Author Topic: Tested positive 2/28 Help (Read 9749 times)

silguy618 · « **on:** March 05, 2018, 07:06:40 pm »

I have been married to my second wife for almost 9 years. wen have both been faithful in every way. I'm 46 yrs old and we decided that we should try to have a child of our own I have two from previous marriage. I had a vasectomy 19 yrs ago and after my divorce I used Steroids.
Went to fertility clinic and everything was fine. Did blood work and I came back positive for Syphilis titer 1:1 and positive for HIV. They asked me to come back in for confirmation test which we did. My wife has tested neg for both the Syphilis and HIV we are intimate literally every night of our 9 year marriage.
Test came back again positive for both. She explained my Syphilis with the 1:1 was a extremely old infection. I did the call of shame and contacted everyone after my wife to see of they were ok. All EX GF were neg of both viruses. so i broke down called my ex wife and she thought it was funny i just found out. She had been having a affair with a man prior to our divorce for 3years. We divorced due her addiction to pain pills and her bf was her connection. She admitted she got it while we were married and was treated after the divorce but well slipped her mind to tell me.
the HIV I think has came from the fact i couldn't give myself the shots so i would have several friends in the gym help me with the shots in exchange for using my testosterone vial ( I know how stupid I am ) I was destroyed after my divorce and felt i was unappealing. I can only think I got it from a dirty needle I would always bring plenty to prevent it and it happened.

I got a call today 3/5 and the dr said my she had basic information
viral load is 95,030
RNA 4.9
I don't know my CD4 count
She is referring me to a Specialist in St Louis at Washington University.

How can i be infected for so long and not pass it to my wife.
I have only been sick in 9 years 2 times once the flu stomach virus and once last year shingles stress of loosing my mother to cancer.
I haven't had weight loss nothing else at all. I still use testosterone on a HRT level as my abuse ruined my endocrine system.
My wife has been right by my side and said she knows we both have been faithful and she wasn't leaving. She acts like it no big deal at all.
She is a Advanced Nurse Practitioner and said there are far worse illnesses. Can someone please help me fill in the blanks of why maybe!
thank you so much
What is next and what should I expect? Treatment for the Syphilis and Hiv

kentfrat1783 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2018, 07:23:22 pm »

Hi,

Welcome to the group (yes I know a bad way to start).

First off, be happy that you have a great wife that is staying with you. Just don't keep anything from her. I am sure she knows more about it, just based on her profession, but I'm sure she won't give you details unless you want them.

My first ID doctor appointment was in the hospital bed so I'm hoping your first appointment goes much better. Don't worry so much about the numbers. I'm sure once you start treatment your Viral Load (VL) will go to undeductible in no time.

Also, just because you have the virus doesn't mean you will get sick all the time. Nor are the symptoms the prevalent. Heck I lost like 5 pounds in 4 months and my ID doctor was like that's a symptom but I was like it was the holidays and I ate too much. What I am trying to say is everyone is different. I even had a stomach virus a few months back but I recovered like I always have.

Just make sure to ask your ID doctor questions and be honest about all Rx's you take and even over-the-counter meds.

My partner also had/has syphilis and I've been negative. Things just happen.

Also, from what I've learned on here you can still have kids and they can be negative. Just talk with your doctor about that as well.

Wishing you the best but still keep a smile on your face. You will be OK.

Kenneth

CaveyUK · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2018, 07:52:20 pm »

Hi, Re the syphillis - a 1:1 titre is as they say either a very old or previously treated infection. In most cases, they would consider a result like this the equivalent of negative - it's as weak a positive as it's possible to have. Now, has you are HIV+ they may decide to treat it anyway, but this really isn't anything to fear one way or another.

HIV is actually a hard virus to transmit. My gf is also neg after a LOT of unprotected sex pre-diagnosis. It's just one of those things. Ever since I have been safely undetectable following treatment, we have gone back to condomless and she just gets tested periodically (still neg).

There really are far worse things to be diagnosed with. You'll realise this once you have been on treatment for a while, and are completely controlling the virus down to undetectable level simply by popping a pill each day. Stigma and the mental side of things are the hardest things to deal with, far more so than any physical aspect.

Glad your wife is fine with it. So is my gf - she also treats it as 'no big deal', and it's a massive psychological boost as you go through the first year and the clinic visits and starting the meds.

