Please allow me to introduce myself....

[Liberal Veteran]

I'm "celebrating" my 20th year with this unwanted guest in my body.

The last 7 of them, I have been taking taking antivirals.

My first counts were pretty crappy at 22 t-cells and 250,000 for a viral load.

I've been undetectable since the first set of blood work since starting medication.

My t-cells at last count (although I don't trust the latest result) were at 610. The reason I don't trust them is because it took over 2 years to get my counts above 200 and than was with Interleukin-2 therapy and they have never gotten above the mid-300's until this latest bloodwork. I'll trust those results if they are about the same next time.

I certainly have high hopes that they are.

My current medications are Atripla, Marinol, Wellbutrin XL, and Serostim (human growth hormone for lipo).

I work full time, I have a wonderful long-term relationship with a negative partner and we'll be celebrating 16 years together this spring.

Life is still good.

[MuseRider]

1. Life is still good.

I am so happy to hear that.

It is good to see you.

[Malikshah]

2. Happy anniversary in advance.

And more power to you both. Not that you need it. Life is indeed good.

[and-justice-for-all]

3. Congrats...

..I have been in a relation for 12years, with a (+) partner who is doing very well.

Are those all your babies? We have 3 kitties and one of them is names Sybil as well. we also have Mona and Kitty Boy, all of which are rescued strays. I think animal companions are important, specially under difficult circumstances, I cant imagine life without my four-legged friends around.

[Liberal Veteran]

6. Well, I haven't updated my kitty pics recently.

Sybil passed away about six month ago. And I have two other kitties: Chatterbox and DeDe.

[Cobalt Violet]

4. So glad to hear your doing so well.

How often do you have to check your blood work?

[Liberal Veteran]

5. Every three to six months.

My former HIV doc who moved on to a new position as head of a hospital said he saw no need to have my blood work done every quarter since my health was so stable. Although when we changed my antivirals from Sustiva/Combivir to Sustiva/Truvada, we went back to every three months, which is wise.

Now I have a team as my HIV care providers consisting of a doctor, a pharmacist, a dietician, and a social worker that operate out of our community health clinic. I was certainly impressed with thoroughness on my first visit in November.

I was a little dismayed that they felt a need to repeat a bunch of tests that they should have already had the results for from my previous doc, though (hep screen, toxoplasmosis screen, etc).

[Cobalt Violet]

7. I hope all goes well.

And you T cell count really is that high.

It sounds like you have a great team that you work with.

[pinto]

8. Good to hear you've responded to tx so well. Any problems with the Atripla?

:thumbsup:

(on edit) I'm on it, as well. No major problems.

[Liberal Veteran]

9. No. It wasn't much of a switch for me, because I'd been on Sustiva/Truvada prior...

Other than crappy cholesterol numbers and a little grogginess in the first few weeks, I have been blessedly free of side effects.

[William769]

10. Glad to hear.

When I was diagnosed my t-cell count was 3 viral load 550,000+. That was two years ago. I am now about to break 200 on my t-cells which takes me out of the danger zone & my viral load is undetectable!

[nealmhughes]

11. Dude we rock!

150K VL in Janurary 2005 and CD4 of 85...two years and 40 pounds plus later, on Combivir and Sustiva, undetectable and 300ish since May of 06!

I get my full blood done every 6 months now (was 3) since no Chlosterol or kidney or liver problems. Right now still every 3 for basic labs, but it may soon go to twice a year!

I'm even getting ready to go back to work, applied for 3 asst. professorships today and yesterday, and walked 2 miles with dogs today...

Other than that complete blockage of my left carotid artery and the 3 months having to learn basic right handed skills again...and my crappy sinuses...I'm in fine health, save that "whiff of HIV..."

[William769]

12. Great news!

I still have my labs done every 3 months because of Chlosterol problems. :(

[leQ]

13. my goodness, are those cats your family?

stay well liberal veteran. i only wish i could have someone by my side sharing this illness with me. but i'm alone. i used to like being alone, but lately it's become more of a burden. anyway, glad to see you're doing so well. i always like to draw inspiration from those who have managed to keep this disease in check.


on edit: i saw your post about the cats after posting this. sorry.