Just tested positive... Here's my horror story

[Nathionk]

For about two weeks I had what I thought was the flu. It sucked but I knew I would be fine. It eventually went away for the most part after going to the hospital, and getting antibiotics for "walking pneumonia". A few days after I thought I was fine finally, I got sick again. I had all the sudden gotten sick to the point that I couldn't eat, lost 25 pounds in two weeks, couldn't even go to the bathroom. After being dragged to the hospital by a concerned mother, they said it was walking pneumonia again and sent me away with more medicine, except I asked them for an HIV test because I had my suspicions. They didn't give me my rapid test results that day. They gave them when I came back the next day unable to walk or even speak. It came back positive, so they admitted me to the hospital. Turns out I had HIV, CMV, CMV retinitis, and transverse myelitis. After spending two weeks in the hospital on steroids and about every other medication they could find, they said my viral load was 670,000 and my cd4 was 135. Had to learn how to walk again and spent two weeks in a wheelchair. So my question is, is it normal to have a cd4 of less than 200 when you only got infected 5-6 weeks prior (to your knowledge)?

[zach]

you've been infected for longer than 6 weeks. exactly how long, doesn't really matter. how and when you were infected, doesn't really matter.

what matters, is how you move forward.

sorry about your diagnosis. gah, transverse myelitis, fuck that man... how'd the steroids handle that? i've dealt with it for two years now, i can walk but i can't run a single step.

this is a good group nathion, i encourage you to learn as much as you can here. all the buttons at the top lead to lessons, searching the archives is years of collective knowledge. ask any questions you're unsure on, vent anything you need.

welcome to the boards.

[Nathionk]

The steroids helped so much with it. Not sure the specifics on how but I got 5 iv bags full of it over the course of 2 weeks. It helped me move from a wheel chair to a walker to walking in about a week and a half. I started running again a little bit after but it sucked horribly, partly from just being out of shape. Thank you

[hiv_rizzy]

Sorry to hear about your recent hiv +discovery. Keep strong and take all the meds you need to so you can get back on track. The only thing that matters now it looking towards the future

[CaveyUK]

is it normal to have a cd4 of less than 200 when you only got infected 5-6 weeks prior (to your knowledge)?

No, not normal. Not impossible I suppose, but quite unlikely. It is most likely a longer standing infection.

Feel sorry for you though - seems like you have been through quite a bit. CMV retinitis is also not ultra common until the cd4 count goes a little lower, so you have certainly been dealt a rough hand.

The up-side is that you now know, are on treatment and things will continue getting better from this point. Good job you asked for that test now!

Take care

[virgo313]

Hi Nathionk

Sorry to hear your conditions. Although, i am not sure what some of the medical terms means, i understand the part going to hospital. i spend 2 months visiting one every few days last year.

Like Zach said, not to worry when you got infected, that does not mater anymore. Once you starts your meds, you will feel stronger & you will have appetite to feel wanting to eat. Weight comes back quickly. i gain back 5-6kg withing  2 months after taking meds. Thanks

[Alternis]

Sorry to hear about that Nathionk.

I lost a friend last year because of untreated CMV. We both are a biggie and when he's started losing weight, I was like full of envy and he's so happy he's now as slim as a model. Little did we know that he's dealing with life-threatening virus.

A year later and I found out that I, too, are a poz. This is where I knew that it's wrong to celebrate my friend's slim figure back then. If only we are educated enough in this subject.

As a fellow new member, I just wanna say, welcome to this forum. This has been my escapade whenever I feel the need to rant ^^

Hopefully you'll come back stronger and healthier!
Big Hugs