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Author Topic: vampires  (Read 143712 times)

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Offline Jim

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Re: vampires
« Reply #250 on: September 10, 2024, 09:01:53 am »
So my next appointment is the 26th of Sept. It's a bit early but I am hoping they already will have the flu jab available otherwise I'll have to do that separately.
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Offline Jim

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Re: vampires
« Reply #251 on: September 10, 2024, 06:04:12 pm »
So my next appointment is the 26th of Sept. It's a bit early but I am hoping they already will have the flu jab available otherwise I'll have to do that separately.

Boo...I had a call this afternoon after trying to renew six months of my medication and they want to do a 24-hour blood pressure monitor on Monday, a blood draw on Tuesday and an appointment on Thursday the 26th.

I know it's nothing major and I should not complain but it's just a pain in the ass to arrange care for Caelan, anyhow, it is what it is.
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Offline leatherman

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Re: vampires
« Reply #252 on: September 10, 2024, 09:09:03 pm »
they want to do a 24-hour blood pressure monitor on Monday

I know it's nothing major and I should not complain but it's just a pain in the ass to arrange care for Caelan, anyhow, it is what it is.
is the monitor on you?

arranging health care IS a pain in the ass. for everyone. all the time.
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Jim

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Re: vampires
« Reply #253 on: September 11, 2024, 03:01:19 am »
is the monitor on you?

arranging health care IS a pain in the ass. for everyone. all the time.

Yeah, it's for me. I had it before a few years ago, they just want to monitor me again to see if my meds need adjusting.

I could have been clear, so when I said care for Caelan I meant someone to look after him whilst I have these healthcare appointments.
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Bluesky

Offline leatherman

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Re: vampires
« Reply #254 on: September 11, 2024, 02:41:30 pm »
I meant someone to look after him whilst I have these healthcare appointments.
ah! the woes of a caregiver. Most of the time, it's just another responsibility of the day. Other times, it's a big ol' pain in the ass. LOL

I stopped in at the Lowes Home Improvement store that Larry works at today to catch everyone up on what's happening. Of course, everyone wants to help. I told them that while we didn't need anything this week, with Larry's surgery and recovery, but come a month from now when I'm tired of all his football games and Hallmark movies all day, then that's when they can all come sit and watch with him while I get the hell outta here for a break. LOL I've been down this road before with my previous partners, so I know when I can really use the help of friends......oh unless anyone wants to send over an early casserole so that I don't have to cook for just one person this week. ROFL
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Jim

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Re: vampires
« Reply #255 on: September 11, 2024, 02:49:20 pm »
ah! the woes of a caregiver. Most of the time, it's just another responsibility of the day. Other times, it's a big ol' pain in the ass. LOL

I stopped in at the Lowes Home Improvement store that Larry works at today to catch everyone up on what's happening. Of course, everyone wants to help. I told them that while we didn't need anything this week, with Larry's surgery and recovery, but come a month from now when I'm tired of all his football games and Hallmark movies all day, then that's when they can all come sit and watch with him while I get the hell outta here for a break. LOL I've been down this road before with my previous partners, so I know when I can really use the help of friends......oh unless anyone wants to send over an early casserole so that I don't have to cook for just one person this week. ROFL

Yeah as a caregiver you have to look after yourself otherwise you can't look after the person you are supposed to be caring for. If Larry is bed bound just take the remote control away and watch whatever you like, fuck Hallmark movies

I would send you over cottage pie or toad in the hole but I suspect it wouldn't be any good even if I FedEx it from Ireland to USA
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Bluesky

Offline leatherman

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Re: vampires
« Reply #256 on: September 11, 2024, 08:46:46 pm »
fuck Hallmark movies
will you marry me? clearly we're soulmates!
(sorry Alan. You can come watch Midsomer Mysteries with Larry)
ROLMAO :D
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Jim

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Re: vampires
« Reply #257 on: September 19, 2024, 10:38:36 am »
will you marry me? clearly we're soulmates!
(sorry Alan. You can come watch Midsomer Mysteries with Larry)
ROLMAO :D

 ;D LOL.

