Newly tested positive NYC

[nicoicon]

It's been about 3 weeks. 24yo. feel so lost and alone everytime I think about it. My doctor said to find a specialist and psychiatrist to help with coping.  Don't know how to find either everytime I search I get confused/scared/ depressed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Just need a friend

[zach]

welcome. as trite as it sounds, i'm gonna give you the party line. sorry you need us, glad you found us.

just to be part of the way things need to get done. get your results confirmed with a Western Blot. then move forward.

contact a local ASO (aids service organization) get into case management. start this process sooner than later, the bureaucracy can be somewhat maddening. if i had to pick anywhere in the US to be DXd and managed, it would be NYC or SFO. your GPs advice is sound, get some therapy, at least in the beginning. you're going to go through alot of emotions, that are all normal.

you're going to be ok. you're going to live, happy and healthy. you're not alone. we're all your friends

go cry. its ok. then dry your eyes. stand up. get a baseball bat. and beat the shit out of this little bug. 

[Naxos]

Hang in there....really.  It took me a few months to finally cope and process, but it does get better slowly each day.  Find people you can trust and talk to them.  Get treatment started and connect here with people.  You will be okay.  You will start to feel better and less alone.  You will fight this.

Naxos

[pittman]

Some ASOs and clinics will offer therapists.  If nothing else, they should be able to refer you.

Some may even have support groups. My clinic has started a group for those under 30, so ask. You may find lost more resources than expected.

[nicoicon]

welcome. as trite as it sounds, i'm gonna give you the party line. sorry you need us, glad you found us.

just to be part of the way things need to get done. get your results confirmed with a Western Blot. then move forward.

contact a local ASO (aids service organization) get into case management. start this process sooner than later, the bureaucracy can be somewhat maddening. if i had to pick anywhere in the US to be DXd and managed, it would be NYC or SFO. your GPs advice is sound, get some therapy, at least in the beginning. you're going to go through alot of emotions, that are all normal.

you're going to be ok. you're going to live, happy and healthy. you're not alone. we're all your friends

go cry. its ok. then dry your eyes. stand up. get a baseball bat. and beat the shit out of this little bug. 

 Thanks for the advice & comfort. I want to cry so bad but have yet to. I wanted to tell my parents as soon as I found out with the "they'll fix this" logic, but gave that a second thought.  So glad I found this place.

[nicoicon]

Hang in there....really.  It took me a few months to finally cope and process, but it does get better slowly each day.  Find people you can trust and talk to them.  Get treatment started and connect here with people.  You will be okay.  You will start to feel better and less alone.  You will fight this.

Naxos

Thank you. Unfortunately I have more acquaintances than friends. Thanks for the advice.

[nicoicon]

Trying to make an appt. with specialist but nobody takes my insurance. Don't know what to do?

[zach]

contact an ASO, aids service organization. they can help with locating a ID Dr and mental health care, also support groups are great, meeting others that are facing it helps. its what they do, they are good at it. ask for a case manager. do this soon. their bureaucracy can be maddening to go through, but once complete they are very helpful and can be a point of contact to steer you in the right direction at every step of the game. they make things happen. even if you don't need/qualify today, go ahead and start the process for ryan white and adap, makes it easier to be there should you need it in the future. let them help you. be patient with their process. early in this it is vital to have that kind of help. we don't get a playbook, instructions, or a manual, no training classes. just thrown into the arena for the battle of your life.

others here probably have specific advice on what aso would best benefit you, when they start chiming in, listen up and follow through.

[Miss Philicia]

Have you tried the Spencer Cox Center for Health? They have three clinic locations, and offer comprehensive services (read case management is integrated and provided along with medical care). I'm sure they accept a wide array of insurance. Actually I think they will see people with no insurance.

[nicoicon]

Thank you this helps a lot.

[Tonny2]

 8)Hi niconicon

Desn't finding help in here make feel better?. Isn't this a great place to look for information and support?....You'll see that in her, you'll start to feel more at ease with your new dx...good luck and I hope you get help with your insurance issues

PS bear witm me English is my second language  ;-p

[NY2011]

hey. it sucks that you've gotta deal with this. it's gonna get old reading how you'll be fine, but I'm confident that you too will realize that you will be. Attitudes have changed a lot, and your life is probably going to get right back on track within a few months.  You've got a lot to sort out, on top of everything else you were probably dealing with at 24.  I've been fortunate to have found a great doctor here in NY, who is supportive and who elevates the type of care necessary.  Bear in mind that docs treat the disease, and work to get it to a manageable state right away. The psychological support is something you'll likely want to seek too, independent of the primary care. I was diagnosed pretty quickly, about 3 weeks after getting infected, and went through the drill of getting on a drug regimen, seeing specialists, but it took me about seven months to come out of what felt like being in a fog.

I've read feedback about the Comprehensive Care Center, and though I've never been there myself, it seems to be an excellent place to start:

http://centerforcare.org/

It may be a good game plan to start there, with an objective to segue into private care once you've sorted out the basics. Or, you may settle in and find it's exactly the type of world-class care that you're looking for. Chin up, man. You'll make it work. You had the good sense to get tested, and to seek answers to your questions, and take control of the situation. 

btw, I've private messaged you with my doctor's name, should you want to give him a try. He's downtown near the Christopher St. stop on the 1.

[Andy Velez]

Nico, I was about to suggest Spencer Cox when I saw someone has already put you on to it. That's a good starting place.

Right now you're feeling overwhelmed and discouraged, but gradually it's going to get better. If you are in NYC, the LGBT Center on West 13th Street offers free counseling.

Getting yourself a doctor whom you can partner with effectively is important. Gradually you're going to see that your life is going on and that you're going to be getting what's needed to keep you healthy.

You're always welcome hear to ask questions about any concerns you have. Read the lessons including the one about disclosure.

We wish you didn't need to be here but we're glad you found your way here for help and support.

Welcome.