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Author Topic: Diagnosed 1/27/12  (Read 6755 times)

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Offline sanduneboi

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  • Posts: 20
Diagnosed 1/27/12
« on: February 19, 2012, 04:30:12 pm »
So found out I was positive 1/27/12. It's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster ride since. I am starting to level out, I am so very blessed to have a 100% supportive family & friends (buying a Mini Cooper S definitely helped too). At the time I was diagnosed I was symptomatic. My VL was 290,000 and my CD4 level was at 90.. (Thought about naming them, but couldn't come up with 90 names.) I have since started on Atripla Tablets, 13 days ago to be exact, and the side effects up until the 10th day had been pretty manageable. Drowsiness, vivid dreams, and just kinda BLAH feeling. But on about the 10th, 11th day I broke out in the "Mild Rash" (not cute) so dealing with that now.. Unlike most poz people I have talked to I do NOT know who infected me. My doctor believes that because of how hard the virus has hit my system that this strain of virus has never been in contact with any sort of medication do more than likely came from someone who didn't know they were infected. Either way it's not like I would blame that person anyway for infecting me, I knew what I should have done to keep myself safe, and choose not too... Whether or not I was 100% sober at those times I am totally accountable for my actions, or in this case my not acting.

Still waiting to hear from the doctor about my reactive test. Hoping it all comes back so that I can stay on this Atripla, assuming the rash goes away of course. With my active lifestyle the once a day pill is just sooooo easy to live with... Yes the drugs are expensive, but my insurance pays everything up to $150 and then I got on a co-pay assistance program from the manufacturer of the drug my my out of pocket ends up being $0 a month, for at least the first year.

Will post my updated stats as soon as I get my next count done...
Diagnosed 1/27/12 VL 279,000 CD4 90
               4/16/12 VL <500     CD4 (Not Tested)

Offline dpb

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  • Posts: 89
Re: Diagnosed 1/27/12
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2012, 04:56:57 pm »
Diagnosed on January 27th, and you've been on Atripla for 13 days (February 6th) which would indicate that your genotypic resistance tests came back in >11 days assuming you had your blood drawn on the 27th.  That's a pretty quick turnaround and to start treatment in less than a week and a half from diagnosis is a bit unusual from what I've seen. 

What is this reactive test you're referring to?  If you mean your resistance tests, then it seems unlikely your physician would've prescribed you any medication until those results came back first.
« Last Edit: February 19, 2012, 07:58:04 pm by dpb »
Date        CD4    %    VL
1/15/11    Diagnosed
3/1/11    525    18    168,518
5/12/11    558    16    331,791
5/16/11    Started Atripla
5/31/11    NA    NA    1,200
6/15/11    721    21    330
7/15/11    649    23    231
8/15/11    569    25    UD
11/17/11  752    26    UD
3/1/12    634    27    UD
7/2/12    594    26    UD
2/13       676    30    UD
9/13       662    31    UD

Offline sanduneboi

  • Member
  • Posts: 20
Re: Diagnosed 1/27/12
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2012, 05:11:03 pm »
Blood was originally drawn on 1/13. Told I was preliminary positive on 1/20. Western Blot test was then performed. On 1/27 I was told I was definitely positive, and given the name of an Infectious Disease Specialist, had labs drawn on 2/1 for my counts, met with Infectious Disease Dr. on 2/8, and that's when he prescribed me and I started taking Atripla. So my mistake today will be day 12 of Atripla. On 2/9 I had a resistance tests drawn (sorry still learning all the terminology) and am still waiting to hear from the doctor on those.

Most doctors probably wouldn't have prescribed a patient medication THAT soon, but I am sure every Dr. and patient is different, and should be treated as such...
Diagnosed 1/27/12 VL 279,000 CD4 90
               4/16/12 VL <500     CD4 (Not Tested)

Offline dpb

  • Member
  • Posts: 89
Re: Diagnosed 1/27/12
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2012, 06:21:24 pm »
"If possible, a test should be carried out to make sure that a person doesn’t have a strain of HIV that is already resistant to a certain class of drug. If a person’s strain of HIV is resistant to a class of drug, taking that type of drug may be ineffective or at worse, harmful as it may lead to failure of the treatment to work effectively. This type of drug resistance is known as ‘transmitted drug resistance’ because it has been passed from one person to another." (http://www.avert.org/antiretroviral.htm)

