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Author Topic: Should I just ignore the media?  (Read 13174 times)

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Offline shadowfluid

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Should I just ignore the media?
« on: July 08, 2007, 04:06:55 am »
So I've had enough.  Different studies telling me these vitamins kill HIV.  I'm gonna get lung cancer even if I don't smoke. Start therapy NOW. No, start it when you have to.  How do you experienced folks deal when contradicting stories about people living with HIV come out? It seems like I've read everything from too much Zinc killing you to not enough, people with HIV who don't smoke getting lung cancer.  What makes a study more valid?  It's funny to read some of these stories with a headline that says one thing but the very last paragraph says something completely different.  You know being a college student I'm always in the "question everything" mode...but with this 2 month HIV thing I'm still getting used to all the info processing...I'm just believing everything I read.  How do you people judge the validity of these studies/articles/bad news?  :-[
« Last Edit: July 08, 2007, 04:12:16 am by shadowfluid »
Jan 08       321/23%  VL 92,000 (very mild shingles)
Feb 1 08    Start Truvada+Viramune
March 08    470/33%  VL 320
mid-May     Start Reyataz/Norvir/Truvada
June 08      571/ 40%     VL   80
August 08   585/ 33%     VL >50
Nov  Lab error!!!!!!!!wah.
Jan 09        535      Undetectable
March 11     756

Offline Tempeboy

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2007, 06:22:02 am »
Hey Shadowfluid,

I cope by trying to stay focused.  My philosophy is: I am HIV positive = I have a chronic illness, therefore I need medical care and medication.  That's it, that's all, that's as difficult as I allow it to be.  Same as for any chronic illness.

On top of this philosophy, I try to take care of myself - within reason.  Eat well (mostly), moderate exercise and a multi supplement when I think of it.

More important to me is maintaining my head (this can be quite a task at times - requiring many skilled professionals and wild life tamers ::)).

I see a psychologist when I need to, (to sort the bad and maintain the good), do lots of downtime, keep up with friends, laugh and not take life too seriously.

If my heads OK, then the other stuff is easier.  Interestingly enough, I have been able to put alot of things into perspective that are unrelated to being positive, (fear of caterpillers  :o - GONE! - amazing.  Use of benzo's like valium and xanax - GONE, totally GONE - miracle  ;D).

In regard to vitamins etc, panic merchants will try to sell their snake-oil by manipulating fear and insecurity.  This is an especially effective marketing strategy, (it gets our attention) - but has little to do with the truth or effective health care.  If there was a miracle out there - our fellow forum dwellers would post the details in a flash!

There is a word used in mental health called "catastrophising" - a thinking style that is clouded by fear and anxieity - where we think and expect the worst possible scenario.  Where a headache quickly becomes a brain tumour, or a late period becomes a multiple pregnancy.  A normal response to worry or threat to our health and wellbeing (HIV diagnosis).  This goes once you move from the shock phase into the acceptance phase (you might get angry, tearful and/or guilt along the way - all normal and temporary).  An experienced counsellor can help you through this period - minimising the duration and severity.

There are 2 other effective coping strategies.  Firstly, stand up, take a deep breath, stretch your arms above your head and yell "Happy" (or any word of your choice that has a good vibe about it) - this strategy uses sound, movement and vocalisation to jolt you out of that headspace.

Secondly, get a pen and a long, long, long piece of paper and write down how many times you have died from AIDS today - if your total is zero, then there's a chance your concerns are ill founded.

breathe, take care.

x
Roughly roundabout somewhere in the eighteenth or nineteenth century, Sodomite begat Homosexual out of moral, medical and legal models, bequeathing him Identity, who inbred with Nuclear Family and Industrialism to spawn Homophobia.

Dean Kiley

Offline Ann

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2007, 06:52:50 am »
Hi Shadow,

One thing you could do is to only read the hiv news stories that appear on this website. click here X

The media is notorious for inaccurate reporting when it comes to hiv. The news stories that appear on this site have been vetted for accuracy. Not only that, but you can double-click on any unfamiliar terms and a pop-up window will appear and give you the definition. (you need to have pop-ups enabled if you have a pop-up blocker on your browser)

As you become more familiar with the basics of hiv, you will develop a good eye for what is based in sound science and what is a load of media codswallop. Give yourself time. Reading through the Lessons will give you a great start on the basics.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

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"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline EricMPLS

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2007, 09:00:55 am »
Hi Shadow,

I know how you feel.  Everything you find online can be overwhelming.. and as you said, contradicting. 

