Author Topic: New to the site and I am HIV positive (Read 9305 times)

rocky48 · « **on:** September 23, 2008, 08:37:16 pm »

I tested in April 08 and was neg but on July 28th I came back positive. I just can not adjusted. I did find a ID doctor and got my first test back with CD4 @ 475 and VL @ 1300 he tells me I am good. He will retest me in Dec.. Would a yeast infection cause my CD4 count to be down? Just trying to find my way around everything.

Thanks

hotpuppy · « **Reply #1 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:10:55 pm »

Rocky,
Welcome to the forums! Those are great numbers. I'll skip the yeast infection because I don't know anything about them. It sounds like you are off to a good start, finding a dr and getting your numbers run.

prayerblue · « **Reply #2 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:11:18 pm »

Hey... welcome to the forums... wish it wasn't under such circumstances, but everyone here is really great and supportive. I just found out too so I'm in a similar boat and just hoping to not need meds yet... but hey if you need to talk or anything to someone recently diagnosed I would definitely be happy to talk as well.

rocky48 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:21:02 pm »

Thanks - I forgot to say my other problem is that I am 60 years old and have no research that I can find how HIV acts in older people. My ID doctor said, I may not need meds for years. I hope he is right.

prayerblue · « **Reply #4 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:22:34 pm »

Amen (brother? sister?) I hope you don't have to go on meds for many years either! I hope that myself...

BT65 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 23, 2008, 10:05:01 pm »

Rocky, welcome to the forums. It's great you're already hooked up with an ID doc. And your numbers are really good. As for the yeast infection......are you saying you have one? I would imagine, though I'm no medical authority, that yes, a yeast infection could possibly make the CD4 count lower by a bit. You're getting the yeast infection treated I presume?

There have been a couple things I've read about aging and HIV, and basically they said more studies need to be done and also talked about things like thinning bones etc. Hopefully someone will come along with a link to one.

Have you contacted your local ASO (Aids Service Organization)? I don't know where you're located, but your ID doc should be able to tell you where one is. They have really great counselors at those and they can talk you through a lot of all this new stuff. Also, they usually have support groups that may be of help and if ever need be, they usually can tell you about good therapists who are experienced in helping HIV+ people.

Do all that healthy stuff we were taught as kids, and talk here as much as you want. You're not alone.
Luv,
Betty

Joe K · « **Reply #6 on:** September 23, 2008, 10:53:55 pm »

Welcome Rocky. I am glad you found us and I just want you to know that I have lived with HIV for 24 years, been on meds for 22 years and I am 54 and I enjoy a wonderful life. I am sure your head is spinning right now and that is perfectly normal as you have just experienced a life altering event. But I am here to tell you that it will get better and you just need to give it some time for you to adjust.

Your numbers are very good and what matters most is that you take care of yourself and that means your physical, medical and nutritional needs. I also believe it is very important that you do something nice for yourself every day, because you need to nourish your mind and soul as well as your body.

Feel free to talk about anything that is important to you and welcome to the forums.

Andy Velez · « **Reply #7 on:** September 24, 2008, 08:10:09 am »

Welcome, Rocky.

It will take a while but you will get adjusted to having HIV in your life. Meanwhile you have already taken a very important step by beginning a partnership with your doctor to keep you well. Having your numbers and your health monitored regularly is essential.

Gradually you're going to see that while HIV is an important element in your life, it is only a part of your life. You're always welcome here to ask questions and to talk about anything that's on your mind. Read the lessons. I think you will find useful information there.

Again, welcome.

jennynyc7 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 24, 2008, 08:54:53 am »

Welcome Rocky, I am new too, diagnosed just Feb of this year and doing great!

j

Assurbanipal · « **Reply #9 on:** September 24, 2008, 11:13:09 am »

Rocky

I just wanted to join the others in welcoming you. I'm in my 50's, AIDS diagnosis a couple years ago but doing well today.

I saw you were looking for resources on HIV for us older types -- you might find these places on this website helpful:

http://www.poz.com/factsheets/fs_2008_03_aging.pdf

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Introduction_4702.shtml

Hope to hear more from you.

Assurbanipal

rocky48 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 26, 2008, 02:05:01 pm »

I want to thank everyone for the kind words, info and the websites. I have had two appointments with my therapist along with my wife ( oh yes my wife has stay by my side and she has tested negative) and I feel I can rebuild my relationship with my wife. So, I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I just worry about my next blood test in Dec. if my cd4 will increase with the yeast infection being treated.

