5 year anniversary

[TGun]

Well everyone, just thought about the milestone i just reached today, which is my 5 year anniversary for when i was first diagnosed POZ.   What a whirlwind the last 5 years has been.  I myself have experienced all the same feelings and emotions that are written about at length in this site.    Truvada, Genvoya, Biktary and now Dovato has been my journey.  I was lucky to be diagnosed before CD4's had dropped much.  My health was normal at the time i found out.  Been undetectable for the whole journey after about 6 weeks from starting treatment.  I am a testament to the benefits of testing often if you are a high risk person, of which I am...  Life's been good though to me,, this whole journey has helped me to appreciate life and the day to day much more.  Married with kids after this happened.  Life just means so much more to me and is so much happier since.   I wish of course i didn't carry this burden with me, like I'm sure all of you do too,, but in all honesty, despite this one burden, everything else in life significantly improved due to this change of outlook on life.  This did not happen overnight for me,, i suffered from major mental illness for about 18 months and then it was over, and its been smooth sailing since.  If anyone would like to discuss their situation in private please feel free to message me here.  I only wish i had someone to talk to in the earlier stages. 

[Tonny2]

           ojo.            Hi there!!!


Congratulations for the positive attitude you have decided to rule your life after those darkest me baths after your dx. Keep doing what you have been doing and we will be here to celebrate your 10th or 20th anniversary…good luck …hugs

[SFlSurvive]

Way to go. That is awesome. It feels good to read stories like this. Keep up the great work and the positive outlook on life!

[Shazam9cd4]

Always good to hear of the positive that comes Out of the negative!  I also believe i am Becoming a happier and more productive person.  Its Certainly an ongoing journey with many ups and downs,  and  a heavy burden to carry,  but its caused me to be so much more “alive”,  attentive,  proactive and “positive”.  I am now on my 6th month after leaving the hospital where i almost didnt make it (PCP and Sepis) due to late stage diagnosis. Had to take two  Months of sick leave to recover.  But now, outside minor ailments and a bit of constantly looking over my shoulder for what might come next - im, knock on wood, doing great.  Fortunately my wife tested negative and is very supportive.  Im lucky and grateful for that. As you suggest  - not  having someone to talk is the hard part - but this forum provides a great channel for that.

Hope you dont mind if i ask a quick question -
You caught your condition quite early in the CD4 curve - why did you change meds so many times?  Side effects?  Ive been in triumeq throughout and seems to work fine but docs suggested moving to Dovato once my CD4s have stabilised.   Curious what your experience was over the course of your many changes. 

[kentfrat1783]

I'm just over 5 years of my diagnosis (May 2017) and learned the hard way.  Things have been good since finding a specialist I trust, on my meds, and ask many questions.  I've also been talking with different people and finally found someone that I trust and can work through things. 

Having a positive attitude is what it is about, but some days it can be hard but so if life.

I've only been on two different Rx's so it's interesting you've changed so much.  I started with Atripla but everyone is different and I'm sure that is what is best for you. 

Here's to another 5, then 10 and 15 years+ to come.   

[TGun]

I started on truvada at the direction of my PMD (mistake), after labs and serotyping done by my ID i started on genvoya, became undetectable in about 6 weeks if i remember correctly.  Moved to biktarvy, so that i could take it without food.  Then dovato for the one less med, and to possibly help with losing weight.   thats my story,,, contemplating cabenuva, although my ID isn't quite comfortable with it yet, so im n limbo with that... alls well at least.