my introduction to the group

[Guest guest]

Hi XK

and welcome to the group. You will find us a group of men,women and transgenders that have taken the attitude that the only way we will go to our graves is kicking and screaming. We are Survivors and not victims. We still love,live and laugh. We want to make a difference. You will find this an informative and intelligent group. Again welcome and figure to live at least another 20 years you need to be optimistic with this disease not pessimistic. You can and will survive. Ask questions along the way and keep healthy

FRANK See what's free at AOL.com.

[Guest guest]

Hi XK

and welcome to the group. You will find us a group of men,women and transgenders that have taken the attitude that the only way we will go to our graves is kicking and screaming. We are Survivors and not victims. We still love,live and laugh. We want to make a difference. You will find this an informative and intelligent group. Again welcome and figure to live at least another 20 years you need to be optimistic with this disease not pessimistic. You can and will survive. Ask questions along the way and keep healthy

FRANK See what's free at AOL.com.

[Guest guest]

Hey XK,Sorry you've joined our little club, but I think you'll find it far easier to deal with than you are projecting.It takes a while to deal with this new reality, but your fears are far worse than what you will experience, if you take care of yourself.I recommend the note from Rick Loftus just below this one, covering pretty much the same subject.You don't have to go crazy on wild new diets.  Healthy eating was a good thing before, and it still is.Your life is going to be just as wonderful as it was two weeks ago, before you knew, and you need to be planning for a future.....and saving for retirement.  Get paired up with a good doctor, get informed (but don't go crazy reading paranoid shit and technical articles, just yet), relax, take a deep breath, and enjoy the beauty of today.  You're going to be fine. Barrowpozbod@...

[Guest guest]

Hey XK,Sorry you've joined our little club, but I think you'll find it far easier to deal with than you are projecting.It takes a while to deal with this new reality, but your fears are far worse than what you will experience, if you take care of yourself.I recommend the note from Rick Loftus just below this one, covering pretty much the same subject.You don't have to go crazy on wild new diets.  Healthy eating was a good thing before, and it still is.Your life is going to be just as wonderful as it was two weeks ago, before you knew, and you need to be planning for a future.....and saving for retirement.  Get paired up with a good doctor, get informed (but don't go crazy reading paranoid shit and technical articles, just yet), relax, take a deep breath, and enjoy the beauty of today.  You're going to be fine. Barrowpozbod@...

[Guest guest]

My partner has been positive for two years. This last fall his CD4 count took a significant dip ( to 120). His doctor was adamant that "no one has t-cells that fall that fast"

I believe the published record for fast progression was a man whose seroconversion was documented and died from AIDS 14 months later. The median time from HIV infection to death, in patients not taking antivirals, is 12.6 years.

My original HIV Doctor believed I had been infected far earlier than 1989 based on my T4 percentage, but I doubt this. My rate of progression was much faster than normal. While my T4 count and percent is currently 1,358 and 39% with no detectable viral load - this can be easily changed.

In February 1999 I stopped my antiviral drugs for one week.

A the end of this period of time, my viral load was 43,200 and my T4 count and percent was 915 and 28%. At the end of that week I was also experiencing fever and chills, a headache and skin problems. Had I not restarted my antivirals I am confident things would have become ugly quite quickly.

>> Hey, XK,> > I mostly read the info on this board, but wanted to throw in my 2 cents. First of all, finding out you have HIV sucks, but the good news is that it is 2007, not 1987. > > One thing I would encourage you to do, is to find a doctor that you have a good rapport with and will take the time to listen to your concerns. I have always found this to be about as beneficial as the meds (only few doctors have caused me to have diarrhea- and I quickly changed-lol).> > A tell of a tale: My partner has been positive for two years. This last fall his CD4 count took a significant dip ( to 120). His doctor was adamant that "no one has t-cells that fall that fast"- despite my partner having continual swollen lymph glands, night sweats and a considerable amount of fatigue(and yes, this was from a reputable ID doctor in Columbus, OH). This doctor ordered "more tests". I told him we needed to have him see someone else(my doctor). Between the time this doctor saw him and my doctor saw him, he developed thrush and shortness of breath (no PCP-whew). I guess I tell this tale because my partner knew something was not right, and the doctor would not listen nor believe the numbers were true. > > One of the best things to do is to ask amongst those in your local HIV community concerning doctors- most will able to tell you their experiences-good and bad. I feel it is important to find someone who is more like a partner in the management of HIV, than someone who is more dictatorial. Doctors know much and a good one is critical, but they do not know everything.> > Cliff> > Cliff> > > ---------------------------------> Bored stiff? Loosen up...> Download and play hundreds of games for free on Games.>