Keep us posted

Batou · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2018, 02:08:27 am »

Hey silguy618,

Sorry about your DX.

I can relate to what you must be going through right now as i have just been diagnosed poz a little more than a month ago. The first couple of weeks is absolutely mind numbing and all my heart is with you in this difficult time and this new information coming into your life. You have a wonderful and educated wife by your side which i am sure will help tremendously.

Your first step is to find a doctor you are comfortable with, one that is knowledgeable, caring, trustworthy and willing to work with you. You will soon be starting treatment and side effects (if you have any) will subside in a couple of weeks. I am confident your viral load will be undetectable in no time and everything will be under control.

Know that you are not alone, you will always be welcome here.

silguy618 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 06, 2018, 11:33:51 am »

Thank you for the replies. It just extremely hard to wrap this around. I am blessed she is with me and helping me through this but she thinks for my best interest that i not disclose my status to anyone. We live in a town of less than 5000 and the stigma is extremely strong. My parents have both passed and I have one brother one sister neither understand this and still have the 80's mentality.

What should I expect next. Still waiting for referral to a ID dr in st louis, Its a 2 hour drive there. but worth the trip.

Jim Allen · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2018, 12:07:19 pm »

Hi

What to expect next? Well there are a few basic lessons that will give you something to read yet will not be overwhelming:

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/newly-diagnosed
https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/starting-hiv-treatment
https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=2276.0

On your first clinic visit as its the first time they might take down a medical history, ask what other medications or conditions you have etc etc etc than the nurse (Or doctor if your unlucky) will take more blood samples this is to rerun/run a number of tests including VL and if not done so already resistance testing. Resistance testing has very little to do with you, its just to check what therapy or class of antiretroviral would best suit.

Than your doctor will check with you and work out what treatment is best suited for you and get you started on treatment.

Wash, rinse and repeat giving bloods every few months - It will get to be less often as time goes by and take you meds as prescribed daily and live your life. That is about it in a nutshell

Jim

silguy618 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 06, 2018, 10:40:26 pm »

I do have one question. Can they determine how long I have been hiv positive? Does it even matter?

Jim Allen · « **Reply #7 on:** March 07, 2018, 01:55:46 am »

No they can't and no it does not matter, regardless of how long you have been living with HIV the treatment is the same.

If your CD4 count is very low to start with below 200 you may be given temporary an antibiotic to take (Bactrim/ Septra) to help prevent some optimistic infections, this until your CD4 count goes back up.

Jim

silguy618 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2018, 02:39:33 pm »

Well I just a update. I have to be at Washington University School of Medicine Infectious Diseases Clinic in St Louis supposedly the best in my area for Monday. I pray my MD is good and get me on the right track. I appreciate everyone for the boost helping me!

silguy618 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2018, 02:34:50 pm »

Just a update. Went yesterday to Washington University ID HIV clinic. Saw two drs they did a ton of blood work. but started me on that day on Genvoya and Prezista each once a day. The Dr explained after the blood work was done after they gene and resistant test. Most likely I could drop the Prezista depending on if it has a resistance..
I took it this morning with my oatmeal and protein shake and hell great. I actually feel great.
He started wife on Truvada and she has been sick today but she is also dealing with horrible uti so it could be the leviquinn antibiotic causing her sickness . I hope

silguy618 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2018, 05:51:39 pm »

Just a update. Went yesterday to Washington University ID HIV clinic. Saw two drs they did a ton of blood work. but started me on that day on Genvoya and Prezista each once a day. The Dr explained after the blood work was done after they gene and resistant test. Most likely I could drop the Prezista depending on if it has a resistance..
I took it this morning with my oatmeal and protein shake and hell great. I actually feel great.
How hard should i workout when i hit the gym. Actually feel more energy and better to go.

He started wife on Truvada and she has been sick today but she is also dealing with horrible uti so it could be the leviquinn antibiotic causing her sickness . I hope
She said he has puked at least 10 times today and never was able to take her antibiotic for her uti. because she is so sick. any suggestions for that. I called and she called the Dr office and no one called either of us back... should she quit or keep trying ??

kentfrat1783 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2018, 06:12:23 pm »

Hi,

Glad that you had your first appointment and your pills are going well. It took a few days for my Atripla to start having some side effects but most were gone in about 2 months. Every now and then the dreams comes back but it's no big deal. I know you aren't on Atripla but just read over the side effects that your pills might cause.

