I was diagnosed in January of this year, but from my reckoning I was infected about two years ago.
I have had a hard time lately and have not been consistent in getting blood work to see what my current levels are at...and I have seen quite a few people here who have mentioned progressing quickly to AIDS within only two or three years time from the date of infection.
And my health has been terrible for a long time as I am mentally ill and have neglected my well-being for many years.
So what I'm saying is...I'm feeling a bit in denial...and so do you think that I'm doing the wrong thing by not being checked regularly? Some of my family led me to believe that I didn't need to worry about it for a long time so the numbers 'don't matter now'. What do I do? :(
Miss Philicia:
--- Quote from: Torey on May 26, 2008, 10:39:11 pm --- So what I'm saying is...I'm feeling a bit in denial...and so do you think that I'm doing the wrong thing by not being checked regularly? Some of my family led me to believe that I didn't need to worry about it for a long time so the numbers 'don't matter now'. What do I do? :(
--- End quote ---
Hi Torey,
Short answer: yes, it's never a good thing to let HIV go without being checked regularly. If you were diagnosed in January do you at least know what your blood work HIV numbers are? (CD4, CD4% and viral load)
Those individuals with mental health issues face an extra challenge in dealing with HIV, as it makes things more complicated. I hope that you will take the opportunity now to make an appointment with your HIV specialist, and also that you are having regular appointments with a mental health professional, and you may wish to supplement this with attendance at a support group where you will find you are far from the only individual to indulge in a bit of denial.
Regular jaunts to the HIV doctor is your best safeguard against a more complicated life with HIV.
Torey:
Thank you so much for the quick response, philly267 :)
My numbers were cd4 = 409 % = 28 vL = 10K I am about to move out of the country soon and it's hard to know what to do with my family telling me one thing and reading so many other things. :( My mental health issues have been long-standing and only worsened now and I suppose it's a lot easier for me to sit around in denial than to get up and be proactive about things. I am grateful for your response...and for finding POZ as I would never have known that one could progress so quickly. :-[
Miss Philicia:
Well, for one thing on what authority is your family speaking? Whatever it is it's BS, dear. With 409 cd4 you need to be checked at least at 3 months intervals. So you're only 1 month overdue. Numbers decline with HIV -- whether somewhat slowly or faster. That's why they must be monitored, especially at that level and considering you are not on any meds yet. The last thing you want is to go in and find they've been low for months.
Families are GREAT for emotional support, but you need a doctor's advice and your OWN judgement with HIV, not a third party that knows nothing about your own body or the subject of HIV, even if they claim to be googling things on the internet for you or whatever.
Please take the time this week to make an appointment, OK? :) Good luck.
Torey:
Thank you so much, philly267 :) My family is quite harsh towards me about the entire ordeal and I get little or no support from them. I should really know that they don't have my best interest at heart and more rather promoting their own denial by telling me 'I'm fine'.
I apologize for the newb questions :-[
I will do as you ask and I can't thank you enough for your help. Blessings to you :)