For Jimmy G..his first post, please read

[anniebc]

HI Jimmy

I have copied and pasted your post to the "Living with" forum..I think you will get a better feed back from here..also if you need to ask questions, looking for advise or just have a story to tell it's always best to start your own post, that way it doesn't get lost and we can keep track of it...if you are not sure how to do that just ask...I sent you a PM.
Jan
(who is still trying to master the "Move it" button without stuffing up)
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Hi everybody! I thank goodness, heaven, and/or whoever for this site and especially for this forum. I have discovered that catharsis is a great tool for emotional healing, and in that sense writing works for me better than a soothing pill would; specially at night

I’m 52 and I got infected back in 1993 (I know for sure), but I was not diagnosed until 1995. I have been practically asymptomatic for the last decade although the condition has exacerbated my allergies. Apart from that, a shingles episode started a mild neuropathy in my left foot. However, in general terms, I look and feel healthy. 

It was precisely the shingles episode what open my eyes to the fact that my viral load had increased from 40K to 160K in 5 years. My CD4 count is around 250, and my CBC is already showing the consequences of those stats. My low red and white blood cells counts are my worst fear right now. I’m beginning to feel tired and weakened.

 My recent blood counts motivated my partner, who thought he was HIV-, to get tested, but unfortunately the test showed he is positive. Ironically, I had been very calmed and focused on my health throughout the process, but discovering that my 33 y/o partner is positive has shaken me a little. My biggest concern is about financial issues since now we are two HIV+ in the same household. None of us is on meds yet, but what will happen when the time comes for medications. I will greatly appreciate if you share some light on services and programs for people like us in the mainland. We live in the Caribbean, and HIV issues are still a big taboo down here. Even for health professional.

I’d love to get feedback to my posting. How do you guys see my counts and stats?

May PEACE be with you!  Hugs, Jimmy G. 
 
 
  
 

[Jimrican]

Thanks a ton! I'm new to all this, but you can't imagine how much I appreciate people answering my questions and postings. This is something I've started to do to calm my anxiety, and I do it after 3 or 4 AM, local time. Once I start reading and writing here I get that sense of relief that you only get when you open yourself in a conversation. Very few people, and none of them are my relatives, know about my condition, so this is kind of my only way for catharsis.

I just want everybody to understand that you are lucky living in the USA. There, you can always have access to the latest discoveries and treatments. Down here (PR), where I live, everything is so difficult for HIV+ people. Nobody cares about social and educational differences when it comes to provide a service (no prejudice meant). Sometimes you have to deal with drug addicts and the most horrible people in public treatment centers just to get diagnosed. I don't think the condition is as devastating as the lack of education and financial resources to have access to meds and decent services. And which is worst down here, most health care professionals show a lot of prejudice and lack of tact with HIV+ people. Thanks a lot again and please keep in touch.

[Matty the Damned]

Hey Jimmy!

Welcome to the forums! I'm glad you found your way to us.

We have a a couple of members from PR here, most notably the lovely Josh. I'm sorry to hear that you're doing it a bit tough at the moment regarding social issues and accessing services. I'm sure we'll be able to provide you with a place to share your story and experiences and have a giggle.

Especially have a giggle.

Fondly,

MtD

[xyahka]

Hola Jim, bienvenido a los forums, es bueno ver más latinos por estos lados.

I think you can ask Josh about the situation over there about access to meds and so on, plus you should get in contact with a Foundation dealing with Hiv/Aids living people. Also remember that right now almost in all latin america there is access to free meds in government sponsored programmes. That's why it is good for you to get in touch with someone helping/advocating for the rights of people living with aids/hiv in PR so they can guide you in the process.

Wish you the best, you can count with us anytime.

Cheers,

Juan Carlos

[Nadine]

Welcome to the forums Jim...

There is always someone here to talk with...pull up a chair and kick your shoes off.
We are a great bunch of people

[DanielMark]

Once I start reading and writing here I get that sense of relief that you only get when you open yourself in a conversation. Very few people, and none of them are my relatives, know about my condition, so this is kind of my only way for catharsis.

Welcome Jimmy,

Glad you found a place of understanding here. No need to feel alone anymore.

