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DC_Diver
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Newbie
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Reged: 12/30/07
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Posts: 3
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Loc: Washington, DC USA
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HIV Positive -What to Expect?
#234788 - 12/30/07 11:58 PM
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Hey all… newbie here, need some advice. My partner found out he was HIV+ about a year ago (I’m HIV- to date). He went on Atripla right away, but other than that, we haven't really "dealt" with this new reality at all. We don’t speak about it much and, until now, haven’t looked for online or community resources to help us. What should we expect? How (and why) should we live differently, other than safe sex? He likes to drink, enjoys eating unhealthy foods, rarely goes to the gym... why change that, other than the general principal of good health? Is it inevitable that he will get sick?
We’ve been lucky. We caught this early, he hasn’t had significant side effects from the medicine, and he has an undetectable viral load. His T-Cells are in the 300's, I believe… an improvement over the past year, but not as high as we’d hoped they would be. He’s 27 years old.
I haven’t found much on what we should expect in the coming years. Most of what I’ve read is about understanding HIV/AIDS, medications, and people who have developed AIDS. Its scary to think about what health challenges we might face in the future, but its time that we pulled our heads out of the sand. Advice?
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- DC Diver
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Leonardo
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Guru
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Reged: 08/07/07
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Posts: 233
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Loc: New Jersey
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Hey,
I was diagnosed in August, so I don't have a lot of experience, but here's some of the things I've learned so far.
Taking the medication consistently is vital. Otherwise, your bf could develop resistence and the medication could stop working.
There are a lot of long term survivors here. I think you'll find that one thing they have in common is a committment to taking care of themselves. You ask if it is inevitable that your bf will get sick. It is not inevitable that he will develop AIDS and it is not inevitable that he will die from a complication related to this condition. However, that doesn't mean that he won't die of heart disease or some other ailment that he could develop as a result of unhealty choices. Healthy living is key to longevity, regardless of HIV status. Healthy living may also improve his CD4 count.
Your bf is lucky to have a partner who is supportive. I bet that will help him in the long run too. My partner is negative also. I am sure that we can relate to some of the challenges with which the two of you are dealing.
Has your partner visited this site? Is he open to talking about his feelings? If either of you want to talk, feel free to contact me.
Hang in there. You are not alone.
Leo
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drnsee
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Regular
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Reged: 11/16/07
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Posts: 35
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Loc: Tampa, FL
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Hi DC_Diver, my cd4's have hovered in the low to mid 300's for three years, moreover still healthy. I think the most important things that contributed to that is that I do exercise regularly and eat healthy.
I know quite a few that have been positive for over 20 years with little incidents. Like Leo said, the long term survivors that I know are doing the best, have strictly adhered to a treatment schedule.
Your partner is lucky to have you. Keep doing your research and stay supportive! Best of wishes to both of you~
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DC_Diver
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Newbie
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Reged: 12/30/07
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Posts: 3
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Loc: Washington, DC USA
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Leo, thank you for your reply! I appreciate your insight and willingness to offer your advice. My partner hasn't visited this site to my knowledge... I think he avoids thinking about the situation, or is operating under the theory that as long as he takes his meds, he doesn't have anything to worry about.
I'm kind of the same way... for example, I have high cholesterol. I take a pill for it, but have done very little to modify my eating/exercise behaviors. Though I’m sure that in my case, a healthy lifestyle would obviate the need to take the medication.
We do need to get serious about healthy living and I’m glad that we’ve found this forum – perhaps the examples set by members of this group will help motivate us to start eating right, exercising more, and cut back on the booze.
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- DC Diver
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DC_Diver
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Newbie
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Reged: 12/30/07
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Posts: 3
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Loc: Washington, DC USA
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Thank you for replying! I can sense the common theme of eating right and exercising to stay healthy, along with strict adherence to medication. That’s where we’ll need to focus our attention in 2008!
Again, I appreciate your advice!
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- DC Diver
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pozartistsd
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Expert
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Reged: 01/04/08
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Posts: 105
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Loc: San Diego, CA
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hey, i think if he eats healthier (ie: more fresh veggies and fruit = antioxidants) and exercises moderately (ie: brisk walking) that would help boost his t-cell count. My Dr. said to be very patient with myself as tcells take a while to build back up, especially when you are down to a very low count as i was (only 30 yikes). he said most people gain around 100 cells the first year after treatment is initiated then 2-7 cells per month after that. I was lucky (they say i have a very strong constitution) to have not gotten sick with only 30 t-cells. In addition i was surprised that i gained nearly 100 cells the first month of treatment and another 150 the next two months. So bottom line is everyone is different but if you are keeping the viral load down consistently you should gain tcells - tell him to be patient. If this doesn't happen his doctor will most likely look into the possibility of his virus being resistant to the meds and may explore changing his regimine. I'm not a medical expert but I've done tons of reading on HIV and related subjects. His dr will advise him on his progress that is best! good luck
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homerx
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Reged: 01/14/08
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Posts: 10
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Loc: Texas
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Hi! Well, I got very very sick...night sweats, lost lots of weight and threw up all the time, all the stuff you don't want to hear...BUT....my partner has NEVER been sick at all...not one day so I think it may be different for everyone. I had 25 T cells when diagnosed and my partner had about 100 so that probably has a lot to do with it...do you have a T cell count? How many? if you have a lot of T cells i think you may not experience any major problems..I was diagnosed about 7 years ago and am doing very well now. I am up to 554 T cells and undetectable and my partner has about 1100 so exercise and eat right and get lots of rest and you should be fine . I have friends who have been pos for over 20 years so don't worry.
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