When I went in for my 1st visit at the U of Minn ID Clinic (3 weeks ago), one of the 1st things the clinic social worker said was to be careful with too much online research - especially mainstream media articles.  As Ann said, stick the articles here, thebody.com, CDC, NIH, etc.   You get the idea.

Another suggestion might be to just take a break from all the reading.  Take a day to be "normal".  I'm thinking about doing that myself today.  Watch a movie (Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood is on TBS right now.. hehe).  Later I'm going out for a long walk around the lakes.  You're in LA right - go to the beach (wish I had that option.. lol).

Hang in there -- we're all gonna get through this. :)

Eric

Offline xyahka

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2007, 02:26:22 pm »
Hi, i have addopted two rules about dealing with info...

1. I only trust specific sources of info: poz.com, aidsmeds and few others. Although i try to base my deeper knowledge from official scientific sources of info like world health organisation, red cross, cdc, nih, universities doing researches about this, and some health ministries (except the sud african one ;)). Most of these entities have few contradictions, when those appear... i rely on my own reason and the suggestion from my Dr.

2. I read moderately, menaing i don't read everything reaching my hands... i read according to the situation i have to face. I first read enough to understand this illness where i was standing, what to expect and stuff like that. The i stopped reading... but kept on LIVING which is more important. Later on i have read about specific issues i am interested in like wasting syndrome, lypodistrophy, inmune system and stuff like that. I read enough to understand what they are for, how they can affect me and how i can avoid them. I haven't read for exemple about aids meds... because i might not need them in some time, if i read about them all now i would just increase the anxiety and fear in my daily life without reason.

Hope that helps,

give you time to process everything, slowly you will get to see things clearly i promise.

cheers,

Juan Carlos
13/03/07 1er diagnóstico /Peso: 79kg
19/04/07 CD4: 494 /CViral: ?? /Peso: 80kg
19/07/07 CD4: 659 /CViral: ?? /Peso: 79.5kg
06/03/08 CD4: 573 (después de meses muy deprimido) /CViral: ?? /Peso: 79kg
17/09/08 CD4: ?? /CViral: ?? /Peso: 84Kg
06/02/09 CD4: ?? /CViral: ?? /Peso: 85Kg /HCV: Neg /HBV: Neg.
07/03/09 CD4: ?? /CViral: ?? /Peso: 87Kg / Gym 3días/semana y Natación 2días/semana.
12/05/09 CD4: 470 /Cviral: ?? /Peso: 87Kg.
08/07/09 CD4: ? /CViral: ? /Peso: 77Kg.
09/12/09 CD4: 510 /CViral: ? /Peso: 78kg. No medicinas aún
10/01/10 CD4: ? /CViral: ? /Peso: 76Kg.
15/05/10 CD4: 320 /CViral: ? /Peso: 76Kg.
01/02/11 CD4: 291 /CViral: ? /Peso: 78kg.
05/05/11 CD4: 366 /CViral: ? /Peso: 78kg.
27/07/11 CD4: 255 /CViral: 138000 /Peso: 78kg.

Disfrutando y aceptando una nueva vida...

Offline DanielMark

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2007, 04:22:34 pm »
Hello Shadow,

How do you experienced folks deal when contradicting stories about people living with HIV come out?

Hello Shadow,

It’s good to hear you are being proactive so early into your diagnosis, but trying to absorb everything you can on the Net or in the media won’t be good for your health in the long run. There is a lot of junk science out there too, and you’ve already experienced the contradictory nature of some of it so as Ann suggests perhaps sticking to the articles here would be better for you all around.

Daniel

PS: You are going to be okay.
MEDS: REYATAZ & KIVEXA (SINCE AUG 2008)

MAY 2000 LAB RESULTS: CD4 678
VL STILL UNDETECTABLE

DIAGNOSED IN 1988

Offline englishgirl

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2007, 05:44:33 pm »
hi shadow

everyone who has replied has given you great advice, and all i can do is echo it.

firstly im gonna repeat what i said in one of your other threads :
my advice is to take all the support you can get, both internet and face to face. but try not to live and breathe hiv, you will drive yourself insane, and you dont need to find out everything now, there is plenty of time.

