Valley of the Dolls - The Jackie Beat version

[Iggy]

Just got the call from the labs and it looks like as I close in on two years sober of recreational drugs, I've gotten an anniversary present from the Universe of true irony, namely it's my time to start meds.

My last results:

Cd4: 300
VL: 96,000
%: 13

The joke of it all is that I feel physically fantastic, but I've learned from many that the physical that we are cognizant of is not necessarily accurate of our health.

Jeromy and I are a little tight on funds so we are going to hold off on the doctor appointment and getting the meds until the end of this month.  Also I am going to my niece's Confirmation in NY in the first weekend of April (who would guess me as a godfather, huh?) and I really would like to hold off starting the meds until I get back.

Not really upset as I've seen this coming for a while, but am a little disappointed that my body just couldn't pull off one more rebound on its own as it has done previously.

[Florida69]

Iggy I am so sorry to hear you having to start meds, it sucks some days.  Especially the expense of it all.  I know you are not working, I would look into some financial help through the ASO and the drug companies.  I tested in January of 2006, by March of 2006 I had to start meds.  Man is it ever draining on me financially, last year my part of the meds cost me around $9,000.00 last year that is with private insurance.  The good thing is I am good with money, I have been on my own since I was 15 and managed to do a budget to make room for the expense.  Good luck on the niece confirmation, and being a godfather.  I too am blessed to have a couple of nephews who should be mine, they are truly my strength at times.  Due to my mothers illness I ended up helping raise my younger brothers, and I feel more like a parent to my nephews and nieces than an uncle.  My advice is start doing some research and finding ways to pay for the meds.  Good luck, D

[Longislander]

Sorry to hear your time has come to start. Definitely not the best timing, but I hope you can figure out a way to get the meds.  Please don't wait too long.  Like you I felt perfectly fine, but the #'s suggest otherwise.  I suppose you've had the geno/phenotyping stuff done. Will you start with Atripla or another combo?

Paul

[pozattitude]

too bad you have to start meds....good thing you know it is time to start hitting that little fucking virus with some killer anti viral...not sure what to say about the meds...I know you can get meds from the big pharma and Glaxo is right there in NC in the Raleigh/Durham area (you have to apply and if you qualify you get them).
I'm on a drug break by doctors orders but it won't last long...I'll be back on meds by the summer 
since you are holding off starting the meds until you get back from NY, have another test done to make sure it is not a bleep...

Rich

[Iggy]

Thanks for the support guys - I appreciate it.

I want to correct an image I may have inadvertenly put out there as far as meds/docs and costs.  As of the beginning of this year, I am fortunately on Jeromy's insurance - so I will be able to get them.  It just that even with the insurance the copays for the doc and the meds is roughly $80.  We can certainly cover, just need to hold off for a week or so. 

To be frank, even if I had money in my pocket right now, I would still hold off until after my trip to NY to see Family.  I really just don't want to deal with my body getting used to the meds while dealing with the expected (and well loved) demands that I will be facing from my nephew and nieces to be of boundless energy that weekend.
 
And Yes - Atripla is the most likely starting med for me unless my doc tells me different for some reason.

Thanks again for your posts

[AlanBama]

Mark honey, you know you have to "climb Mt. Everest to reach the Valley of the Dolls".    I know you did some pretty heavy climbing, deailing with the whole shingles issue....

It's not so bad here in the Valley.   I'd rather be in the Valley of the Dolls than in the Valley of the Shadow of......well you know which Valley I'm talking about

Congratulations on being a Godfather!   Give the little one a special hug for me, and hope you have a great time with the family.

hugs,
Alan