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Author Topic: I just tested +  (Read 2634 times)

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Offline ThisIsMe17

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I just tested +
« on: July 27, 2017, 05:10:49 pm »
Hi  Everyone,

I just tested positive and let me tell you, it has been extremely tough. It all started a little over two weeks ago when i got sick with flu like symptoms...i lost like 15 lbs in a week and i started freaking out... So...i decided to go the the doctor and have a test done. Which i already knew the result since i was familiar with the symptoms and i have been very healthy...it came back reactive and i was able to schedule my first appointment for Monday.   In the meantime, i know i shouldn't have but i started taking my friends meds cause i was feeling so bad..and was loosing so much weight. Do you think in me doing this i will build resistance? I will be sure to share with my doctor on Monday. I hope he is able to start me on meds..cause I am running out.   Its been extremely tough...i have so many friends and family that are watching me like a hawk...and to go through this at the same time is difficult. I dint want to disclose whats going on.  Today is the first day i dont feel so bad. A little tingly, but other than that ok. I am nervous about my cd4 count since i feel so bad. I just dont want to completely fall apart and be extremely sick that everyone assumes its due to hiv. What if i have some type of super strain with not many treatment options?... It just has been tough. Any advice or just sharing will help.

Offline Jim Allen

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Re: I just tested +
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2017, 05:21:12 pm »
Hi

I moved you post for the time being, until you have been diagnosed please only post in this one thread. Thank you.

Firstly sorry to hear you are having a rough time. Regarding taking the meds from your friend (I presume he is HIV positive) stop. Just stop and wait to be diagnosed and see a specialist.

Stating meds means getting an understanding of the strain of HIV and any resistance profile, it also means doing testing for hypersensitivity and pre-existing conditions that help decide what medication you need and what is safe for you. Self medicating is not the answer and a few days or weeks is not going to make any difference.   

(EDIT - When you do see the specialist please tel him/her what you took and for how long)

As for symptoms, if you are still sick go and have them checked out and treated.

Hope you feel better soon and i included two links for reading if you are looking for something reliable to read.

Jim

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/newly-diagnosed
https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/starting-hiv-treatment
 
« Last Edit: July 27, 2017, 05:23:55 pm by JimDublin »
HIV 101 - Everything you need to know
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HIV Testing
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Offline Jim Allen

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Re: I just tested +
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2017, 06:28:11 pm »
Hi.

So I've seen what you have been reading for the last hour or so.
We watch newbies part of the job.

Look don't stress about CD4's as there is not much you can do about them, except for see your doc on Monday, and once all the results are back start treatment and suppress hiv. It might seem crazy to you right now but in the long run you will not even care as long as its above 200.

Living with HIV in 2017 is exactly that living. Life relatively goes on as normal.
I know you are still digesting things/news and it may seem like a life changing event but to be honest its not.

You mentioned people were watching you like a hawk....why if i may ask?

Anyhow try to relax. Jim

 
HIV 101 - Everything you need to know
HIV 101
Read more about Testing here:
HIV Testing
Read about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
HIV TasP
You can read about HIV prevention here:
HIV prevention
Read about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

My Instagram
Threads

Offline ThisIsMe17

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Re: I just tested +
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2017, 02:53:28 pm »
Yeah i feel every has been watching me..Since ..the 10th i have been going through seroconversion..and every one has been pointing out how much weight i loss. In addition i guess i have been kind of down and not feeling well and i guess it shows. I feel better for the most part except for the pins and needle feeling in my fingers and pain in my arms and legs occasionally. Its just emotionally draining. I have only one person to talk to about this. Its been tough.

I just trying to gather what questions should i ask the ID doc on Monday. I am trying hard not to be depressed. I cant even enjoy any of my hobbies cause I'm always thinking about my diagnosis.

Offline ThisIsMe17

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Re: I just tested +
« Reply #4 on: July 28, 2017, 03:01:33 pm »
I've read many post and many people state, the only thing different is that they take a pill everyday. I would like to know, how soon after testing positive does it become better? Its been tough. I have dodged so many friends in the last two to three weeks.

I am thankful because my seroconversion could have been worse. I only missed 2-3 days of work. One my friends was sick for 14 days straight. And I'm thankful to have had symptoms, cause if i didn't, who knows!!!!

Offline Jim Allen

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Re: I just tested +
« Reply #5 on: July 28, 2017, 04:27:02 pm »
To be honest if you are feeling sick you should see a doctor as in your primary care.

Seroconversion is to be frank overrated, most people experience no symptoms at all, often the people who test and detect early simply test because they are just sick from other regular illness unrelated to HIV and than find out about HIV by chance.

Its does not help that stress, worrying and depression causes a wide range and more impacting symptoms in anyone, Example, fatigue, extreme weightloss ect ect

How soon does it get better?

Depends on the cause, if it's just HIV and you were recently infected it's relatively speaking a walk in the park, the bigger concern would be mental and emotional impact. Some people get over the news in an hour literally, others in takes a few weeks to digest the news and yet others need help to move on with life.

There is no answer to this question however if its emotionally /mentally impacting you and continues to do so than make sure to get help as it's not something you have to face alone or be embarrassed about.

Also you have been talking meds and they can if it's not the right medication for you cause problems. Hence tell the doc what you have been talking, once they confirm your diagnosis, they can also check and make sure you get the right medication for you.

""Yeah i feel every has been watching me""

First few weeks I felt everyone was watching and could tell, truth is it's not written on your forehead and this feeling with subside. This is just an emotional or mental impact of the news and your head spinning from dealing with it.

""I cant even enjoy any of my hobbies cause I'm always thinking about my diagnosis.""

Again it's just your head spinning from dealing with the news, it will pass.
Life goes on and within a few weeks you will start to get back to normal.

I'll be honest I'm at a stage that I sometimes forget I am living with HIV when posting here, and unless someone speaks to me about it face to face I totally don't think about it in the real world. It's just not an impact on my day to day life.

You will get to that point sooner than you can now imagine ;)

Jim


HIV 101 - Everything you need to know
HIV 101
Read more about Testing here:
HIV Testing
Read about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
HIV TasP
You can read about HIV prevention here:
HIV prevention
Read about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

My Instagram
Threads

Offline Jim Allen

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Re: I just tested +
« Reply #6 on: July 28, 2017, 05:37:16 pm »
The short of it is test on Monday and whatever the outcome you will be okay. Just don't overthink it and take things one step at a time.

Jim
HIV 101 - Everything you need to know
HIV 101
Read more about Testing here:
HIV Testing
Read about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
HIV TasP
You can read about HIV prevention here:
HIV prevention
Read about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

My Instagram
Threads

 


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