POZ Community Forums

Main Forums => I Just Tested Poz => Topic started by: Almost2late on March 10, 2014, 11:51:48 am

Title: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: Almost2late on March 10, 2014, 11:51:48 am

I went to the Hospital ER back in January cause I just had it with this pneumonia. Then I saw my Doctors assistant and he said I tested positive for HIV.. I was in shock, scared and confused. When my wife showed up, I just whispered it in her ear and she looked like felt. I didn't cry and I don't know why, neither did she. I guess we figured we'd find a solution to this problem but there were none. Now I'm worried if my wife was sick and so was she. Hours later, after being admitted an ID Doctor told me I had "full blown aids" and that my CD4 was 13, I had no idea what the f*** was a cd4? I was going crazy! I kept thinking I was going to die! my life was over! and I felt super guilty I would take my wife with me.. The next day, the Pulmonary Doctor told me that I can make it through this, that this wasn't like years ago but I had lost about 20lbs. and a little naive on medical issues.. I left the hospital a week later, and my wife tested negative which was some good news but this disease sat inside me for twelve years at least and didn't touch my wife, thank god.. Now I'm done with the other meds and only using atripla, my head sometimes hurts and I got these swollen glands by my ears and these weird long raised bumps around my neck that concern me... Does anyone get these? I'll be seeing my ID doc for the first time on Friday and my Pulmonary doc tomorrow.. maybe its nothing serious. I have found much inspiration through the stories I've read here on this website, thank you all..Frank

Title: Re: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: Peterdenmark on March 10, 2014, 05:26:59 pm

Hi Frank,

Thank you for posting yr story - and yes, you really have low cd4 count.
Same u I had swollen glands, and strange spots all over the body.
The glands was swollen due to TB infection - and the skin issues can be 100 things.
When cd4 is close to zero, our skin can really have some strange issues.

I lost a lot of weight too - and was at hospital 5 weeks, because of Oi and TB
After that i my cd rise quickly from zero to 120 - and i was actually stabil.

Im married same U, and been married for 5 years - and same u my wife didnt get the virus - thank U god

Today 10-11 months later I feel completely "normal"

This forum, my wife and my good doctors helped me to come through the tuff period.
Just be adherent with the meds, and take care yourselve - then everything will come back to U - good life awaits U :-)

If U smoke, then stop - u need to take good care about yourself.
Best of luck from me

Peter

Title: Re: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: Almost2late on March 10, 2014, 08:07:20 pm

Thanks Peter,
Your story gives me lots of hope.
What kind of meds did you take? Do you think I should exercise?
I use to smoke but not anymore and don't miss it one bit.
Tomorrow I see my Pulmonary Doctor, he's been the one who prescribed my meds through-out my hospitalization.. hopefully he'll give me some good news about my cd4 and vl .. I still have not seen an ID doctor, the one in the hospital does not take my health insurance so I have to wait till friday to see this new guy..hopefully he's good.. thank you so much Peter, you made my day :)

Frank

Title: Re: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: mecch on March 10, 2014, 08:33:02 pm

Quote from: Peterdenmark on March 10, 2014, 05:26:59 pm

Today 10-11 months later I feel completely "normal"

This forum, my wife and my good doctors helped me to come through the tuff period.
Just be adherent with the meds, and take care yourselve - then everything will come back to U - good life awaits U :-)

If U smoke, then stop - u need to take good care about yourself.
Best of luck from me

Peter

I agree with what peter says.
And welcome to he forums..  ;D

Title: Re: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: Almost2late on March 10, 2014, 08:55:31 pm

Thanks mecch :D

Title: Re: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: 2tcells on March 10, 2014, 10:07:56 pm

My story is like yours I never thought about hiv or getting it. I found out after getting sick and i thought it would pass and it just kept getting worse for 2 months I went to general dr. Gastro dr. They couldnt figure it out I decided I was dieing and better goto the er after I went from 200lbs to 140 in 2 months I couldnt eat and had no energy felt horrible.  I stayed for a week the said maybe it was aids and I had cd4 of 2 they didnt confirm it until after I left. I thought it must be something else but it wasnt. Long story short its 8 months later I feel much better most the time besides when I get a cold or cough I think the worst but its always nothing. Went from cd4 of 2 and vl of 220000 to cd4 62 and ud vl. Wife and kids didnt catch it either. Now It dosnt bother me I just take my meds ontime and it could be something much worse

Title: Re: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: 2tcells on March 10, 2014, 10:12:38 pm

And like someone else said the low cd4 will show up in all sorts of ways on your skin I was having skin problems for a couple years before I found out I have aids.

