Question
I'm positive, my brother's newly diagnosed- how can I support him?
10 May 2012. Related: All topics, Newly diagnosed, Support.
I’m a 28 years old HIV positive guy and I’m healthy due to my medicines.
My brother (36 years old) was next to me from the very first beginning supporting me and advising me not to forget to take my meds on time etc. He’s a great brother!
A few days ago I visited my bro and I realized that he wasn’t OK. Not in mood for anything and he couldn’t communicate very well using his speech. I was terrified, and I brought him to a psychologist.
He also did an HIV test because he wanted to. Today the doctor from the lab called him and asked him to go again because there was a problem. Immediately I remembered my situation when I was first diagnosed positive!
We went there and it was the same thing! He is HIV positive too. But I am afraid that his disease is old because I saw some AIDS symptoms. We went at the hospital for AIDS and doctors confirmed my fears!
My lovely brother has problem with his breathing, his mental state; fungus in his mouth; and a fever. He has lost weight and hair and is generally weak. These are symptoms of AIDS! Right?
This is his first night in the hospital. I miss him so much! He was always here. Now the roles have changed. I will support him as much as I can and I’m asking you to advise me in medical and psychological way so I can help him in the best way I can!
Or is it too late? Soon we will have the results of CD4 amount and viral load.
Answer
I’m very sorry to hear about your brother’s recent diagnosis. This must be a very stressful time for both of you. It’s great that he has you there to support him though. It’s also very positive that he is in hospital and receiving the care he needs.
Until we know your brother’s CD4 count and viral load it’s difficult to say whether the symptoms he is experiencing are related to HIV or not. The doctors in the hospital will run tests to try to identify any infections your brother may have. We’re not doctors at i-Base so I can’t suggest the root of his symptoms.
You can think positively though. HIV treatment is very effective, even in people who are diagnosed late. So even if your brother’s CD4 count comes back low you shouldn’t see this as being ‘too late’. Even with a very low CD4 count, even below 10, if he follows treatment very carefully, he has a good chance that treatment will work. His viral load would drop and his CD4 count would rise to safer levels.
Your brother is very lucky to have somebody to support him who understands HIV from a personal point of view. For many people just having somebody to share the experience with can make an HIV diagnosis much easier to deal with.
If you have questions now, or when your brother’s test results come back please do get in touch.
Thanks for your response.
All the symptoms that I mentioned r reduced now.
Along with tenofovir I’m with lamuvudine n efavirenze.
I got hope that I may get healthy life again.
Thanks for your information and support.
Hi Raj,
Thanks for getting back to me with your new CD4 count. This is a brilliant increase! And this viral load is great! This means treatment is working well for you. The best way to get your CD4 count to increase is to keep taking treatment everyday as it’s prescribed.
What other treatments are you taking with Tenofovir?
Have the symptoms you mentioned in May gotten any easier?
My cd4 increased from 60 to 260. And 50 copies of viral. I hope
Treatment is working. Pls advise. I changed zidovudine to tenfovir. Count taken after 6 months. Hope my cd 4 still increase. What is the best way to increase my cd4.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Kayode,
I’m sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Finding out you are HIV positive can be very stressful and it’s OK to feel angry and down. You might find it helpful to talk to a support group or counselor. Your clinic should be able to introduce you to a support service. Because you are writing from South Africa you may also like to look at the Treatment Action Campaign website which has information about South African services.
If you would like to read about HIV treatment please take a look at our Introduction to Combination therapy guide.
I.have just been diagnosed with HIV some few days ago.my cd4 count is 161 and my liver is damaged.physically I’m ok but I have been having a cough for two weeks now.my doctor gave me some medication for that.I will also be starting on ARV in a few days time.at the moment,I’m feeling down.but I have to be strong because of my child.I can’t even break down.but I feel like I could scream as I’m now angry than ever.
Thanks Rebecca.
I Will take another viral load test and cd 4 test and share u the results.
Hi Raj,
Looking back at our previous emails you seem to have been experiencing these symptoms for quite a while. It’s important to talk to your doctor about these so that s/he can work out if this is a result of your treatment or something else.
Have you had another viral load test or CD4 reading since the last results you told me about from your test on 27th February?
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for ur response.
The other side effects are mostly in sleepy, dizziness and any like item also not eatable.
Sleeping disturbances, lack of energy. Not able to do anything. Always in sleepy mood.
Hi Raj,
From a previous email I see that you have started treatment with ARVs. Can I ask how you are getting on with your treatment?
It is possible that the itching you are experiencing is a side effect of the medicines you are taking.
Do you have any other symptoms?
These links explain more about skin rash and dry skin as side effects of treatment. It’s important to discuss all side effect and symptoms with your doctor, especially if they are affecting your quality of life. You doctor should be able to give you something to help with the itching.
My cd 4 count is 55. I don’t have any tumors but have some itching on skin. Is it the symptom of aids.