Could be starting meds, so defeating...

[404error]

So, I was diagnosed in Feb of 2006.  My stats have been up and down ever since reaching a CD4 high of about 725 in January this year and for the last 3 months they've been steady at 325.  I feel kind of cheated.  I read about so many people who go years without needing to go on meds and I'm not even two years in and I'm already looking at potentially starting treatment?  I'm a little worried about; wasting, lipodystrophy, gaining weight, having an even harder time finding a nice woman as I'm not that healthy anymore if I'm on meds...  Fuck, life is stressful sometimes...  Sorry for the rant, I know I'm not the first one to have to take meds, not even close...  I was just hoping that I'd get in a good decade of medication free living before becoming a slave to the drugs.  I don't even party or live recklessly, I just don't get it...

[Life]

Hiya Up...   Yeah some of us got cheated on that 10 year thingamabob...  I had 5 months between diagnosis and meds...  Your fears regarding wasting, lipo and gaining weight are a bit unfounded given newer combo's...  Life is what you make of it dear...  I love a good puzzler to put me over the edge... However, by putting your thoughts out there as you have done, I think you may be pleasantly surprised and reashured...

Your human,  there is nothing to "get"..

Hugs,

Eric

[naftalim]

Hey, if life was fair 

Two things, first is slave to the meds. It feels that way in the beginning, but after a while, its part of your routine, like putting on your socks. I am 2+ years on meds now. Imagine those people who are on meds for 20+ years, and back in the day when no one knew what the hell was going on and people were dying all around them.

As for the possible side effects, its much less an issue these days then it was a few years ago. It probably wont be an issue for years to come if ever. I haven't had any of those issues. When I was diagnosed, my CD4s were 94 and I had several opportunistic infections. so your situation is not too bad. You can only go up from here.

So, for the women issue. your health wont be a factor. Having a good sense of yourself, being optimistic and living life will make much more of a difference.

All the best

So, I was diagnosed in Feb of 2006.  My stats have been up and down ever since reaching a CD4 high of about 725 in January this year and for the last 3 months they've been steady at 325.  I feel kind of cheated.  I read about so many people who go years without needing to go on meds and I'm not even two years in and I'm already looking at potentially starting treatment?  I'm a little worried about; wasting, lipodystrophy, gaining weight, having an even harder time finding a nice woman as I'm not that healthy anymore if I'm on meds...  Fuck, life is stressful sometimes...  Sorry for the rant, I know I'm not the first one to have to take meds, not even close...  I was just hoping that I'd get in a good decade of medication free living before becoming a slave to the drugs.  I don't even party or live recklessly, I just don't get it...

[404error]

Ahh, if life was fair eh?

Well, I guess you guys are right.  Times have changed.  Side effects from meds aren't what they once were and I'm probably making more of it than I should be.  I was just really hoping that it'd be quite some time before I'd start treatment.  I'd figured that if I stopped going out to the clubs, stopped smoking all the time and started exercising regularly that I'd be good to go for a long time to come...  Time to pick up some gin and some marlies!

[RapidRod]

I take Atripla with or without food it doesn't matter to me. I don't have the side effects that some have.

[bocker3]

I, too, thought that I'd get a number of years of med-free living, but it wasn't to be.  A little over 3 months from diagnosis, I swallowed my first set of Sustiva and Truvada.  Just about 2 years later, I'm feeling good and am probably healthier than ever.
May I suggest that you try and look at meds through a different lens?  Instead of "being a slave to meds", think of the meds as a chance for you to to STOP being a slave to your virus.  The meds will help knock the bug down (but, unfortunately, not out).  Your body will spend far less energy fighting the HIV and you should see more energy.  As others have pointed out, many people don't have to deal with lots of side effects -- hopefully that group will include you.  The minor side effects that I've encountered have not been bad at all -- now, I'm not minimizing the fact that some have fairly debilitating ones, but the statistics are on your side here.

Good luck with your meds -- try and approach it from the point of view of taking charge of your body and it might not seem to be such a "bad thing".

Keep us up to date on how it goes.

Mike

[J.R.E.]

I'm a little worried about; wasting, lipodystrophy, gaining weight, having an even harder time finding a nice woman as I'm not that healthy anymore if I'm on meds... 

I know you have a lot on your mind right now. The following link may give you a better understanding of wasting, lipodystrophy and gaining weight ;


http://tpan.com/publications/pa/sep_oct_06/drugs_avoid.shtml


Take care------Ray

[Queen Tokelove]

I have often wondered the same things you have too, dear. I am one of the ones who was fortunate to have a good run w/o meds but knew the day would come when I would have to start. I started Atripla 12 days ago. Since then I have had a few side effects but seem to have gotten better over the past few days. Honestly, it even seems like I have been sleeping better and feeling a bit better. But hey, it could be in my head cause the effects prolly don't happen that quick.

Funny, you mention the time frame thing. I had a friend come through yesterday who just became poz like last year. We were talking and he told me his cd4 is 212. I told him mine was 215 and he seemed amazed. The virus affects us all differently and I don't think any of us has the same strain. I often joke and say that I smoke so much weed that my virus got stupid.... I guess she is showing me but I always try to have a plan B which is the Atripla. Now I have to see how she likes that, I guess....

(Who plays in her own world)

[404error]

Thanks for the link J.R.E.  Looks like I'll be fortunate enough to experience current anti-retroviral drugs, which according to the dude who wrote that article, don't have near the round of side effects of some earlier combinations seen in the 90's.

Hopefully I'll be lucky and my numbers will miraculously shoot back up a couple hundred points...  My doctor is optimistic but told me to prepare myself just in case. 

[Jeffreyj]

Be greatful  that you have drugs to take!


In 1984, There was only azt.

You may want to stop feeling sorry for yourself, and be grateful you have SEVERAL drugs to chose from.

Things have gotten so much better then they were.

Do you even realize how lucky you are?

[DanielMark]

I have to agree with Jeffrey.

What's to feel defeated about taking drugs that will save your life if you take them when you'll die if you don't? I consider every day since beginning mine to be living on bonus time. It's not like I did anything to deserve any of them.

Perspective (as usual) and gratitude goes a long way.

Daniel