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Author Topic: My brother has aids  (Read 13273 times)

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Offline jandy7

  • New Member
  • Posts: 2
My brother has aids
« on: March 02, 2007, 06:35:05 pm »
My brother has had hiv since 2004, but refused to take medication, choosing to believe the denialist's theories after reading a book by Phillip Day (world without AIDS i think).

He became ill with pneumonia a few weeks ago, and now his cd4 count is 0 and his viral load is 250,000.

He's now out of hospital on antibiotics and is feeling a bit better, but can't start retrovirals for a few weeks, i think because of the antibiotics.

I'm really concerned that this is a very dangerous time for him.

I have 2 questions:

1/ should he keep away from other people in case they have colds, etc
2/can he go back to just being HIV+, once he has the retrovirals, considering he's never had them before.

Please can anyone advise.

Thanks, Andy

Offline Elizabeth

  • Member
  • Posts: 62
Re: My brother has aids
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2007, 06:49:26 pm »
I'm sorry about your brother. 

As too your questions.  Things like colds and such don't really have an effect on patients with HIV.  Those things are protected by the humoral part of the immune system, opposed to the cellular compoent that HIV screws up.  I wouldn't hurt at this point to try and keep him away, just because any illness affects the whole body and he's a bit weak at the moment.

Well, he''ll never go back to being HIV+, at least on paper, but yes, he can recover and increase his CD4s and decrease his viral load with medication.

I hope he's gotton over the dangerous and deadly information the denialist spout and will quickly find his road to recovery.

Not all who wander are lost.

Offline Teresa

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,755
Re: My brother has aids
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2007, 11:35:44 pm »
Andy,

When my hubby was diagnosed in May 06 he had a CD4 of 85 and a Viral Load over 280,000. He was running fevers of 103 when I took him to the e.r. He had meningitis. His CD4s are now 252 and his VL is undetectable. Its taken him 9 months to get his numbers where they are today. It can be done with the meds.

Keeping you and your brother in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs
Teresa
Hubby HIV+ 5/5/06
CD4:320
  %: 26.7
 VL: <20
Atripla (started it 8/24/06)

Offline allopathicholistic

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,258
Re: My brother has aids
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2007, 03:54:56 pm »
Andy, hi, you're a great sibling to your brother who really needs you.   

I'll repeat what my doctor told me when I had 42 cd4 and that is: When a person starts meds, the meds will act on HIV's ability to copy itself and once that's slowed down alot, the body can then focus on making new cd4. Hoping for lots of cd4 for your brother. The members here on AIDSmeds have tons of experience and we're pulling for your brother just like you are.

Ask us anything.

How do you feel about your brother's healthcare team? Are they specialists in infectious diseases? HIV/AIDS? When I had 42 cd4, it was imperative for me to see a specialist in HIV/AIDS

Meds are not terrifying as the denialists make them out to be. It took me 11 days to adjust to meds and now my cd4 is over 300 (see my "signature" below)

I've had HIV probably since 1999 but I didn't start meds until 2005

Thoughts and prayers for your family,
Alex

Offline jandy7

  • New Member
  • Posts: 2
Re: My brother has aids
« Reply #4 on: March 04, 2007, 07:09:12 pm »
Thanks for all your replies, they all sound very encouraging, I will let you know how he gets on in due course

I just thought that once you have AIDS there's no way back but clearly that's not the case.

Thanks again.

Offline aupointillimite

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,233
  • FUS DO RAH!
Re: My brother has aids
« Reply #5 on: March 04, 2007, 07:19:31 pm »
Jandy,

AIDS is just a description of advanced HIV infection.  It means the patient has less than 200 CD4s or a CD4 percentage of less than 14%.  OR a patient who has presented with an OI (opportunistic infection).

By that definition, your brother has AIDS.

However, once below that point, it's completely possible to rise above the 200 CD4 level with medications... but you will still be considered to have AIDS.

I really hope your brother gets better, and I'm glad to hear he'll be able to start meds soon.
Your tastebuds can't repel flavor of this magnitude!

Offline racingmind

  • Member
  • Posts: 236
Re: My brother has aids
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2007, 10:47:29 am »
Andy,

Just remember that AIDS is just a medical term.  Your brother can improve with medication, even back into the realm of being HIV+, but officially he will from now on be medically classified as having AIDS.  There is an upside to being in the AIDS classification in that he may be eligible for extensive benefits beyond what are available to people that are classified as HIV+.  Contact your local AIDS Service Organization if you haven't already for more information.  Hope your brother is feeling better and is on the road to recovery.
Tested Negative: 5/06
Tested Positive: 9/06 
9/06: CD4: 442 (28%) VL: +100,000
10/06: CD4: 323 (25%) VL: 243,440
11/06: CD4: 405 (28%) VL: 124,324
12/06: CD4: 450 (29%) VL: 114,600
1/07: CD4: 440 (27%) VL: 75,286
3/07: CD4: 459 (30%) VL: 44,860
5/07: CD4: 353 (24%) VL: 50,852
7/07: CD4: 437 (29%) VL: 39,475
9/07: CD4: 237 (32%) VL: 372,774
10/07: CD4: 324 (27%) VL: 115,454 
Started Atripla: 10/07
11/07: CD4: 524 (?%) VL: Undetectable!
2/08: CD4: 653 (35%) VL: undetectable
5/08: CD4: 822 (40%) VL: undetectable
8/08: CD4: 626 (35%) VL: undetectable
12/08: CD4: 619 (36%) VL: undetectable
3/09: CD4: 802 (38%) VL: undetectable
7/09: CD4: 1027 (43%) VL: not tested
10/09: CD4: 1045 (43%) VL: undetectable

Offline Andy Velez

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 34,126
Re: My brother has aids
« Reply #7 on: March 12, 2007, 04:54:13 pm »
Andy, I've seen many people make amazing recoveries and there's every reason to think your brother can as well.

It's essential that he be under good medical care with his numbers being monitored regularly. If you have questions about his specific situation can you talk with his doctor? It's always good for a doctor to know there are family members or others close to the patient who are paying attention.

Keep us posted on how it's going. He's lucky to have you for a loving brother.

Cheers, 
Andy Velez

Offline megasept

  • Member
  • Posts: 478
  • Steven here...
Re: My brother has aids
« Reply #8 on: April 03, 2007, 04:19:40 am »
My brother has had hiv since 2004, but refused to take medication, choosing to believe the denialist's theories after reading a book by Phillip Day (world without AIDS i think)...

He became ill with pneumonia a few weeks ago, and now his cd4 count is 0 and his viral load is 250,000.

Andy: Your Brother reminds me of a man who told me he had 3 CD4s! He then toasted my cocktail with his beer. We were toasting to his existence, not his behavior (drinking while ill). I don't know if he's still here years later, but it is amazing how the body can hang on. Getting him, and getting your Brother up there with CD4s and lowering that VL (probably easier) is the big struggle. I hope he has gone on the meds and will be adherent. These aren't guys who can tolerate even a common cold. Nor should they hang out in public saunas, trains, or elevators. They're pretty vulnerable, sort of like a 95 year old who gets the flu. Keep us posted. As the other Andy pointed out to you, your support and contact with his MD might be critical.  8) -megasept
« Last Edit: April 03, 2007, 04:22:26 am by megasept »

Offline water duck

  • Member
  • Posts: 404
Re: My brother has aids
« Reply #9 on: April 03, 2007, 05:38:19 pm »
THINK AND IT SHALL BE SO
                                       Walt Disney

if your brother , don't want to think otherwise.......................
.....................trying calling God, if you believe there is one.
Or try finding the other twin of Phillip Day !!

 


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