Andy's story

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Andy, 41, was diagnosed with HIV in July of this year and here he tells his story.

I was diagnosed with HIV on 30 July this year after months of investigations by my doctor - and what a relief it was to find out what was wrong.

I began to get run down last year but put it down to stress - I worked as a medical photographer at a hospital - which was a very demanding job.

In May this year, I came down with shingles and was very ill for several weeks. After recovering, I was still run down, so left my job and started a less stressful one as a support worker.

Things improved for a while but that Christmas I came down with pneumonia, I had also lost a lot of weight – it was all the more noticeable as I had been a big lad of 18 stone. My GP did numerous blood tests but couldn’t find anything wrong with me, so I was eventually referred to a hospital for further tests. The consultant thought I might have leukaemia or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which thankfully I didn’t have.

By this stage my consultant was confused but then decided to test for HIV and other viruses. I thought: 'No problem, I cannot have HIV, as I am not gay and haven’t had different partners.' A week later I got a call to come in early, my wife and I sat in his office with a nurse and the consultant informed me that I was HIV positive. My immediate reaction was to say: ‘Thank God for that, at least I am not going to die.’

I had blood tests straight away and my wife was tested for HIV - luckily her result was negative. I did wonder how I may have got HIV, the only thing I can think of was that I got a tattoo 10 years ago which made me ill. My last girlfriend was over 15 years ago before I was married. I did not dwell on the thoughts for long though, I thought treatment and the future was more important.

This August I was very ill, I went downhill fast and the consultant said I had advanced HIV. My CD4 count was only seven and I had a viral load of well over one million. I started treatment immediately - after some initial side effects things calmed down and I now feel better than I have done for years. The meds are working brilliantly. I have recently had a blood test and my consultant is very happy with my progress - they just rang me to say my CD4 count has gone up to 200 - things are looking good.

I have not at any point during this rollercoaster ride let things get me down, yes I may have HIV, but I am very positive about life. HIV to me is very inconvenient, but you encounter inconvenient things every day, I live life to the full and enjoy my life, I will be here for a long time yet.

 

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2 comments

  • Thanks for sharing your story Andy, I was in a very similar scenario and it was not fun! Although I wasn't married at the time I had been in a long term relationship and it was devastating for both of us... I'm pleased to say that I am now very happily married (to a new partner) with 2 beautiful healthy children.... I'd be interested to know how the news has affected your wife? And whether you have children? I think it is going to be a bigger problem, as like you, I didn't think I could possibly be HIV positive... I'd been in a steady committed relationship for 7 years, but was so seriously ill with what turned out to be pcp, and I was told if I didn't respond to treatment id have 3 months to live! I hope as part of the new campaign that all groups in society realise that they are at risk, and not just the stigmatised gay and drug using communities!

    Posted 18:58 Fri 23 Nov 2012 by mirrydowns

  • My friend I was diagnosed last year at age 41 nov29 with a vial load of 1.5 million - cd4 count of 17 I also had Pneumonia jaundice really furry oral thrush shingles I was in a mess my wife and 3 daughters all found this extremely hard, but nearly 1 yr on we're pulling through, so your not alone, it's scary that there is someone out there with virtually the same story. I want the nhs to realise that HIV test is not just for gay people straight people are just as vulnerable, but THT is the only reason I've pulled through this as well as getting help and facing up to 4 yrs of child hood sexual abuse by a then 27yr old man when I was only 12yrs old, if your with THT you can only get mentally stronger as they can help you 100% with dealing with Life and surviving Aids. I've also had to deal with Major heart attack at 36yr old, I also live with coronary heart disease, angina. THT have also got me Councelling for Anger management and self harming. Everybody just ask for advice or help and theres always others to help you get through, you may feel alone but guaranteed there's always more people who have also been through it. Good luck my friend.

    Posted 11:14 Sat 24 Nov 2012 by Arbav
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