Military reservist finding out im positive and i dont know what to do...

[Dj class]

Hi, like a year ago the army did the Hiv screening and told me I was positive yeah just like that out of the blue. It really hit me hard since i wasn't expecting it, really has turned my world upside down and made me some how isolate myself from everyone. Im a specialist in the Army Reserve in Puerto Rico and till know I still don't know what to do or what to expect about all this... My unit is treating me like a regular soldier and even disregarding the condition, I mean I really don't mi d but the truth is that it does matter because even thow in my labs im ok and progressing im feeling some of the effects of the condition and it really bothers. I've been getting headaches and high fevers each time I have to stay under the sun for long periods of time and when it rains I have to run for cover even if where in formation and well it really makes me feel bad and consurned of what others think even of they dont know what is happening to me. Anyway my unit is very laid back and hasn't the smallest clue of what to do in my case. They im not looking for any medical compansation or anything since they have been telling me that this isnt military related and all that, but still I would like to know what can or can't do in my position.

[Theyer]

Hi, like a year ago the army did the Hiv screening and told me I was positive yeah just like that out of the blue. It really hit me hard since i wasn't expecting it, really has turned my world upside down and made me some how isolate myself from everyone. Im a specialist in the Army Reserve in Puerto Rico and till know I still don't know what to do or what to expect about all this... My unit is treating me like a regular soldier and even disregarding the condition, I mean I really don't mi d but the truth is that it does matter because even thow in my labs im ok and progressing im feeling some of the effects of the condition and it really bothers. I've been getting headaches and high fevers each time I have to stay under the sun for long periods of time and when it rains I have to run for cover even if where in formation and well it really makes me feel bad and consurned of what others think even of they dont know what is happening to me. Anyway my unit is very laid back and hasn't the smallest clue of what to do in my case. They im not looking for any medical compansation or anything since they have been telling me that this isnt military related and all that, but still I would like to know what can or can't do in my position.

Hi and Welcome. I am the least qualified person to answer this but I do know many regular Forum members recieve there HIV care through the VA , and post regarding VA developments do occur. So if you where anxious at not recieving a useful reply , you will.
Your unit sounds more developmentally advanced as opposed to laid back ,so I say good on them.

[zach]

google "hiv positive active duty" gives some good results, some from DoD

you will not deploy TDY, you will be stable at your current duty station.

your condition is service related, you were diagnosed while serving. that distinction may not seem important now, but after discharge will affect you VA benefits. fight for that, and clarify now

at infection, you may feel sick, but hiv doesn't keep you sick until you develop aids. the headaches and sun sensitivity are probably unrelated. are you on ARVs?

e4 mafia for life

[Dj class]

Hi and Welcome. I am the least qualified person to answer this but I do know many regular Forum members recieve there HIV care through the VA , and post regarding VA developments do occur. So if you where anxious at not recieving a useful reply , you will.
Your unit sounds more developmentally advanced as opposed to laid back ,so I say good on them.

Thanks, and yeah they sound ok and all but they treat me like a aint having a hard time dealing with the condition and every change it has had on me. The think im going to keep being that great soldier they had that did anything so the job would be done...

[Dj class]

google "hiv positive active duty" gives some good results, some from DoD

you will not deploy TDY, you will be stable at your current duty station.

your condition is service related, you were diagnosed while serving. that distinction may not seem important now, but after discharge will affect you VA benefits. fight for that, and clarify now

at infection, you may feel sick, but hiv doesn't keep you sick until you develop aids. the headaches and sun sensitivity are probably unrelated. are you on ARVs?

e4 mafia for life

Thats the problem they keep saying that since im a reservist, active duty regulations dont fall on us and yes i was diagnosed by the army on my first hiv blood draw and not verbaly, by mail... So yeah i have totally lost any high vision of the army that i had... I do feel guilt and fustration still even thow its been a year since they told me im still struggling with that. And some of my issues or effects like the fever and the headaches are related, before any of this happend i never had a fever for taking sun for much time, im getting really fatiged and have problems breathing sometimes and I dont have asma or anything so yeah it all has happened since i got it... And yes once i went on my own to a medical provider and got my test and lab works done the docter started me on meds the same day... Cause waiting for any answer on the military part i would still be waiting for any desicion they might have made on my behalf. They said that since im not a veteran i dont cualify for VA and since my condition isnt military related even thow they where the ones who found out of my condition and told it to me in a reckless way but yeah, guess thats why im not very happy now with the army

[Dj class]

And yeahh hoahh for E-4 for life 

[Theyer]

Erm I think some professional help might be in order -legal- that is.

