POZ Community Forums

Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: loshan on November 15, 2006, 11:28:31 pm

Title: Hi All
Post by: loshan on November 15, 2006, 11:28:31 pm
Hello,
I was diagnosed a year ago and am going to the doc tomorrow to start meds (two weeks ago....cd4 - 250, vl 75,000).
I have been lurking around for awhile but just joined and decided to post and introduce myself before I start meds.
I am female...42 yo and live in a VERY rural area....5 miles from nearest town of 400, 40 miles from the nearest bank and walmart..... and 110 miles (one way)  to doctor.
And, of course tonight we are under winter storm watch so getting to the doctor tomorrow may require the chains to come out of the trunk, but I will get there ;)
Anyway, it is nice to know all you guys will be here when I start with the weird dreams and drunken behavior I have been reading about tonight.

loshan
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: Ann on November 16, 2006, 07:56:39 am
Hi Loshan, welcome to the forums!

I've moved your thread into the Living forum (from Treatment Questions) where you'll get more responses.

If you haven't already, you might want to check out the Welcome thread posted at the top of the Living with forum. There you'll be able to find out what else this site has to offer.

Good luck getting to your appointment - drive safe!

Ann


Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: david25luvit on November 16, 2006, 08:22:56 am
Welcome Loshan....

           Glad you decided to take the plunge....  I personally love this place although its not the same anymore...
I'm not sure if that's a bad thing or not....  Hang in there Kiddo!  You are among friends now.  Welcome to the
family.........((((( Big Hug ))))) :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: Teresa on November 16, 2006, 08:25:56 am
(http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/4561/4a5fec8015ae61cf8d3b4f2zm1.gif)

So glad you decided to post and introduce yourself. Hope to hear more from you.

Hugs
Teresa
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: clarke on November 16, 2006, 08:55:20 am
Hi Loshan, we used to be in the same kind of predicament, living in a rural area (West Tennessee), 40-odd miles to Walmart, over 80 to an MD (until the state placed one closer).  We had to drive to Memphis until an HIV/AIDS MD was placed in Jackson.

We moved to Maryland (Gaithersburg) 3 years ago, and our MD is about 20 miles, but grocery stores and stuff are way closer.

Let us know how things go with you, and check around on this site and the forums.  Lotta interesting people and information is around.  And these guys know how to help, and many of them (us?) have "been there, done that".
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: SoSadTooBad on November 16, 2006, 09:02:55 am
Loshan - he from the big city... newly diagnosed here as well, had to start on meds immediately - no real side effects to speak of. 

Hope things go well tomorrow.  Starting meds is really the beginning of a new chapter for you.  Your health will improve before your very eyes, and the side effects are generally manageable.  Best of luck -
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: aztecan on November 16, 2006, 09:23:12 am
Hey Loshan,

Welcome to the family here. I am glad you decided to join in.

I live in a rural area of Northwest New Mexico. But, in my case, we are somewhat more populated, around 125,000.

We have only one HIV doc here, and he plans to retire this June. What happens then is anyone's guess.

Anyway, glad you are here and let us know how the first night with the meds went.

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: RAB on November 16, 2006, 09:38:04 am
Hi Loshan

Welcome to the forums and good luck with your doctor appointment.  Keep us posted on what regimen you and your doctor decide upon, and don't be afraid to ask any questions.  There is loads of experience here.

(I don't envy you if you have to put chains on.  I remember those days from my childhood in Montana. )

RAB

Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: ndrew on November 16, 2006, 09:39:32 am
Hello and Welcome Loshan!

Drew
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: pozguy75 on November 16, 2006, 10:52:42 am
Loshan, welcome to the forums! I am sure you will be fine with your meds...anyway, this is a great place for support, love, and laughter...
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: ACinKC on November 16, 2006, 12:07:37 pm
Welcome!

Thats all i got for now.
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: AlanBama on November 16, 2006, 12:50:38 pm
Hi Loshan,

Welcome to the forums!   We have lots of folks here who live in 'rural' areas, and even for some who live in small cities (like me) the forums is our only way of having a support network.  That's why this place is so important!