Daniel (in Canada)

[milker]

Hello Jimmy,

welcome to the forums!

What kind of following do you have right now? You said you were infected in 1995, and your VL went from 40 to 160K in the last five years, so do you have regular visits with an infectious disease doctor ? Is he suggesting that you go on meds now? Your CD4 is acceptable but has to be monitored, it possible that it was lower at some point.

Milker.

[Miss Philicia]

Hi Jimmy G, welcome to the forums.  I hope someone here can assist you in the delicate nature of HIV care currently in Puerto Rico.  I'm aware of the financial issues surrounding these programs there currently.  As many are aware I have a deep and abiding affinity for La Isla Verde and associated male inhabitants.

Don't worry about the "drug addicts and other horrible people" in the public treatment centers -- surprisingly I've found that some of the best care in a medical respect can occur in these places, as the doctors there quickly become quite skilled at treating the most challenging of HIV patients.  I gather you do not have the resources to simply see a private doctor?  I saw private HIV doctors for over a decade, and now a more public facility in the past 2 years, and to be honest I'd surprisingly rate the public facility marginally better.  Of course, this is quite dependent on the staff so it's not like I've done some huge survey, just adding useless anecdotal evidence.

At any rate, you can go to the public clinic for a start and then switch to something else later if you still feel uncomfortable.  The emphasis should always be on YOU and your comfort level.

[Bucko]

Hola Jimmy-

First let me compliment you on the brilliance of your written English. Your ability to turn a phrase is vastly superior to many (if not most) of the English-only members here. You seem to have benefited handsomely from your tertiary education.

Getting the right services for HIV+ patients is very tricky and involves balancing trust in your doctor with educating yourself continuously in the latest news and treatment options. Any doctor who is unwilling to take your input into account in your own treatment should be replaced.

As regards the milieu at public clinics, it's much the same here in South Florida as you describe. I think it's important to remember that your dignity comes from inside yourself first. Should any of the staff associate your situation and needs with those of homeless junkies, it's your job to disabuse them of such notions. It may be an uphill struggle, but I firmly believe that you are up to the task.

As regards the infection of your partner: I've been there, although the circumstances were not the same. With us a broken condom early in our relationship led to his infection. We stayed together for nine years and in the end, it wasn't HIV that capsized the relationship. I struggled for many years with the burden of guilt about this and wasted too much time punishing myself over an accident. The seroconversion of a negative partner  changes the dynamics of the relationship is subtle as well as obvious ways. If you ever feel the need to discuss this, feel free to PM me, please.

We are here to support each other and I'm glad you've found us.

Brent
(Who learned all his Spanish in bed)

[Life]

Jimmy welcome to the forums and I am glad you found us.   Your certainly not alone in all of this.  Me and my partner Will were diagnosed about two years ago and one of us is on meds (me) and William is not.   We both live in the US and have health care insurance.   Of course, even given this, we still worry about what lie ahead for us if one of us falls ill or looses our health care.   I am the worrier and my partner,  is the rock.   As long as one of you stays strong, the other won't sink and visa versa...   I hope the best for you Jim and that you can find what you need to survive.   Finding this place is a good start in getting the support you both need and to further your knowledge in what is ahead..

Hugs,

Eric

[aztecan]

Hey Jimmy,

Welcome to the forums.

I hope you can find the medical care you need and deserve, as can your partner. I hope you are monitoring yourself very closely.

I really don't have too much to add, except I am glad you found us and look forward to hearing more from you.

HUGS,

Mark

[ubotts]

Hi and welcome Jimmy..
Hope youll find the answers u are looking for in by using this forum..
I waited till my tcells were down to 27 before i used meds..I felt fine when my t cells were 300 and when they dipped below 200 and l50..My doctor recommended i start taking meds when i when below 300 tcells, but, I like you
felt fine..So i refused meds..Then when i started feeling tired and had a small
rash, i knew something was wrong, I saw my dr. and my tcells were down to 27.
My doctor put me on meds because i finally agreed and ive been doing very well
since then..Yes i have changed my meds a few times, till i got the right cocktail
for me...In time, I guess you and your partner will do the same..
If you have any problems u can email me direct..ok..We are all here to help
one another. So iam glad u found your way into our world..