Fcs1 - Introduction thread

[Fcs1]

Hello! I just want to thank you for sharing.  I am a 29 year old gay male from Washington and I was  just diagnosed on 2/13/2021 and reading your post I felt like I was reading exactly what I had running through my head.it feels surreal, but it is nice to know there are others that understand what I am going through.

[Seigmeyer-of-Catarina]

Aww of course, I’m glad you could relate and I’m sorry about your diagnosis. I didn’t think to describe it as surreal but that’s a perfectly accurate descriptor actually. It’s totally surreal. I don’t really know why, but since I’ve started treatment I feel so much better. Better in the sense that I didn’t realize how bad I felt until I was feeling better. Just feeling better alone has really help get rid of a lot of my initial fears. I literally don’t think I even thought about having HIV yesterday so I think that’s a good sign I’m getting past the initial shock of it. Our diagnoses times are pretty parallel so we should keep each other updated!

[Jim Allen]

@OP.

Hi

Sorry to hear about the recent diagnosis but welcome to the forum and I hope you find it supportive.

As you are a new member forum, I moved your post here to be your forum introduction thread. If you have any questions or need to talk/vent, please feel free to post it here and, the members will try to support you.

Read your post, so the diagnosis was only a few days ago. I know it can be a lot to digest. However, has your doctor shared your lab results like viral load and discussed starting treatment with you?

Best, Jim

[Fcs1]

@OP.

Hi

Sorry to hear about the recent diagnosis but welcome to the forum and I hope you find it supportive.

As you are a new member forum, I moved your post here to be your forum introduction thread. If you have any questions or need to talk/vent, please feel free to post it here and, the members will try to support you.

Read your post, so the diagnosis was only a few days ago. I know it can be a lot to digest. However, has your doctor shared your lab results like viral load and discussed starting treatment with you?

Best, Jim

Thank you for moving to the introduction thread! I have my first appointment tomorrow afternoon to go over my results more thoroughly and hopefully find out more about virial load and course of treatment. I was tested at a urgent care, so they have just shared that my results were positive, and referred me to specialist. This group has already been huge support in reading others stories and questions. Makes it feel less isolating, especially in the times we re in right now.

Aww of course, I’m glad you could relate and I’m sorry about your diagnosis. I didn’t think to describe it as surreal but that’s a perfectly accurate descriptor actually. It’s totally surreal. I don’t really know why, but since I’ve started treatment I feel so much better. Better in the sense that I didn’t realize how bad I felt until I was feeling better. Just feeling better alone has really help get rid of a lot of my initial fears. I literally don’t think I even thought about having HIV yesterday so I think that’s a good sign I’m getting past the initial shock of it. Our diagnoses times are pretty parallel so we should keep each other updated!

Thank you for the response and kind words! It is comforting to hear that you fee better after starting treatment! I think I am just anxious now to have my appointment and to start treatment. Yes, would enjoy keeping in contacted and keeping each other updated.

[Jim Allen]

Glad to hear that the forum and people posts have been of help/support so far in reducing that feeling of isolation.

Understand that you have just had a reactive result and are still waiting for a follow-up. Until the follow-up results come back, I will ask you to only post in this one thread. Thanks.

We are here to help, so do keep us posted.

[Fcs1]

I had my follow up appointment and had additional blood drawn to get a complete blood panel, and established my care team. Today was my first day of medication( Biktarvy). It was a little weird taking the first pill, as it solidified that this is now something I will be doing from now on. Overall I am feeling alright and glad that I am taking the necessary steps to stabilize my health.

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

Glad that you have access to and started treatment. Seeing it as taking control of your health is a good way of looking at this.

Keep us posted on any questions you might have and how you are getting on. Also, let us know when your lab results are back.

Best, Jim.