Cbez - New to site

[Cbez]

Hi ladies

I'm Cbez, I have diagnosed 7 yrs ago and I've been holding up fine without treatment up to this far but now I'm starting to get worried that I may have to start the treatment to avoid opportunistic diseases this has got into my mind that I can't even focus on everything I'm doing. Besides that, I tried not to be in any relationship for a long time until I met this guy last year and we have been together since Nov last yr. I was unable to tell him about my status because I was afraid of rejection. We were always practising protected sex until a condom broke two months ago and I was forced to tell him so that he can go for PeP. He did take the treatment and was fine during that month yet I don't know the outcome of it. I think I am more worried about him than myself and I won't forgive myself if he got infected.

I am new to this forum by the way.

[Jim Allen]

Hi Cbez,

I split your post so you have your own introduction thread. We do have female forum members and I am sure they will reply to you soon.

However I just wanted to make sure someone had welcomed you to the forum and also to offer that if you want at any stage I can move your post into the general forum instead, it has more members who are eligible to reply to you.

Really sorry to hear that you are going through a nervous time and I hope things do work out for the relationship. You did the right thing telling him so he could start PEP and I hope he will understand and see things in that light as well. PEP when taken is highly effective so try not to stress about it too much.

You mentioned starting treatment well recently I posted a thread on the updated treatment guidelines maybe they will help you have an idea of what treatment would suit when you do speak to your doctor on the subject. https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=67861.0

Wishing you well.

Jim

[Cbez]

Hi Jim

Thanks for responding to my thread. Yeah, you can move my post to the general forum, hence I would like to get some advice from others who have been through this and maybe give advice to others.

I am really glad I found this forum, now I know I have people to talk to. You guys are doing a very good job because some of us have nobody to talk to or rather are scared to talk to close people because of stigma.

[mecch]

HI CBez welcome here.

My two bits is on your health, not the concern about your lover.

You said you "have been holding up fine" without treatment for 7 years so I would like you to discuss that a bit more here.

Have you been getting regular testing to monitor your infection?  Do you have a GP or specialist?

Do you know, that nowadays, most countries follow a protocol, that the best thing for anyone with HIV to do, is to be on HIV treatment.  I was just wondering where you are that doctors haven't recommended you be treated.  Far as I now, there is no "fine" really, for untreated HIV+ people. Even those people who were keeping low viral loads without medicine, were recommended to start treatment.

[Jim Allen]

Yeah, you can move my post to the general forum, hence I would like to get some advice from others who have been through this and maybe give advice to others.

Hi Cbez,

I moved your thread and other members will be able to chime in on your thread.
Take it easy.

Jim

[CaveyUK]

Hi Cbez and welcome.

I note your phrasing "now I'm starting to get worried that I may have to start the treatment" as meaning you are afraid of taking that step for some reason.

All I can say is that treatment these days is fantastic and doesn't stop you living a full and active life, and nails the virus down in super-fast time. This not only alleviates any worry about your health, but stops you from passing the virus on.

It would be good to hear if there are any fears in terms of medication that are preventing you from making this step. I am sure the good folk here will be able to answer questions on it and give you confidence that it is the single best thing you could do in your life.

Cheers
Cavey

[Cbez]

Hi mecch

No, I don't have a GP or a specialist which means I'm not doing regular tests to monitor my infection.

Thanks

[Cbez]

Hi CaveyUK

I believe that I have to be financially fit in order to afford a GP or a specialist that is where my problem lies. I am not afraid to start medication, in fact, I'm ready. I want to get a GP because the public facilities here gets full and You might have to wait for days to get help. I'm a student but I think I can now afford the cheapest medical aid and I'm looking forward to it.

Cheers

[mecch]

Cbez - do you want to say where you live and will seek medical care?

Most countries have some way that this can be possible. 

Also, in a number of countries, of course an HIV+ person has to be very active and defend his/her access to doctors and medicine. 

Difficult to advise you more, not knowing where you face this challenge.

I will say its pretty critical you get some blood work to see where your immune system is.  Or, if you can't get bloodwork, but CAN get medicine, reliably, then start ASAP. I suppose some countries don't offer a lot of bloodwork but can manage to get the medicine out to people who need it.

[den2542]

I have to agree with my fellow brothers and sisters here. What is worrisome is 1. No recurrent labs and 2. No meds. I thought the science was hit hard hit early. In my case I was poz under the old thought of no meds until you hit 2 or 300 CD4. But believe me when those cd4 drop, they drop hard and fast. Mine did. If I had the chance to go on meds I would have but back then the only drugs available were D4T and AZT. It was not successful as it should have been. I was lucky that the science got better just at the time I almost died. So please don't wait to go on meds. The climb back is rough.