Again thanks to everyone who has responded to me.

rocky48 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 20, 2008, 09:58:05 am »

I know it's been awhile since I have posted but it's been an up and down ride. Some days I feel I am going crazy. I was reading some of the latest posting and I wish I could clear or put the HIV in the back of my mind and not have thoughts of having HIV everyday. Maybe I need to get more involved on this site. I feel allot of you here have it all together or is it just me thinking that?

Positive 7/28/08 CDS4@475 and VL @ 1300. Waiting for results of my second set of numbers on Jan. 2. Still going to the therapist every two weeks it helps some. What really helps right now is my wife is still with me.

I hope everyone has the best holiday season and good health in the new year.

Ann · « **Reply #12 on:** December 20, 2008, 11:50:53 am »

Rocky,

Don't be so hard on yourself. For most of us, the first six months/year or so was difficult. It DOES get better. It's a white-knuckle rollercoaster ride that does eventually slow down.

For myself, learning the basics and talking to other people who had been positive for years really helped a lot. So yes, maybe being more involved here would help you too.

While your numbers are great, I'm surprised you've waited six months to have your numbers looked at again. Most people (especially in the first few years) have their numbers checked at least every three months.

The numbers you do have are great. It might help you to go for quarterly labs - knowing your numbers are good goes a long way to putting worries at bay.

Happy holidays to you too - and hang in there. It does get easier to deal with.

Ann

BT65 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 20, 2008, 12:02:43 pm »

Rocky, it's good to hear from you. Like Ann said, don't be so hard on yourself.

It may help you if you contact your local ASO (Aids Service Organization) to see if they have a support group you could attend. That would put you in touch with other pozzies in your area.

Believe me, the first year is the hardest. There's a lot of mental adjusting to do. It's really good that you're continuing therapy; that'll help, though it may not seem like it sometimes.

Have a great holiday season. Hope you visit us more often.
Luv,
Betty

lusopt · « **Reply #14 on:** December 22, 2008, 08:22:29 pm »

Hi Rocky welcome to this forum. I too was diagnosed this year in november, im still afraid of everything, like you i remember all days that i have this stupid virus, im not the best person to give u advice for now, but wanted to say something: have strengh, and when u are feeling more down, remember u have the support of your wife and u can always come here and talk with us.

take care

auspoz · « **Reply #15 on:** January 06, 2009, 07:22:14 am »

Hi Rocky,

I'm really sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Welcome to the forums.

I hope that you are getting plenty of support to help you through the early stages of coping, understanding, processing and managing. It's so much to deal with, isn't it.

I found that taking time- lots of time just to think about things, figure things out and talking to people really helped.

Hang in there an let us know how you're going.

Auspoz.

melloyellow · « **Reply #16 on:** January 06, 2009, 08:50:05 pm »

Quote from: rocky48 on September 23, 2008, 08:37:16 pm

I tested in April 08 and was neg but on July 28th I came back positive. I just can not adjusted. I did find a ID doctor and got my first test back with CD4 @ 475 and VL @ 1300 he tells me I am good. He will retest me in Dec.. Would a yeast infection cause my CD4 count to be down? Just trying to find my way around everything.

Thanks

I Rocky, I tested poz in Nov 08. I am 48 and right now I don't need to take meds, which I am
happy about that. He told me that it would be years because my counts are really good.
I am undetectable as of now. I still have to take care of myself. I don't like it but I can't change.
I wish you the best of luck.

Peacock · « **Reply #17 on:** January 10, 2009, 01:12:21 pm »

Hey, Rocky,welcome ! Its always difficuilt for everyone to get over the initial shock (took me about ayear to stop feeling anxiety everytime I thought about my hiv)after a while you will be able to get through a day and not even think about your Hiv. Im now able to completely distance myself (from my hiv) and yet still be 'aware' enough to take my meds and try eat healthy.
I just dont allow my hiv to have the power to take over my thoughts, i think about it and contemplate it only when I want to.
It gets better! big hugs,

Peacock · « **Reply #18 on:** January 10, 2009, 01:26:41 pm »

oh, by the way Rocky..your results are far better than mine where when I got diagnosed! You'll be fine!!
I also feared the day I needed to start meds, but honestly I feel more secure now that Im on meds because the meds are fantastic for me, and doing a great job. I tried all sorts of wierd and 'wonderful' miracle vitamins and minerals and herb concoctions...but it was mostly useless compared to my 'Uzi meds'!-just blew the virus to hell and gone

...tee hee

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Author Topic: New to the site and I am HIV positive (Read 9305 times)