It is not common practice to prescribe HAART before drug resistance test results are confirmed, which normally take two weeks.
« Last Edit: February 19, 2012, 06:33:52 pm by dpb »
Date        CD4    %    VL
1/15/11    Diagnosed
3/1/11    525    18    168,518
5/12/11    558    16    331,791
5/16/11    Started Atripla
5/31/11    NA    NA    1,200
6/15/11    721    21    330
7/15/11    649    23    231
8/15/11    569    25    UD
11/17/11  752    26    UD
3/1/12    634    27    UD
7/2/12    594    26    UD
2/13       676    30    UD
9/13       662    31    UD

Offline sanduneboi

  • Member
  • Posts: 20
Re: Diagnosed 1/27/12
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2012, 07:37:32 pm »
I'm aware of what common practice is I've done my research. My doctor however thought it best to get on some sort of treatment sooner rather than later seeing as my CD4 levels were so low.
Diagnosed 1/27/12 VL 279,000 CD4 90
               4/16/12 VL <500     CD4 (Not Tested)

Offline dpb

  • Member
  • Posts: 89
Re: Diagnosed 1/27/12
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2012, 07:53:41 pm »
I'm aware of what common practice is I've done my research. My doctor however thought it best to get on some sort of treatment sooner rather than later seeing as my CD4 levels were so low.

You're going to come on to these forums claiming to have been diagnosed for less than a month and assert yourself as the subject matter expert? 
« Last Edit: February 19, 2012, 09:39:08 pm by dpb »
Date        CD4    %    VL
1/15/11    Diagnosed
3/1/11    525    18    168,518
5/12/11    558    16    331,791
5/16/11    Started Atripla
5/31/11    NA    NA    1,200
6/15/11    721    21    330
7/15/11    649    23    231
8/15/11    569    25    UD
11/17/11  752    26    UD
3/1/12    634    27    UD
7/2/12    594    26    UD
2/13       676    30    UD
9/13       662    31    UD

Offline sanduneboi

  • Member
  • Posts: 20
Re: Diagnosed 1/27/12
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2012, 02:26:32 am »
Wow. I thought this was a place to come for support. But clearly I was wrong. I never once claimed to be an expert. My doctor is the expert and I am following his recommendations. I do not need to defend his recomendations or my decisions to you whoever you are.
Diagnosed 1/27/12 VL 279,000 CD4 90
               4/16/12 VL <500     CD4 (Not Tested)

Offline tealeaf

  • Member
  • Posts: 39
Re: Diagnosed 1/27/12
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2012, 02:39:09 am »
Welcome to the forum. Certainly refreshing when you have a great attitude towards your diagnosis. That can't be said to many others when they first found out.

My doctor also started my treatment with Complera while ordering the resistance test in parallel even though my CD4 is in 360 range. I would imagine it's more urgent in your case since CD4 is 90. The test came back 3 weeks later with no resistance so it was a relief. I hope it will be same in your case. Personally, I don't think it's a bad a idea since you're not wasting time with this strategy.

I don't think being knowledgeable about disease and treatment meaning being an "expert". I certainly don't get that impression from sanduneboi's posts so I'm not sure why the hard words towards him.


« Last Edit: February 20, 2012, 02:45:14 am by tealeaf »
12/05/2011 - tested positive
12/14/2011 - CD4 376 (18%) - VL 45734
12/28/2011 - CD4 367 (17%) - VL 27000
01/05/2012 - started Complera
02/08/2012 - CD4 521 (31%) - VL 226
04/05/2012 - CD4 453 (22%) - VL 44

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Diagnosed 1/27/12
« Reply #8 on: February 20, 2012, 08:14:03 am »
You're going to come on to these forums claiming to have been diagnosed for less than a month and assert yourself as the subject matter expert? 

dpb, do you really feel the need to give this guy a hard time? He never said - nor implied - that he's an expert. He's just trying to find his way like the rest of us.

It's not unusual at all for a person diagnosed with numbers like his to be put on meds straight away, before the results are in from resistance testing. Maybe it's you who needs to do some additional reading. Eh?

Please remember that these forums are a place for support, not unfounded accusations. Sometimes if you can't say something nice, it's better to say nothing at all. OK?

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Diagnosed 1/27/12
« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2012, 08:27:35 am »
Hi Boi. Again, welcome to the forums. Sorry you had a bit of a rocky start here, but 99 times out of 100 you'll get the support you're looking for. Please keep in mind that this bug can make people uncharacteristically bitchy at times - it happens to the best of us from time to time. Don't let it put you off coming here.

I haven't seen any reference in your posts to you being on any sort of antibacterial prophylactic (preventative). You should also be taking something like Bactrim until your CD4s are consistently over 200 for at least a few months. If you haven't been prescribed an antibacterial med, please ask you doctor about it when you see him on Tuesday.

If you already are on Bactrim, please be aware that it can also cause a rash. Something to discuss with your doctor.

