POZ Community Forums

Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: pinkadam on August 01, 2007, 12:08:24 am

Title: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: pinkadam on August 01, 2007, 12:08:24 am
Iam on HIV medication since 2006 Sep. Initailly my doctor used to see me every other week and then once a month. Now he sees me every two months. Also my blood work is done for every two months.

I was wondering how often does some one need to see their doctor when on medication. What factors do you discuss when you meet your doctor.

Most of the times iam discussing my anxiety and depression issues while i see my doctor.

I would like to know what questions should i be asking my HIV doctor when i visit him

I would love to hear from you all

Thx
Pink
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: Matty the Damned on August 01, 2007, 12:22:18 am
Pink,

Matty the Damned sees his HIV specialist, Frau Eva about once every two months. As his sexual health physician she also deals with the other consequences of his perversions, such as herpes. All other things (like epilepsy) are managed by his general practitioner Lady Jane.

MtD
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: Miss Philicia on August 01, 2007, 02:22:44 am
I went to my HIV specialist monthly for 12 years, mostly because my viral load could never be suppressed.  There were a few years I had to go every 2 weeks in between for testosterone injections.

The last 2 years that has changed and after my drug trial I went every 2 months and am now going every 3 months.  Just depends on your overall picture and how long it's been stable. 

I discuss anxiety and depression issues with a therapist and prescribing psychiatrist.  Has your HIV specialist not referred you to such people, pinkadam?
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: RapidRod on August 01, 2007, 07:31:39 am
I only see my ID doc every four months now after a year of twice a month, then once a month. Every four months is still to much for me. She knows if I have a problem I'll call. Weeeeeeeeeeeelllllllll maybe.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: Nadine on August 01, 2007, 08:35:36 am
She knows if I have a problem I'll call.

you know that's not the truth Rodney  >:(
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: boylikertampa on August 01, 2007, 09:55:38 am
Have been positive for 7 years, and have been seeing my PCP (who is an HIV specialist) every 3 months.  I go more frequently as needed for other problems.  We go over recent test results, meds and need for changes or refills, and anything else that is bothering me or needs to be treated or tested for.  This seems to be the norm for the HIV-positive people I know.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: ubotts on August 01, 2007, 01:00:35 pm
Been positive since 1987, didnt start meds till 2002..
Here in NJ the doctors see me every 2 months..Unless theres a problem, ill walk right in..
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: allopathicholistic on August 01, 2007, 10:16:41 pm
I can only speak for myself but I see my doctor every 3 months
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: megasept on August 02, 2007, 11:03:37 pm
Every 4-5 months. Saw my MD today---return in December.

 8)  -megasept
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: chrism1973 on August 04, 2007, 07:30:52 am
I see my ID doc every 3 months. Chris
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: BobF on August 05, 2007, 03:26:24 pm
Quarterly for me too !
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: thunter34 on August 05, 2007, 03:32:09 pm
As of Friday, I have joined the quarterly group! 
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: lostinspace on August 06, 2007, 09:11:43 pm
well, since i found out this may...let's see..three times in may, once in june, once in july, i have an appointment this month (next week) and after that she said i should be fine every 3 months (so that would be quarterly - if all goes well)
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: milker on August 06, 2007, 11:13:46 pm
hi lost,

welcome to the forums :) keep us informed about your results, we like to cheer and applaud when they get better, and when they don't we wait patiently with you :D

Milker.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: lostinspace on August 07, 2007, 06:42:07 pm
hi milker, here's the current update...my first lab result i had 191,000 viral load and cd4 of 98...three months later....i now have  1190 viral load and 148 cd4...i'm really happy that the viral load has gone down tremendously but my cd4 is not getting a whole lot better so i have to keep taking dapsone along with my epzicom + reyataz + norvir combo cause my nurse said i may get pcp (or something like that)...i thought that was acid for tripping...who knows?

i love this site btw...everyone is so supportive...i've been miserable since finding out 3 mos ago...hope things get better.

cheers,
lost
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: milker on August 07, 2007, 07:58:08 pm
Well lost, this is not just cheer and applaud, but I'll add some silly dancing too ! Congrats for the numbers. So quaterly it should be !

