Introduction - First Post

[areobe]

Hi Everyone,
I've been following the forums for a few weeks now and felt it was time to say hello.  Had never been tested before but in October started having trouble breathing; went to the ER and was told I had Pleurisy based on x-ray. They put me on steroids and antibiotics and symptoms subsided. 

Once I came off antibiotics started having trouble again, and this time Dr. declared I had asthma (strange since I never had asthma before).  I am an avid cyclist so the breathing thing was really bothering me. So they put me on inhalers. 

That helped for a little bit, but on 3 December even that wasn't working so went back to ER and was admitted to the hospital.  This time they said I had some sort of pneumonia and wanted to do a double lung biopsy to find out exactly what it was.  They also did tons of blood work. I was on lots of oxygen, etc...  One night they came in to give me the news that I was poz and the pneumonia I had was, in fact, PCP.  Like others I've read here, it was hard to hear much after that.  Everything was pretty much a blur.  They put me on Atripla that day, along with more steroids and antibiotics.  I spent almost the whole month of December in the hospital - never realizing how close to death I was.  Learned later my CD4 was only 18.  I forgot what my VL was but it was huge. 

The 'plus' in all this was the head of ID.  This guy was amazing.  He was so very positive.  He told me that yes my life has changed forever, but it was not over. He's been treating HIV/Aids since the 80's when they didn't even know what it was and that I was very lucky to be living today with it.  It can be managed as long as I stick to the meds.  Needless to say he's still my ID Dr. and I've never felt more positive about the future.  Out of the hospital and back to riding now 15-18KM/day. 

I want to express how much these forums have helped me through this!  You never knew, I never introduced myself, but I read the stories of others and the great advice from the Long-term survivors (and I headed it).  I've kept my HIV status entirely to myself which is one of the best pieces of advice I've gotten. You really 'want' to tell others to get comfort and sympathy, but I live in a smallish town and its still pretty backwards here. 

I got a call from the Health Dept this week wanting me to come down and fill out paperwork.  It was because of reading these forums that I agreed and went. I didn't hide or feel terrified or anything like that.  They simply wanted to help make sure I was getting access to meds and that I was under a Dr's care. The guy was actually pleasant and said he spends most of his time chasing people down.

Maybe my experience is typical, maybe its not but I really feel great and I'm moving forward with my life.  In mid-January my CD4 was up to 200 and my VL was at 150.  Not bad progress for where I had just come from.  I believe attitude has a lot to do with it.  It goes hand in hand with the meds.

In closing, I just want to say thanks for being there for me - even if you never knew you were. 

xoxoxo

[Tonny2]

     ojo      hi aerobe...welcome, and I guess, you are doing pretty good, keep up the good attitude and life goes on...wishing you the best, comprende?...hugs  ojo

[buginme2]

Hi
Best post I've read in awhile.  You sound very positive about a shitty situation and that's awesome.  Welcome. Yada yada

[AT]

Good stuff areobe, thanks for sharing. Just like the bodybuilder, you guys are motivating me to add exercise to my healthy life of eating right and meditating for stress relief. (I was diagnosed in October.) I'm not going to buy weights or join a gym, but I could get my bike fixed. Not exactly year round riding here though we have our warm days during winter. I was walking a lot for my job, even as I was losing weight pre-dx/meds, but that job went away at the first of the year. Keep us posted on your progress. 

[Almost2late]

Hi Areobe, welcome to the forums but of course always sorry for anyone who finds themselves in this situation.. I found so much in your post that hit home with me.. I also was in the ER with PCP a year ago, low cd4's (13) and thought I would never ride my bike again but here I am..

Really glad your taking it well and have regained your health so quickly.. Happy for you
Thanks for sharing and keep up that spirit.

[Alexander1992]

Hi Aerobo,Im so sorry for you finding in that kind of situation,and welcome to the forums.You post is so positive and gave me aspiration to start woriking out again.A lot of people post things that are really important and can help with everything you want to know. keep up the good work,take your meds and stay on track and ride more and more everyday. I was diagnosed in december and started therapy in oct.
Just remember take your meds,eat healthy and all will be good

[weasel]

   Hi areobe  ,

                      It is nice to meet you , It is refreshing to see a person
   dealing so well with HIV /AIDS .

    Your Doc was right ;   This is not the 1980's , we have moved on
 with our lives .
  I'm sure you will do well .   
    I've been going strong for over 30 years with HIV / AIDS . I turned 60
 with no fanfair . 
   Hope to hear more from you .

                                                 Be well  , Carl 

[DANIELtakashi]

Hi.
Greetings from TOKYO.
I had PCP one year ago and was hospitalized for a month.
Hope we will have better medication into the future.
Welcome.