New here, hello

[Bowie-esq]

So after months of reading the forum as a guest I finally decided to register. Hello! I've been living with HIV for almost four years, was infected by my unfaithful ex. and put my faith in the wrong person. I've had many days of downs, days of ups. I'm getting by mostly. Reading your comments and advise to other newly diagnosed members on the forum I realise my feelings and emotional roller coaster is normal and with the work I've been doing with my therapist and self-help books I'm hoping to end up back happy as I was before my diagnosis. I started ART one and half years after diagnosis. My Dr. Kept me waiting that long as I was very depressed and she was worried about my adherence to the regime - I proved myself to her by taking vitamins everyday at the same time. Worked well and I've never missed a day.

So I guess my joining and introducing myself is just another step of accepting myself and this situation.

X

[Jeff G]

Welcome to the forum Bowie ... we usually don't bite so feel free to join right in .

[mikeyb39]

Welcome to you Bowie-esq, sounds like you are on track.

Mike.

[tednlou2]

Welcome to the forums.  It certainly sounds like you're on top of things.  This site is a very valuable resource.  How have things gone with your meds?  I know you said you've been adherent, but are they now just like taking a vitamin for you?  I mean, no side-effects?

I have been dx'd 5 years this December.  My worries have gotten much better, but I still have anxiety issues over the possibility of some health issue popping up.  It is something that most in the 30's don't think about.  Like you, I hope to get back to some semblance of who I was prior to being diagnosed. 

All the best, and I look forward to hearing more from you.

Ted

[Bowie-esq]

I take Truveda and Viramune once a day, few bowel problems in the beginning but that settled down after a month or so. Aside from that I have very little side effects. My viral load was almost undetectable within around a month - from 300000 to only 15. And in 1 year I gained 15kg of weight back and my CD4 is now above 500.

Yesterday I had my 4 month blood tests and that included my yearly CD4 result. I find out the details next week. The CD4 and CD4 % give me the most anxiety.

The only thing I do get regular is joint aches and pain, around my lymph system which when I was initially infected went crazy. That can be a bit of a drag...

My biggest issue is trying to rebuild myself mentally. Over two years I've had two lots of therapy - targetiing high anxiety and then post traumatic stress. The symptoms of both have been relatively alleviated but then that has left me feeling in the position of "what now, what next". It's hard to find myself sometimes under all the mess and reality that I had to deal with I just try to take one day at a time.

[wolfter]

Welcome to the forums.  It's a difficult journey, but definitely a capable one to finally overcome the baggage that this virus carries. 

Best wishes and welcome

Wolfie

[debrac]

Good day guys,firsly would like to say for the past weeks you'll amazing peeps have put me on my feet, it not easy it was hard for me @ first all the sleepless nights an loss of appetite, i would like to ask a question though, my CD id 480 and vl 23000 in south Africa and my Dr said should cum back after 6 months and she will not start me on treatment only when CD4 is 350 bt prescribed immunace an DS-24 Im worried about this. i am trying very hard to live with my diagnoses and i think im doing pretty well for 27 yrs old who thought that is always gonna play safe an will not get infected bt the realiaty of it is that its true hiv has no morals and i have bee infected by sum1 i loved dearly even though i cant forgive him bt learning to put my situation in God's hands, i have learnt a lot since diagnosed an know that im not going to die any tym soon unless im knocked by a car lol or sumthing not hiv related. with taking my treatment of course.

This forum is by far the best an im greatfull to have found you'll guys

[Basquo]

Welcome Bowie-esq! We are a good group.

Welcome debrac also! While it's good you have faith in God, also keep your situation in your hands, as well; you are your own best advocate!

Hugs,
Creighton

[Ann]

Hi Bowie, welcome to the forums.

The emotional rollercoaster you're on does level out in time. It sounds like you're doing all the right things - med therapy and emotional therapy - so you're going to be ok. Glad you joined us.

Hugs,
Ann
xxx

[Ann]

Hi Debrac, welcome to the forums.

she will not start me on treatment only when CD4 is 350 bt prescribed immunace an DS-24 Im worried about this.

Immunace is basically just a multivitamin supplement. It couldn't hurt, but there are no dietary supplements that will control hiv.

As for only starting hiv meds when your CD4s are in the region of 350, that's the standard of care in many countries. (Start somewhere between 350 and 500.) You'll need to pay attention to your body, and keep getting regular labs done. You'll be ok.

You might want to start reading through the threads in the Just Tested Poz forum where you can read about the experiences of other newly diagnosed people, and our responses to them.

You should also read through the Lessons section of this website. Feel free to come back into the forums and post your own thread in Just Tested to ask any further questions you may have.

Hang in there - you're going to be ok.

Hugs,
Ann
xxx