I recently became aware of something that shouldn't bother me, but it's odd & a little disturbing. When I was diagnosed with HIV, I was actually diagnosed as having AIDS. My CD4 count was non-existent & my viral load was astronomical. After I'd been on my regimen, my counts slowly improved. I've only gotten above a CD4 count of 400 a few times, but my viral load is undetectable.
It's unlikely, I'll ever be at the target range for all my counts. I started meds very late in the game. Early application of a medical regimen does have a notable affect on long term health & activity levels. I may never be where they want me to be or feel like I'd prefer. Still, I'm better than I was, most days at least.
No matter what my numbers or how I feel, my diagnosis is still AIDS. I tell people HIV, but actually according to legalities & health officials, I'm a PWA, a person with AIDS. I guess I am, but still it's odd.
I remember how I felt in those days. I could barely function. I didn't want to eat. Breathing was a challenge. Any thing beyond sleep was a real effort. Some days are bad now, some are very bad. But not like then, when they all were.
I don't tell people I have AIDS. They freak out enough over HIV. But as far as the medical community is concerned I am a person living with AIDS. Damn, that feels weird.
Cya...