and while i dont think you will do yourself any favours reading anything and everything you can find about hiv, one thing i recommend is that if you must read up you try to limit your 'research' to reputable specialist sites such as this one, avert.org, thebody.com, aidsmap.com

and then cos i am verbose i will add a bit more:
although i like to be informed i find that with something as close to home as this it for my own sanity i do not research much around hiv. if i have a specific problem i look/ ask about that specific problem. but only from very specific and reputable information sources. i would never believe something said about hiv in the general media as it is more than likely either oversimplified, sensationalised, or just plain inaccurate.

you have plenty of time to (if you choose to) become an expert in hiv. but at the moment you just need to become comfortable with your new situation. the early days are a crazy time mentally, and you will overwhelm yourself with info (not all of it accurate) if you are not careful, which will just do your head in more.

to echo what Daniel said
You are going to be okay.

lots of love
xxxx
ACT NOW TO CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE TRAVEL BAN:
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http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=17352.0


"I'm not keen on the idea of the afterlife - not without knowing who else will be there and what the entertainment will be. Personally I'd rather just take a rest." Oscar Berger, PWA: Looking AIDS in the Face, 1996. RIP.

Offline shadowfluid

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #7 on: July 09, 2007, 04:16:02 am »
Thanks to everyone for the advice. :) You rock!
I'm still reading the news...it's like a car accident I can't take my eyes off of.
Jan 08       321/23%  VL 92,000 (very mild shingles)
Feb 1 08    Start Truvada+Viramune
March 08    470/33%  VL 320
mid-May     Start Reyataz/Norvir/Truvada
June 08      571/ 40%     VL   80
August 08   585/ 33%     VL >50
Nov  Lab error!!!!!!!!wah.
Jan 09        535      Undetectable
March 11     756

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #8 on: July 09, 2007, 10:07:50 am »
Shadow, this is still very, very new for you. Gradually things will fall into place. What may be overwhelming and all encompassing now in terms of HIV concerns will be a part of your life, but by no means all that your life will be about.

Whatever you may find yourself reading, something of prime importance is for you to have a doctor who is regularly monitoring your numbers. And it should be someone with whom you can form a good working partnership to keep you healthy.

As for all of the information gathering, please believe me, there is no rush. Give yourself time to absorb information and to process your feelings, feelings which may run quite a gamut on any given day.

You're always welcome to ask questions and to discuss anything that's on your mind. As Ann has pointed out there is a lot of basic information here on this site and it is updated very frequently. Just as a general comment, I have found through the years that most of what is in the general media ranges from lame to downright wrong. Approach with caution is my recommendation on that. 

And again, welcome.

Cheers,
Andy Velez

Offline megasept

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #9 on: August 03, 2007, 04:31:06 pm »
So I've had enough. You know being a college student I'm always in the "question everything" mode...but with this 2 month HIV thing I'm still getting used to all the info processing...I'm just believing everything I read.  How do you people judge the validity of these studies/articles/bad news?  :-[

I understand...First off the stakes with HIV are so high, we really can't afford to go down the wrong path medically. The more you know on a subject the worse reporting will seem to you. I learned this in a war zone I resided in for a while when 10; my Family drove over a steel bridge a couple days after it was "destroyed" according to Time Magazine.

It is not enough to read everything. The problem is how to discern a kernel of truth from all this "info". The answer is to develop "critical thinking skills", an attitude of skepticism rather than complete doubt. Questioning everything is fine if you also learn how to identify some facts and truths in the process. It's through this process that one might be able to begin to trust a source (like this Site). Otherwise, we would begin each day anew with no more knowledge than a day or a year before.

An example: Five newspapers report the following "facts"; "Protesters, some with cuts or abrasions, were arrested as cops moved in on protesters in LA's MacArthur Park yesterday." Four newspapers quoted only one cop, and only one protestor, each saying essentially "They threw things at us, and when we gave repeated orders to disperse, the protesters resisted and we had to use force and arrest those involved," says the cop's guy; and the protestor's guy says "That's total BS what the cops were saying we were peaceful all day, look at all the kids folks brought along! We didn't hear any order to disperse, and then the cops come charging at us and beating us down to the ground. They don't like what we have to say and they want to keep us in our place, like they get to violate the Constitution with their billy clubs." So far it's "He says/He says."  What if one newspaper quoted 3 different cops and three different protesters. That might be a more reliable source; now read the story again, their version. What if they quoted a cop who said "Even if the protesters couldn't hear the order to disperse because of those darn news choppers..."? I'd find that quote quite informative. And they quote a protestor saying "The young cops were all disorganized, the guys nearest me were pretty friendly and I saw them look confused as they took after us with clubs drawn". That might also be a nuanced comment, conceding something to the other side in a dispute. Critical Thinking teaches you to look for interests, like when a researcher praises the product or his employer, it is suspect. But if the researcher says the competitor's HIV drug has one advantage; it can be taken with or without food, I'd pay attention. [/u]