So next week Monday and Tuesday appointments I suspect one of the outcomes will be an increase in my blood pressure medication. I have been on minimal dosage for years but recently had some less normal readings and I was going to request an increase anyway.

Thursday, hoping they have the flu vaccine in already, pharmacies get it the week after so they should already have it and that MRI of the spine, the results from that should be back although I already know they found nothing, I also suspect switching meds to duel therapy will be their usual topic, not going to happen.
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Bluesky

Offline Jim

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Re: vampires
« Reply #258 on: September 26, 2024, 04:17:14 am »
Boo they didn't have the flu vaccine yet...said no thank you for hepatitis a vaccine and no point trying the hepatitis B vaccination again, tried twice already

Anyhow, rest of the appointment was easy enough, 3 mins.
CD4 719 /40%, VL suppressed and cholesterol was excellent. 6 more months of truimeq 👍

Got the blood pressure results back, borderline so I asked to increase the dosage but they want to repeat the 24 hour monitoring again next month before increasing the dosage.

Total time from arrival in the clinic to walking back out onto the street with my meds was 19 mins, I timed it.🙂

« Last Edit: September 26, 2024, 04:26:48 am by Jim Allen »
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Offline daveR

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Re: vampires
« Reply #259 on: September 26, 2024, 09:22:17 am »
Boo they didn't have the flu vaccine yet...said no thank you for hepatitis a vaccine and no point trying the hepatitis B vaccination again, tried twice already

Anyhow, rest of the appointment was easy enough, 3 mins.
CD4 719 /40%, VL suppressed and cholesterol was excellent. 6 more months of truimeq 👍

Got the blood pressure results back, borderline so I asked to increase the dosage but they want to repeat the 24 hour monitoring again next month before increasing the dosage.

Total time from arrival in the clinic to walking back out onto the street with my meds was 19 mins, I timed it.🙂

I also tried the Hep B vaccine twice years ago, the one which had multiple injections a few weeks apart. Never managed to produce any antibodies. Then a few years back my Dr suggested I try a new vaccine. Just a single shot and when she checked on my next 6 monthly I had a good antibody response. She gave me one more booster and we check every 6 months and still I have a good response.

Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of the vaccine but it may be worth asking your Dr if they use the latest type.

Dave

Offline leatherman

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Re: vampires
« Reply #260 on: September 26, 2024, 02:05:03 pm »
19 mins
is that a good thing?
I switched doctors once for only giving me minutes; but I've also been glad to get out of there quick when nothing was wrong.
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Jim

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Re: vampires
« Reply #261 on: September 26, 2024, 02:17:17 pm »
is that a good thing?
I switched doctors once for only giving me minutes; but I've also been glad to get out of there quick when nothing was wrong.

It's good as I am not in a great mood this week.

I like the clinic to be on demand, when I need or want more I'll take it but when I'm not interested in talking to them, changes or discussions I want them to communicate the entire interaction in three sentences or less and I know they can do that. However, I am fair and I tell them what mood I am in when the conversation starts

« Last Edit: September 26, 2024, 02:21:19 pm by Jim Allen »
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Bluesky

Offline Tonny2

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Re: vampires
« Reply #262 on: September 26, 2024, 05:24:53 pm »




             ojo.              @JimAllen, great numbers. I’m sorry  you have to deal with your blood pressure levels…just 19 minutes, mmm, I wish I had those kind of visits, usually I have to wait mote than 30 minutes to be able to see the doctor and when he comes in he is there for five minutes when everything is ok, he always tells me tonny2 I wish I could do more to help you with your neuropathy, pain, and then he is gone…take care…hugs

Offline Loa111

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Re: vampires
« Reply #263 on: October 11, 2024, 10:09:29 am »
Had my 4 monthly Vampires visit early this week on Wednesday.

As a visit to a hospital can be an annoying day, & generally wastes up most of the day too, as per my usual habit, I try to make something nice about it. So mid-morning, near the hospital where my ID clinic is located, I went to a nice cafe & had a lovely big breakfast of sausages, bacon, eggs, toast & a massive coffee.

First job is the ID nurse weights us, & takes our blood pressure etc. Then I had about a 45 minute wait in the waiting room which was kind of boring before doctor called me.

