New Life Chapter

[Red23]

Hey everyone new to here to the forum and recently been diagnosed as HIV+ about 2 months ago, will say its been a tough a time for me and my parents adjusting to it all and coming to terms with it, as im sure everyone else on here knows its not something easy to accept and dealing with the emotional roller coaster that follows

bit of a back story:

how i found out i was positive came as a real shock to me because i thought i was negative at the time, after i had split with my ex gf (who was my first and only sexual partner) i went and got my first blood test about 3-4 weeks after splitting to check for hiv and any other std's, apart from catching chlamydia (which i had treated) the hiv blood test came back as negative so i thought everything was ok

few months go by i decide i was going to do bit of a career change and follow my dream of being a rifleman in the australian army, so i applied and managed to pass all the interviews, which i heard is the hard part and to get as far as i did on my first go i was really excited to join, and passed the medical tests, all i had left was the physical test which was going to be a breeze and the blood test and then it was on to enlistment day and i would be a new recruit in the army but when i got the blood test done that was where it all came to a stop

after about 2 weeks after getting the blood test done i didnt hear back from them so i was starting to get a bit worried and i got a call from them saying i needed to go in to talk to the doctor about my blood test results, so straight away i was freaking out. I go in there and sat down with the doctor and he told me the bad news that i came back positive for hiv, i dont remember much about what he said afterwards because i was in complete shock, couldnt move couldnt think everything he said went in one ear and out the other, im not sure what its like in other countries but here to join the army they have a policy which states you must be hiv negative

so after i talked with the doctor there he refereed me on to the sexual health clinic where they took more blood tests and gave me more information and have been guiding me through all of this and they've all been great with helping me out i took my parents in there when i had to see the doctor again and he reassured them and gave them information and answered their questions

so apart from me, my parents know about my condition and they've been supporting me through it all, they're just as bummed out about it as i am but they've been helpful and supporting

still taking a bit to come to terms with it at times, being that im 23 with only the one sexual partner to be hit with this kinda sucks haha but im not letting it get me down, ive been taking the medication Complera (Eviplera) for about 3 weeks now with no side effects that ive noticed, i go back to the clinic again in a few weeks to determine if the medication has worked so hopefully everything goes well there

sorry for the wall of text by the way haha

[tednlou2]

Red,

Welcome to the forums, although I wish you didn't have to be here.  But, glad you found us.  I'm sorry you tested poz.  It sounds like you're dealing with this, as best as could be expected.  I'm glad to hear your parents are so supportive, as it should be.

Don't worry about "the wall of text."  It helps to hear all that info, to get to know more about you.  I look forward to hearing more from you.

All the best,

Ted

[MaxellSmith]

Welcome!
So it seems you have gone though a very tough time finding out your status and having to quit on your dream It is the same in my country. If you are HIV+ you cannot join the military or the police. You have been brave enough as to take part in the applying process so I am quite sure you will find some other job in which you are completely fulfilled

[Red23]

thanks guys

it is unfortunate but me and my family are trying to stay mentally positive about it haha and trying not to let it get us all down. I guess it was just the way we found out that was what shocked us, about 4 weeks after i had split with my gf i took a blood test and it came back negative, was told i took the test during the "incubation period" which is why it came back negative, then it wasnt for a few more weeks later i started showing the symptoms

it sucks that i can no longer join the army but tis kind of encouraged me to take my hobby of photography more seriously and maybe try and get something out of that

[gadawg1979]

your take on things should be a light to all.  Take care watch your numbers and follow the docs orders and you will out live all those that they did take.

[Tonny2]

 8)Hi red

I'm sorry you can't go through your dreams, but now you can get treatment and take care of you...when I was DX ended up in the ER with PCP, and a xd4 of 20, so you should consider lucky that you can take care of you before the virus takes over your health...I'm glad your parents are with you during this hard time...it take time to keep living and putting the virus thing in the back of your head....19 years of experince tell thought me that this situation will get better for you too...good luck    ojo

[Red23]

thanks everyone for the words of support i did have bit of a rough patch a few weeks ago where depression started to kick in but now things are looking better

i had a blood test a few weeks ago as well to see how things are going and the results are:
at first diagnosis Viral Load was: 18000 CD4: unknown
after first month no meds Viral Load: 12500 CD4: 512
after first month on meds Viral Load: 171 CD4: 637

results are looking great i go for another check up in october so im hoping for even better results

[Ptrk3]

Congratulations!  You're numbers are great.  Essentially, your Viral Load is now undetectable!  Under some recent protocols, they may soon stop testing for your CD4's because they are so good.  All you need now is to maintain your undetectable status.  Good job.  You're on your way to a long and healthy life and are free to pursue new and different dreams (when one door closes, another opens).  Best wishes to you.

[PozNtn]

Congrats on the good news, Red! I've been taking Stribild for a lil over a week now and go back to the doc in about a month so I'm hoping for better numbers too! Keep keeping on! And congrats again!