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Author Topic: Anxiety about starting treatment?  (Read 2190 times)

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Offline Newguy

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  • Posts: 127
Anxiety about starting treatment?
« on: July 30, 2012, 09:12:56 am »
Hello Everyone!

I hope all is well for everyone. I have a question regarding treatment. In a about a month or so I will be starting treatment for my HIV infection. Since my diagnosis I have managed to deal quite well and have integrated nicely into the medical system. I have not been sick yet but my doctor suggests I start treatment. My last labs were CD4 400 21% and 36K. Two months ago I applied for this HIV medication program here in Ontario and it has been confirmed, so I just show up to the pharmacy flash my health card and the pharmacist bills the Ontario Government. Everything has gone smoothly so far but I am feeling anxiety about the pills. It is not the possibility of side effects that is giving me this feeling, just the idea that I have to take pills everyday. Is this feeling justified? Is it rational to feel this stressed over swallowing a couple of pills a day? Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks for you insight

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Offline Jmarksto

  • Member
  • Posts: 667
Re: Anxiety about starting treatment?
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2012, 11:04:32 am »
Newguy; 

I was diagnosed in June and my Doc noted that my numbers (see below) were at a point that we had some time to make decisions.  He also said that he doesn't like to start people on meds until they have had time to adjust mentally/emotionally to the diagnosis.  His point was that strict adherence was more important that starting right away.  My Doc strongly recommended counseling (as well as acupuncture) to help.  I am scheduled to go back in early September and will likely start meds then.

The diagnosis hit me pretty hard, and I think the thought of medications has been part of that -- justified and rational or not, the anxiety is there.  My anxiety is decreasing by the day, and I am much more prepared now than I was just a few weeks ago.  The biggest concern for me is the the unknown of the side effects -- I am opting for Complera to minimize some of the side effects and will plan to schedule the start of meds over a weekend, and take a few days off work when I start so I have some time to adjust during the first week or so.

A few things have helped reduce my anxiety -- first is recognizing how many people have it much harder, such as diabetics that two or three blood tests and injections a day.  The other thing that is helping is the news of the benefits of medication (fewer medical complications, lower transmission rates, etc.).

I wish you well,

JM
Logged
03/15/12 Negative
06/15/12 Positive
07/11/12 CD4 790          VL 4,000
08/06/12 CD4 816/38%   VL 49,300
08/20/12 Started Complera
11/06/12 CD4   819/41% VL 38
02/11/13 CD4   935/41% VL UD
06/06/13 CD4   816/41% VL UD
10/28/13 CD4 1131/45% VL 25
02/25/14 CD4   792/37% VL UD
07/09/14 CD4 1004/39% VL UD
11/03/14 CD4   711/34% VL UD
03/13/15 CD4   833/36% VL UD
04/??/15 Truvada & Tivicay
06/01/15 CD4 1100/50% VL UD
10/16/15 CD4   826/43% VL UD
??/??/2017 Descov & Tivicay
2017 VL UD, CD4 stable around 850
2018 VL UD, CD4 stable around 850
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