How often Do you see your HIV Doctor

[pinkadam]

Iam on HIV medication since 2006 Sep. Initailly my doctor used to see me every other week and then once a month. Now he sees me every two months. Also my blood work is done for every two months.

I was wondering how often does some one need to see their doctor when on medication. What factors do you discuss when you meet your doctor.

Most of the times iam discussing my anxiety and depression issues while i see my doctor.

I would like to know what questions should i be asking my HIV doctor when i visit him

I would love to hear from you all

Thx
Pink

[Matty the Damned]

Pink,

Matty the Damned sees his HIV specialist, Frau Eva about once every two months. As his sexual health physician she also deals with the other consequences of his perversions, such as herpes. All other things (like epilepsy) are managed by his general practitioner Lady Jane.

MtD

[Miss Philicia]

I went to my HIV specialist monthly for 12 years, mostly because my viral load could never be suppressed.  There were a few years I had to go every 2 weeks in between for testosterone injections.

The last 2 years that has changed and after my drug trial I went every 2 months and am now going every 3 months.  Just depends on your overall picture and how long it's been stable. 

I discuss anxiety and depression issues with a therapist and prescribing psychiatrist.  Has your HIV specialist not referred you to such people, pinkadam?

[RapidRod]

I only see my ID doc every four months now after a year of twice a month, then once a month. Every four months is still to much for me. She knows if I have a problem I'll call. Weeeeeeeeeeeelllllllll maybe.

[Nadine]

She knows if I have a problem I'll call.

you know that's not the truth Rodney 

[boylikertampa]

Have been positive for 7 years, and have been seeing my PCP (who is an HIV specialist) every 3 months.  I go more frequently as needed for other problems.  We go over recent test results, meds and need for changes or refills, and anything else that is bothering me or needs to be treated or tested for.  This seems to be the norm for the HIV-positive people I know.

[ubotts]

Been positive since 1987, didnt start meds till 2002..
Here in NJ the doctors see me every 2 months..Unless theres a problem, ill walk right in..

[allopathicholistic]

I can only speak for myself but I see my doctor every 3 months

[megasept]

Every 4-5 months. Saw my MD today---return in December.

   -megasept

[chrism1973]

I see my ID doc every 3 months. Chris

[BobF]

Quarterly for me too !

[thunter34]

As of Friday, I have joined the quarterly group! 

[lostinspace]

well, since i found out this may...let's see..three times in may, once in june, once in july, i have an appointment this month (next week) and after that she said i should be fine every 3 months (so that would be quarterly - if all goes well)

[milker]

hi lost,

welcome to the forums keep us informed about your results, we like to cheer and applaud when they get better, and when they don't we wait patiently with you

Milker.

[lostinspace]

hi milker, here's the current update...my first lab result i had 191,000 viral load and cd4 of 98...three months later....i now have  1190 viral load and 148 cd4...i'm really happy that the viral load has gone down tremendously but my cd4 is not getting a whole lot better so i have to keep taking dapsone along with my epzicom + reyataz + norvir combo cause my nurse said i may get pcp (or something like that)...i thought that was acid for tripping...who knows?

i love this site btw...everyone is so supportive...i've been miserable since finding out 3 mos ago...hope things get better.

cheers,
lost

[milker]

Well lost, this is not just cheer and applaud, but I'll add some silly dancing too ! Congrats for the numbers. So quaterly it should be !

Milker.

[southmetro]

Well, It has gone up to 3 months now between Labs...I don't always see the Doc, just get Labs and he sends the results by mail.

[thunter34]

wait just a rotten cotton pickin' minute.


I  DID reply to this thread before....sort of.

[milker]

Hmm yes now i'm confused.. there are two identical threads or is it just you and me having hallucinations?

Milker.

[jessem3s]

I usually go whenever I want.

But I go 4 times a year for testing/blood work.

I usually go if I feel something funny like a fever, or if I am feeling down and blah, or if they say come in Jesus!

I have 2 Nurse practitioners and the HIV specialist.

The girls love me so they just tell me, "come in" if they want to see me and talk some.

I love my doctors!!!!

[milker]

The girls love me so they just tell me, "come in" if they want to see me and talk some.

They're either fag hags or have been extensively trained in psychiatry

Milker.

[jessem3s]

They're either fag hags or have been extensively trained in psychiatry

Milker.

Thats rich!!!

Do you have anything constructive to say?

The Nurse Practitioners are amazing. They are there if you need anything!!! Super sweet, nice, and fun!

[milker]

Thats rich!!!

Do you have anything constructive to say?

The Nurse Practitioners are amazing. They are there if you need anything!!! Super sweet, nice, and fun!

Yup I'm rich and constructive like that, get used to it, n00b.

Milker.

[jessem3s]

Yup I'm rich and constructive like that, get used to it, n00b.

Milker.

You get an "A" for effort... that's all... lol

[milker]

You get an "A" for effort... that's all... lol

We're past pre-school, babe. We use other kinds of grades. You'll see.

Milker.

[jessem3s]

We're past pre-school, babe. We use other kinds of grades. You'll see.

Milker.

What grades are those? Im still tapping my foot and I don't see anything?
Enlighten me?