A very routine visit I am pleased to say. Still UD, thankfully, my CD4 is 408 currently.  Ok, they'd prefer if it was over 500, but there is nothing the doctor can do about that, and all I can do it take my meds daily.

Doc noticed it was 2 years since I last got my cholesterol done, so old score was 2.5 for bad cholesterol. In my country, I think 7 is the highest score, so no problems there & lots of room to go.

Doc also doc did a Heart Risk Assessment. He told me for my age group, weight etc, the average score is a 4% risk of heart attack, but my score came in at 3% so I am delighted with that. The fitness regime is paying off.

Got a free STI test as part of the service.

Then finished with doctor & out to the nurse to get my bloods taken. Vaccine nurse gave me my Flu Shot, which I was delighted to get done on this visit. The Pharmacist came with my meds supply of the next 4 months.

The whole thing from registering,  being weighted, waiting, doc, bloods, vaccine, & pharma took about 2 hours total.

Not a bad visit at all. Stopped in for my afternoon coffee on the way home which was enjoyable.

My next ID appointment will be mid-February approx.

Offline leatherman

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Re: vampires
« Reply #264 on: October 11, 2024, 11:27:04 am »
hey, that's great news to hear your health is doing so well!

Sausage AND bacon? Be careful or that cholesterol won't be so good in the future.  ;) :D
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Diagnosedat50

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Re: vampires
« Reply #265 on: October 11, 2024, 12:22:48 pm »
Loa- that’s great that you get to have bloodwork done every four months. I had frequent visits the first couple of months, but was switched to yearly appointments for CD4 counts and viral loads. Also, as someone who wholeheartedly believes in the power of increased physical activity for improved health outcomes, I also applaud you for continuing to hit the gym regularly!

Offline leatherman

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Re: vampires
« Reply #266 on: November 13, 2024, 09:29:53 pm »
tomorrow it's our turn to get some blood sucked out of us and chit-chat with our doctor. I've got to tell him I look tired because I did too much --cutting apart a large branch that came down during a storm a week ago and lugging our oldest 50lb dog up and down the steps the last few days as she has either hurt a leg, is getting old, or having an issue that may necessitate a vet trip soon. Oh! And an a real medical issue too. Some weirdo vertigo something that's been going on with me (had something like this with the flu a couple years ago; but this has been a handful of very short episodes). I don't think there's anything medically that can be done with all that info; but I want the weird vertigo stuff documented so if it happens any more.

This will be the first time the doc has seen Larry since I let him know about Larry's heart attack and subsequent bypass surgery so I guesstimate that most of our shared appointment time will be taken up with Larry's issues.


LOL I have been out of the HIV advocacy game too long. I almost posted a note to apologize for these next comments because they are about American politics...but hell! HIV/AIDS health care has always been a political issue. Silence=Death.

I guess since this is our last doctor visit during the Biden administration, I better figure out if I have any other issues. Who knows how long or if I'll still access to meds or medical care under the next POTUS after mid-Jan. Medicaid/Medicare has kept me alive for 23 yrs! Both the ACA along the SC ADAP program that I advocated for for many years and Larry's insurance through work have kept him alive for 22 yrs. It could certainly feel like the 90s full of AIDS death again if HIV medical care coverage programs get wiped out in the Trump/Musk/Ramaswamy "dpt. of Government Efficiency" overhauls or the other changes Project 2025 has planned.

While I'm writing this, I'm on a zoom meeting with indivisible about advocacy planning for the future. Crap! I've been out of the advocacy stuff for a few years. Covid restrictions and turning 60 made me feel like I could leave it behind. But I guess I'm going to have to reach out to my HIV and healthcare groups and see what plans they have going on as it looks like I'll have to get back into the fray.

It seems so stupid that 40+ years later, I may end up still having to advocate for HIV health care so I don't die.
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Jim

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Re: vampires
« Reply #267 on: November 14, 2024, 03:21:12 am »
This will be the first time the doc has seen Larry since I let him know about Larry's heart attack and subsequent bypass surgery so I guesstimate that most of our shared appointment time will be taken up with Larry's issues.