And if your might throw up your hands to say "I give up on trying to be really informed" I promise you will have your mind made up for you through media emotionalism filtered through friends and family. It not just the Tabloids and junk TV. When CBS News runs an attractive profile of a world leader (could be "ours", could be "theirs") while trumpets blare, even if this person just died and was beloved, you are being manipulated. Feeling vs. truth. So I say read the paper and participate in politics, not out of desire, but necessity to be involved with others instead of mindlessly joining history's many victims.

 8)  -megasept
« Last Edit: August 03, 2007, 05:33:35 pm by megasept »

Offline NYCguy

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #10 on: August 03, 2007, 06:23:36 pm »
Hi Shadow,
I guess I'll kind of echo what everyone else has said, with my own bent.  Give yourself credit for being where you are with this and asking important questions - not just freaking out - at this point.  When I first found out last fall, actually before I found out about me but after my boyfriend came up poz, I freaked and read litteraly EVERYTHING I could find.  Fortunately, my boss never found out I was spending all my work time online!  It was insane and helped to drive me into the worst depression/anxiety I've ever exprerienced.

Fortunately, I've found my way out thanks to great friends, therapy, and a fantastic support group at GMHC where i made new friends, and also in large part due to this forum.  I've finally toned my reading down to basically this site and poz.com plus an occasional article here and there.  No more googling 'aids' or 'aids vaccine'.  I do check the 'research news' forum here every day, but that's a hell of a lot better than it was before.

The biggest thing to realize is that this has been around long enough and there are enough educated doctors that as long as you find one, you won't die and in fact this could actually have very little immediate impact on your life.  I'm not trying to downplay the enormity of it, but in reality, the meds are so good now that as long as you've caught it before things have gotten out of hand, you shouldn't have much to worry about and can expect to live to a ripe old age - this is even without taking into consideration all the advances that will happen in our lifetimes.  I've had almost no side effects from my meds and everything is working fine (knock on wood!). But that's actually the rule now, NOT the exception.  I do take a multi vitamin - off the shelf from the drugstore - plus a separate antioxidant with selenium (ok, I read a study...) and sometimes some fish oil if I feel like it.  But other than that, you really don't need to do anything special - just eat right, sleep right, exercise right, and play right.  By the way, you're still allowed to have sex, a very healthy stress reliever I try to practice regularly  :D

 
11/9/06 = #$%^&!
sometime early Dec 2006:
CD4 530 20%/VL >250,000 (&*$$%!!)
started Reyataz300mg/Norvir/Truvada 12-27-06.
1/30/07 CD4 540 30%/VL <400
4/07 CD4 600+ 33%/VL <50
6/9/07 CD4 720 37%/VL <50
10/15/07 CD4 891 (!) %? VL <50
1/2010 CD4 599 (37%) VL<50 (drop due to acute HCV)
9/2010 - looks like HCV is gone for good! And I'm finally drinking again, thank GOD
2013 - considering a switch to Stribild. but I love my Kidneys (but I hate farting all the time!)...
June 2013 - switched to Stribild.  so far so good...

Offline nphx45

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #11 on: August 03, 2007, 09:33:57 pm »
don't over research, and don't pay to much, if any, attention to most of  the personal experience posts in these forums -  they represent a tiny minority of people living with HIV, and generally they have other issues that they do not talk about.

There is a "study" to support or refute virtually anything - google  any disease and you will find hundreds of conflicting "studies". Remember these "researchers" get paid to do studies, and come up with "findings".

NYCguy has got it right,,,,  I would add, that until this country gets a decent president, and universal health care, you need to always have, and completely understand your health insurance. Its a crippling expensive disease to treat without HI, having good HI is now more important for you, than pay.