And don't forget to get screened for syphilis. Having a rash on your palms is not really par for the course with the Sustiva (one of the meds in Atripla) rash (or the Bactrim rash).

Please make sure you check out the other sections of this website, like the Lessons and the Meds pages. Feel free to come back to the forums to ask any questions that may arise while you read.

You seem to be dealing with this quite well so far - and I envy you getting a Mini Cooper. I love those cars! What colour did you get? I gotta know - this is important. :)

I've got my fingers crossed for you that your resistance test results show you're ok with the Atripla. Hang in there and keep us posted.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline wolfter

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,470
Re: Diagnosed 1/27/12
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2012, 08:48:43 am »
Wow. I thought this was a place to come for support. But clearly I was wrong. I never once claimed to be an expert. My doctor is the expert and I am following his recommendations. I do not need to defend his recomendations or my decisions to you whoever you are.

Welcome to the forums.  This is a great place for support.  It's unfortunate that you were met with hostility but that isn't the norm.  Feel free to continue seeking support and guidance. 

Take care and best wishes.

Wolfie
Being honest is not wronging others, continuing the dishonesty is.

Offline Hellraiser

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,155
  • Semi-misanthropic
Re: Diagnosed 1/27/12
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2012, 10:02:39 am »
You'll come to find that the Atripla you love right now may not be your best friend down the road.  Sustiva has some potentially very harsh neurological side effects.  The really interesting things is they seem to escalate at about the year point.  The good news is if you are not resistant to any of the meds present in Atripla then you could potentially swap over to Complera or another regimen.  Anyway this is a conversation for the future.  Welcome to the forums!

Offline dpb

  • Member
  • Posts: 89
Re: Diagnosed 1/27/12
« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2012, 11:34:42 am »
dpb, do you really feel the need to give this guy a hard time? He never said - nor implied - that he's an expert. He's just trying to find his way like the rest of us.

It's not unusual at all for a person diagnosed with numbers like his to be put on meds straight away, before the results are in from resistance testing. Maybe it's you who needs to do some additional reading. Eh?

Please remember that these forums are a place for support, not unfounded accusations. Sometimes if you can't say something nice, it's better to say nothing at all. OK?

Ann

I wasn't trying to be hostile or unsupportive.  It's ironic though coming from the same person whose first response on these forums to me after being diagnosed were, "Too bad you had to end up here, but why didn't you use a condom?...You learned the hard way that you should have wrapped it up."  Now that's support.

The "I know what common practice is I've done my research." comment just struck me as rude and pretentious.  I apologize if that wasn't the intention.
« Last Edit: February 20, 2012, 11:51:54 am by dpb »
Date        CD4    %    VL
1/15/11    Diagnosed
3/1/11    525    18    168,518
5/12/11    558    16    331,791
5/16/11    Started Atripla
5/31/11    NA    NA    1,200
6/15/11    721    21    330
7/15/11    649    23    231
8/15/11    569    25    UD
11/17/11  752    26    UD
3/1/12    634    27    UD
7/2/12    594    26    UD
2/13       676    30    UD
9/13       662    31    UD

Offline NY2011

  • Member
  • Posts: 173
Re: Diagnosed 1/27/12
« Reply #13 on: February 22, 2012, 08:43:27 pm »
Ann, re: rash on hands (and feet), on day 7, I did, in fact, get a rash on my torso, back, legs, thighs, and a few dots on my hands and feet.  My doc considered it a stage 2-3 rash, where 4 is the worst.  He prescribed prednisolone for six days, gradually reducing dosage each day.  The rash peaked at day 9 and gradually went away.
10/26/2011 - SEROCONVERSION (fever+rash, 104 degrees F)
10/31/2011 - CD4= 154  VL>500,000 
10/31/2011 - started on Truvada+Prezista+Norvir
12/14/2011 - CD4= 750 VL=6412 (45%)
01/27/2012 - switched to Atripla
04/23/2012 - CD4=1,221 VL= 140  (47%)
06/22/2012 - CD4=1,224 VL= ud    (49%)
12/18/2012 - CD4=1,031 VL= ud    (51%)
09/16/2013 - CD4=1,151 VL= ud   (49%)
03/26/2014 - CD4=1,050 VL= ud
11/25/2014 - CD4=1,335 VL= ud
12/01/2015 - CD4=1,115 VL= ud (55%)
11/22/2016 - CD4=1,071 VL= ud (52%)
06/01/2017 - CD4=1,014 VL= ud (53%)
switched to Biktarvy in 2018
04/23/2019 - CD4=1,072 VL= ud (52%)
01/15/2020 - CD4=  925  VL= ud (50%)

 


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