As for your wife I'm not sure. If you can't get a call back from the doctors office (sometimes they don't call back until the next day), so the other person I call sometimes is the pharmacist. They might be able to see if their is some reaction.

On the standpoint of how hard can you workout...that is all up to you. You can do the same things you done before. My ID doctor told me not to take any pre-workout drinks but then again I'm on many other antibiotics and my CD4 was low.

Just do what makes you happy and hope your wife starts feeling better. UTI's suck.

Kenneth

Jim Allen · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2018, 06:50:59 pm »

Sorry to hear about your wife feeling sick, hope she feels better soon.

Glad to hear you have started treatment and I'm sure things will be fine.

Jim

silguy618 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2018, 02:13:59 pm »

So I wont experience side effects right off, but it will take a few weeks. I have felt wonderful.
Still waiting on blood work, They did it monday morning wondering how long it will take to get some results.

Wife on the other hand this morning extremely sick again vomiting 5 or 6 times took her to dr and they gave her IV fluids. I cant imagine this is related to the Truvada.
I am just hoping i didn't infect her I know I have been infected longer than we have been together 9 years and in all honesty we figured intimate at least once every day in 9 years so 3500+ times she hasn't. But knowing the luck i have it will happen.
Thank you for all the help! Ill post my cd4 and more information when i get it.
Everyone posting i don't think realize how much a help it is for someone like me that had been introduced to this.
thank you again!

Jim Allen · « **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2018, 02:33:14 pm »

Quote

So I wont experience side effects right off, but it will take a few weeks. I have felt wonderful.

Stop expecting issues that to be frank you simply don't have.

Quote

Wife on the other hand this morning extremely sick again vomiting 5 or 6 times took her to dr and they gave her IV fluids. I cant imagine this is related to the Truvada.

Damn well whatever the cause sounds like she is having a rough time, hope she feels better soon with the fluids at least.

silguy618 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 18, 2018, 04:08:26 pm »

Got my results back from first visit with my ID Dr.
Originally Feb 28 I had a vl of 95,030. Unknown cd4.

March 12 was first visit.
Cd4 was 292.
Vl was 174,000

Dr didn't seem to concerned. Said it changes all the time without treatment.
By can someone give me a better idea please. Isn't 292 extremely bad for cd4.
Thank you again

Jim Allen · « **Reply #16 on:** March 18, 2018, 04:19:33 pm »

Well regardless of CD4 count you need to start treatment to suppress the virus.

As for the good or bad, well you can't change it and its not a measurement of health now statistically speaking the lower the count the higher the risk for OI's and certain OI's the risk is greater when below 200 ... now I would have to check but the lowest I've ever had from the top of my head was in the 40's many people here started with even lower than that, we have a member who only had "2" CD4's left

The goal of treatment is not worrying or stressing about CD4's its about suppressing your VL so your body does not need to fight a loosing fight anymore and can start to focus on better things and "healing"

Jim

Quote

When the CD4 cell count—the number of cells in a cubic millimeter or milliliter of blood—drops below 200, the immune system is considered to be “compromised” and you are at a higher risk of experiencing an AIDS-related opportunistic infection, like Pneumocystis pneumonia. In fact, immune system damage and certain HIV-related health problems can occur at even higher CD4 cell levels.

silguy618 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 18, 2018, 04:23:05 pm »

What would cause it to double in 2 weeks? That was my big question. Is this possible a new infection rather than a old. I was assuming at least 9 yrats

Jim Allen · « **Reply #18 on:** March 18, 2018, 04:28:31 pm »

The VL? Tones of reasons including time of day of the measurement

Untreated VL loads are like that and will vary, mine nearly tripped during 1 week in 2014 and down on the floor the next.

Once you it suppressed and keep taking your meds you will no longer have to worry about it.

Jim

Jim Allen · « **Reply #19 on:** March 18, 2018, 04:36:50 pm »

Quote from: silguy618 on March 18, 2018, 04:23:05 pm

What would cause it to double in 2 weeks? That was my big question. Is this possible a new infection rather than a old. I was assuming at least 9 yrats

You can't tell from VL's how old your infection is. I know you have this question but let it go as its irreverent and just going to drive you around the bend and you will loose your mind to it.

Looking at VL's and CD4's and as many statistics on the average human HIV infection as you wish to somehow try to work this out is to an individual its ... well ... its about as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum

silguy618 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 21, 2018, 02:21:01 pm »

Latest update.