And "a" is still used in college.

[milker]

What grades are those? Im still tapping my foot and I don't see anything?
Enlighten me?

And "a" is still used in college.

LOL you'll be tapping your foot often on here But be assured, it will come 

Milker.

[jessem3s]

LOL you'll be tapping your foot often on here But be assured, it will come 

Milker.

Explain yourself?

[milker]

Explain yourself?

What we're doing here is a plain hijack, and it's not tolerated in the forums, and i'm guilty of it. I suggest you start an Off Topic subject if you want to play with others on a non-HIV related subject. I will stop here.

Milker.

[jessem3s]

What we're doing here is a plain hijack, and it's not tolerated in the forums, and i'm guilty of it. I suggest you start an Off Topic subject if you want to play with others on a non-HIV related subject. I will stop here.

Milker.

Since I don't understand what your talking about I can only question what you say?
So till this point I am lost? What?

[fearless]

Quarterly for my regular HIV check and blood donation.

But, I see the same doctor for all my medical needs so see him whenever I need to for other stuff

[anniebc]

Jessum

Let me try to explain what a "Highjack" is.. in words you will hopefully understand.

When replying to a post you will stick to the Topic in question..in this case it's "how often do you visit your Doctor"

You do not go off topic with...A grades, toe tapping or trying to bait someone with questions that has nothing to do with the thread...that's pretty much it in a nutshell..I hope I have made myself clear.

You may only be 19 and consider yourself a pretty boy, but that doesn't cut it here...if you want to endear yourself to the guys here then try compassion, understanding and support..believe me that will take you futher than all these petty come backs you keep coming up with.

Milker..shame on you...

Jan

[Andy Velez]

OK, Milker and Jesse, if you two need to do snapping at each other, do it on your own time somewhere else or better yet just cool it and don't do it at all.

In any case, you are taking this perfectly legitimate thread into flaming territory. Stop it now and I don't want to see it showing up either here or elsewhere again. And yes, this is a warning.

[Peter Staley]

They're either fag hags or have been extensively trained in psychiatry

Milker.

Milker -- pure flamebait, and uncalled for.

Peter

[milker]

Sorry I apologize. I lost control with this hijack, I PM jesse after my last post there explaining to him what was a hijack and yes, my post was a bit harsh.

Milker.

[gaspode]

I go every 4 months - see the doctor one time and the nurse the next. Can't remember the last time I had to go between regular visits. Less often the better for me!!

[cayucosguy]

Like many others, my doc wants to see me quarterly (just saw him last Thursday).  I have all of my lab work done locally, two weeks prior, and then drive to San Francisco to see Dr. Bill (220 miles each way).  If something comes up in between, I have a local doctor that I've been with for more than 20 years.

[Joe K]

At least monthly, more during those special times.  On average I have 40 to 60 doctor visits per year, what with all the specialists.  I suppose I could have a worse part-time job.

[newone]

..every 4 months and it is always a different doctor (so far).....it is all free and they seem to know what they are doing...cant complain.

[Falkore]

When I first tested poz I went once a month for about 3 months to get a base line, then every 3 months.  After I started Atripla I went every month for 2 months.  Now that we know that the meds are doing what they are supposed to do, I go only every 3 months.  I maintain my health so far and I have not needed to visit anyone outside that time.  I hope to keep it that way.

[pinkadam]

Thanks guys. You all are awesome !!!

I thank you all for the feedback

[redhotmuslbear]

During the first two years on meds and after the first 3 months, I saw the ID doc every three months.  Then, just as I was beginning to like a new female doc in the practice formerly in the US Army, the old asshole doc inserted himself into my care again and demeaned my concerns about Viracept squirts.  For five years after that, I saw my primary only who ordered lab work every three months.  With my being off meds successfully for almost two years now, my currently primary has labs done every six months, with labs done halfway between each visit by NIH;  and I'm keeping the nice female ID doc informed since she handled my enrollment in Elite Controllers, and she felt seeing her wasn't necessary unless "something goes wrong."

In the mix I also have an ear, nose and throat specialist who helps manage sinusitis, a neurologist who monitors a familial tremor and carpal tunnel syndrome, s neurosurgeon who keeps watch over a tiny cyst on my cervical spine and the fluid compartments in my brain, and a hand surgeon I'll see again Monday who will soon treat the carpal tunnel issue.  They are all rather excited to be dealing with an LTNP, and they respect my knowledge about my health and shy away from "thou shalt" attitudes towards even minor treatments.

Cheers,
David

mmm.... and I forgot my humpy dentist of 20 years who puts his tool in my mouth in two weeks!

[buca45]

I must be special.....i see mine every 6 weeks rain or shine!!

[randym431]

I went from three month-ers to four after my doc said I was doing so well that I was now on "cruise control".

Thats fine if all is going well. But sometimes I wonder if I'd regret that if the labs started going the wrong way.

I feel great, but in the last month I noticed I went from 186-ish to 180. I have been biking a lot, and walking a lot.
But weight loss is how this hiv thing first came to discovery. So I get a little on edge when I have any weight changes of more than one or two lbs.
And havent seen my ID doc since June, and wont see him again until Oct. All was very well on that June lab/checkup.