Offline shadowfluid

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #12 on: August 15, 2007, 09:12:16 pm »
I was referring to the stories on here.
The bad news about CD4 counts, cancer, the flu...the recent ones really caused a spike in my anxiety.
They seemed to have not affected me as much as they did a month ago which is good.
The most recent study about seroconversion really made me nervous as mine was bad.
It's these stories that make me not want to read the news on here for awhile.
Maybe I need a break from aidsmeds...it's all soo new still I guess.
I guess I just wanted to know if there were "key points" to look for to judge the veracity of a "study" myself.
Jan 08       321/23%  VL 92,000 (very mild shingles)
Feb 1 08    Start Truvada+Viramune
March 08    470/33%  VL 320
mid-May     Start Reyataz/Norvir/Truvada
June 08      571/ 40%     VL   80
August 08   585/ 33%     VL >50
Nov  Lab error!!!!!!!!wah.
Jan 09        535      Undetectable
March 11     756

Offline thunter34

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #13 on: August 15, 2007, 09:23:47 pm »
It's these stories that make me not want to read the news on here for awhile.
Maybe I need a break from aidsmeds...it's all soo new still I guess.


Oh, hon....there are plenty of penis threads to choose from here.  No need to leave.

Problem solved.
AIDS isn't for sissies.

Offline thunter34

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #14 on: August 15, 2007, 09:28:14 pm »
And by that, what I really mean is...

If it's all getting to feel too much for you, drop it.  But you don't have to drop us altogether.  There's plenty of topics (both above and below the waist) to choose from in OT.  And sometimes just having a place to shoot the shit with people in the same boat is golden support in and of itself.  There's plenty of room on this little net beach for you to spend some time with your head buried in the sand with some of the rest of us.  And sometimes that's not such a bad thing to do for a little while.

Otherwise, you might get a bit burned.

 :-*
AIDS isn't for sissies.

Offline shadowfluid

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #15 on: August 15, 2007, 09:31:22 pm »
And by that, what I really mean is...

If it's all getting to feel too much for you, drop it.  But you don't have to drop us altogether.  There's plenty of topics (both above and below the waist) to choose from in OT.  And sometimes just having a place to shoot the shit with people in the same boat is golden support in and of itself.  There's plenty of room on this little net beach for you to spend some time with your head buried in the sand with some of the rest of us.  And sometimes that's not such a bad thing to do for a little while.

Otherwise, you might get a bit burned.

 :-*

Thanks for the advice Mango. I love it when you get all needy on me.
Honestly, I'm obsessing over HIV....everything...all aspects. I've spent hundreds of hours online.
I just mentioned taking a break for awhile....just got off the phone with someone and I'm gonna start group therapy in a few weeks.
:)
Jan 08       321/23%  VL 92,000 (very mild shingles)
Feb 1 08    Start Truvada+Viramune
March 08    470/33%  VL 320
mid-May     Start Reyataz/Norvir/Truvada
June 08      571/ 40%     VL   80
August 08   585/ 33%     VL >50
Nov  Lab error!!!!!!!!wah.
Jan 09        535      Undetectable
March 11     756

Offline AustinWesley

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #16 on: August 15, 2007, 09:36:08 pm »
Thanks to everyone for the advice. :) You rock!
I'm still reading the news...it's like a car accident I can't take my eyes off of.

Hey Shadow,

I can totally relate to you, that was me a year and a half ago.  And, you're right contradicting and confusing to say the least.  I bout drove myself insane reading all the BS.  Don't do that much anymore.

I did all the vitamin crap and holistic junk and it didn't do much for me.   I've been on meds for 5 months and now feel like I have my sanity back along with my health.  The good news is the meds work.  If your numbers are good you can wait it out.

As far as distinguishing good info. from bad ask questions of people in the know, avoid bogus scientific reports, and don't inundate yourself with all the extra drama.  

Wesley
Diag. 3/06  Infected aprx. 2 mo. Prior
Date        CD4   %      VL
4/6/06     627    32    36,500     NO MEDS YET!
6/7/06     409    27    36,100
8/23/06   408    25     22,300
1/2/07     354    23     28,700
2/9/07     139    30     23,000  Hep A Vaccine same day???
2/21/07   274    26     18,500 
3/3/07    RX of Truvada/Sustiva Started.
4/5/07    321     27      Undectable 1st mo.  
5/16/07  383     28    Undectable 2nd mo.
8/10/07  422     32   UD <48 on new scale!