No stress test this time!
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Offline leatherman

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Re: vampires
« Reply #268 on: November 14, 2024, 07:30:26 am »
No stress test this time!

thinking about that, last time Larry saw the cardiac surgery for his final checkup with that doctor, the surgeon told him that now he needed to go back to the cardiologist for the rest of his care. Larry wasn't certain who that was, and I spoke up to say, "that's the doctor who sent you on the stress test and gave you the heart attack". Ooooh. The surgeon jumped on that one fast. "He didn't give you a heart attack! and neither did the test" LOL Luckily, I was smiling as he turned to glare at me so he realized it was a joke. the surgeon and I had  talked a bit before, during and after Larry's surgery, so he knew I actually was medically knowledgeable and didn't really mean the cardiologist or the test gave Larry the heart attack.  :o ;D

Too bad the surgeon probably does hear that kind of nonsense because someone thinks that how it happens.
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Brian1966

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Re: vampires
« Reply #269 on: November 16, 2024, 07:47:07 am »
I love it.  I totally would have been telling my cardiologist something like "you're not going to try killing me again - right doc?" at the first appointment just because I have a dark sense of humor and then thank them for the test that probably saved my life.  When dealing with something as serious as my own mortality; I cope with it by morbid humor.

Offline leatherman

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Re: vampires
« Reply #270 on: November 17, 2024, 11:40:50 am »
"you're not going to try killing me again - right doc?"

I cope with it by morbid humor.
ROFLMAO
Morbid humor is the best response to the spectacular conclusion of not dying.

I've gone through 6 doctors in the last 30yrs of treatment and my favorite, Dr. Marc, helped keep me living through 12 years of almost dying with AIDS and was with me through the death of two partners. (sorry current doctor Jason. <3 you've only been my doc for a couple years. It's just going to take a lot to top Dr. Marc. But, since I'm planning on living to 104, you've got time to show your stuff. ;) LOL) I think it was almost the 4th year of doctor visits (4-6 wks because of how ill I was) when we starting laughing at the situation.

Up until then, every appointment seemed to have one consistent point. Dr. Marc would look at file and slowly shake his head. Sadly, he would say, "I just have to tell you Michael, that your numbers aren't looking good at all. Honestly, you probably only have 3 to 4 months left." As he was coming up to that point in this one appointment, the absurdity of it all just hit me. Before he could do his part of this routine, I  laughingly beat him to the point and said, "yeah, yeah. 3 to 4 months and I'll be dead. but how's my HDL and LDL look?". :D For another 8 years while I was in OH, Dr. Marc and I joked about how I was longest living almost-dead person we knew. LOL

These days, after having 2 long term (10 yrs each) partners who died, a husband who almost died two months ago at year 10 (thank goodness for quadruple heart bypass surgery!), and a grandmother who lived until 104, the joke now is about how many more husbands I'm going to go through at this rate. Just call me the black widower. :D Coming up on 63, I say only 3 more husbands. My (current LOL) husband Larry says 5 if I keep marrying around my age, cause that'll be a bunch of older guys who might not make 10 yrs each, or maybe only 2 if I hit on some younger dudes. ;D ;D ;D
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline leatherman

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Re: vampires
« Reply #271 on: November 17, 2024, 11:41:18 am »
well this doctor visit was very interesting. First they separated Larry and I instead of the usual joint appointment - mainly because I had the mandated (thank you SSd/Medicaid regulations!) yearly physical. And that was a hoot!

There was a EKG to start. Thank goodness for that too. That's exactly what the doctor used our last visit which prompted him to send Larry to a cardiologist. The poor nurse though. She couldn't get the leads to stick properly. Oops. Sorry for my sexy, hairy chest. Then there was all the hair pulling as she tried to untape the leads afterwards. I told her I wasn't really much of a masochist but pulling the tape off that slowly was starting to get kinda kinky. So she ripped it off. (Ouch!...oh! Nice..... LOL)

