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Author Topic: newly diagnosed  (Read 6315 times)

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Offline andres101984

  • Member
  • Posts: 34
newly diagnosed
« on: September 27, 2010, 12:36:32 pm »
Hello everybody.
My name is Andres and I'm from the beautiful Colombia. I was diagnosed in August 12th and since then I've felt a lot of things: fear, disappointment, depression, disbelief but thanks to forums like these and a friend of mine who is also positive, lately I've been feeling hopeful.
It doesn't go by a day without thinking about the virus: how it is going to evolve in my body? am I gonna get sick? am I gonna find someone to love me like this? how is family gonna react? who should I tell?....

I've been a little scared lately, I went to a dermathologist because I saw some sort of blisters on my thighs, she diagnosed Molluscum contagiosum and Ive been searching the web for that and found that is very common on HIV+ men, but I also found that it generally happens on advanced HIV patients, even AIDS patients....can anyone give me a guide about this?
Last week I've also found some red spots on my legs and feet and I'm scared to death it could be Kaposi Sarcoma, and on top of that I've been with flu symptoms for like 2 weeks...it seems like since I've been diagnosed, everything came up together.

I have my first appointment with the infectologist next 14th of October, to run my first tests....Im a bit anxious about how advanced is the virus in my body.

Thanks to everybody for their support and will keep you posted!

Andres.
Logged
Diag: 08/12/2010
11/03/2010 1st Lab: CD4:200 - VL: 250,000
04/05/2011 2nd Lab: CD4:358 - VL: 81
15/06/2011 3rd Lab: CD4: None taken - VL: UD (Yayyy!!!)

Offline komnaes

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,906
Re: newly diagnosed
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2010, 01:04:53 pm »
Hi Andres

Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis.

Molluscum contagiosum, especially type MCV-2 (there are four types), is common among sexually active adults. It can be spread by skin to skin contact (hence can be a sexually transmitted disease) but can also be contacted by handling objects like towels, etc that have virus on them.

MC can be more problematic among HIV+ folks like us but it's not a sign of AIDS. It's more difficult to treat if we catch it but once our immunity is back to normal level (by starting HIV treatment) it should not affect us more than among the HIV- population. So what you should do is to bring it to the attention of your HIV doctor immediately when you see him/her. I know your appointment is on 14 Oct - is there any way you can speed it up? Because if your immune system is indeed weakened by HIV the bumps can grow large (to the size of a marble) very fast.

As for the red spots there can be many things, with not an unlikely chance that they are just some minor skin problems. Since you have just found out you're HIV+ you're likely to get scared by small changes to your skin and health that you would have otherwise ignored. And trust me - don't get yourself worked up now and definitely don't try to diagnose yourself by searching the web. But then again bring them to the attention of your HIV doctor at the soonest.

The good news with MC is that the virus can be cured and completely eliminated from the body once the bumps are gone. There are many treatment options so do have them taken care of ASAP to avoid the bumps from growing and spreading.

Best of luck my friend! Shaun
Logged
Aug 07 Diagnosed
Oct 07 CD4=446(19%) Feb 08 CD4=421(19%)
Jun 08 CD4=325(22%) Jul 08 CD4=301(18%)
Sep 08 CD4=257/VL=75,000 Oct 08 CD4=347(16%)
Dec 08 CD4=270(16%)
Jan 09 CD4=246(13%)/VL=10,000
Feb 09 CD4=233(15%)/VL=13,000
Started meds Sustiva/Epzicom
May 09 CD4=333(24%)/VL=650
Aug 09 CD4=346(24%)/VL=UD
Nov 09 CD4=437(26%)/VL=UD
Feb 10 CD4=471(31%)/VL=UD
June 10 CD4=517 (28%)/VL=UD
Sept 10 CD4=687 (31%)/VL=UD
Jan 11 CD4=557 (30%)/VL=UD
April 11 CD4=569 (32%)/VL=UD
Switched to Epizcom, Reyataz and Norvir
(Interrupted for 2 months with only Epizcom & Reyataz)
July 11 CD=520 (28%)/VL=UD
Oct 11 CD=771 (31%)/VL=UD(<30)
April 12 CD=609 (28%)/VL=UD(<20)
Aug 12 CD=657 (29%)/VL=UD(<20)
Dec 12 CD=532 (31%)/VL=UD(<20)
May 13 CD=567 (31%)/VL=UD(<20)
Jan 14 CD=521 (21%)/VL=UD(<50)

Offline andres101984

  • Member
  • Posts: 34
Re: newly diagnosed
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2010, 03:56:55 pm »
Hey Shaun,
Thank you for taking the time to read my post and answer it.
Im currently under treatment for the MC, the dermathologist sent me a cream called Imiquimod (I don't know the name in English). I think is working fine so far, although I've been applying it since last wednesday only, Im very positive about eradicate the MC from my skin.
I think one of the mistakes Ive made is to search too much on the web....sometimes I get very scared of what Ive found. I think I better stick to this forum only hehehe.