Offline thunter34

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #17 on: August 15, 2007, 09:40:12 pm »
Hey- whatever it takes.  If you need to bounce outta here altogether for sanity's sake, by all means.  That's the beauty of this little place.  It'll be here if and when you need it.  

This is all still so new for you, I know.  Trust me.  I still have an entire file cabinet drawer filled with booklets, brochures, pamphlets, hand-outs and pie charts from my initial HIV obsession.  

Group therapy for HIV or just for general angst?  
AIDS isn't for sissies.

Offline shadowfluid

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #18 on: August 15, 2007, 09:46:05 pm »
Hey- whatever it takes.  If you need to bounce outta here altogether for sanity's sake, by all means.  That's the beauty of this little place.  It'll be here if and when you need it. 

This is all still so new for you, I know.  Trust me.  I still have an entire file cabinet drawer filled with booklets, brochures, pamphlets, hand-outs and pie charts from my initial HIV obsession. 

Group therapy for HIV or just for general angst? 

Well I had 6 sessions at school and the psych was all about me going to GHMC. So I wait two months and finally get in and start that on Monday.
Then in 2 weeks i start a conversation group with "recently infected" people. Geez twice a week in Hollywood for help and my doc is there too.  That's 38 bucks a week on gas woo hoo!
Jan 08       321/23%  VL 92,000 (very mild shingles)
Feb 1 08    Start Truvada+Viramune
March 08    470/33%  VL 320
mid-May     Start Reyataz/Norvir/Truvada
June 08      571/ 40%     VL   80
August 08   585/ 33%     VL >50
Nov  Lab error!!!!!!!!wah.
Jan 09        535      Undetectable
March 11     756

Offline thunter34

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #19 on: August 15, 2007, 09:49:09 pm »
That's 38 bucks a week on gas woo hoo!

See.  That's why I like it here.  No fuel costs. 

I can spend that $38 on crack.   ;D
AIDS isn't for sissies.

Offline milker

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #20 on: August 15, 2007, 10:43:06 pm »
I've spent most of the time related to hiv to learn about how this disease works, so I can understand medical studies and information. When I read new interesting studies like the one you reference about CD4 percentage, i put that in my book, and will talk about it to my ID doc next time I see him. An ID doc will share much more information about your treatment or non-treatment when he knows that you understand what he's saying. And you can challenge your ID doctor when you have the knowledge. I will never take medication if I am not sure that my doctor and I are in full agreement about it.

I started my paragraph saying "time related to hiv" because it was very significant after I was diagnosed (99% of my time). 6 months later HIV is part of my life, I enjoy reading and writing in those forums, but it is totally out of my head 80% of the time.

Milker.
mid-dec: stupid ass
mid-jan: seroconversion
mid-feb: poz
mar 07: cd4 432 (35%) vl 54000
may 07: cd4 399 (28%) vl 27760
jul 07: cd4 403 (26%) vl 99241
oct 07: cd4 353 (24%) vl 29993
jan 08: cd4 332 (26%) vl 33308
mar 08: cd4 392 (23%) vl 75548
jun 08: cd4 325 (27%) vl 45880
oct 08: cd4 197 (20%) vl 154000 <== aids diagnosis
nov 2 08 start Atripla
nov 30 08: cd4 478 (23%) vl 1880 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
feb 19 09: cd4 398 (24%) vl 430 getting there!
apr 23 09: cd4 604 (29%) vl 50 woohoo :D :D
jul 30 09: cd4 512 (29%) vl undetectable :D :D
may 27 10: cd4 655 (32%) vl undetectable :D :D

Now accepting applications from blowjob ninjas™

Offline xyahka

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #21 on: August 16, 2007, 12:06:04 am »
I would say that reading and thinking a lot about hiv is normal during the first months/years. Just make sure of reading about both sides of the story... the bad things that might occur but also about the great things and good stories of people being able to handle this for long time. The key behind it all... don't be afraid just learn about it and use it in your favour.

It will give you a better perspective. Remember what you read is not a rule for what will happen in your life... you are still on command and you can write down your own story.