Milker.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: southmetro on August 12, 2007, 09:22:07 pm
Well, It has gone up to 3 months now between Labs...I don't always see the Doc, just get Labs and he sends the results by mail.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: thunter34 on August 13, 2007, 10:12:28 pm
wait just a rotten cotton pickin' minute.


I  DID reply to this thread before....sort of.


Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: milker on August 13, 2007, 10:53:35 pm
Hmm yes now i'm confused.. there are two identical threads or is it just you and me having hallucinations?

Milker.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: jessem3s on August 13, 2007, 10:55:10 pm
I usually go whenever I want.

But I go 4 times a year for testing/blood work.

I usually go if I feel something funny like a fever, or if I am feeling down and blah, or if they say come in Jesus!

I have 2 Nurse practitioners and the HIV specialist.

The girls love me so they just tell me, "come in" if they want to see me and talk some.

I love my doctors!!!!
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: milker on August 13, 2007, 10:57:04 pm
The girls love me so they just tell me, "come in" if they want to see me and talk some.
They're either fag hags or have been extensively trained in psychiatry :D

Milker.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: jessem3s on August 13, 2007, 11:09:12 pm
They're either fag hags or have been extensively trained in psychiatry :D

Milker.

Thats rich!!!

Do you have anything constructive to say?

The Nurse Practitioners are amazing. They are there if you need anything!!! Super sweet, nice, and fun!
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: milker on August 13, 2007, 11:16:49 pm
Thats rich!!!

Do you have anything constructive to say?

The Nurse Practitioners are amazing. They are there if you need anything!!! Super sweet, nice, and fun!
Yup I'm rich and constructive like that, get used to it, n00b.

Milker.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: jessem3s on August 13, 2007, 11:20:14 pm
Yup I'm rich and constructive like that, get used to it, n00b.

Milker.

You get an "A" for effort... that's all... lol
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: milker on August 13, 2007, 11:29:04 pm
You get an "A" for effort... that's all... lol
We're past pre-school, babe. We use other kinds of grades. You'll see.

Milker.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: jessem3s on August 13, 2007, 11:30:24 pm
We're past pre-school, babe. We use other kinds of grades. You'll see.

Milker.

What grades are those? Im still tapping my foot and I don't see anything?
Enlighten me?

And "a" is still used in college.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: milker on August 13, 2007, 11:31:16 pm
What grades are those? Im still tapping my foot and I don't see anything?
Enlighten me?

And "a" is still used in college.
LOL you'll be tapping your foot often on here :D But be assured, it will come  ;D

Milker.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: jessem3s on August 13, 2007, 11:31:50 pm
LOL you'll be tapping your foot often on here :D But be assured, it will come  ;D

Milker.

Explain yourself?
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: milker on August 13, 2007, 11:33:13 pm
Explain yourself?
What we're doing here is a plain hijack, and it's not tolerated in the forums, and i'm guilty of it. I suggest you start an Off Topic subject if you want to play with others on a non-HIV related subject. I will stop here.

Milker.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: jessem3s on August 13, 2007, 11:35:57 pm
What we're doing here is a plain hijack, and it's not tolerated in the forums, and i'm guilty of it. I suggest you start an Off Topic subject if you want to play with others on a non-HIV related subject. I will stop here.

Milker.

Since I don't understand what your talking about I can only question what you say?
So till this point I am lost? What?
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: fearless on August 14, 2007, 12:18:00 am
Quarterly for my regular HIV check and blood donation.

But, I see the same doctor for all my medical needs so see him whenever I need to for other stuff
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: anniebc on August 14, 2007, 01:30:09 am
Jessum

Let me try to explain what a "Highjack" is.. in words you will hopefully understand.

When replying to a post you will stick to the Topic in question..in this case it's "how often do you visit your Doctor"

You do not go off topic with...A grades, toe tapping or trying to bait someone with questions that has nothing to do with the thread...that's pretty much it in a nutshell..I hope I have made myself clear.

You may only be 19 and consider yourself a pretty boy, but that doesn't cut it here...if you want to endear yourself to the guys here then try compassion, understanding and support..believe me that will take you futher than all these petty come backs you keep coming up with.