[Guest guest]

My partner has been positive for two years. This last fall his CD4 count took a significant dip ( to 120). His doctor was adamant that "no one has t-cells that fall that fast"

I believe the published record for fast progression was a man whose seroconversion was documented and died from AIDS 14 months later. The median time from HIV infection to death, in patients not taking antivirals, is 12.6 years.

My original HIV Doctor believed I had been infected far earlier than 1989 based on my T4 percentage, but I doubt this. My rate of progression was much faster than normal. While my T4 count and percent is currently 1,358 and 39% with no detectable viral load - this can be easily changed.

In February 1999 I stopped my antiviral drugs for one week.

A the end of this period of time, my viral load was 43,200 and my T4 count and percent was 915 and 28%. At the end of that week I was also experiencing fever and chills, a headache and skin problems. Had I not restarted my antivirals I am confident things would have become ugly quite quickly.

>> Hey, XK,> > I mostly read the info on this board, but wanted to throw in my 2 cents. First of all, finding out you have HIV sucks, but the good news is that it is 2007, not 1987. > > One thing I would encourage you to do, is to find a doctor that you have a good rapport with and will take the time to listen to your concerns. I have always found this to be about as beneficial as the meds (only few doctors have caused me to have diarrhea- and I quickly changed-lol).> > A tell of a tale: My partner has been positive for two years. This last fall his CD4 count took a significant dip ( to 120). His doctor was adamant that "no one has t-cells that fall that fast"- despite my partner having continual swollen lymph glands, night sweats and a considerable amount of fatigue(and yes, this was from a reputable ID doctor in Columbus, OH). This doctor ordered "more tests". I told him we needed to have him see someone else(my doctor). Between the time this doctor saw him and my doctor saw him, he developed thrush and shortness of breath (no PCP-whew). I guess I tell this tale because my partner knew something was not right, and the doctor would not listen nor believe the numbers were true. > > One of the best things to do is to ask amongst those in your local HIV community concerning doctors- most will able to tell you their experiences-good and bad. I feel it is important to find someone who is more like a partner in the management of HIV, than someone who is more dictatorial. Doctors know much and a good one is critical, but they do not know everything.> > Cliff> > Cliff> > > ---------------------------------> Bored stiff? Loosen up...> Download and play hundreds of games for free on Games.>

[Guest guest]

"My partner has been positive for two years. This last fall his CD4 counttook a significant dip ( to 120). His doctor was adamant that "no onehas t-cells that fall that fast"A second to that.   While we often focus on the lucky few that have 1,000 T cells, undetectable viral load 2o years after infection,  there is an equally interesting group of unlucky patients that sicken and die quickly, in the absence of treatment."syndrome" means that patients follow approximately the same course, not that it's a one size fits all virus. Barrowpozbod@...

[Guest guest]

"My partner has been positive for two years. This last fall his CD4 counttook a significant dip ( to 120). His doctor was adamant that "no onehas t-cells that fall that fast"A second to that.   While we often focus on the lucky few that have 1,000 T cells, undetectable viral load 2o years after infection,  there is an equally interesting group of unlucky patients that sicken and die quickly, in the absence of treatment."syndrome" means that patients follow approximately the same course, not that it's a one size fits all virus. Barrowpozbod@...

[Guest guest]

Hello, I am Melisa, I also have CMT. My neurologist says type 2 poly neuropathy,

however I do wonder about the typing. After I found my natural parents, when she

passed away, I had read in her journal that I had developmental problems, did

not walk till I was past 2 years old, and apparently she could not handle it. It

was my natural father who has it that passed it to me.

my doctor liked to scared me to death when she told me, every since trying to

find a doctor to treat me is like trying to find a needle in a hay stack. And if

it's not the doctor it's the insurance won't pay for the meds ....