Thanks again for your time and advices. I hope all of you to help me to travel this journey.

Andres
Logged
Diag: 08/12/2010
11/03/2010 1st Lab: CD4:200 - VL: 250,000
04/05/2011 2nd Lab: CD4:358 - VL: 81
15/06/2011 3rd Lab: CD4: None taken - VL: UD (Yayyy!!!)

Offline phildinftlaudy

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,985
  • sweet Ann what you think babe...
Re: newly diagnosed
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2010, 04:07:04 pm »
Hi Andres-
Welcome to the Forum Family - so for the reason that brought you here - but glad you found us.
The best thing to do is to take things one step at a time.  Continue to follow up with your doctor.  Posts any questions/concerns you have here - you will be amazed at the amount of knowledge that you will find from both long term survivors and those of us newer to the pos world (I was diagnosed 2 years ago).

You will also find many members with a sense of humor.  You will read things you agree with and things you don't agree with - but you will most always find support - which is what it is really all about.

Once again - welcome and look forward to hearing more from you.

-Phil
Logged
September 13, 2008 - diagnosed +
Labs:
Date    CD4    %   VL     Date  CD4  %   VL
10/08  636    35  510   9/09 473  38 2900  12/4/09 Atripla
12/09  540    30    60   
12/10  740    41  <48   
8/11    667    36  <20  
03/12  1,041  42  <20
05/12  1,241  47  <20
08/12   780    37  <20
11/12   549    35  <20
02/12  1,102  42  <20
11/12   549    35  <20

Offline komnaes

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,906
Re: newly diagnosed
« Reply #4 on: September 27, 2010, 11:20:55 pm »
Hi Andres

Glad to know you're taking care of the bumps. Imiquimod is a common treatment at the initial stage so I am assuming that those bumps are not big nor spreading. You may want to know that there are other options like cryotherapy, or "freezing" using liquid nitrogen or nitrous oxide that is common for treating warts as well. It can be painful, more so if the bumps are on sensitive skin that near the genital area. This form of treatment is probably most effective but if the cream is working now there's really no need to go there. But just so you know there are options.

And you know what they're saying - if you search the web for symptoms they all lead to cancer. Many websites offer the most general and every possible explanations that almost inevitable involve something very serious. This is not very helpful when you already need to process the information that you're HIV+. Again, we're all been there.

The best cause of action therefore is to have those "symptoms" checked by your doctor. Do get informed, but there's really no need to get worked up.

Again, I wish you the best. Shaun

PS - and yes, do come back often. ;)
« Last Edit: September 27, 2010, 11:22:45 pm by komnaes »
Logged
Aug 07 Diagnosed
Oct 07 CD4=446(19%) Feb 08 CD4=421(19%)
Jun 08 CD4=325(22%) Jul 08 CD4=301(18%)
Sep 08 CD4=257/VL=75,000 Oct 08 CD4=347(16%)
Dec 08 CD4=270(16%)
Jan 09 CD4=246(13%)/VL=10,000
Feb 09 CD4=233(15%)/VL=13,000
Started meds Sustiva/Epzicom
May 09 CD4=333(24%)/VL=650
Aug 09 CD4=346(24%)/VL=UD
Nov 09 CD4=437(26%)/VL=UD
Feb 10 CD4=471(31%)/VL=UD
June 10 CD4=517 (28%)/VL=UD
Sept 10 CD4=687 (31%)/VL=UD
Jan 11 CD4=557 (30%)/VL=UD
April 11 CD4=569 (32%)/VL=UD
Switched to Epizcom, Reyataz and Norvir
(Interrupted for 2 months with only Epizcom & Reyataz)
July 11 CD=520 (28%)/VL=UD
Oct 11 CD=771 (31%)/VL=UD(<30)
April 12 CD=609 (28%)/VL=UD(<20)
Aug 12 CD=657 (29%)/VL=UD(<20)
Dec 12 CD=532 (31%)/VL=UD(<20)
May 13 CD=567 (31%)/VL=UD(<20)
Jan 14 CD=521 (21%)/VL=UD(<50)

Offline next2u

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,813
Re: newly diagnosed
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2010, 04:33:54 am »
hello andres,

welcome to the forums. and how is it in columbia? here is so cal it was 109 degrees fahrenheit (too lazy to convert it to celsius, think it is like 42 or something).

