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Author Topic: New to the forum! Hi :-)  (Read 12936 times)

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Offline newkrr

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New to the forum! Hi :-)
« on: October 19, 2011, 05:15:45 pm »
Hello to everyone,

I only just found this website a few weeks ago! So thought I'd say a quick hello!

This site is indeed a fountain of knowledge, nice to read about others in my situation.

35 year old male from the UK, diagnosed with HIV on New Years eve last year, wasn't a huge surprise unfortunately but was still a big shock even though I expected it. Think I was infected around August time 2010.

Started my meds on 30 Sep (Kivexa, Ritonavir and Reyataz) no real side effects, other than yellowish tinge to my eyes, so all good :-)

Last bloods were VL27000 CD4 360 (21%)

Was just a quick hello, so Hello!!!!


Offline hope_for_a_cure

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #1 on: October 19, 2011, 05:30:59 pm »
Welcome to the forums newkrr. 

Online leatherman

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #2 on: October 19, 2011, 05:42:34 pm »
hello and welcome ;D

when did you have that last bloodwork? and when do you get tested again?
You ought to see a big improvement with the next results  ;)
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline newkrr

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #3 on: October 19, 2011, 06:00:57 pm »
Hello guys,

The bloods were from the 26th of August, just had my two week follow up appointment (from starting my meds) on the 14th. They didn't do a CD4 or viral load then unfortunately, was just normal bloods to check my organs etc are working as they should! Have my 4 week appointment on the 27th so find out then if the drugs are working :-) Here's hoping!

All in all i'm feeling great,

Hugs to everyone x c

Offline marriedmansam

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2011, 05:47:11 am »
Hi there ,

Pleased that you found this forum.

I am also in the Uk and have found this forum to be soooo helful.

Hope the meds continue to go well.


sam (way up north from you!)
June/July 2011- Infected
30 Aug 2011    - First test
31 Aug 2011     - Call to tell me first test was poz

3 Sept 2011       - Joined this forum
5 Sept 2011       - clinic appointment for retest
16 Sept 2011     VL 75 400 CD4 428 and 28%
next appointment  3 Jan 2012
3 Jan 2012          - VL 71 300 CD4 460 and 23%

Offline newkrr

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #5 on: October 20, 2011, 04:28:55 pm »
Hi Sam,

Yeah I hope they r working but have no reason to think otherwise :-)

Where up north r u from?

Seems like your last bloods were really good? How r u feeling?

:-)

Offline marriedmansam

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #6 on: October 21, 2011, 04:47:23 am »
Time helps. The dark times have passed.

i don't think about HIV as my first thought when i wake up ...well not every day!


i have sent you a private message too.

Hang on in there.


sam
June/July 2011- Infected
30 Aug 2011    - First test
31 Aug 2011     - Call to tell me first test was poz

3 Sept 2011       - Joined this forum
5 Sept 2011       - clinic appointment for retest
16 Sept 2011     VL 75 400 CD4 428 and 28%
next appointment  3 Jan 2012
3 Jan 2012          - VL 71 300 CD4 460 and 23%

Offline newkrr

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #7 on: November 04, 2011, 10:46:32 am »
Just a little update on my progress with my meds.

Had my bloods taken after 4 weeks on my meds (27/10/2011)

Got my results on thursday,

CD4 450 (30%) - Viral load now 328!

:-)

I'm really pleased,

I hope everyone is doing good,

:-))

Offline Coolio_7

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #8 on: November 04, 2011, 12:41:05 pm »
Welcome to the forums. You're numbers are looking great!

Online leatherman

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #9 on: November 04, 2011, 03:47:00 pm »
wooHoo! that's great news newkrr in a very short amount of time. ;D
(it's always good to hear good news!)
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline newkrr

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #10 on: November 05, 2011, 06:19:34 pm »
Cheers guys! I'm chuffed things are moving in the right direction  :)

Offline hope_for_a_cure

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #11 on: November 05, 2011, 06:34:59 pm »
CD4 450 (30%) - Viral load now 328!

