POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: frenchpat on July 09, 2006, 05:16:47 pm
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Hi everyone,
as I kept comming back to this community after signing up as a member, I noticed a lot of people had started by introducing themselves whereas I had sort of discreetly gate-crashed the party by contributing here and there...
As I am usualy quite polite, guilt suddenly washed over me.
This is therefore a small introduction to who I am, in the hope that you will forgive me for sneaking in and accept me for who I am.
I am 46, french speaking with a relatively good grasp of english, living in france, hiv+ for about 4 years, on meds since 18 months or so (zerit+epivir+ some phytotherapy stuff) and currently dealing with the first signs of lypo. These 4 years have been a roller coaster ride (as for many of you I am sure) but I have somewhat calmed down.
A skeptic when it comes to all internet fads, I somewhat stayed away from places like this until now. What I have discovered here is not only a very useful database regarding our common problem and how to deal with it, but first and foremost a group of people who in turn are warm, funny, depressed, hilarious, caring and so many other things that touched me.
For 4 years I felt I was lacking references in my fight against this unwelcome guest of mine, and I didn't know people to share this with. Now I feel I have found a place filled with people who are willing to both help each other and have a good laugh.
I like this place, and hope you will like me (well, most of the time that is... ;))
Pat
Oh by the way, I am gay.
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Hi Pat,
Welcome to the family!
Hugs
Teresa
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Pat Welcome! "Depressed" here... I am sure halarious will be along shortly!!
Love
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Hi Pat.
Welcome to the fourms! :)
Phil
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Hi Pat
Its a pleasure to meet you. The people here have a wealth of knowledge and experience to contribute when asked.
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Hi Pat
Welcome to our global family !! Thanks for telling us a bit about yourself. Don't be too shy. As you've dicovered, we're supportive group of people scattered around the world.
Cheers
Paul
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Salut, Pat!
And so you're gay! Wel, honey, nobody's perfect! ;) Welcome.
Val
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Hi Hun,
"Willkommen, bienvenu, welcome"
Yes indeed, you are one of many, that have been touched by the sincere, open and mostly very profound exchange of feelings and emotions here.
Don't worry, there is more than space enough for many a smile and joke, but also for many a tear.
I myself have shed quite some out of sheer fun, but even so by the many touching stories and kindred souls.
Open up Pat and you will soon feel the powerful energy of will to live flow through your veins even more.
Write Coen in the A'dam thread if you would like to join us there. Please, feel more then welcome.
The more, the merrier.
hermie :)
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Bojour etc, hello
First signs of lipo, the damn Zerit I bet, why are you on this ancient drug? And why are you only on 2 nukes? Not good prospects long term for most people, 2 nukes...
- matt
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Allo Pat,
I am also fairly new here, but welcome. I liked your introduction very much.
Daniel
(Who is also Gay, by the way.) ;D
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I like this place, and hope you will like me
Hell Pat, I don’t care if anyone likes me or not. I’m not leaving.
Oh by the way, I am gay.
In that case you might want to stay clear of Lisa and Lis, they think they can change us. LOL! ???
on meds since 18 months or so (zerit+epivir+ some phytotherapy stuff) and currently dealing with the first signs of lypo.
That is exactly the same combo that I was on for years. Which is the main reason I don’t post a picture of myself. I suggest you see your doctor and change your meds right away. Good luck!
Terry
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Salut Pat,
Tu es le bienvenu sur ce forum. :)
Nice to know you found a place where you feel comfortable with ( most of the time that is.... ;) ) and share with people you can related by their experiences with the unwelcome guest .
Au plaisir de te relire,
The Canuck
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Welcome Pat!
I will get around to replying to your post in Nutrition. ;D
MtD
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Hello Pat,
Just wanted to say hello, and welcome you to the forums. I am sure you will find plenty of support and knowledge here !!
The Best-------Ray 8)
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Hi Pat,
Welcome to our family,
I'm pretty new here, but I've come to feel very close to these people.
It's a great place to find if your in the same boat as we all are.
I'm happy you're here ;D
Peace,
Kelly
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Hello Pat...welcome to the family
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No need to feel guilty. There is no right or wrong way to join. Just do it.
If I were you, I would listen to Newt. He is pretty savvy when it comes to ways HAART. That's one of the valuable things about this place, you learn to question your Dr. Not a bad thing.
