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Author Topic: Support group  (Read 5143 times)

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Offline Beyondstatus

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Support group
« on: March 12, 2013, 12:57:40 pm »
Hello All

I'm a 24 year old gay male who was just diagnosed Feb 4th, 2013 as poz. It's been a rollercoaster but I have some really good doctors and social workers who've answered the majority of my questions. I don't really have many gay friends or poz friends so the social worker I talk to keeps recommending I check out this support group for young gay poz dudes in the area. I'm out but I've only told my best friend about my HIV status. I'm worried that going to this support group, someone may know me or tell someone about my HIV status which I'm not ready for.

So I was wondering have any of you gone to support groups? What was your experience like? Would you recommend that I go and see?
Diagnosed: 2/1/13
Confirmed: 2/4/13
2/13/13: CD4 602 25.4% viral load 60,178
3/9/13: started Atripla
4/10/13: CD4 572 35% viral load 215

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: Support group
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2013, 01:03:28 pm »
Every support group I've ever attended has made privacy a top point at the beginning of any meeting. Of course, this doesn't guarantee anything technically but I've also not heard of bad experiences.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline texaninnyc87

  • Member
  • Posts: 251
Re: Support group
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2013, 01:31:38 pm »
The group I attend is really great. Its for newly diagnosed gay guys in their 20s. I've learned a lot from the group and it's been really helpful to hear what other people are going through/have gone through. It's made me feel a lot less lonely about the whole thing and has been a really nice experience. I've also met some new friends through my group. Being able to talk to friends about what youre dealing with is great, but theres something different about talking to friends who are in the same boat that i've found really invaluable.

I would definitely recommend trying it out. If you hate it, you can always chose to not go back!
Dxd: 9/11/12
Blot confirmed: 11/12
12/12 cd4: 280 (20%) vl: 129,000
1/13 $tribild
2/13 cd4: 350 (26%) vl: 80
4/13 cd4: 510 (29%) vl:: 35
6/13cd4 350 (31%) vl: 21
9/13 cd4 492 (30%) vl: ud
12/13 cd4 846 (36%) vl: 100
1/14 cd4 480 (31%) vl: UD
3/14 cd4 650 (33%) vl: UD
6/14 cd4 410 (35%) vl: UD
9/14 cd4 439 (38%) vl: UD
12/14 cd4 551 (37%) vl: UD

Offline Beyondstatus

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: Support group
« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2013, 01:15:29 pm »
Every support group I've ever attended has made privacy a top point at the beginning of any meeting. Of course, this doesn't guarantee anything technically but I've also not heard of bad experiences.

See those bad experiences are what I'm afraid of  :-[
Diagnosed: 2/1/13
Confirmed: 2/4/13
2/13/13: CD4 602 25.4% viral load 60,178
3/9/13: started Atripla
4/10/13: CD4 572 35% viral load 215

Offline Beyondstatus

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: Support group
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2013, 01:19:41 pm »
The group I attend is really great. Its for newly diagnosed gay guys in their 20s. I've learned a lot from the group and it's been really helpful to hear what other people are going through/have gone through. It's made me feel a lot less lonely about the whole thing and has been a really nice experience. I've also met some new friends through my group. Being able to talk to friends about what youre dealing with is great, but theres something different about talking to friends who are in the same boat that i've found really invaluable.

I would definitely recommend trying it out. If you hate it, you can always chose to not go back!

You're right, I can always just not go back. I'm just worried any damage I'm afraid of could've already happen by then. But I think I'm going to just suck it up and go. It'd be nice to find some friends in my area.
Diagnosed: 2/1/13
Confirmed: 2/4/13
2/13/13: CD4 602 25.4% viral load 60,178
3/9/13: started Atripla
4/10/13: CD4 572 35% viral load 215

Offline weasel

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,906
Re: Support group
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2013, 05:36:31 pm »


 Dear  Beyondstatus  ,

                                  2004  I started to go to an HIV support group
 in Las Vegas Nevada .
  I had more to lose then most attending , I was very well know in the construction
industry and my job  and boss were in danger  if i was outed !

   Well I went for almost a year , The people going at that time were so self absorbed , if you had asked who I was they would have said " He drives A Cadillac " , other than that ? , nope ! . But let me tell you my story .......
  People that go to AIDS support groups do not " Kiss and Tell " 
It is just the way it is !

 The only time time I have been outed other than the  POPLAR BLUFF HEALTH DEPARTMENT ,Missouri ,  is   a CRUD - BALL from Poplar Bluff that went to the V.A. in Saint Louis and went home and told his aunt he saw me  :o
  For real !
  I would not even worry about being outed .
 Support groups are well worth the effort to go to .

                                                      Weasel
 
" Live and let Live "

Offline Beyondstatus

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: Support group
« Reply #6 on: March 13, 2013, 10:07:52 pm »

 Dear  Beyondstatus  ,

                                  2004  I started to go to an HIV support group
 in Las Vegas Nevada .
  I had more to lose then most attending , I was very well know in the construction
industry and my job  and boss were in danger  if i was outed !

   Well I went for almost a year , The people going at that time were so self absorbed , if you had asked who I was they would have said " He drives A Cadillac " , other than that ? , nope ! . But let me tell you my story .......
  People that go to AIDS support groups do not " Kiss and Tell " 
It is just the way it is !

 The only time time I have been outed other than the  POPLAR BLUFF HEALTH DEPARTMENT ,Missouri ,  is   a CRUD - BALL from Poplar Bluff that went to the V.A. in Saint Louis and went home and told his aunt he saw me  :o
  For real !
  I would not even worry about being outed .
 Support groups are well worth the effort to go to .

                                                      Weasel
 

Weasel -- I appreciate it. You've definitely made me feel better about going. I called to see when and where they meet but the coordinator is out of town for a convention until next week. So I'll call back then, and maybe next week I'll go.

Thanks again! :)
Diagnosed: 2/1/13
Confirmed: 2/4/13
2/13/13: CD4 602 25.4% viral load 60,178
3/9/13: started Atripla
4/10/13: CD4 572 35% viral load 215

 


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