Next up was stripping down (nice! more sexiness!) and putting on a paper gown (yuck. less sexiness). By the time we got near the end of the physical, I told my doctor that I just was going to skip the gown the next time. To his incredulous look, I just swiped my hand down pointing out the situation of the gown hitched up to my chest and him rolling my balls around in his hand. I told him, "See my teeny tiny tan line? Clearly I don't have a problem with exposing myself and this gown is just a crinkly pain in the ass and it's not like you're not going to see it all anyway." LOL To prove my point, I turned on around so he could see how the gown wasn't even closed or covering my ass as I got in position for that prostate check. Always a highlight of the physical. LOL

After getting dressed again (without shoes and socks though), there was one more test and something new for our clinic - a peripheral arterial flow test. Two leads were attached to the bottom of both feet with a pulse/ox meter on a finger and on a toe. Next up were cuffs velcro-ed around both biceps and both ankles. While that certainly sounds sexy, these weren't restraints but BP cuffs periodically taking a reading off and on for 20 minutes.

In the end, the EKG, blood flow test, lungs, BP, and prostate poking all turned out good. Before leaving, I left behind some of my bodily fluids (blood and urine) and should get those lab tests coming back probably Mon or Tues.
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Tonny2

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Re: vampires
« Reply #272 on: November 18, 2024, 07:38:38 am »



              ojo.         @ Leatherman, it’s been 30 years since my diagnosis and I don’t know how many times I’ve seen several doctors and none of them has asked me to Andres 😎 for a physical. I guess I’m so skinny that they can see everything inside my body through my clothing. Lol… But seriously, I don’t know why, but I had never had a physical you mentioned and I heard from others Who had gotten physical examinations, naked, naked…hugs

Offline leatherman

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Re: vampires
« Reply #273 on: November 18, 2024, 10:13:40 am »
I had never had a physical you mentioned and I heard from others
that's a little odd and probably depends on your insurance coverage. if you use Medicaid or SSd you should probably have an ACA (affordable care act) plan, which includes physicals.
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Tonny2

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Re: vampires
« Reply #274 on: November 18, 2024, 02:01:43 pm »




                ojo.                Thanks for the info Leatherman. I guess that might be the reason I have never gotten A physical examination. Thanks for the info… Hugs.

Offline leatherman

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Re: vampires
« Reply #275 on: November 20, 2024, 08:46:36 pm »
so this afternoon a slew of test results came through on the portal of my clinic. Pre-diabetes? No more. Really bad triglycerides? Just 5 points out of range. Bad LDL? 1 point in the good now! Bad HDL? only 2 pts out of range now.

No syphilis or gonorrhea. No surprise there, since the only person I'm screwing these days is my hubby....well at least until his heart attack/bypass surgery two months ago. We've been a little leery of re-engaging in marital congress right yet....but maybe soon. ;) :)

Speaking of "congress" 8) , today is the 40th anniversary of me getting HIV. That wasn't with Larry though. Back in 1984, that was with my first partner Randy. Boy, do I remember that night.  :D :-* Good times.
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Tonny2

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Re: vampires
« Reply #276 on: November 21, 2024, 08:54:49 pm »



              ojo.             Cause for your Leatherman… Hugs

Offline daveR

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Re: vampires
« Reply #277 on: January 27, 2025, 08:21:37 am »
Just had my latest 6 monthly check up.

Still taking Kocitaf. Undetectable viral load, 1190 cd4 count at 49.9%, a new record for me. Diabetes under control, Creatinine slightly elevated but far from any concern. Dr was happy that my overall Cholesterol had dropped to 209, just out of range and then she turned the page and saw the Triglycerine level at 340 and didn't miss a beat when she prescribed a statin as soon as she the number. I did ask her if she thought it was the TAF as I have read it can affect lipids but she said no. She did ask if I wanted to switch to Dovato but I am still not 100% convinced about the two drug regimes.
I will see what the next 6 months brings and may make the switch just to drop the TAF.

Dave

Offline leatherman

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Re: vampires
« Reply #278 on: January 27, 2025, 08:31:22 am »
congrats on all the good results daveR!
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Jim

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Re: vampires
« Reply #279 on: January 28, 2025, 05:38:10 am »
Just had my latest 6 monthly check up.

