anyone from South Africa or Durban? ?

[Dealing]

Hi

Just hoping to find people close to where I stay so we can share experiences and treatment procedures..Not only that but a listening ear and shoulder to cry on when in need.
Thanks

[Tony123]

Hey there. I am from SA - JHB. Are you new to this forum?

[Dealing]

Hello
Tes im quite a newbie here, how about you.

[Tony123]

Sorry for not responding. I was in hospital for inflammation of nerve and then been a bit busy. I am fairly new to the site about 4 months. However was diagnosed about 2 years ago. Just gone on meds 4 months ago. Hope everything is going okay with you.

[Dealing]

Hi Tony
I hope you feeling much better, i was diagnosed on the 9th of May this year so still pretty new to all this haven't started meds yet, how is it so far you if you don't mind me asking? 

Are you coping?

Hoping to hear from you.
Amanda

[Dealing]

Hi All.

So im in desperate need for some sort of support groups, people I can talk to and in relate to.This forum is quite great but I want to go to a support group preferably with my fiance.

I feel like we have alot of things we are bottling inside and  sharing experiences with people who have and are still walking this road can only do us good.

Thanks in advance.

[zach]

i know you are living in an unstable political climate, so i hesitate to suggest this at. but if there are no groups, start your own

[BT65]

Hi Dealing,
I merged your topics together.  You really only need one to ask for support from persons/groups. 

I hope you are able to find some support.  Meanwhile, we're here!

Betty

[Dealing]

Ive tried looking but have had no luck, and BT65 you are are absolutely right I really need it, I feel like im loosing my mind.I have no one to talk to about this, I feel so depressed and its starting to wear me out physicaly.I lay awake at night not able to sleep, don't think I've ever been this scared in my life.

It's so hard to accept, and im not afraid to say I need help. 

[BT65]

Dealing, forgive me if you've mentioned it before and it has slipped my mind, but do you see a regular doctor?  Do you have access to medical care?  Tell me a little about that.  Because if you're in regular treatment, your mind will eventually be at ease.  It's totally normal to feel how you're feeling right now.  Your diagnosis is still very, very early. 

Please tell us if you have regular medical care or not. Thanks dear.

Betty

[Tony123]

Hi Dealing. Forgive me if I don't always respond immediately. Have been rather busy and don't always come online. I am doing fine. Still have a little bit of pain but doc says nerves do take longest to heal so just gonna give it some more time. Hopefully it will go away forever as it is more of an irritation. Other than that first tests after taking meds have been positive - i.e. VL UD.
How are you doing? I know that it can be scary but there is hope. Are you on a medical aid - if not, I do know that the Government does provide ARV's (when it comes to that) but I know the Government clinics and hospitals are not that good.
I was fortunate in that my partner has accepted my status and been very supportive. Have you received any support?
Other than that - I have told a few close friends and my brother and all have been supportive. However I must say that when one does first get informed it wasn't the greatest experience. I first found out when I was in hospital 2 years ago and it was like - you are HIV and that was that.
I accepted it because I knew it was because of my doing - but am living with it and moving on with my life. I am not going to let it beat me.
Stay strong

[Dealing]

Hi All,

Bt65 yes I am seeing a Doctor, I was initially diagnosed by my OBGYN after my miscarriage she then transferred me to a General Practitioner, ive only seen him twice however. Im not on meds yet and have decided to wait a but before starting as I fear the side effects, and honestly im not ready to commit to them just yet as I fear they will be a constant reminder of what my life will be like as I was told by the Doctor.

He highlighted that after being on meds fora couple of years my kidneys would probably fail, my cholesterol will forever give me problems not to mention the anemia and the fat distribution which looks quite bad from wht ive seen

Im still trying to wrap my head around my diagnosis first, and honestly considering dropping out of school I just don't see the point anymore, by the time I graduate I will be too weak to carry out normal things.

I wont be able to walk my dogs let alone take a jog on the beach, I don't know how guys stay stay positive knowing how much we still going to undergo.Ive asjed myself whats the point of being on treatment if the quality of life will be of no different from a person staying in a old age home. Theae are things I think of when im wide awake at night and cant sleep. .

[Dealing]

Hi Tony im glad to hear you have accepted this as far as for me im just not there yet, I haven't told anyone yet the only person who is aware is my fiance which I I can't talk to him about it because he just seemed to have completely shut this out of his mind.

I am on medical aid aid luckily so I guess I won't have to worry about that when I do decide to take meds.

Are you aware of how long  you have been positive for and when did you start taking treatment? Hipe the side effects have been minimal for you as I hear they can be quite tough.

[Dealing]

Tony I forgot to ask did you seek any sort of counselling?