Title: Re: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: Almost2late on March 10, 2014, 10:35:52 pm

Thanks 2T's for sharing that with me.. I'm hoping for better days down the road.. Has your skin cleared up yet?

Title: Re: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: 2tcells on March 10, 2014, 10:59:59 pm

Well I had 2 rashes on my legs for at least 6 months that both finally went away but the redness on my face hasnt gone away its been like that for about 3 or 4 years it gose away for a few days and comes back from what I read it will go away around 300 cd4

Title: Re: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: Almost2late on March 10, 2014, 11:18:39 pm

Looking back at it now, I was also having problems with my skin before my diagnoses but brushed off as just getting old..

Title: Re: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: Peterdenmark on March 19, 2014, 05:15:34 pm

Quote from: Almost2late on March 10, 2014, 08:07:20 pm

Thanks Peter,
Your story gives me lots of hope.
What kind of meds did you take? Do you think I should exercise?
I use to smoke but not anymore and don't miss it one bit.
Tomorrow I see my Pulmonary Doctor, he's been the one who prescribed my meds through-out my hospitalization.. hopefully he'll give me some good news about my cd4 and vl .. I still have not seen an ID doctor, the one in the hospital does not take my health insurance so I have to wait till friday to see this new guy..hopefully he's good.. thank you so much Peter, you made my day :)

Frank

Hi Frank

Sorry i am late with my reply......

Today i take Isenstress and Truvada, and its really good for me.
I started with another combo, but it wasnt good for me.

Plz remember that nowadays the docs really know what they are fighting, and if u will catch an OI, the meds and U willbeat it

Best of luck - and hugs
Peder

Title: Re: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: Almost2late on March 19, 2014, 10:03:18 pm

Thank you Peter  :)

Title: Re: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: sanitex on April 22, 2014, 12:55:30 am

hello 2tcells, I'd like to ask you something I thought it's always disturbing me but I don't know maybe becuase I started with low cd4 20 vl 1million.my quastion is, do you always felt tired whenever you play hard assuming play football or anything not lifting weights just like when you fight or let me use wrestling like if you're playing with a friend after you most finished just a few minutes then you realise that heart or lungs is not getting enough air?

Title: Re: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: Theyer on April 22, 2014, 08:48:23 am

Quote from: sanitex on April 22, 2014, 12:55:30 am

hello 2tcells, I'd like to ask you something I thought it's always disturbing me but I don't know maybe becuase I started with low cd4 20 vl 1million.my quastion is, do you always felt tired whenever you play hard assuming play football or anything not lifting weights just like when you fight or let me use wrestling like if you're playing with a friend after you most finished just a few minutes then you realise that heart or lungs is not getting enough air?

Is this just not appropiate exersion strain ?

Title: Re: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: Theyer on April 22, 2014, 08:50:55 am

Quote from: Peterdenmark on March 19, 2014, 05:15:34 pm

Hi Frank

Sorry i am late with my reply......

Today i take Isenstress and Truvada, and its really good for me.
I started with another combo, but it wasnt good for me.

Plz remember that nowadays the docs really know what they are fighting, and if u will catch an OI, the meds and U willbeat it



Hey Peter,

I was hoping you would return for this poster.

Best of luck - and hugs
Peder

Title: Re: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: 2tcells on April 22, 2014, 02:43:44 pm

I have always felt I get tired faster than other people when running and exercising and stuff like that even when I was a kid I didnt ever notice it get worse except of course when I was very sick before I found out I was poz. But after taking meds I did feel like I had more energy than ever before

Title: Re: How I found out I had AIDS
Post by: sanitex on April 23, 2014, 12:46:51 am

  thanks 2tcells, maybe my problem might be from anxiety  disorder or maybe from my past sickness TB when I was daignosed.