Glad you found us, and hope you make it safely to the doctor and back.   Don't think about starting the meds with dread in your heart, but think of it with gladness.....they are literally saving your life.

hugs,

Alan
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: penguin on November 16, 2006, 12:59:00 pm
hello, welcome  :)

kate
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: Queen Tokelove on November 16, 2006, 01:00:25 pm
Welcome Loshan,

Glad you found us! I hope you get to your doc appointment safe and sound. I know how it is to be hit with snow, we get a lot of Lake effect snow here....Hope to hear more from you...
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: allopathicholistic on November 16, 2006, 01:18:28 pm
(http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l153/aycm8620/rosesblu.gif)
Welcome honey, you'll learn tons from us, we're a very experienced bunch  ;D
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: Eldon on November 16, 2006, 02:54:04 pm
Hello Loshan,

It is unfortunate that you have tested HIV positive. However, it is good that you are aware now so that you can take action with your health. Take each step day-by-day.

I wish to extend to you a warm WELCOME here at the forums. Here you will find the encouragement, communication, understanding, support, some cries, some laughter, and many of your questions relating to HIV/AIDS answered.

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o134/forfun_06/FriendshipHandshake.jpg)

We have a great group of Real people who will listen as well as answer you. We are here to encourage one another and to learn from each other.

Talking to other people helps us see that we are not the only ones with problems. Feel free to come and vent with whatever is on your mind from time-to-time as it is highly therapeutic.

In the interim, you may want to start taking a multi-vitamin, Omega 3 and eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy and avoid processed foods, saturated and trans fats. This will also help you maintain a healthy weight.

Exercise at least three times per week for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Make the BEST of each and every Day!
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: Longislander on November 16, 2006, 06:24:18 pm
Hi Loshan, welcome, glad you decided to join in!
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: OzPaul on November 16, 2006, 06:31:16 pm
Hi and welcome !!!

I too live in a rural town though twice the size of yours, 900 people. I think I have you beat on the Walmart however as the nearest to me is 8,000 miles away ( I live in Australia).

Glad you decided to join us and hope to hear more from you.

Cheers
Paul
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: Iggy on November 16, 2006, 08:35:16 pm
.
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: slimbimale on November 17, 2006, 02:55:25 am
Hi and welcome .....your among family  ;D
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: Cliff on November 17, 2006, 01:59:47 pm
Hi Loshan,

Welcome to the forums!

Cliff
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: anniebc on November 17, 2006, 03:53:54 pm
Hi Loshan

Welcome to the family.

I live in a rural part of NZ..but it's big compared to where you live, we have 750 in our community... ;) my ID Doc is a two hour drive (one way) from me but we do what we have to do, getting to an ID Doc is crucial to our health and treatment.
I have had a few scary trips in the snow but have never had to use my chains yet..so you drive careful and keep us up dated on what's happening with you and your doc..it good to hear from you...you will get all the support and help you need here so don't be afraid to ask questions there will always be someone here who will give you the answers you are looking for.

Take care and i hope you stay around.

Hugs
Jan :-*
Title: Re: Hi All
Post by: loshan on November 17, 2006, 11:55:30 pm
Thank You All for your welcome. I got back WAYYY late last night so I didn't even check here til now.

BTW...I am in Northeastern Washington State 110 miles north of Spokane.
The doc put me on Atripla (as expected) and I took the first one last night.
Nothing out of the ordinary yet except being sleepy today, I'll see how it goes tonight.

I am fairly educated on all this......(some background coming up) in a most unusual way. I was a lesbian (never even thought bisexual) all my life til about 5 years ago when I fell in love with (gasp) a MAN!!!! I moved up here from Texas four years ago. I lost countless friends as well as both my ex "wife's" brothers to AIDS in the 80s.

The boyfriend (can't get married, would mess up his benefits) has been positive since 1992 and my status came about as the result of a condom break summer 2005. He has tortured himself enough though....I knew the risk and was willing to take it.

What I didn't expect was having to go on meds so soon. Although I should have.....I remember vividly how fast people used to get sick and and be gone. I think the average from diagnosis was two years?

Anyway, thanks again for the warm welcome.