Welcome.
robert
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Bonjour Pat et bienvenu,
Hope to see you in A'dam.
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I like this place, and hope you will like me (well, most of the time that is...
With so many replies, do you think you need to reassure you are liked ??
Welcome, Pat :-* :-*
Siang
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Wow!
what a warm welcome!
thank you all, this feels great, even more so as I am to see my doc today. (always a time of mixed feelings as I like the guy but dread the news :P)
Oh well, here we go...
A good day to you all!
Pat
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Pat,
I hope everything goes well with your doctor.
Fondly,
MtD
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Ah !! OUI OUI !!
Cher Pat,
We all have those kind of days, coming here to talk about it helps !!
Good luck , catch you later ;) ;)
Siang
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Dear Pat,
welcome,
als you already found out we are going to have an AMG (Aids meds gathering) in Amsterdam in the weekend of 29 sept till 1 oct.
If you like we would very much enjoy having you in the group. If you wanna know more pm me, and there is a thread on the forum about the weekend as well.
I hope you will have a good time here on the forum!
Coen
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Bonjour Pat
Welcome to the best place in the cyber world for those of us who are HIV+.
Hope everything went well at your doctors, and I agree completely about the Zerit, lipoatrophy sucks.
Thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself.
RAB
(who's French is very limited :-[)
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*gasp* .......Terry ! Shame on you ! Frightening the new people like that.
Warm welcome to you Pat. Nice to meet a new member. Don't listen to Terry, he like to stir up trouble. ;) ;D
We always have room for one more. Make yourself comfy.
Lisa
(who loves people just the way they are)
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hello pat, welcome :)
Kate
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Welcome Pat,
Hope you had a chance to talk to your doctor about your meds. Echoing Newt: why are you on two drugs instead of three (in your case two "nuke" or NRTIs). You should add a a non-nuke (NNRTI) or protease inhibitor (PI) if that's feasible in your medical setting? And Zerit IS an ancient drug, plenty of other options out there. If your current doc doesn't know much about HIV medicine, I'd suggest finding another doctor who's more experienced in treating those of us who are "virally enhanced." May I ask what your viral load and CD4 numbers are?
Again, welcome.
Jay (who's currently reading about French royal mistresses: Marquise de Montespan, Marquise de Pompadour, Mme du Barry; but I'd like to find something about Louis XIII's boy toys)
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Salut from North Carolina. Where in France are you living? I spent a year in Montpellier, a month in Menton and some weeks in Paris...and 20+ years in a fight against HIV...
Ron
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Pat,
glad to see that you made your way here. i think you'll like it!
Take care,
John
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HeHeHe, Lisa. ::)
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Bonjour Pat!
Welcome to the forums!
Christine
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Welcome Pat,
Hope you had a chance to talk to your doctor about your meds.
Echoing Newt: why are you on two drugs instead of three (in your case two "nuke" or NRTIs). You should add a a non-nuke (NNRTI) or protease inhibitor (PI) if that's feasible in your medical setting? And Zerit IS an ancient drug, plenty of other options out there. If your current doc doesn't know much about HIV medicine, I'd suggest finding another doctor who's more experienced in treating those of us who are "virally enhanced." May I ask what your viral load and CD4 numbers are?
Again, welcome.
Jay (who's currently reading about French royal mistresses: Marquise de Montespan, Marquise de Pompadour, Mme du Barry; but I'd like to find something about Louis XIII's boy toys)
Hi Jay,
I did have a good talk with my doctor today and he's suggested a switch I could chose. I've posted further questions to the members here in the treatment section.
As to why I am with "only two" drugs it is a long story but to keep it short I will say that when this all started I was living a very healthy life, never taking any meds or drugs and drinking very little; I would use holistic medecines whenever I needed more than some time for my body to clear the bugs. So I first explored alternative treatments until I had to turn to alopathy. And when I did that I was still in the frame of mind of wanting as little as possible for as long as possible... (and my doctor, who is a very competent immunologist and oncologist respected my wishes; had he not I would have slammed the door, as I had with another one). - so yes, I can be stubborn at times... ::)
Re: french history, or the pink side of it, I can not really help you: I was born and raised in a different country and never studied much french stuff.
Ron:
I live nearby Annecy, close to the swiss border. Went to Chamonix (Mont Blanc area) today to get some fresh high altitude air ... lovely
To everyone:
you're a very welcoming bunch of people. I am deeply touched :-*
Pat