that being said, internet info can be overwhelming and scary!!! take things at an appropriate pace for yourself and be sure to speak with your doctors. i hope you get the info you are looking for. too much info in the beginning can be depressing. i think a key bit of advice to take is to live your life as normally as possible while you are learning more about being poz.

take care and have a good day.

best,
d
Logged
midapr07 - seroconversion
sept07 - tested poz
oct07 cd4 1013; vl 13,900; cd4% 41
feb08 cd4  694;  vl 16,160; cd4% 50.1
may08 cd4 546; vl 91,480; cd4% 32
aug08 cd4 576; vl 48,190; cd4% 40.7
dec08 cd4 559; vl 63,020; cd4% 29.4
feb09 cd4 464; vl 11,000; cd4% 26
may09 cd4 544; vl 29,710; cd4% 27.2
oct09 cd4 ...; vl 23,350; cd4% 31.6
mar10 cd4 408; vl 59,050; cd4% 31.4
aug10 cd4 328; vl 80,000; cd4% 19.3 STARTED ATRIPLA
oct10 cd4 423; vl 410 ;); cd4% 30.2
jun11 cd4 439; vl <20 ;); cd4% 33.8 <-Undetectable!
mar12 cd4 695; vl ud; cd4% 38.6
jan13 cd4 738; vl ud; cd4% 36.8
aug13 cd4 930; vl ud; cd4% 44.3
jan14 cd4 813; vl ud; cd4% 42.8
may14 cd4 783; vl *; cd4%43.5
sept14 cd4 990; vl ud; cd4% *
jun15 cd4 1152; vl ud; cd4% *
july15 - STRIBILD
oct15 cd4 583; vl 146; cd4% 42
mar16 cd4 860; vl 20; 44

Offline andres101984

  • Member
  • Posts: 34
Re: newly diagnosed
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2010, 10:58:49 am »
Hey everyone!
Thanks for your replies. next2u, it's Colombia, not Columbia....hehehe.
This past days Ive been really freaked out about my health, with the MC, the flu and some little red spots on my legs.....thank the Lord I have a friend who is also positive and his words calmed me a lot...the MC is fading away as well as the red spots on my legs.
Im looking forward to my appointment with the infectologist to confirm my HIV stage....some guy at this forum (Spanish version) said that it appeared, for my symptoms, that i have advance AIDS, I almost fainted when I read that.

I will try no to panic until I see the doctor and get my test results, my friend will go to my first appointment with me...he's been like an angel. Im trying to take this as relaxed as I can, but sometimes is hard, specially when I read stuff online or see pictures. I know inside Im gonna be alright.

Gotta get back to work....thanks again!
Logged
Diag: 08/12/2010
11/03/2010 1st Lab: CD4:200 - VL: 250,000
04/05/2011 2nd Lab: CD4:358 - VL: 81
15/06/2011 3rd Lab: CD4: None taken - VL: UD (Yayyy!!!)

Offline Rev. Moon

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,787
  • Smart ass faggot ©
Re: newly diagnosed
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2010, 01:35:36 pm »
Quote from: andres101984 on September 28, 2010, 10:58:49 am

some guy at this forum (Spanish version) said that it appeared, for my symptoms, that i have advance AIDS, I almost fainted when I read that.

I will try no to panic until I see the doctor and get my test results

The person who made that comment to you is someone who is newly diagnosed --and who is not very well informed.  He shouldn't have made those assumptions, especially the part about disease progression.  I'm glad that you didn't allow his incorrect info to affect you for very long.

Relax.  Wait for your CD4 and viral load results.  Continue your treatment for the MC.  Nothing of major significance is going to change from here to that day.  You'll see how you're gonna be just fine.

Best,

The Rev.
Logged
"I have tried hard--but life is difficult, and I am a very useless person. I can hardly be said to have an independent existence. I was just a screw or a cog in the great machine I called life, and when I dropped out of it I found I was of no use anywhere else."

Offline andres101984

  • Member
  • Posts: 34
Re: newly diagnosed
« Reply #8 on: October 01, 2010, 10:06:52 am »
Hey Rev.
Thanks for being aware of this situation and for clarifying it.
I want to tell you all that Im very excited because the MC is healing very well with the treatment Im having, the flu is also fading away and the red spots on my legs and on my back were 'fortunately'only bed bugs.

Ive been feeling very postive and optimistic this past week, so I guess that helps to strengthen my defenses. Sometimes I see the light. Im looking forward to my infectologist appointment

Thanks everyone, you've been so nice...will keep you posted

Andres.
Logged
Diag: 08/12/2010
11/03/2010 1st Lab: CD4:200 - VL: 250,000
04/05/2011 2nd Lab: CD4:358 - VL: 81
15/06/2011 3rd Lab: CD4: None taken - VL: UD (Yayyy!!!)
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