (I'm not making light here but just pointing out the obvious) HIV/AIDS, and and of itself, is no longer a life ending disease, however, it can be a life-ending disease without treatment or any host of other issues.
Title: Re: Questions about CD4 and life-span
Post by: tenzen on February 09, 2013, 07:08:49 pm
With current treatment protocol, you can expect a normal life span. What is a normal life span? That depends on a lot of things. You could get hit by a truck or get cancer. (I'm not making light here but just pointing out the obvious) HIV/AIDS, and and of itself, is no longer a life ending disease, however, it can be a life-ending disease without treatment or any host of other issues.

Thanks for the response. I am terrified by this so I am glad to hear. With normal life-span, I mean living healthy and dying of old age like nothing happened. Obviously anything can happen, but I mean anything that is not HIV related.

Also, I am the healthiest person every. I never get sick and I think I got infected about 2 months ago and I feel perfect. I didn't get that terrible flu yet or anything.
Title: Re: Questions about CD4 and life-span
Post by: Fisher on February 09, 2013, 07:23:06 pm
Ten:

The early days are really tough! Incredibly scary, uncertain and painful. 

But please trust.  Time heals.

At this point in time, how long you live has nothing to do with whether you are HIV positive or not . . . but how much "hrdra" heart and determination and diligence, in time and energy you chose to employ in the benefit of your continued survival!

Take your meds on time and as exactly as prescribed! And when you make small mistakes in timing or dosing . . . don't go nuts!  All is ok.

Accomplish that, excell . . . and then, like everyone else. . .

How long you continue depends on how long you want to continue . . .
and shit like genetics and sheer f'n luck!

You are fine and safe.

The early days are crazy!  But soon, you will be well on top of your life, once again!

Please trust!


Title: Re: Questions about CD4 and life-span
Post by: tenzen on February 09, 2013, 07:34:30 pm
Ten:

The early days are really tough! Incredibly scary, uncertain and painful. 

But please trust.  Time heals.

At this point in time, how long you live has nothing to do with whether you are HIV positive or not . . . but how much "hrdra" heart and determination and diligence, in time and energy you chose to employ in the benefit of your continued survival!

Take your meds on time and as exactly as prescribed! And when you make small mistakes in timing or dosing . . . don't go nuts!  All is ok.

Accomplish that, excell . . . and then, like everyone else. . .

How long you continue depends on how long you want to continue . . .
and shit like genetics and sheer f'n luck!

You are fine and safe.

The early days are crazy!  But soon, you will be well on top of your life, once again!

Please trust!

Thank you Fisher. I really am in tears right now, I'm just happy someone is talking to me. This recent diagnosis makes you feel like the loneliest person on earth, especially during the cold season. I just want to be able to live as long as I was meant to be without HIV, I have so many plans in my life.
It's good to read all these stories and see how supportive everyone is. There really is a purely positive vibe in these forums.
Title: Re: Questions about CD4 and life-span
Post by: Fisher on February 09, 2013, 08:06:23 pm
I'm just one voice, but we are tons and tons . . . TOGETHER!

You are safe and home.  I am sure others will welcome you with full hrdra (heart)when they log on.

IM me any time if you need to express or vent.
Title: Re: Questions about CD4 and life-span
Post by: mecch on February 09, 2013, 09:18:33 pm
Thank you Fisher. I really am in tears right now, I'm just happy someone is talking to me. This recent diagnosis makes you feel like the loneliest person on earth, especially during the cold season. I just want to be able to live as long as I was meant to be without HIV, I have so many plans in my life.
It's good to read all these stories and see how supportive everyone is. There really is a purely positive vibe in these forums.
You are a young person.  Who knows how long you were "meant" to live.
 
Who knows what science and medicine will develop 20 30 40 years down the road.  Who knows any of this?

The thinking these days is people in your situation, given access to medical care, can expect a normal life span. So the best thing is to just go about your plans as usual.  HIV isn't going to do you in anytime in your youth, your middle age, and who knows about your old age....

I hit fifty and theres one thing that seems unrelated to your situation, but then again, maybe it is. Since you are so set on being old and enjoying it, like a lot of people in your family, and since the science ALREADY says being HIV+ isn't necessarily going to prevent you from reaching old age - make sure you start saving some money for retirement in your 20s and 30s!  If you don't believe me, watch some Suze Orman.  Money invested when you are young really adds up to a lot when you are old!

And just plan on doing the things you always planned on... Until life blows you into a unexpected direction... Which is often does...
Title: Re: Questions about CD4 and life-span
Post by: LoboDog on February 09, 2013, 09:37:38 pm
Hey Tenzen,

Most people that I know live a long time with HIV. The people that run into problems now a days do so because of other factors. Often times they take drugs / alcohol and do not adhere to their prescription regimen. Another issue are diseases that compound with HIV into something really nasty (Hep C, or Siphilis). HIV is a set back to your system, and you are more vulnerable now that you have it. As long as you take care of it, you can expect to live a long healthy life.

Hugs man, stay strong.
Title: Re: Questions about CD4 and life-span
Post by: Miss Philicia on February 09, 2013, 09:59:53 pm
Has your diagnosis actually been confirmed yet?
Title: Re: Questions about CD4 and life-span
Post by: tednlou2 on February 10, 2013, 12:45:19 am
Has your diagnosis actually been confirmed yet?

From reading your other thread in Just Tested Poz, it didn't sound like this poz result has actually been confirmed.  If it has been confirmed, then this is a great place for support.  A confirmation should have been done.  I would contact your doc to check.  I would hate for you to go through all this stress, if you're not actually poz.  Although, it is always good to learn about the virus and how to stay neg. 

Title: Re: Questions about CD4 and life-span
Post by: DrewEm on February 10, 2013, 01:39:07 am
Glad you are educating yourself!

That said, noone can say how long a "normal" lifespan is. Anything can happen. I live each day to the fullest as best I can but I also have those occasional days when I "sloth out". Today was a "sloth out" day due to the blizzard in the Northeast U.S. I caught up on movies I wanted to see (The Kings' Speech, Valkyrie) and a few sitcoms.
Title: Re: Questions about CD4 and life-span
Post by: Ann on February 10, 2013, 06:49:16 am
Tenzen, as your diagnosis has yet to be confirmed, I'm going to ask that you restrict your posting to your thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=47296.0) in the Just Tested Poz forum. With that in mind, I'm locking this one.

Ann