hello there, I'm new

[ustrasana]

Hey everyone -

My name is Gray and I'm new to the board.  I tested positive last week, Thursday Oct 4 2007.  It was unexpected to say the least.  Long story short the only sex I've had in over 15 months was getting head about 2 months ago (I changed my life 15 months ago, switched jobs to a career where I am more focussed, realised I didn't want sex unless there was intimacy too, blah blah love story blah) so when my doctor told me last week I'd tested positive I was rather surprised.  But I guess these things happen and one must accept and breathe and move forward. 

I suspect I was exposed in June 2006 and that I seroconverted in August 2006 although my doctor didn't think it was that at the time because I'd tested negative in July 2006 and my symptoms were none of the expected ones.  So I got over that malaise and thought nothing of it for over a year until ...

Last week I had my annual physical and the results came back positive.  Huge shock at first and a lot of crying and sadness not for fear of dying but for being a burden on the ones I love.  I don't want people to worry about me.  Yeah, something to work on in therapy!  Thank goodness I have a good therapist (anyone need a good therapist in NYC, let me know I can refer you to mine, he's the best).

Since the first two days I've been really calm. I've been doing my Yoga (I do Bikram, the hot stuff, been doing it for a few years now) and doing my new job where I help people which has been a blessing.  I have felt a lot of love from the friends, both gay and straight, I've told.  Everyone wants to help, nobody is there to judge.  Amazing.  The only judgement is in my own head.  Yeah, something else to work on in therapy!

I got my CD4 count and viral load numbers on Tuesday.  CD is 608 and VL is 13,020.  I don't know anything about all this (I'm like 8 days old in this world) but apparently 608 is a good number for someone who's been positive for over a year and who hasn't been on any medication.  And so is a VL of 13,020.  If anyone has input on these numbers I'd appreciate it very much.  My doctor says I don't need medication at the moment which is good news because I'm a bit of a liberal anti-Big Pharma whacko nutjob and he was going to have to convince me big-time to go on meds if he deemed it necessary.

The only issue is that my testosterone is low.  Off the charts low.  Not sure what we're going to do about that.

I'm planning to go see a naturopath and I'm planning to keep doing the Yoga regularly.  I think the heated room and the sweating are what have given me good numbers.  I'd like to try and stay meds-free for as long as I can. 

I'm very grateful for finding this board and I look forward to "meeting" everybody.  Oh, I live in New York City.  Feel free to post a response or email me at ustrasana@mac.com.

Thanks again.

[milker]

Hi ustrasana,

thanks for sharing your story. You will need more blood tests to figure out what is your situation in regards to hiv. So far so good, but no decision can be made until you have at least a couple of tests done. Feel free to ask questions on here, there are very experienced people that can answer most of them, if not all. I frowned a bit when I saw your request for naturopathy. I'm myself questionning ALL drugs that are prescribed to me, but questionning doesn't mean that you cannot trust them. Asking, researching is healthy, denying is not. So please share what the naturopath tells you with us and your doctor.

Milker.

[ustrasana]

Thanks for the reply Milker.  I'm interested in seeing a naturopath not to replace my doctor but to give me advice on how I can naturally increase my CD4 count.  I'm sure there are ways to do this.  I've already sworn off drinking.  I was never a big drinker and now that I have an excuse not to drink, well that's even better.  I'm trying to get more sleep.  I'm avoiding sugar (bloody hell).  So I will of course not reject what my doctor has to say out of hand but I want as many options and input as possible.

My doctor said that he will want to check blood again in 2-3 months to see where I'm at.  So time to get busy increasing my CD4 count!

Thanks again for the reply.  It's nice to be here.

[LACboi]

Hi ustrasana,

I agree with Milker

You also need to find a good HIV/AIDS Specialist, and make sure you are apart of the decision making in your care(means ask a lot of questions, and ask what the lab values mean to your Doctor, Keep informed).

And always take care of yourself

Jeremy...

[Andy Velez]

Welcome, US. We wish you didn't need to be here, but we're also glad to have you join us.

You've got a great attitude in dealing with what is obviously shocking news for you. Getting yourself a good doctor is an excellent move. Developing a solid working partnership with your doctor is going to be one of the best tools you will have for maintaining good health.

Gradually you're going to learn a lot of new things -- and there's no rush. Give yourself time to take it all in. You can always ask questions here and bring up anything for discussion that you have on your mind. Check out the lessons. I think you'll find some useful information there.

Again, welcome!

Cheers,

[angelofdreams]

great CD ount,
wish mine was like that
anway, stick around, you might find this site really helpfull, i didn made some great friends here
and we do need them often more as you think (specially me)

xxxx
angel

[mcmaclean01]

Re: hello there, I'm new