Introduction

[poz1970]

hi

I've been reading these forums for a few months now, and thought it was about time I did an introduction...

I'm a 37 year old gay male with hiv living in Adelaide, South Australia.  In relative isolation, dealing with depression and agoraphobia.

Long story;

I started off as an 18 year old (in 1988), picked up a 29 year old at the only sauna in town.  Hit it off incredibly, second 'date', he disclosed to me (over the phone) that he was positive... at the time, I knew nothing about hiv... I talked to some friends, and they told me that status didn't really matter, if you love him, you love him... So we shacked up :-D

He volunteered at the local aids council, so I did as well, to be with him...  many years passed, life was great, we were happy in domestic bliss, I was working a good job, keep kept my husband in the lifestyle that he'd like to be accustomed to :-)

About 1995 he had a seizure of some sort.. and thats when the downward spiral started for his health, developing KS's all over, becoming more and more frail,..... I gave up working to look after him, going on a carer's pension.  With his disability pension, and my carer’s pension, we managed to live reasonably.

To cut a long story short, he died in my arms October 28th 1998, at 7:30am (ninth anniversary this weekend, so I'm going out for a drink)...

I got back on with my life, or intended to... met a great man, we bonked like rabits etc... broke up, I went on a bender, and slutfest, and got infected sometime around 2002 or so.  I wasn't diagnosed until July 30th 2004 though, with a cd4 of 27... after a few problems with azt induced neutropenia, we've found a drug regime that hasn't screwed me up too much Ziagen, lamivudine, and viramune.. all twice a day...

So for the last 3 years, I've barely left the house, only on pension day, or when I absolutely have to, I spend my day playing computer games, chatting (on gaydar, lol), and lifting weights..

I started doing something late 2006, registered with the positive living centre here, use their food bank, bill assistance, (and occasionally turning up to one of their weekly Friday lunches)..

I have a cat, who I love dearly, and am seeing the great man again (he has two children that I love dearly, and who call me dad :-D and I smoke like a chimney, having major problems with my lungs :-(

I've had good luck in the respect that my bloods have bounced back pretty well, I'm sitting on 651, with a ratio of 0.88, undetectable.  My main problem lately has been my guts, and the occasional day of absolutely NO energy...

So that’s me!

J

[keyite]

What a story. Thanks for sharing it. Was very sad to read about the loss of your partner in 98. However, glad to hear your combo is working so well, even taking the gut problem into consideration...

[Iggy]

Glad to read the introduction and belatedly welcoming you to the forums!

[komnaes]

Hi J

Thanks for sharing your story. I don't have anything profound to add but just want to wish you the best of luck with your health that will allow you to pursuit whatever you feel like in life.

Cheers, Shaun

[David_CA]

Hey J,

Welcome!  It's good to finally 'meet' you.  Thanks for sharing your story; I'm sure it can be hard to tell sometimes.  Take care.

David

[thunter34]

Hey, J! 

Thank you for sharing your story here.  I've seen you on here for awhile...nice to get a llittle background on you now.

Glad you are here.

[LACboi]

Hello poz1970 thanks for the introduction and the story, I'm glad your numbers are good now.

Take care of yourself,

jeremy...

[englishgirl]

hi j,

welcome and thanks for sharing your story. hope your numbers and your relationship continue to be good. hope your energy, depression and other problems improve (and that you give up smoking so your lungs get better!) will be thinking of you on the 28th.

xxxx

[Jody]

Hi J...Welcome, I've always noticed your avatar I might say...Glad you are doing better, keeping a good attitude and stress reduction are keys to better health.  So many of us have stomach issues, I know they are a drag...As Debra says do give up smoking if possible, that will help alot as two major weaknesses of having HIV are respiratory and digestive.

Jody

[GSOgymrat]

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm very sorry your partner passed away. It sounds like you have been through a lot.

[StrongGuy]

Welcome - and thanks for sharing your story. Look forward to seeing you more around the forums!

[aztecan]

Hey J,

Howdy. Thanks for sharing your story with us. I'm glad you've chimed in and that you are here.

HUGS,

Mark

[AlanBama]

Hi J,

Glad you made an introductory post, and welcome to the forums!

hugs,

Alan

[pozattitude]

Hi there J,

Thanks for sharing your story.  Nice to have you with us.


Rich

[bear60]

Thanks for posting your introduction. Welcome.

[Robert]

Hi J.

i couldn't help but notice  you lurking around these parts either.  i look at your picture every day and sigh.  You certainly look like you're in good shape.  Thanks for sharing your story.  Over in the Long Term Survivors forum is a thread about our
BIOS that contains some of our life stories.

sorry to hear about the agoraphobia.  I moved from the city to the country because I figured if I wanted to be alone I might as well be isolated as well.  It seems to be working although I'm not sure that is such a good thing. Another not-so-wise decision on my part.  Oh well, that's the story of my life and I'm not regretting it.

Welcome.

robert

[allanq]

Hi J,

You've been through a lot, and I hope the future will be better. Wecome to the forums and good luck to you.

Allan

[Peter6836]

Thanks for sharing the type of honesty you have showed takes a lot of courage. Its good to have you here.
Peter