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Author Topic: Knowing this for two days already  (Read 8731 times)

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Offline CA2007

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  • Posts: 6
Knowing this for two days already
« on: June 29, 2007, 10:03:36 pm »
Hi everyone.
I am 29yo man, and i knew this poz news two days ago when i came back for the results of the test.
It is pretty sad to know, just hope i still would be alive for a number of years.
Anyway, i really need your advise what steps i need to take now in terms of maybe going for additional testing, starting treatment, in other words what to do? Sitting home and attending my job place like every day before is not enough now. I need your advice guys and gals. Thanks.
« Last Edit: June 29, 2007, 10:07:03 pm by CA2007 »

Offline RICKY77531

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Re: Knowing this for two day already
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2007, 10:07:50 pm »
I am a newbie myself (may 07) and it has been hard....just get your numbers cd4's and viral load then start from there...I attended a program that educated me about hiv replication and how hiv effects the body..it was very informative.....don't let this diease let you down...hopefully you have someone supportive to help you through this time...just look to this site...everyone here are pretty good people.....good luck ;)
06/2007   CD4 266  Vl 62000
06/2007   CD4 200  Vl 13495
07/2007   ATRIPLA
09/2007   CD4 323  VL Undetectable
11/2007   CD4 428  VL Undetectable
01/2008   CD4 357  VL Undetectable
04/2008   CD4 357  VL UNDETECTABLE
08/2008   CD4 402  VL UNDETECTABLE
11/2008   CD4 421  79 DETECTABLE..
2/2009     CD4 450  VL UNDETECTABLE

Offline milker

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Re: Knowing this for two day already
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2007, 10:09:30 pm »
Hello CA2007,

first of all, welcome to the forums. I'm sorry that you test positive, but there are now good treatments that should help you live a good life for years. Did you just take the test, or are you followed up with a doctor? What must happen now is to do some blood tests to see how your body is reacting to the virus. That's the first thing to do before even thinking about medication. You will soon get acquainted with the terms we use (cd4, vl, etc), but right now the focus is to find someone that will work with you.

It is highly recommended to follow up with a doctor who is specialized in HIV, not your general practioner.

Milker.
mid-dec: stupid ass
mid-jan: seroconversion
mid-feb: poz
mar 07: cd4 432 (35%) vl 54000
may 07: cd4 399 (28%) vl 27760
jul 07: cd4 403 (26%) vl 99241
oct 07: cd4 353 (24%) vl 29993
jan 08: cd4 332 (26%) vl 33308
mar 08: cd4 392 (23%) vl 75548
jun 08: cd4 325 (27%) vl 45880
oct 08: cd4 197 (20%) vl 154000 <== aids diagnosis
nov 2 08 start Atripla
nov 30 08: cd4 478 (23%) vl 1880 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
feb 19 09: cd4 398 (24%) vl 430 getting there!
apr 23 09: cd4 604 (29%) vl 50 woohoo :D :D
jul 30 09: cd4 512 (29%) vl undetectable :D :D
may 27 10: cd4 655 (32%) vl undetectable :D :D

Now accepting applications from blowjob ninjas™

Offline CA2007

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Re: Knowing this for two days already
« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2007, 10:15:32 pm »
Thanks for quick replies. Just need to know how to start finding a doctor. Do i get to the med center saying I am POZ and i need a doctor? But this would sound like a voluntary disclosure to a complete stranger. How is that practically done?

Offline milker

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Re: Knowing this for two days already
« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2007, 10:20:11 pm »
Well, can you share with us where you live? Did you go to an anonymous center to get tested? Can you tell us a bit how you got the results and what test was done? I would imagine that once you have the positive results you should be referred to an ID (Infectious Diseases) doctor, but it may depend on where you live?

Milker.
mid-dec: stupid ass
mid-jan: seroconversion
mid-feb: poz
mar 07: cd4 432 (35%) vl 54000
may 07: cd4 399 (28%) vl 27760
jul 07: cd4 403 (26%) vl 99241
oct 07: cd4 353 (24%) vl 29993
jan 08: cd4 332 (26%) vl 33308
mar 08: cd4 392 (23%) vl 75548
jun 08: cd4 325 (27%) vl 45880
oct 08: cd4 197 (20%) vl 154000 <== aids diagnosis
nov 2 08 start Atripla
nov 30 08: cd4 478 (23%) vl 1880 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
feb 19 09: cd4 398 (24%) vl 430 getting there!
apr 23 09: cd4 604 (29%) vl 50 woohoo :D :D
jul 30 09: cd4 512 (29%) vl undetectable :D :D
may 27 10: cd4 655 (32%) vl undetectable :D :D