[Tony123]

Hi Dealing. Nope, I never had counselling. To be honest, I think that is what is lacking in SA. They get you to sign a form before you have test to say you have understood etc.. and then they tell you, you are poz and then you are left to your own devices. Fortunately, I have had the support of my partner, close friends and brother.
If you don't have to take meds, then that is fine (although there are different schools of thought on this subjet). I am not sure what your CD4 and VL levels are but if they are decent and above the thresholds then you are okay. However, you need to live a healthy lifestyle and see the doc as soon as there is a change.
I wouldn't worry too much about the side effects of the meds. Depending on what you take there are various side effects. The general side effect is drowsiness in the beginning. Then there are dreams etc. The other side effects that you talk about don't happen to everyone - as far as I have heard. I was just unfortunate with the nerve inflammation - it could be linked to the meningitis I had 2 years ago, maybe not. Yes kidneys and Cholesterol are concerns but that is why you need to be monitored. There are various drugs out there and if the one is affecting you, then the doc should change this - when you get onto meds. As for fat distribution - supposedly the medicines nowdays are better but I am also worried about this - however this is only many many years down the line.
My condolences on your miscarriage. I know that you are probably also feeling depressed about this as  well. You are having to deal with 2 big issues in your life. Are you in counselling for this?
I would not drop out of school if you can help it. Is your health at issue? If so, you should be on meds immediately, but if not, HIV should not stop you finishing school and continuing with your life.
There is no real change in my quality of life. I am ALIVE. I have this under control. That is the attitude you need to take. There is nothing stopping you walking the dogs etc.
My experienced with treatment is not really any different to when I wasn't on meds. Yes, I did have a recent bump in the road, but that is me and may not be the same for you. Others that I know have had not other significant side effects. Dint be scared - when it comes time to it, talk to your doc. Don't always believe what you read on the internet. There are cases out there, but the percentages are low.
I was diagnosed 2 years ago. I started treatment 4 months ago only because I was below the 500 CD4 count level for 2 times in a row. My VL was initially 43 000 when I was diagnosed and before I went on meds it came down to 20 000. I suppose I could have continued to not take meds and manage it, but I had decided to rather take the plunge and start before anything serious happened. My first test after treatment my CD4 went up to 541 and my VL is undetectable.
The side effects I have experienced where initial drowsiness for the first week and wired dreams. Sometimes a bit of insomnia. I did have a recent diagnosis of inflammation of nerve which caused pain but I have been told this is because my immune system has improved and is fighting and not because of the meds. Also this doesn't happen to everyone.
You can do this. You can live a long, normal life. The world is out there for you to enjoy. Keep looking after yourself.

[Dealing]

Firstly thanks for taking your time to answer.

I think I read your posts about 3 times, telling myself that I too will get through this.You are absolutely right about SA lacking in the counselling department, you just told this life changing thing and you expected to go on carry on with your life easily. Ive googled centres where I could go to with no luck, I hope I will get to a stage where I will be ok with this and not see it as a stopper for me to carry on with my life as normal as possible.

I think acceptance right now is what in struggling to grasp as yet but I pray everyday that I will get there.

As for my health so far im ok my CD4 and VL is in the ok region for now and I guess im also not not really ready to commit to taking meds right now, id like to get over this first.

Im glad however that I can relate to you to some extent, if you can do it I guess its only a matter of time before I get there too..

Ill try taking it one step at a time and hopefully that will help,I do wish there was more support groups here in Sa but I guess I will have to make do with what I have.

If I may ask are you seeing a specialist or just a normal GP ?

[Tony123]

I am sure the treatment action campaign should be able to provide you with counselors near you. Otherwise forums like this do help.
You will get over this hurdle. Think positive thoughts - excuse the pun. There is life after being diagnosed. Especially in this day and age with medicines etc.
Exercise and eat reasonably healthy.
I also guess it depends on how your doc is with you. Fortunately I have specialist here who isn't objectionable and hasn't questioned me as a person. You need to find a doc - preferably a specialist or someone who has experience with HIV patients and that you are comfortable with, otherwise this will just add to your burden.
Take your dogs for a walk along the beach - enjoy life.
I have always looked at the glass half full instead of half empty and I guess that has also helped me accept things that have happened in my life.
I have had a look online and you could try lifeline or body and mind as support groups.

[Dealing]

Thanks Tony I will definitely look into these support groups, and thanks for taking your time to respond to my posts.

I do hope that I too will reach that place of acceptance.

[Tony123]

Hi Dealing. You will reach acceptance. Don't give up hope. All is not lost.
Feel free to message me if you want.
Take care.

[EUINAU]

Hello Dealing
Although I am not in SA I wanted to let you know that your view of your diagnosis and expectancy of future poor health is rather unfounded.

I would suggest you post in main forum if you have not done so yet, don't limit yourself to SA network as you will get great support on this forum.

Also please do read on the diagnosis as people with HIV live quality lives nowadays...

I have been diagnosed during seroconversion just over a year ago and started the meds immediately. I have had no side effects, my health is fine and I actually have to set up alarm on my phone not to forget the pills. I have them in a small weekly dispenser and it is just that couple of pills to take.

It will get better with time...