How attentative(obsessed?) should I be?

[Common_ground]

So after reading for 2 straight weeks on HIV,VL, CD4,OI´s,stigma, the meds and all in between I feel somewhat more confident on what my diagnosis means.

However, after understanding that I have a good chance to die WITH hiv and not from an AIDS defined illness my focus is on the rest of the diseases out there.

So in order to look after myself and early on spot and take action against other diseases, what should I do in terms of examining myself?

I get a cold, call the doctor? A rash pops up, call the doctor? I feel feverish, feel weak, fatigue, etc etc , you get the point. And what should the doctors visits include? I check my blood results but besides that, I keep on reading about eye examination, anal pap smear, cancers, lesions, soares, dementia,colonoscopy,biopsy and so on.

How often do you check your body for possible diseases/illnesses? Both at home and with your doctor.

[thunter34]

Be attentive, but not obsessed.  Seriously....if you find yourself sprouting a second head or third arm or something of that magnitude, then yes call a doctor.  But generally a rash is....a rash.  Any regular joe is gonna catch a cold or something now and then.

Discuss the game plan with your doctor.  Trust me...they're gonna do the appropriate tests.  But if you are constantly on guard for the next potential illness, you're gonna end up like most of the people posting in the AM I forum, staring in the mirror for hours while poking at their lymph nodes.

That's no way to live. 

[emeraldize]

I'm with thunter. Do what's advised by your doc. Get your bloodwork done quarterly. Take your drugs.  Get an annual flu shot. Wash your hands before you eat or bite your nails. Sleep. Get some exercise. Got an addiction?-- try to shed it. Maybe do some things you've always promised yourself you'd do, healthwise, before your diagnosis.

You note eye exams and anal paps -- go with the recommendations. Eye exams are advised every two years for anyone on the basis of glaucoma detection. Anal paps -- go with what your doc says as it could depend on how your butt appears now. See your dentist yearly for cleaning and an exam and let him/her know your status so they can keep an eye out for any oral changes. If you don't know a poz-friendly dentist, your doc or clinic probably does. ANY dentist should be able to serve you, but some make you feel more comfy than others.

Live! I see people suffering far more than I and others whom I know are positive, in the form of obesity; nicotine, drug and alcohol addiction; violence; mental illness; and, cancers galore.

Live! Put HIV in its proper place on the ever-shifting life list. For me, it is rarely at the top slot.

[Common_ground]

Thanks thunter34 and emeraldize.

The reason I asked is because I want to take control as much as I can in an early stage.

After that I think I can relax better, knowing I did what I could to better my chances and kind of start living my new healthier life. 

I have faith since I caught the infection early and showing no signs of any illness, knock on wood. 

[thunter34]

Common,

It sounds like you are taking proper control.  A big part of that, if you ask me (and you did, sort of), is being here.  If something comes up that you aren't sure about, you can always run it by here to get some feedback and help settle your nerves.