Now accepting applications from blowjob ninjas™

Offline dtwpuck

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  • дано мне тело, что мне делать с ним?
Re: Knowing this for two days already
« Reply #5 on: June 29, 2007, 10:35:47 pm »
Hi CA.... I am very sorry to hear about your positive test result.   Your first step is to see a doctor and get your tests done.   Don't go to any doc, but to one who specialized in HIV.  Your local AIDS service organization can refer you to one if you don't know where to look.  If you are not in an area where you have such things, let us know where are and maybe some of us can help.

Second comes the business of dealing with how you feel.   Do you have someone close to you whom you trust, on whose shoulder you can cry?    This is a very raw time right now.  Many of us deal in different ways, but just be prepared for sudden onslaughts of emotion... depression... crying... however you normally cope.   Try to remember that you have a lot to live for right now.  Try to do things that you like to do, little things to distract you.     For me, I sunk myself into my job for a few weeks just so I didn't have to think about it.  It didn't stop me from bursting into tears suddenly. 

You will be glad to know that becoming poz is generally a different experience than many of the people who have been with it for the long term.  There are a lot more treatment options and you stand more of a chance of dying from something else than HIV, or at least that's the popular wisdom.  In any case, it's very unlikely you will begin suffering like some of the people you might meet do.   

That doesn't mean you shouldn't be vigilant with your health now.  You have a lot to learn.  Lots of people will tell you what's best etc etc.  Just remember.... it's your life.  .... and we are here to listen!

Welcome

Scott


Floating through the void in the caress of two giant pink lobsters named Esmerelda and Keith.

Offline CA2007

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Re: Knowing this for two days already
« Reply #6 on: June 29, 2007, 10:39:11 pm »
you've been very supportive guys!
mentally i am ok. i have gone though a lot in my life, and seen a lot. so i control myself pretty good i think.
well i made a test in Dept of Health. it states IFA test, the only result shown is "reactive", no %% or other figures. i am in Central California. it was not anonymous test i think. So do you mean i should go first to ID? any or in Dept of Health again?

Offline milker

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Re: Knowing this for two days already
« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2007, 10:53:26 pm »
Ok so an IFA test is like what you may see called a Western Blot test in those forums. It's a "confirmation test" that is more throrough than the initial oral test that you may have taken.

I'm surprised that they told you that you were positive then let you go! dtwpuck mentionned Aids Service Organisation, commonly called ASO. Look in the directory for your city where is the nearest ASO and call them. Tell them you just got tested positive and you do not have an ID doctor, and you need their help to get an appointment.

Now, what you have to take into account is your insurance. If you are insured with an HMO you may have to first contact your PCP that will then refer you to an ID doctor. It's a bit complicated but the ASO can help you figure that out.

What your ID doctor will first do is ask you to do a battery of blood tests. We're talking 10-15 vials here, so don't be afraid, and be sure you've eaten before :D :D Those tests will be the first assessment of how your body is reacting to the virus. What helps doctors is to know your history, if you know when you got infected, if you had previous STDs, etc.

This link may help you find an ASO in your region: http://www.avert.org/hiv_usa.htm

At one point you will have to disclose to a person that you don't know. Avoid disclosing to non-medical people (i.e. government workers) for now. It's all about YOU FIRST, they can wait.

Milker.
mid-dec: stupid ass
mid-jan: seroconversion
mid-feb: poz
mar 07: cd4 432 (35%) vl 54000
may 07: cd4 399 (28%) vl 27760
jul 07: cd4 403 (26%) vl 99241
oct 07: cd4 353 (24%) vl 29993
jan 08: cd4 332 (26%) vl 33308
mar 08: cd4 392 (23%) vl 75548
jun 08: cd4 325 (27%) vl 45880
oct 08: cd4 197 (20%) vl 154000 <== aids diagnosis
nov 2 08 start Atripla
nov 30 08: cd4 478 (23%) vl 1880 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
feb 19 09: cd4 398 (24%) vl 430 getting there!
apr 23 09: cd4 604 (29%) vl 50 woohoo :D :D
jul 30 09: cd4 512 (29%) vl undetectable :D :D
may 27 10: cd4 655 (32%) vl undetectable :D :D

Now accepting applications from blowjob ninjas™

Offline CA2007

  • Member
  • Posts: 6
Re: Knowing this for two days already
« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2007, 12:32:07 am »
sorry to sound silly.. but what is HMO and PCP? the rest of abbreviations i already learned from this site :)

Offline milker

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Re: Knowing this for two days already
« Reply #9 on: June 30, 2007, 12:36:38 am »
Oops

PCP = Primary care physician. Do you have a primary care physician ?
HMO = a kind of insurance.

