Hiv

[pgrimmydog]

if I have HIV, What is the best way to to counter act this disease? I will not let it ruin my life!! If there are some proven ways of dealing with this disease, I would like to know about them!! otherwise, I guess it's all a guessing game. Can anybody give me some help?????

 

[danielson]

at the top of the fourm there a some great links on/about HIV and id definately recommend taking a look at them.

your doctor will provide a great amount of info if you ask him as well. but there's really too much info to provide in one post, the best thing for you to do is check out the sticky on the top of the thread its a great post

 

[Miracle Man]

Go get tested, find a top ID provider who specialises in HIV. Go on treatment once your viral load reaches 30,000 copies and pray a lot.

 

[enlightened]

getting tested is a bit pointless now that you know youre positive (unless miracle man meant tested as in knowing your viral load and t-cell count)

If youre not dead right now, that probrably means you got some time to assess your situation. Dont jump into meds right away unless the situation is critical (less than 200 tcell and/or a high viral load count)Just because youre HIV+ dosent mean you need to go on meds right away. Some people have abnormal counts but dont seem to be physically affected by infections. Many of them dont feel the need to take meds. Other people rather wait until they need the medication - however, its important to make a consicous, educated decision about hopping into the drug band-wagon because once youre on meds, you have to be 90-95% compliant with them. Many people find out theyre HIV positive and want to get on meds right away because of inital scare, without dealing with issues first. If you dont go through the natural process of acceptance, you might find yourself throwing away or skipping your pills because you havent fully coped with being HIV+

its a change in your life. you will have to redefine alot of things in your lifetyle - sex, health, nutrition. but youll cope. we all do. stay up

 

[Miracle Man]

getting tested is a bit pointless now that you know you're positive (unless miracle man meant tested as in knowing your viral load and t-cell count)

Don't jump into meds right away unless the situation is critical (less than 200 tcell and/or a high viral load count)Just because you're HIV+ doesn't mean you need to go on meds right away.

If you fall below 200 CD4 count, your viral load is most likely very high. The guidelines clearly state if your VL reached 35,000 copied, anti-retroviral therapy is warranted.

Yes I did mean if you knew your VL & T-cell count.

 

[enlightened]

If you fall below 200 CD4 count, your viral load is most likely very high. The guidelines clearly state if your VL reached 35,000 copied, anti-retroviral therapy is warranted.

Yes I did mean if you knew your VL & T-cell count.

making a bad decision about taking meds because of "guidelines" is the point I was trying to make. When it comes to certain health precautions like watching your nutrition and excercizing regularly when youre HIV positive, I agree. But viral-specific guidelines like starting meds because you have a certain number of t-cell counts.
The reason I disagree with guidelines like this is because HIV is a very viral-related disease. Its constantly mutating and there are several hundred strands of the disease. This is why certain medicines work with certain people and others dont. There have been recorded cases of people with very low t-cell counts and do not contract any HIV-related infections or need to take medication.
Personally I dont agree with the medication route 100% of the time. These drugs are harsh, (if you dont beleive me try downing 6 pills of kaletra), theyre extremely toxic, and taking them constantly is a MAJOR responsibility. Of course Im not gonna say theyre absolutely worthless, i just encourage people to read and understand as much about the disease as possible before starting on their medications.

Just my 2 cents.