I haven't spoken much about how I'm doing ever since I disclosed my HIV status back in July. A couple people recently asked for an update - so here it is...
For those of you who missed it, In June I spent a week in the hospital with pneumonia - at which time I found out I was HIV positive. A couple weeks later (as soon as I was approved for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program - ADAP), I began taking Atripla - a very expensive medication which combines Sustiva, Emtriva and Viread. All three drugs work together to slow the spread of HIV in the body, all in one daily pill.
After one month of taking the drug (religiously, I might add) - my doctor gave me a Viral Load test. Viral Load measures the amount of HIV in your blood. I went from a Viral Load of 288,000 to only 1,000 - in one month! Once you hit 400 the virus is considered "undetectable" - which is one of the goals of HIV treatment. As most of you know - undetectable does not mean cured - but it certainly beats lying in the hospital with pneumonia.
I am still waiting for my CD4 (t-cell count) test results - the lab misplaced them - but the doctor said we should expect good news there also. Also, I am back on anti-depressants (Effexor) - which is covered 100% by ADAP (along with the Atripla and all my other medication). The Effexor seems to be working nicely as well.
As far as other health-related issues - I lost about 40-50 pounds while in the hospital, and I've managed to keep most of it off. I still need to loose another 40-50 to get to where I need to be, but at least I'm not gaining. This is getting harder every day - as my energy is now back to normal, so is my appetite. I've compensated by eating tons of melon - watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew - which is relatively healthy and fills me up nicely. But, as usual, I need to exercise more.
Anywhore, I just wanted to let you know that as of right now, I am doing well. And thanks to all of you who were concerned.
XOXOXO
29 comments:
Not good news, Great News!
xoxoxoxo
Excellent excellent news!
XOXOXOXOXOX
That is all so good to hear!!! :-))
Wow - that's terrific! Pays to be "religious" sometimes, doesn't it? LOL
love you!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
thats great news David. I might add that you are a VERY brave man for sharing this with all your followers. Have a great week Love ya! John
Thanks for the update! Glad to hear the good news.
Super Duper News Buddy :-)))I have recently increased my exercise quota and started going to the Y daily like all good gays..lol..
Awwww ... thanks everyone.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Thanks for the update, David Darling! It is a good one indeed!!
GREAT NEWS David!
Love Tug
XOXOXOX
I am glad to hear are doing good. Thank you, for letting us know how life's treating you.
I'm soooo glad!!! I've hesitated to email you since you say I ask too many questions and didn't want to bother you. I think about you all the time and worry, so I'm really happy for your progress! This is wonderful news! XOXOXOXXOXOX
Also way to go losing weight and keeping it off!
:-) Good News, nice to hear that!!! Great!
Next Week I get my new blood "News"! You wont to loose weight, you went in a gym?!
Please, have a look:
http://bjoerns-brutzelbude.blogspot.com/2009/05/ich.html
This is an AWESOME update!!!! Thank you for sharing. I have been thinking of you and hoping for the best. {{{HUGS}}}
That's great news! You go...
so much good news, david! i am so proud of you ~ thanks for keeping us posted. xoxox.
Outstanding!
I hope your dreams are entertaining and not too draining.
(One of the constituent meds of Atripla often leads to "vivid dreams," which can be quite intense — colors, extended plot lines, arresting imagery.) A screen writer might actually find that helpful, but it can be a bit much, though this side effect can abate with time.
Thank you for the update. You've been on my mind a lot.
Awesome news, so happy for you! As for the weight loss thing..ugh. Struggling there myself. I have found that eating a nice big salad with either grilled chicken or some tuna is very filling and usually lasts until I can get off work and head to the hated gym. Try it, you might like it!!
Joyous, happy, beautiful news! Congratulations!
I feel so bad. Did I miss this news back in July? Was I being all about Me over here in Freshchester? Yikes. Either way you are my hero. I'm so glad your news is good and you are doing well. Thanks so much for the update twin in my head.
That is great news!! But if you become a skinny bitch I may have to CUT you!
Congratulations.. Keep up the good work. Your health is more important than ever!
Congratulations, David. That's great news.
Outstanding news.
Lurker woman here. YAY!
Thanks again everybody - I truly am blown away by how much love you show me on a daily basis.
Matt: I was worried about the dream thing, but I've had vivid dreams my entire life (with plotlines, drama, and international intrigue, etc). So the dreams I'm having now (with Atripla) don't any different from the dreams I've always had.
XOXOXO
yay yay and more yay!!!! keep it up!
xxalainaxx
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