Finally Undetectable

[cwbyway102]

It's been a little over 8 months since i was admitted to the hospital with PCP and Cryptosporidiosis and piripheral neuropathy.I was 150 lbs.(normal is 215 lbs.)I lived with both OIs for 6 months before my doctors figured out they should test me for HIV.(5 ER visits later)
 Once they finally confirmed what was wrong with me in February they got me on medication that finally resolved those issues.February 23rd my CD4 was <20 at 3% with a viral load of 1.45 million copies.I was started on Truvada and Reyataz immediately adding the Norvir in June.
  On October 20 i was back in the ER for an emergency appendectomy that luckily didn't burst.On October 25th i had new labs drawn. CD4 144 at 11% and VL finally undetectable,and I'm back to my normal 215 lbs.My CD4 is still low but compared to where I was, I feel very lucky to be where I'm at.My doctor expects a quicker rise in CD4 now that my appendix has been removed.
 If you're wondering why i was never tested for HIV, i guess,its because i just never really thought about it.I've been married for 7 years and have been faithful.My wife is negative,thankfully.I've never been sick in my entire life barely even getting colds.So i assume i contracted the virus sometime in the 90's.I was in a popular band and thought i was invincible having unprotected sex with every girl that came along.
 As I got older I got out of that phase got married and settled down.I had never had an STD that I was aware of so getting an HIV test just didn't cross my mind,and as far as i knew I have been healthy as anyone can be up until last year.
 It seems I'm not so invincible,but I'm getting better,I feel great other than some fuzzy headedness every once in awhile.While I was in the hospital for my appendectomy, I had a mildly enlarged spleen and they found a couple gall stones.Hopefully both will resolve on their own.
  My goal has been to get above 200 CD4 cells,I'm getting there slowly but surely.
 
 

[mecch]

Fascinating history - thanks for sharing - more people should know about experiences like yours.
Glad to see you are on the mends.

[Lucky2behere]

You've had a tough year. It's good to know you are getting well. Thanks for the encouragement.

[cwbyway102]

 The worst part and best part about my CD4s being so low is that I get paranoid about every little pain in my body or blemish on my skin.I say best part  because if I hadn't been paranoid about the pain in my abdomen a couple weeks ago, my appendix would have probably ruptured.The surgeon said a couple more hours and I
would've been in trouble.
 What makes that scary is the pain was more annoying than it was painful and it wasn't even in the area of my appendix.(It was just below my sternum).Normally i would've just dealt with it and went on with my day,but because of my low CD4 I went in to have it checked out.
 Yes it's been a tough year,actually 2 years because just before all of this my,youngest son passed away.He was born with Semi-lobar holoprosencephaly.My oldest son is in kindergarten and doing great,and my wife even though she is negative has been the best anyone could ask for and more.I don't want my son growing up without a dad so I'm trying to do everything I can to make sure I catch things early.
  I don't know anyone else with HIV so I turn to these forums for guidance even though I don't post a lot,I do read a lot of posts and try to do as much research as I can so that i can ask my doctors the right questions.
 Most of my family knows my status and a few of my friends.None of them even batted an eye,and have been nothing but the best support group anyone could have.


 
 
 
 

[WillyWump]

Cwby,

An amazing story. My heart goes out to you and your wife in the loss of your youngest son. You've been through a hell of alot but It's obvious you are a very strong and courageous individual, bravo on that.

Super congrats on your UD!! Isn't it a great feeling! Way to go!

You should stop in more often

-Will

[sreamer17ydr]

That was a good story and that is great that you are doing better. My viral load is undetecable twice in a row but my CD4 count keeps dropping but nothing you can do just try and keep healthy. I know my one friend has an undetecable viral load for years but his CD4 count dropped from 350 6 months ago to 50 CD4 cells now, which is not that good but doctors said since he feels healthy and that his medication is still keeping him UND for years that something else is wrong. It maybe just the lung infection he has making his immune system bad but i know since he is healthy looking and feels great and has a postive outlook on life that you can too even though numbers seem discouraging there not everything just like how money isnt everything either.

[hope_for_a_cure]

Its a great feeling to reach that 'undetectable' level.  Excellent news and congratulations!   You have been through quite a bit and I feel sure that you will reach your goal soon.