:-)


Moving in the right direction..... Congrats!

Offline newkrr

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #12 on: November 05, 2011, 07:30:57 pm »
Thanks, hope_for_a_cure  :)

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #13 on: November 08, 2011, 08:14:36 am »
Well done on those numbers, Newk.

You're always welcome here to ask questions and/or to talk about anything that's on your mind.

Welcome.
Andy Velez

Offline JamesFromSI

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #14 on: November 09, 2011, 10:58:28 pm »
Welcome newkrr...

I just had my first doctor's appointment yesterday and I am very encouraged...

We are both of the same mindset of getting on meds sooner rather then later before the virus has had a chance to do any damage that can't be repaired.

Not sure what I will be on but he said he was running a "resistance" test to determine what medicine would best be a match for the virus I have.

-James
Infected early 2011; Tested positive 10/25/11; Confirmed 10/31/11 (Halloween)
10/26/11: VL101,900
11/8/11: VL79,000  Cd4 822
11/20/11: Started Atripla
11/29/11: Atripla Rash... Benadryl
12/4/11: Rash Gone :-)
12/28/11: VL 143
2/9/2012: Cd4 908 VL 34!!! (Just changed undetectable to below 20 :-| )

Offline newkrr

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #15 on: December 06, 2011, 08:23:41 am »
hello there,

just an update on my latest set of results!

CD4 470 and VL is 172

Was kinda disappointed that the VL wasn't UD but still happy :-)

James how are you getting on with your results/tests?

Andy


Online leatherman

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #16 on: December 06, 2011, 10:24:38 am »
Was kinda disappointed that the VL wasn't UD but still happy :-)
what was this though? About six weeks to go from 27000 to 172?  ;) That's not too shabby. (Considering the older tests used to have 200 as UD and until just recently it was 50 as UD LOL :D) Plus you're CD4 count has remained hovering in the 450-500 range, so that's pretty darn good too.

have you had to deal with any side effects? You haven't mentioned that, and if you're not then there's another plus to consider along with your good counts. ;)
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline newkrr

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #17 on: December 06, 2011, 05:51:08 pm »
Hi Leatherman,

I'm happy with those results, just had a big jump after 4 weeks from 27000 to 328, just thought after the next 4 weeks it would have dropped to undetectable :-)

But like you say they are good numbers and i'm happy.

I've been lucky with the meds, no side effects at all so thats been great.

I've just had a really bad cold the past 6 weeks that I can't seem to shift. And had my first cold sore in about 18 months but I'm sure thats nothing to do with meds or hiv!

Just weird that this is the best condition my immune system has been in since diagnosis and yet I have a never ending cold and a great big cold sore lol typical  :)

How are you doing yourself?

I hope all is well,

Andy


Online leatherman

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #18 on: December 06, 2011, 07:53:37 pm »
I've been lucky with the meds, no side effects at all so thats been great.

Just weird that this is the best condition my immune system has been in since diagnosis and yet I have a never ending cold and a great big cold sore lol typical  :)
glad to hear you haven't had any sides. back in the bad ol' days, I remember doing a lot of puking, with rashes, crazy dreams, and all sorts of things. Having better meds is a godsend for everyone that has HIV.

sorry to hear about that cold though. With my immune system finally holding around 300 after 19 years of meds, I'm doing pretty good. I haven't been back in the hospital in 14 yrs. WooHoo. Luckily I totally avoided the cold my mom (whom I live with) and her husband have been dealing with. However, I thought for a couple of days, just before WAD, that I might be heading towards pnuemonia again after all these years. :o It's been so long I had to ask around about what the early symptoms were. LOL My chest was so tight, and I had a small cough and headache; but thankfully no fever. I guess I had just pushed myself too hard putting together the WAD show that my ASO sponsored, because the day after the show, I woke feeling fine... tired but fine. ;)

take care of yourself (drink plenty of fluids, use kleenex, wash your hands frequently, take extra vit c, etc) and get over that cold quickly! ;) Oh, and by the way, when's your next set of labs? I figure you'll see UD for sure by then, I really do.
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline newkrr

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #19 on: December 06, 2011, 08:05:13 pm »
Hey yeah I do count myself as 'lucky' to have todays current meds! Sounds like a real challenge for you guys back in the earlier days of treatment options!