Milker..shame on you... ;)

Jan
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: Andy Velez on August 14, 2007, 08:00:16 am
OK, Milker and Jesse, if you two need to do snapping at each other, do it on your own time somewhere else or better yet just cool it and don't do it at all.

In any case, you are taking this perfectly legitimate thread into flaming territory. Stop it now and I don't want to see it showing up either here or elsewhere again. And yes, this is a warning.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: Peter Staley on August 14, 2007, 09:05:12 am
They're either fag hags or have been extensively trained in psychiatry :D

Milker.

Milker -- pure flamebait, and uncalled for.

Peter
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: milker on August 14, 2007, 10:30:31 am
Sorry I apologize. I lost control with this hijack, I PM jesse after my last post there explaining to him what was a hijack and yes, my post was a bit harsh.

Milker.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: gaspode on August 14, 2007, 10:48:58 am
I go every 4 months - see the doctor one time and the nurse the next. Can't remember the last time I had to go between regular visits. Less often the better for me!!
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: cayucosguy on August 14, 2007, 11:06:06 am
Like many others, my doc wants to see me quarterly (just saw him last Thursday).  I have all of my lab work done locally, two weeks prior, and then drive to San Francisco to see Dr. Bill (220 miles each way).  If something comes up in between, I have a local doctor that I've been with for more than 20 years.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: Joe K on August 14, 2007, 04:57:41 pm
At least monthly, more during those special times.  On average I have 40 to 60 doctor visits per year, what with all the specialists.  I suppose I could have a worse part-time job.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: newone on August 14, 2007, 05:43:03 pm
..every 4 months and it is always a different doctor (so far).....it is all free and they seem to know what they are doing...cant complain.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: Falkore on August 15, 2007, 12:43:23 am
When I first tested poz I went once a month for about 3 months to get a base line, then every 3 months.  After I started Atripla I went every month for 2 months.  Now that we know that the meds are doing what they are supposed to do, I go only every 3 months.  I maintain my health so far and I have not needed to visit anyone outside that time.  I hope to keep it that way.
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: pinkadam on August 16, 2007, 08:06:17 am
Thanks guys. You all are awesome !!!

I thank you all for the feedback
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: redhotmuslbear on August 16, 2007, 11:26:59 am
During the first two years on meds and after the first 3 months, I saw the ID doc every three months.  Then, just as I was beginning to like a new female doc in the practice formerly in the US Army, the old asshole doc inserted himself into my care again and demeaned my concerns about Viracept squirts.  For five years after that, I saw my primary only who ordered lab work every three months.  With my being off meds successfully for almost two years now, my currently primary has labs done every six months, with labs done halfway between each visit by NIH;  and I'm keeping the nice female ID doc informed since she handled my enrollment in Elite Controllers, and she felt seeing her wasn't necessary unless "something goes wrong."

In the mix I also have an ear, nose and throat specialist who helps manage sinusitis, a neurologist who monitors a familial tremor and carpal tunnel syndrome, s neurosurgeon who keeps watch over a tiny cyst on my cervical spine and the fluid compartments in my brain, and a hand surgeon I'll see again Monday who will soon treat the carpal tunnel issue.  They are all rather excited to be dealing with an LTNP, and they respect my knowledge about my health and shy away from "thou shalt" attitudes towards even minor treatments.

Cheers,
David

mmm.... and I forgot my humpy dentist of 20 years who puts his tool in my mouth in two weeks!
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: buca45 on August 22, 2007, 07:34:03 pm
I must be special.....i see mine every 6 weeks rain or shine!!
Title: Re: How often Do you see your HIV Doctor
Post by: randym431 on August 28, 2007, 09:48:17 am
I went from three month-ers to four after my doc said I was doing so well that I was now on "cruise control".

Thats fine if all is going well. But sometimes I wonder if I'd regret that if the labs started going the wrong way.

I feel great, but in the last month I noticed I went from 186-ish to 180. I have been biking a lot, and walking a lot.
But weight loss is how this hiv thing first came to discovery. So I get a little on edge when I have any weight changes of more than one or two lbs.
And havent seen my ID doc since June, and wont see him again until Oct. All was very well on that June lab/checkup.