Dr called yesterday and said last of the blood work came back and my virus doesn't show any strain resistance. Which he said was great news and to drop the Prezista all together and just to take the Genvoya.
I have felt great started working out again. My Endo has no clue at all in regards to HIV infection and said he wouldn't advise either way on continuing my HRT Testosterone treatment. Said I guess you make the decision was the exact words.

Only side effects I have experienced are now since taking the medication im getting crazy night sweats, insomnia and honestly don't feel as mentally sharp. I have a extremely high demand job and I have caught myself making mistakes I shouldn't be doing..
Thank you again!!

3/15/2018 discovery
cd4 unknown
vl 95,030
4/12/2018
cd4 215
vl 178,000
started Genvoya and Prezista
3/21/2018
dropped to Genvoya per DR

Jim Allen · « **Reply #21 on:** March 22, 2018, 07:23:03 am »

Glad to hear things are well and that you are down to the 1 pill Genvoya.

Quote

I have experienced are now since taking the medication im getting crazy night sweats, insomnia and honestly don't feel as mentally sharp. I have a extremely high demand job and I have caught myself making mistakes I shouldn't be doing..

Combination of things prehaps, digesting the diagnosis so the mental and emotinal aspect can be great and people often forget that mental health can and does have physical signs, also new to the meds and just adjusting to them and getting your VL under control, but this should only be temporary .

Keep an eye on it and if it does not settle and you still feel like this after a while do speak to your doctor.

Jim

Chel · « **Reply #22 on:** March 22, 2018, 07:49:40 am »

Hello!

I have felt the same side effects in the beggining of treatment. One thing that got me crazy was a kind of heat waves, dizziness, nausea (every morning) and vivid nightmares... all of them disappeared between 4 to 6 months of treatment.
I read you feel mentally sharp... please look after of your mental health, and as Jim said if it does not settle, talk to you doctor.

All you need now is love and support, right?

Michel

JosephP · « **Reply #23 on:** March 23, 2018, 11:07:02 pm »

"...Which he said was great news and to drop the Prezista all together and just to take the Genvoya..." Great medication. Been on it for 3 years. No problem whatsoever!

silguy618 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 29, 2018, 05:30:57 pm »

What is a CD3 count i just got a update on my labs and it says CD3+CD4+Cells NFr XXX and a number of 19
with a range of 31-64?
Once again no one has called me to explain or anything i just get emails that say your health records have been updated.
and I listed 215 as my cd4 per the doctor but on my health records on my app it list at 292 cd3+cd4+ cells # Bld

can someone explain for me please?

silguy618 · « **Reply #25 on:** April 25, 2018, 05:18:20 pm »

Went to the ID dr. on the 23rd. and was just informed via my health portal.
After 43 days of Genvoya I am <20 copies and Undetectable! I cannot believe I dropped that quick. Thank you to everyone for the words of advice
My blood work had some issues.
Glucose was 61
Alkaline Phosphatase was 38
Creatine 1.56
Hematocrit was 50.9
RDW SD 50.9

Not sure the details on all this but i was just excited to VL was under 20
thank you again!!!!!

CaveyUK · « **Reply #26 on:** April 27, 2018, 12:58:18 pm »

It really is the only thing that matters going forward (VL, that is).

The meds sort the viral load out super quickly, as you have found. That is the only thing they do, so everything else kinda takes care of itself once the body doesn't have a raging infection to fight. Compared to many other conditions which are extremely complex to treat, HIV - at least with modern meds - is pretty simple conceptually. Keep taking the pill(s), keep the VL at UD and then get on with your life....

Sounds like generally you are in good shape. Don't worry about all the myriad of blood work results....if there is a problem your doc will tell you, and you can always discuss them with him/her. No point getting hung up about things you really don't need to fret about.

silguy618 · « **Reply #27 on:** May 02, 2018, 02:48:17 pm »

Just got my update on my cd4. went from 292 to 305. should i be concerned it isnt going up very fast? Am I doing something wrong?

mecch · « **Reply #28 on:** May 02, 2018, 03:20:49 pm »

Take your treatment everyday.
Then try to take your mind off this and putting it on constructive things. You are not doing anything wrong. It takes time time time for things to fall into place.

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Author Topic: Tested positive 2/28 Help (Read 9749 times)