Do what you feel is right for you at this time.... i agree sometimes it is good to shut down the pc, go out and do some real living. (no pun intented... just taking into account this is a virtual meeting point for most of us and sometimes it is good to meet people face to feace and talk to them)

Anyways, anytime you feel like passing by and say hi.. we'll be here :)

Cheers,

Juan Carlos
13/03/07 1er diagnóstico /Peso: 79kg
19/04/07 CD4: 494 /CViral: ?? /Peso: 80kg
19/07/07 CD4: 659 /CViral: ?? /Peso: 79.5kg
06/03/08 CD4: 573 (después de meses muy deprimido) /CViral: ?? /Peso: 79kg
17/09/08 CD4: ?? /CViral: ?? /Peso: 84Kg
06/02/09 CD4: ?? /CViral: ?? /Peso: 85Kg /HCV: Neg /HBV: Neg.
07/03/09 CD4: ?? /CViral: ?? /Peso: 87Kg / Gym 3días/semana y Natación 2días/semana.
12/05/09 CD4: 470 /Cviral: ?? /Peso: 87Kg.
08/07/09 CD4: ? /CViral: ? /Peso: 77Kg.
09/12/09 CD4: 510 /CViral: ? /Peso: 78kg. No medicinas aún
10/01/10 CD4: ? /CViral: ? /Peso: 76Kg.
15/05/10 CD4: 320 /CViral: ? /Peso: 76Kg.
01/02/11 CD4: 291 /CViral: ? /Peso: 78kg.
05/05/11 CD4: 366 /CViral: ? /Peso: 78kg.
27/07/11 CD4: 255 /CViral: 138000 /Peso: 78kg.

Disfrutando y aceptando una nueva vida...

Offline milker

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #22 on: August 16, 2007, 12:11:12 am »
Just make sure of reading about both sides of the story...
Absolutely

Milker.
mid-dec: stupid ass
mid-jan: seroconversion
mid-feb: poz
mar 07: cd4 432 (35%) vl 54000
may 07: cd4 399 (28%) vl 27760
jul 07: cd4 403 (26%) vl 99241
oct 07: cd4 353 (24%) vl 29993
jan 08: cd4 332 (26%) vl 33308
mar 08: cd4 392 (23%) vl 75548
jun 08: cd4 325 (27%) vl 45880
oct 08: cd4 197 (20%) vl 154000 <== aids diagnosis
nov 2 08 start Atripla
nov 30 08: cd4 478 (23%) vl 1880 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
feb 19 09: cd4 398 (24%) vl 430 getting there!
apr 23 09: cd4 604 (29%) vl 50 woohoo :D :D
jul 30 09: cd4 512 (29%) vl undetectable :D :D
may 27 10: cd4 655 (32%) vl undetectable :D :D

Now accepting applications from blowjob ninjas™

Offline red_Dragon888

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #23 on: August 16, 2007, 06:05:33 pm »
Just take it all with a grain of salt.  Don't believe everything you read or hear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=I3ba3lnFHik

Off Crystal Meth since May 13, 2013.  In recovery with 20 months clean time.

Offline NYCguy

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Re: Should I just ignore the media?
« Reply #24 on: August 16, 2007, 09:32:07 pm »
Like Milker, it was 99% of my time at the beginning (1 year ago) too and now it's definitely below 20%.  Also remember the majority of those studies about this or that leading to AIDS (including the one about bad seroconversion) relates to people not on treatment. The meds work - and the studies bear that out too.  Once it's time to start, you start.  They work and that's it.  Well, it's not quite that simple, but darn close for many people.

Group therapy is great - and GMHC is awesome and nothing there costs a DIME (so plenty of leftover for crack!).  The newly diagnosed group I went to there helped more than anything else and I now have friends from that group that I expect to be close with for the rest of my life. My recommendation - after the first or second meeting ask if anyone wants to join you for dinner after.  Someones gotta suggest it and it might as well be you.  Then you'll have a whole new group of poz buddies, just like that!
11/9/06 = #$%^&!
sometime early Dec 2006:
CD4 530 20%/VL >250,000 (&*$$%!!)
started Reyataz300mg/Norvir/Truvada 12-27-06.
1/30/07 CD4 540 30%/VL <400
4/07 CD4 600+ 33%/VL <50
6/9/07 CD4 720 37%/VL <50
10/15/07 CD4 891 (!) %? VL <50
1/2010 CD4 599 (37%) VL<50 (drop due to acute HCV)
9/2010 - looks like HCV is gone for good! And I'm finally drinking again, thank GOD
2013 - considering a switch to Stribild. but I love my Kidneys (but I hate farting all the time!)...
June 2013 - switched to Stribild.  so far so good...

 


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