POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => I Just Tested Poz => Topic started by: niecy_nurse on September 16, 2012, 04:02:23 am
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Vacations are suppose to fun and relaxing. Here is my story:
I am a 45 yr old African American female. While on vacation, I came across a free HIV testing booth at a seminar. I get tested yearly and it was time. Besides, it was also convenient. Did the swab, waited 30 minutes for the results. Of course, I just knew I was negative, but was I ever wrong. I will never forget his words "You tested positive for the HIV virus". All I could say to him was "okay". I guess I was in total shock. I remember him saying "did you know already?" I guess he said that because I was not hollering, screaming, crying, or rolling all over the floor.
Fast forward to now. It is finally sinking in because I have started meds. I was never sick. I am not even going to try and figure out who I got this from. I know 3 facts for sure....I was negative January 2011, I am positive now, and I had unprotected sex.
I am thankful that I was diagnosed early so that I can start meds and pray for a long and uneventful life span. I recently had gastric bypass surgery (June 2012) and I have lost over 50 pounds. I am beautiful and full of life.
This forum is a blessing. I will be reading and posting often.[/font]
Niecy
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Got diagnosed this July 2012 as well. You will be okay.
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Welcome to the forums Niecy, although it's a shame you had to find us at all.
Congratulations on the weight loss!
It's difficult to see in the first couple of months, but the negative thoughts about finding out your status will dissipate and become lost in the background noise of your life. Feel empowered by knowing your status, and that you're actively participating in your treatment...and you will never stop feeling beautiful.
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I'm sad for why you're here, niecy_nurse, but glad you found the site. There's a lot of HIV info in the LESSONS (http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Introduction_4702.shtml) section (under TREATMENT in the gray menu bar), and there's a lot of good people here who'll answer questions and try to give ya some support.
wow! on meds so soon? (what sort of numbers do you have?) That's a tough break; but in the end we all go on meds , so it's not like you weren't going to end up there anyway. :D at least starting so soon does have the good side effect of helping keep your immune from being damaged much. ;)
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Got diagnosed this July 2012 as well. You will be okay.
Yes, I am definitely going to be ok. I have a great outlook on life and I am very optimistic.
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Sorry you tested poz neicy_nurse, but glad you found us.
You seem to have a very positive attitude, and for someone who is positive, that's already half the battle won. This will hold you in good stead. :)
The first few months (the first year usually) post-diagnosis are the most emotionally turbulent for the majority of people. Once you cross the one year mark, things do get easier somewhat.
Welcome to the forums.
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I'm sad for why you're here, niecy_nurse, but glad you found the site. There's a lot of HIV info in the LESSONS (http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Introduction_4702.shtml) section (under TREATMENT in the gray menu bar), and there's a lot of good people here who'll answer questions and try to give ya some support.
wow! on meds so soon? (what sort of numbers do you have?) That's a tough break; but in the end we all go on meds , so it's not like you weren't going to end up there anyway. :D at least starting so soon does have the good side effect of helping keep your immune from being damaged much. ;)
Thanks for the information. I am so glad that I found this forum. By reading every one's post, I am not feeling so alone.
My number were not actually bad. My CD4=701 and my VL is 1058.
My ID MD went over my options and I opted to start meds. I just wanted my numbers to stay up and my VL to become undetectable.
I work in an ER and I get exposed to so many different things. I just did not want to take any chances and I also want to keep my patients safe.
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Sorry you tested poz neicy_nurse, but glad you found us.
You seem to have a very positive attitude, and for someone who is positive, that's already half the battle won. This will hold you in good stead. :)
The first few months (the first year usually) post-diagnosis are the most emotionally turbulent for the majority of people. Once you cross the one year mark, things do get easier somewhat.
Welcome to the forums.
Thanks for the welcome. I decided on day one that this diagnosis does not define who I am. I am not going to let HIV steal my joy. I made choices and sometimes the choices we make will not be in our best interest. Besides, I have to be in the right mind set to take care of my patients that depend on me.
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Niecy, As others have said, sorry you need to be here but welcome. I like your attitude. I just started Complera too and so far so good -- I wish you well with it too.
JM
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Niecy, As others have said, sorry you need to be here but welcome. I like your attitude. I just started Complera too and so far so good -- I wish you well with it too.
JM
Thanks for the welcome. So far, so good with the Complera. I am curious to see how it works for me. I am due for blood work in about 3 weeks. I am hoping my CD4 is up and my VL down. I wish you well also.
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Complera has worked wonders for me. I had a bad go when I first started with it but now I eat my evening meal and take my pill, and as u can see my numbers have done great things.
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I am hoping my CD4 is up and my VL down.
best wishes too!
Today, I just had my 92nd HIV labwork blood draw over the past 20 yrs. W00t! that's a lot of blood! I'm just glad I finally reached a level that the draw is happening every 6 months and not every 6 weeks like how it was happening in those early yrs for me.
For several reasons, don't be disappointed if your cd4s don't seem to change much when you get your results back.
First off, cd4s can change by up to 100 pts within a single day (lowest results come around 8-10am, while highest results come around 4-6pm). This variable amount of change is why what's really important is considering the trend over 3 or more tests.
Second, without a pre-HIV infection cd4 count there's no telling what your "normal" range is. Since "normal" is considered to be somewhere in the 400-1200 range, you already have a "normal" count. Also having a higher number doesn't necessarily mean that you're healthier either. 700 for you may be just like 1000 for someone else.
Third, there's really nothing you can do anyway to increase your cd4 - except remain adherent to proper treatment. By reaching and remaining Undetectable with your viral load, your body is able to recover it's immune system to whatever level it's going to recover too.
I would bet that you'll see your viral load hitting UD on this next test, and that'll be great news as that is the whole purpose of taking HAART. Best wishes on getting back some great results!!