Right now, if you need to see a doctor, what do you do? Do you have any insurance?

Milker.
mid-dec: stupid ass
mid-jan: seroconversion
mid-feb: poz
mar 07: cd4 432 (35%) vl 54000
may 07: cd4 399 (28%) vl 27760
jul 07: cd4 403 (26%) vl 99241
oct 07: cd4 353 (24%) vl 29993
jan 08: cd4 332 (26%) vl 33308
mar 08: cd4 392 (23%) vl 75548
jun 08: cd4 325 (27%) vl 45880
oct 08: cd4 197 (20%) vl 154000 <== aids diagnosis
nov 2 08 start Atripla
nov 30 08: cd4 478 (23%) vl 1880 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
feb 19 09: cd4 398 (24%) vl 430 getting there!
apr 23 09: cd4 604 (29%) vl 50 woohoo :D :D
jul 30 09: cd4 512 (29%) vl undetectable :D :D
may 27 10: cd4 655 (32%) vl undetectable :D :D

Now accepting applications from blowjob ninjas™

Offline CA2007

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  • Posts: 6
Re: Knowing this for two days already
« Reply #10 on: June 30, 2007, 12:54:04 am »
Sure i have insurance. I just never used it broadly. Before now it used to be another piece of plastic in my vallet.
Sounds like now it would be a great part of my life.
What i used to do if have flu etc. - just go to emergency care. So have no idea about primary care physicians. But i will find out.
So thanks for advice!

Offline milker

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Re: Knowing this for two days already
« Reply #11 on: June 30, 2007, 12:59:42 am »
Well i'm sorry to say but you are going to know everything about American insurance very soon. What I suggest is that you call an ASO, they should ask you what insurance plan you're in, and give you advice on how to find a doctor that will help you.

You should get the blood work done soon, so keep us posted ! Don't sweat it about meds and other stuff yet. You need to have the first blood tests done before anything can be assessed.

Milker.
mid-dec: stupid ass
mid-jan: seroconversion
mid-feb: poz
mar 07: cd4 432 (35%) vl 54000
may 07: cd4 399 (28%) vl 27760
jul 07: cd4 403 (26%) vl 99241
oct 07: cd4 353 (24%) vl 29993
jan 08: cd4 332 (26%) vl 33308
mar 08: cd4 392 (23%) vl 75548
jun 08: cd4 325 (27%) vl 45880
oct 08: cd4 197 (20%) vl 154000 <== aids diagnosis
nov 2 08 start Atripla
nov 30 08: cd4 478 (23%) vl 1880 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
feb 19 09: cd4 398 (24%) vl 430 getting there!
apr 23 09: cd4 604 (29%) vl 50 woohoo :D :D
jul 30 09: cd4 512 (29%) vl undetectable :D :D
may 27 10: cd4 655 (32%) vl undetectable :D :D

Now accepting applications from blowjob ninjas™

Offline Ann

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    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Knowing this for two days already
« Reply #12 on: June 30, 2007, 04:58:06 am »
CA,

Your first step needs to be having your positive status confirmed.

The standard proceedure is to test with an ELISA antibody test, not an IFA. An IFA is meant to be used to confirm a positive antibody test, not the other way around. So, you need to have a standard ELISA test done and if that still shows positive, then it needs to be confirmed with a Western Blot. The WB is more widely used because the IFA is more expensive - but not necessarily more accurate.

If you still test positive using the standard, approved method, then we can talk more about other tests you'll need.

Ann
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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

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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

Offline Bucko

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Re: Knowing this for two days already
« Reply #13 on: June 30, 2007, 03:18:29 pm »
I'd also like to add that the right case manager can make all the difference, opening doors and getting you benefits you never knew existed before. ASOs have them, many health providers have them.

I had an incredibly fabulous Power Latina case manager when I lived in New Haven. In the four years since I relocated to SoFla I can't say the same. But knowing what they can do when it's the right person and the right fit, s/he can make life much easier.

Brent
(Who misses CT in ways he never would have expected)
Blessed with brains, talent and gorgeous tits.

Blathering on AIDSmeds since 2005, provocative from birth

 


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