Still taking Kocitaf. Undetectable viral load, 1190 cd4 count at 49.9%, a new record for me. Diabetes under control, Creatinine slightly elevated but far from any concern. Dr was happy that my overall Cholesterol had dropped to 209, just out of range and then she turned the page and saw the Triglycerine level at 340 and didn't miss a beat when she prescribed a statin as soon as she the number. I did ask her if she thought it was the TAF as I have read it can affect lipids but she said no. She did ask if I wanted to switch to Dovato but I am still not 100% convinced about the two drug regimes.
I will see what the next 6 months brings and may make the switch just to drop the TAF.

Dave

Great results.
HIV 101 - Everything you need to know
HIV 101
Read more about Testing here:
HIV Testing
Read about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
HIV TasP
You can read about HIV prevention here:
HIV prevention
Read about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

Bluesky

Offline Loa111

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Re: vampires
« Reply #280 on: February 05, 2025, 03:47:45 pm »
Vampires Today, so decided to add a bit of blow blow account of my visit today.

Appointment at ID clinic at the hospital was for 12 noon. Even though I am just 30 minutes or less drive to hospital & I didn't have to leave until mid-morning, I always feel a bit distracted the day of my ID appointment. I'm never able to focus to do an hour or two of work on my laptop before I go. It is not because I am worried, or anxious at all, I think I just like to keep my focus on the sole task of getting the clinic visit done & completed.

Let's be honest, for most of us, I think it is fair to say, a visit to the ID clinic can be a drag and a bit of a chore. I always try to make it fun & get a bit of a treat out of it. So as per usual, I left home at 10.00 am so I could get to a nice cafe that is near the hospital in a small shopping mall where I park the car. Free parking there you see, unlike the very expensive hospital parking.

I hit the cafe and order my usual big breakfast and a lovely cappuccino. The cafe is often full of people who are also going to the hospital for appointments at there, obviously the ID clinic is just one small part of this large hospital. Breakfast had, nice but not just as nice as usual, coffee downed & a small flirt with the nice looking Japanese girl who is a waitress there.


Off up to the hospital & lined up to check in for my appointment at a reception which handles our ID clinic and other separate clinics on the floor of the hospital. Various staff from the ID clinic floated past preparing for todays appointments & we nodded & smiled at each other. Another middle-aged man in the queue before me turned to me and said "You must come here a lot because you know all the staff". "Now & then" I replied coyly (I wasn't going to get into that topic), and then the man volunteered he was a regular too as he had cancer but recently got the all clear & was just here for monitoring check ups in another clinic. I wished him well & registered for my own appointment.

Into the waiting room, which is shared by another clinic, so a mix of all sorts of adults and elderly people too, whom I am guessing were for the other clinic and not our ID one.  Perhaps a 15 minute wait, until I small little Indian nurse called me to weight me, & take my blood pressure, she was kind cute so we had a joke and a chat as she look my blood pressure.

Back to the waiting room for another 15 - 20 minute or so, then the doctor called me. Ah yes, she'd seen me a few times before, we knew each other, and the head ID consultant said hello as I passed, him being the boss doctor and leading HIV expert.


This appointment was one of my quick ones, as I had nothing to report on my side, other than I am going to their colleagues in dermatology tomorrow Friday to get a small  growth on my ear checked. Doctor gave me my CD4 which is 400, I am still UD, & my cholesterol is now 4.3 (our scale goes up to 7, and when it hits 5 they start to give pills to cut cholesterol). So for now I am fine. All liver, kidney etc etc reading from my last bloods 4 months ago are all good. Doc decided to do an extra blood test to check for any signs of diabetes. Also offered a quick STI test if I wanted.


Finished with the doctor part, so out to another room to for the real vampire part, being stuck with the needle for my blood draw. They look quite a few extra vials today for extra tests.  No problem there. Then our ID Pharmacist came to see me, brought me my next batch of pills, asked me questions as to any other meds I am taking, or what vitamins & if I am still taking creatine supplement for the gym.


Doctor came in and told pharmacist to give me 6 months supply of pills, as doc felt I have been doing really good re HIV treatment, so no need to come every 4 months, I can go on a 6 monthly ID appointment cycle.


Ok, that is good. All went well. No problems. Thank you, see you all in 6 months time, and off I went home with my big shopping bag of pill boxes.


