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I am a 24 year old college student
#656 - 03/30/00 03:39 PM
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I am a 24 year old college student who just found out my status
three months ago. I have choosen for right now to skip treatment.
I have a friend who is positive for seven years and he is not
taking treatment. Is there anyone else out there like me? I am
scared right now, for the fear of my mother and my job, finding
out.
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Hi Shane, As I said I have been diagnosed since the summer of
'87. I have been on and off meds. My doctor and I work closely
together about what to do when. Right now my t-cell is "2" and my
viral load as of April, 240,000 (I'm waiting for a new count
taken on 5/18 but not back yet....). I would say to get with a
good doctor and go from there. It would all depend on your counts
and your reaction/side effects to meds. I have been off meds
since January and am doing OK excpet for the itching and derm
problems associated with my high viral load count. I have lots of
mixed emotions about meds. Years ago, the t-cell count was the
"bible of treatment" with parameters that today don't have much
meaning. It used to be that t-cell told everything known for
treatment and life expectancy. Now they claim it is the "viral
load". I am not sold on that idea. Yes, they can suppress the
viral load with the new combo drugs but will we hear in several
years that those counts really aren't as efficient in determinng
treatment as once thought? I think it has to be a combination of
many different blood tests that tell how your system overall is
doing - CBC WBC HGB, etc. And how you feel in general. I play the
"am I sick enough to begin meds again or am I better not taking
meds right now" senario. I usually follow my "gut" feeling and
right now my body asks me "why do you want to poison me
again".......so I go from day to day keeping track of where I am.
I hoep that youare earin well - lot sof food - lots of cottage
cheese as it is high in protein - I have found that junk food is
OK as it gives my body some fat reserve for when I get sick I
don't waste away and look gaunt. I am currently at 210 mostly
from the Protease Inhibitors I took last Fall/Winter that seemed
to mess up my metabolism and fat processing.......so I am on a
low fat diet right now - can you believe that - an AIDS patient
on a restricted diet! Who would have ever thought! Talk about an
oxymoron. I do eat LOTS of fruit and vegetables, not much meat
and a fair amount of junk food. I keep saying that it is my
weekly box of Twinkies that has kept me alive this long! :) Good
luck Shane, e-mail me personally if you want or reply by posting
here. boberi19@idt.net Take care bud!
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Shane K. There are different trains of thought on how soon one
needs to start on the "cocktail". It all depends on your doctor.
My suggestions to you would be to find and hiv specialist, pay
him a visit, he will order some blood work to determine your CD4
count and viral load. Once you know those you can make a more
informed judgement/decision about how you want to proceed. For
me, I saw my doctor on a 6 month basis for four years before I
began taking any meds. But, you need to stay on top of things
because it's your best shot at long term survival. Good luck and
let us know here how things go okay? Take care.
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I found out in december when i needed surgery. My mother was told
i was positive by the surgean. It was ugly at first but know
everything is OK. She was more upset at the fact that I was lying
to her. About medications My T-cells were 510 and viral load was
30,000. I decideed to start meds right away more for my family
than myself my t-cells are up to 830 and viral loadf is
undetectable if you need someone to talk to I am alays willing to
help.
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HI, I'm sorry to hear about your problem. I'm + for about 8
years. I just Started meds do to the face that my t count is 99.
I'm haveing great result with them I hated med for years but now
there is so much out ther e that can help and I realized that I
have years . your reply is welcomed
god bless
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i understand your concern about mom and work, but please know
that the disease is bad, not the patient. i work in pro sports
and have dealings with tommy morrison, thr hiv+ boxer. he has
chosen to go without treatment. he is dying and deteriorating
rapidly. myself, i have had an organ transplant but am hiv-...i
hate my drugs and regimen, but the drugs and treatment do have a
purpose...take them and live for a cure..your mother will
understand...please don't die hiding...live and fight the
fight...
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Hi Bruce, I have a few friends who are doing the same thing as
you but I really feel to help yourself and prolong your life you
should take advantage of the treatments that are available today.
One of my friend was dying and was weak but the treatment has
helped him very much. As for telling your parents, well you
should tell someone who you think might understand and will be
there for you. Take care and I love you...
Andre
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SHANE K:) U HAVE RIGHTS! If necessary, consult with the lawyer
on-line at "The Body". Stress has been proven to accelerate the
progression of the disease. Take care of yourself. Be nice to
yourself. U can seek counseling at a Gay and Lesbian Center or at
a University (free). I am also a college student. Focus on your
health and your studies.
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Shane, I also suggest getting some lab work done to see where you
stand at this time. It is very important. However, if you are not
going to turn it into your insurance company, you will have to
pay out of pocket. A viral load test can be anywhere from
$100-$200. There are clinics which may offer those at a lower
cost. Yes, there are different opinions on when to initiate
therapy, but they are finding "hit hard, hit fast" to be the best
policy. I found out October 14th of my status and started therapy
on November 5th. I was infected in the middle of May 97. On
Deceber 22, I was already undetectable. I still remain
undetectable with 900TCells. There are plenty of Clinical trials
that could be available in your area which is provided at no cost
to the patient. Participate in one that you know what you are
taking, and don't take a placebo. I did just that. I participated
in a DMP266 (Sustiva) with Crixivan (indinavir) trial, and the
drug is so great, it has now been FDA Approved. In my opinion,
you should start therapy while there is little damage to your
immune system. You can also take plenty of vitamins, Zinc, Iron,
b12 are shown to be helpful. Herbals such as Cats Claw, and St.
John's Wort are good. In test tube studies in Germany, SJW was
found to have antiviral effects. And number one, KEEP YOUR STRESS
LEVEL LOW! Take care of yourself, and if you want to chat, I'm at
JJason1@hotmail.com Good Luck!
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your mother might give you a good spanking from the wooden paddle
if she finds out
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