Recently diagnosed with HIV/ AIDS

[C_h11]

Hello everyone,

My name is Carlos and I am have been recently diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. This new path that has been placed in my life has been a roller coaster of emotions. I've been in a two year relationship with my partner ( not poz ) and he has been a blessing to me. Every new challenge risen, he has stood there and has fought with me. But he still doesn't understand certain things and it makes it complicated to communicate with him.

I was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS on the scariest day of the year. October 31st, 2011, I know cliche , right?

I was forced to get tested because I had gotten a weird rash on the right side of my body. Doctors told me it could be shingles or an HIV rash and that I had to get tested.

It ended up being shingles, but I had HIV! I was emotionally torn apart because I only knew that people with HIV live short lives and are always heavily medicated. I laid depressed in my bed for about 3 days. Before finding out I was weighing about 165 and dropped to about 115 lbs ( another reason my boyfriend forced me ).


Eight months later I am gaining weight and feeling so much better from the symptoms I was suffering from ( tired, vomiting ,diarrhea, headaches, decreasing weight loss )

I was reading last, before I joined all the stories everyone had to say, which led me to join. I feel like this can be my escape emotionally to express what I can not speak to my boyfriend and friends about.

[MoMorrison]

Welcome Carlos. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but glad that you found your way here. I, myself, am a "newbie" to the entire HIV/AIDS thing. I was diagnosed in January of 2011 while serving time in prison. I did not seek treatment until March of this year. It's going to be a rollercoaster of emotions but you can make it through. The good people here can lace you up with information to any questions you may have. It's really a great place to come and ask questions and get advice. Stick to your medication and follow your doctor's orders and you can beat the bug! I wish you all the best.

[C_h11]

Thank you for warm welcome. I'm glad to read that I have a place to release some emotion. Sorry to here how your dilemma started but like u said " it will all get better "

[Lad_Liam]

Hey Carlos,
Soz to hear, but glad you're here.

You're right, this can be a good place to speak about things it's hard to say other places. I have a new diagnosis and a neg bf too, so I know that it can feel different now one is +... But it doesn't have to mean the end of the relationship, or sex within it. Loads of other people have the same situation in their lives and manage it. You are right to think about new communication needs and strategies. you are wise to seek support as there is lots of info available to help you think about your situation. Off the top of my head, this is what I would start with reading;

* There is info in the newly diagnosed section on poz.com, check the grey navigation bar.

* http://www.thebody.com/ generally is full of useful living with HIV stuff

Re: relationships
* u could Web search for the  "opposites attract" brochure from Australia. Its made for men in +\- gay relationships. A web search for "serodiscordant relationships" could also bring up some info, be careful to check it's from a positive and informed source though. Here's one link to the booklet http://www.acon.org.au/hiv/resources/opposites

*AFAO (Aust federation of aids orgs) has made a few booklets on a range of positive issues that I have read recently, good info on having sex healthy, safety and other useful stuff, their website has other resources too. Australia has a good standard of HIV education and the resources are developed by people n communities living with HIV, so they are easy to read and have real life tips.  The AFAO page has links, check the library and resource section for publications. www.afao.org.au/

Good luck, and as other people will Tell you, life goes on pretty much the same as before just with medication to fight the HIV, so that it doesn't develop into the Syndrome.

If u can get and take meds, you still get to go grey and saggy like everyone else. There is a news story on the front page of this site at the moment showing that life expectancy for treated poz peeps is very close to negative peep's life expectancy.

Good luck  & welcome to the forums

[C_h11]

Thank Liam for providing me with links on different information.

It's crazy to see that there are so many individuals with the same problems. Glad I ain't alone.

I actually started my meds fur months ago ( truvada/isentress ) and they have worked wonders. I just get really tired in the afternoons.. Which sucks, but hey! Nothing. Wrong with taking a nap!!