I did consider going for another coffee on the way home but decided against it, and went home and had a nap for an hour. I always feel tired after my ID visit, so a snooze was a good idea. Slept until after 3.00pm, woke up, went for a coffee in my local cafe, and then realised I forgot to make two business calls I had scheduled. Ah feck it I thought, clinic day gives us all a lot of digest, I will email the business call people an apology and reschedule for tomorrow. I need the rest of the evening off.  :)




Offline Jim

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Re: vampires
« Reply #281 on: February 06, 2025, 04:24:54 am »
Let's be honest, for most of us, I think it is fair to say, a visit to the ID clinic can be a drag and a bit of a chore.

Yeah, but sounds like you made the best of it.

Congratulations on the continued good results and moving to clinic visits every six months.
HIV 101 - Everything you need to know
HIV 101
Read more about Testing here:
HIV Testing
Read about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
HIV TasP
You can read about HIV prevention here:
HIV prevention
Read about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

Bluesky

Offline leatherman

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Re: vampires
« Reply #282 on: February 06, 2025, 07:40:02 pm »
get a bit of a treat out of it.
that set me up for a trip down memory lane.

It's 1993, I'm very sick; my partner is much sicker. He's in a clinical trial; I'm about to quit taking AZT because I couldn't deal with monotherapy anymore. Since the future was grim, I made sure to take small happinesses where I could find it. After every doctor visit, I treated myself to a bag of my favorites candies (either cherry sours, lemonheads, or candied fruit slices) and a computer magazine (either WIRED, or something about javascript or Netscape Navigator. LOL). Our finances were practically non-existent after living with AIDS for several years; but I always scraped together enough for my after-appointment treat.

These days, with AIDS a long way in the rearview mirror, my husband (#3 for those of you counting, and the only one that's stayed alive longer than 10 yrs - even if just barely after the scare with his open heart surgery last Oct) and we treat ourselves after our doctor appointment by stopping somewhere to eat out (Burger King, Jersey Mike's or Showmars) on the hour long trip back home.

If you can't treat yourself every once in a while for simply staying alive until your doctor appointment, then when can you treat yourself? :D :D
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Bucklandbury

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Re: vampires
« Reply #283 on: February 07, 2025, 05:01:16 pm »
Michael, I cry every time I read about your past. God damn...

You are the spiritual principal of resilience incarnate.
« Last Edit: February 07, 2025, 05:10:09 pm by Bucklandbury »

Offline Tonny2

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Re: vampires
« Reply #284 on: February 07, 2025, 05:55:53 pm »

Sleeping much better, thanks! It was most probably hot weather!
My recent results UD and CD4 308 (after 11 weeks up from 238). Not sure if I should celebrate tbh. Was hoping for a bigger jump but hey you're such an inspiration so hopefully it will get better.


               ojo.           Hello there!… Happy to hear that somebody is sleeping well. You have to celebrate that your medication is working, keeping you undetectable. Like Jim mentioned, don’t worry for the cd4 and go out and celebrate you being UD…what’s your cd4% and, any changes from the previous one?… Hugs

Offline Tonny2

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Re: vampires
« Reply #285 on: February 07, 2025, 05:58:52 pm »
Just had my latest 6 monthly check up.

Still taking Kocitaf. Undetectable viral load, 1190 cd4 count at 49.9%, a new record for me. Diabetes under control, Creatinine slightly elevated but far from any concern. Dr was happy that my overall Cholesterol had dropped to 209, just out of range and then she turned the page and saw the Triglycerine level at 340 and didn't miss a beat when she prescribed a statin as soon as she the number. I did ask her if she thought it was the TAF as I have read it can affect lipids but she said no. She did ask if I wanted to switch to Dovato but I am still not 100% convinced about the two drug regimes.
I will see what the next 6 months brings and may make the switch just to drop the TAF.

Dave


                   ojo.          Hello there!… Congratulations!. I wish I had those numbers… Hugs

Offline Bucklandbury

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Re: vampires
« Reply #286 on: February 08, 2025, 11:32:58 am »
Michael, I cry every time I read about your past. God damn...

You are the spiritual principal of resilience incarnate.

All my predecessors are the same. Hats off to you all for persevering.

 


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