I'm pleased your numbers are holding steady and you're doing good! I'm sure your days of Pnuemonia are long gone ;-))

I'm trying to eat healthy and drink lots of water and to exercise.

Yeah my cold is a pain in the butt!! I was always prone to picking up colds and the sniffles before the HIV just never for this long but feeling better the last few days so I'm hoping it's gone for good.

Go back to see the doctor on the 20th of this month so will get my results a week later! I think you might be right about being UD then :-) at least I hope so haha

You take it easy mr, don't be wearing yourself out now! Hope you're all set for the xmas festivities.

Speak later

:-))

Offline newkrr

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #20 on: January 02, 2012, 12:19:19 pm »
Happy New Year everyone!

I hope you all had a great festive season :-)

Just a quick update on my viral load.

Had my last test on the 20th Dec and am now UD yippee!

I hope 2012 is a great year for everyone :-*

Offline Gman49

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  • Professional
Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #21 on: January 02, 2012, 01:37:09 pm »
Congrats on your lab results.  Happy New Year

Gman
Live to Serve!

Offline sfh-jbl

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #22 on: January 10, 2012, 03:42:06 am »
happy for you, i just received my baseline cd4 151, spent whole day crying, good thing i found this forum,,, i hope i can reach your cd4 level
dec 1 2011 positive, jan 9 12 cd4 151

Offline newkrr

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #23 on: January 16, 2012, 03:22:41 pm »
Hi sfh-jbl,

I am sure your numbers will improve! There are lots of guys on here who had CD4 counts lower than yours who are now doing great!

I'm sure you'll also be one of them :-))

I'll be thinking of you, keep us up to date with your progress.

Big hugs x

Online leatherman

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #24 on: January 16, 2012, 04:01:39 pm »
Had my last test on the 20th Dec and am now UD yippee!
how did I miss this? Maybe it was the champagne hangover that day. LOL

good news to hear about you reaching UD. :D that's a great way to start off a new year. hope you enjoy 2012!

i just received my baseline cd4 151, spent whole day crying, good thing i found this forum,,, i hope i can reach your cd4 level
you'll be amazed at the meds! I was down to 7 tcells about this of year 19 years ago. Now I'm up to my all-time highest of 330 and feeling fine. ;)  (good god! Nineteen yrs ago! that was such a long time ago now. I never imagined when I was in the hospital on my 34th birthday, supposedly dying from PCP, that I'd get any older. I never expected to see 40 ;) ... then 45 :D ... and now my 50th ;D bday is only 2 months away!)
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline badbaby1971