I an surprised as both UK/USA/NATO have been issuing Policy documents emphasizing the role off the reservists.

In the UK, I am English, there has been substantial redundancies and the amalgamation off Regiments. Allways with an emphasis on the beefed up role off the here Territorials.

At the moment I have a strong suspicion that you are unsure because they are unsure.

In the UK Territorials are having long Postings in Combat areas .

What is your local Congressman like?

[zach]

"Thats the problem they keep saying that since im a reservist, active duty regulations dont fall on us and yes i was diagnosed by the army on my first hiv blood draw and not verbaly, by mail."cut non-relevant "They said that since im not a veteran i dont cualify for VA and since my condition isnt military related even thow they where the ones who found out of my condition and told it to me in a reckless way but yeah, guess thats why im not very happy now with the army"

were you diagnosed at MEPS? if so, they should not have enlisted you. if you were diagnosed beyond that, it can be classed as service related. making that happen may require an advocate. over the long run of your life in treatment, it is worth a fight now. you are not a veteran now, but when you discharge, is there any reason to believe your dd214 will say anything other than "honorable"? be proud of your service. when you are a veteran, honorably discharged, SPC you can be proud of that service, you should qualify for VA benefits for this condition.

simply fact is, you were diagnosed while in service and you may need some representation to assist resolving this matter.

keep the faith


edited to add, this hair they're trying to split with you regular/reserve... thats bullshit man. contact JAGCorp on this, get help

[Dj class]

Therey: I have no idea how my congressman is im not much of a politician, but yes they do have issues about reservist...

Zach: Well I mean i still kind of like my military life but how everythings been turning is not the way that I would of visualized it happening but such is life... Im having problems since my unit doesn't want to discharge me and im trying to keep up as a normal soldier but my complications ain't helping... Thats why I want to leave still have 2 more years to finish my first contract. And on responce to your question no i was diagnosed on a blood draw they did at the unit. I've been 6 years in the unit till this day... Anyway I have drill this weekend so lets see what will happen, im going to try and talk with my 1st sgt and see what he says if theres nothing helpful on that end im going higher up jumping my commander since he just got out of school... Lets see what happens.

Thanks you guys for the support and advice...

[zach]

6 years in service and their trying to deny you service related status. thats bullshit. don't stand for that. again, get jag involved. and hell yeah, continue to serve, do your job, as long as you haven't developed any OIs. enjoy your time bro.

[Dj class]

Thanks and yes I will try and do my best till i can't, i always have been a fighter not a quiter. Before my 1st sgt was one of my E7 and he knows that i do my very best on the job and always with a smile even when irritated. He knows ans sees how i struggle now, but yeah i will defenetly do my part to get better knowledge about this since in puerto rico they kind of do things the hard way... Once again thank you so much for the support...

[mecch]

Are you getting monitored regularly - blood levels? Are you on treatment? I don't know anything about all the issues of service I am just responding to your report that you are not feeling well...
Before I went on treatment and for a good year after, it seemed, I couldn't stand being in the sun.  And yeah, fevers..  Maybe if you are not on treatment, you need to be. Might make you feel fit again and help you serve as long as you would like to. I dunno..

[Dj class]

Are you getting monitored regularly - blood levels? Are you on treatment? I don't know anything about all the issues of service I am just responding to your report that you are not feeling well...
Before I went on treatment and for a good year after, it seemed, I couldn't stand being in the sun.  And yeah, fevers..  Maybe if you are not on treatment, you need to be. Might make you feel fit again and help you serve as long as you would like to. I dunno..

Yes i am on treatment and all but still the sun makes me feel sick and i tend to feel very fatiged and im having a hard time breathing sometimes. I got work this weekend so i cant go to the doctor yet. But i will next week

[Theyer]

Hope the weekend went well.

A word off caution re jumping a level off command, not always a good idea in regimented structures . Have you considered wether the New Commander , younger might be a good Allie , what ever he/she will want to know why you jumped over them and you just out out off school is not a good reply.

[emeraldize]

Hi DJ

Given the symptoms you 're describing in relation to sun exposure, I'm adding this link just to see if you are experiencing other symptoms that also line up with lupus.

If so, you might want to get a consultation to discuss it further.
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/do_i_have_lupus.asp