Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 29, 2024, 06:00:37 am

Login with username, password and session length


Members
  • Total Members: 37614
  • Latest: bondann
Stats
  • Total Posts: 772951
  • Total Topics: 66311
  • Online Today: 741
  • Online Ever: 5484
  • (June 18, 2021, 11:15:29 pm)
Users Online
Users: 2
Guests: 459
Total: 461

Welcome


Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS.  Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning:  Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.

  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

  • Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators of these forums. Click here for “Do I Have HIV?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

  • We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are true and correct to their knowledge.

  • Product advertisement—including links; banners; editorial content; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from POZ.

To change forums navigation language settings, click here (members only), Register now

Para cambiar sus preferencias de los foros en español, haz clic aquí (sólo miembros), Regístrate ahora

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: New in the community....  (Read 5741 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline LukasFRA

  • Member
  • Posts: 12
New in the community....
« on: August 24, 2013, 01:17:28 pm »
Hi All,

I am happy to have found this community. During the last 3 weeks I have been doing a lot of reading in the various forums and the discussions gave me a very positive push.

3 weeks ago (August 16, 2013) I was diagnosed HIV+. After a couple of infections during winter and spring I decided to do again a complete check up. For this I also decided to switch doctor. The new one did a very thorough exam and recommended also an HIV test. The following 3 days I started to be quite sure, that the test would turn out positive. Even though I did follow all safe sex rules in the past I was not convinced of not having been stupid from time to time…..

On Friday, August 16 my doc called me and asked if I could drop by to discuss the blood results. I was in the middle of a business meeting and had stepped out to take the call. I had dreaded this message but at the same time I felt - strangely enough - relieved.

The doctor broke the news to me in a very kind and assuring way, he had already contacted the best specialist in town and had fixed an appointment for the following Monday. We discussed the numbers, which had to be yet confirmed and the options of therapy. Numbers are: VL 77,7k, CD4 356, 32%.

I have to admit, that my knowledge on HIV was almost nil, focused completely on safe sex, but nothing more. Regarding therapy and living with HIV I have been in complete denial mode for the last 30 yrs.

I drove home to my partner and it was not easy to tell him the news, as he was not aware of my visit to the doctor and my health concerns I had had over the last months (we always put it on the work load etc.).

We have been together for 10 years, married for 3 years. But I was not sure how he would take it. He listened, kissed me and told me not to worry and to remember always: for better or for worse…. I was so happy…

Today I will start my therapy with Eviplera. I am a bit scared, as I am not sure about the side effects. But time will tell.

I guess I have been positive for a couple of years. This is now helping me to carry on, as in reality nothing has changed compared to pre August 16. Work has become difficult as I can not focus on the “little” problems we might be facing in some of the projects. On the other hand it is a good distraction. But I am happy to live in a privileged world where access to medical treatment is possible and where I am not beaten to death because I am gay.

Cheers
Lukas

Offline Peterdenmark

  • Member
  • Posts: 81
Re: New in the community....
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2013, 01:49:38 pm »
Hi Lukas,

I cant give u any advice, because im new to this myself.

Just wanted to thank u, for sharing yr story. Yr husband sounds great - very good u have eachother :) and a very sweet story.

The best i can say is to be adherrent with yr meds, and have healthy and possitive lifestyle.

Best of luck from Denmark,

Peter

Offline EUINAU

  • Member
  • Posts: 71
  • New to This
Re: New in the community....
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2013, 04:33:20 pm »
There are a lot of similarities in your case as were/ are in mine. Just wanted to say that I am on meds since Mid May and have not really had any side effects....


Offline JungleJungle

  • Member
  • Posts: 41
Re: New in the community....
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2013, 06:53:24 pm »
Your story sounds so similar to mine...unlucky...
Pretty same way to diagnosis...
Pretty similar CD4 numbers...
Waiting to start meds next month...

Good luck!
You need coolin', baby, I'm not foolin',
I'm gonna send you back to schoolin',
Way down inside honey, you need it,
I'm gonna give you my love,
I'm gonna give you my love.

Offline tednlou2

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,730
Re: New in the community....
« Reply #4 on: August 24, 2013, 11:29:29 pm »
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but welcome to the forums.  This is a great place for info, and community.  It is great to hear your husband is supportive.  Btw, has he tested?  If not, he needs to be. 

I wish you all the best, as you navigate through all this.  Keep in touch.

Ted

Offline LukasFRA

  • Member
  • Posts: 12
Re: New in the community....
« Reply #5 on: August 25, 2013, 03:18:02 pm »
Thank you all for the warm welcome. It is really good to know not to be the only one (again...).

Ted, you are right, he will be tested, he has already fixed an an appointment with the doc on Wednesday.

So yesterday evening he prepared a nice dinner and I started on my "vitamins", my new friends... the night was ok, a bit of an upset stomach, but not too bad. But then I guess it is early to think about the side effects...

Lukas

Offline LukasFRA

  • Member
  • Posts: 12
Re: New in the community....
« Reply #6 on: September 08, 2013, 03:19:28 pm »
Just a short update after 2 weeks on Eviplera / Complera.

But first the good news: my partner/husband tested negative!!!  :)

I have now been 2 weeks on Eviplera. So far I have been lucky, no side effects. I am taking the pill with dinner. Even though the original recommendation said to take it with at least 500 cals, in Europe the recommendation is to have something to eat like a slice of (real) bread with butter and ham or something like that. I am trying to have a balanced dinner. So far it worked, I only had an upset stomach twice.

One side effect seems to be that I am more active, but this could also be a result of the new situation which I am still trying to comprehend. I had cut back running in the morning to 8km 3 times a week but now I am back to 10 to 12 km.

I tend to forget a lot of things, concentration is not really good. But again it seems to me to be more a side effect of coping with the situation rather then the pills.

How do I cope with my work? This was one of the most important questions for me when I got the diagnosis on August 16. I have the responsibility for about a thousand employees and was concerned that being HIV+ could interfere with my work. So far nothing has happened to make me feel that I am not up to the workload. I am not open about being HIV+, as this has nothing to do with work. I guess a lot of newly diagnosed have the same concerns, but with today's medication life seems to go on as before. I have a couple of friends with diabetes, the impact on their daily life is a really different story.

Overall the first weeks have been good, I have read a lot of the stories and experiences in the forums. Esp. the experiences of the LTS have been giving me hope and trust in life....

Another week and we will be off to British Columbia. First 2 weeks up in the mountains, back to basic life and then the last 4 days in Vancouver... Looking forward to the break....

Lukas



Offline mitch777

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,087
Re: New in the community....
« Reply #7 on: September 09, 2013, 08:43:04 am »
Hi Lukas.

Great news about your husband!

As far as work goes, if the side effects remain minimal I don't see any reason for concern. I'm on Truvada and Isentress so I can't comment on your meds but often  the side effects are mild and temporary.

Wow, you're an active guy! The last time I ran 8km was, um,... never. And now you're headed to the mountains of BC. Have fun! :)

Welcome to the forums!

m.



33 years hiv+ with a curtsy.

 


Terms of Membership for these forums
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.