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #25 on: January 17, 2012, 12:39:28 pm »
Hi I just joined this forum a couple days ago, I tested positive a couple weeks before x-mas, wasn't to shocked though knowing that my husband had it when he died from cancer a couple years ago, living in denial and scared I didn't get tested which was a stupid mistake. My first cd4 count is 85, vl 93,000. Cried my eyes out when I found out. My doctor is awesome and started my on Atripla 6 days ago, have next test in another week, hoping to see a big change. Not easy dealing with all this considering I am also Bipolar. I found alot of helpful things on here reading your posts have made me feel a lot better. Thanks to you all.
Diagnosed- December 2011
1/12/2012- CD4 =85  VL = 93,000
Started Atripla on 1/18/2012
2/1/2012 -CD4 = 143 VL = 1010
3/4/2012 - CD4 = 135 VL = 23
5/16/2012- CD4 = 157 Vl = UD
7/18/2012- CD4 132 = VL = U
9/19/2012- cd4= 198  = VL=128 (15%)
10/17/2012- CD4= 185 VL= UD  (16%)
1/16/2013-CD4=135 VL = UD (16%)
4/17/2013- CD4=175 VL= UD (16%)
Started new drug reg
7/17/2013-CD4 124  VL UD (17%)
9/18/2013- Cd4 224  VL Ud (21%)
12/18/13 - CD4 211  VL UD (21%)
3/19/2014- CD4 289 VL UD (22%)
6/18/2014- CD4 306  VL UD (21%)
12/24/2014- CD4 419 VL UD (25%)
07/1/2015-CD4 252    VL UD (25%)
10/28/15- CD4 427     VL UD (26%)
2/3/2016 - CD4 423  VL UD (28%)
4/27/2016 -CD4 422   VL UD (28%)
8/30/2016 -DD4 474 VL UD  (34%)
11/23/2016 _CD4 413 VL UD (34%)
7/3/2017 -      cd4 444
9/20/2017 CD4 757 vl is  (35%)

Offline Ann

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #26 on: January 17, 2012, 03:02:13 pm »
Hi Badbaby, welcome to the forums.

Well, at least you know now and can start taking steps in the right direction in order to get your virus under control. Better late than never, eh?

Feel free to start your own thread to tell us more about yourself. You'll get more responses that way.

Hang in there, it gets better in time.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

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"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Online leatherman

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #27 on: January 17, 2012, 03:29:21 pm »
Feel free to start your own thread to tell us more about yourself. You'll get more responses that way.

Hang in there, it gets better in time.
I'd like to say the same thing to sfh-jbl ;)
welcome to the forums :D (although I hate you had to come here ;) ).

You know a lot of us have gone through those early days with all the crappy, depressing feelings that come along with a diagnosis, or being sick, or being in the hospital, or however anyone comes to finding out that they are HIV positive or already are at the AIDS stage. Of course, our stories won't make yours go away or be "better" than your personal story; but we know how it feels and sure can understand, empathize, and offer a helping hand of some moral support. Just like physical recovery takes time and medication, mental/emotional recovery takes time and support too.

Since we're kinda like a great big (dysfunctional) family around here, it always helps for anybody new to start a thread either about themselves or about their problems. That way YOU (and you too badbaby) can more easily get the support you might need and find others who have gone down the path you're going; while we get to learn a little more about you without clogging up someone else's thread. Just go to the front page of the I just tested poz page, or the LIving with HIV page, click New Topic and start your very own first thread. ;D

(and a big thanks to Ann :-* for being on the ball and suggesting that in the first to our newer newbies ;) LOL)
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline BorbaColen

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #28 on: January 17, 2012, 06:33:14 pm »
Welcome, from newbie to newbie

We all know those feelings, you are not alone. There are true survivors here, and their stories are inspirations to all of us. We can do it, if we stick together ;)

Offline JamesFromSI

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Re: New to the forum! Hi :-)
« Reply #29 on: January 20, 2012, 11:52:03 am »
newkrr.... welcome (a little late) and congrats on being UD.

I went from 79,516 VL to 143 in record time and have my next followup bloodtest on Feb 8th... I am so hoping to be UD and stay there :-)

-James

PS - leatherman... you are an amazing person and we are all grateful for your input
Infected early 2011; Tested positive 10/25/11; Confirmed 10/31/11 (Halloween)
10/26/11: VL101,900
11/8/11: VL79,000  Cd4 822
11/20/11: Started Atripla
11/29/11: Atripla Rash... Benadryl
12/4/11: Rash Gone :-)
12/28/11: VL 143
2/9/2012: Cd4 908 VL 34!!! (Just changed undetectable to below 20 :-| )

 


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