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Author Topic: Newly Diagnosed  (Read 3411 times)

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Offline nh93

  • New Member
  • Posts: 2
Newly Diagnosed
« on: April 22, 2017, 01:03:02 am »
Hello all,

I am a 23 y.o. guy living in Los Angeles. I was recently diagnosed positive this past March. I also recently broke up wth my boyfriend two weeks prior to my diagnosis, and wanted to get tested, since I haven't been tested since my ex and I started dating which was back in 2014 and I was negative then. When the doctor told me I was HIV positive, everything went silent. It was as though my doctor disappeared for a moment and I was the only person on Earth.

Shortly after meeting my specialist, I wanted to tell my ex the news so that he could get tested. He told me he got tested and his result came back negative. I believe I contracted the virus from a guy I was hooking up with shortly before my ex and I became exclusive. So that would mean I would have been negative this whole time and I just didn't know about it. This realization still freaks me out.

I just started treatment(Genvoya) this past Monday. Doctor said my viral load is very low, one of the lowest she's seen, and she expects me to be undetectable or close to it by the time I see her again, which will be in about a month.

Fortunately, I was pretty knowledgable about HIV prior to my diagnosis. I've done a lot of school-related research on it and I also have a friend who is positive as well. I know that HIV is a manageable disease and I am going to live a long and healthy life. The worst part of all this is not about my health (I don't mind taking a pill everyday), it's how people are going to see and treat me that I'm most concerned about. I've listened to the way people talk about HIV and I've always been very shocked at how uninformed most people are about it. I want people to see me for me and not as some guy who's positive. I'm sure dating is going to be a problem as well and I am having a hard time coping with the effects HIV will now have on my social/sex/love life.

Thinking about all this has made me very sad and has put me in a mopey mood and I don't know how I'm going to get out of it. Any advice on how to cope and gain my confidence back would be greatly appreciated.

Offline hiv_rizzy

  • Member
  • Posts: 139
  • Male. 28. Positive
Re: Newly Diagnosed
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2017, 01:12:56 am »
You will be fine. You got on great treatment and you are educated about the virus. How much was your cd4 count if I may ask? All the best and this is a great place to be as you will meet a lot of awesome people who can share experiences etc with you
Discovery! April 26, 2016
- Positive test confirmed by blood test
2016
-Viral load and CD4 unknown
-May 31st update - big delay at gov hosp lab
#July 9th late Results: CD4 16/ VL 13, 027
*Prescribed Atripla combo with Bactrim
#September CD4 97 / VL UD
2017
February CD4 137 / VL UD

Offline nh93

  • New Member
  • Posts: 2
Re: Newly Diagnosed
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2017, 02:36:32 am »
Thanks, hiv_rizzy, for reaching out!

Viral load is at 681
CD4 474/mm3

Offline Jim Allen

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Re: Newly Diagnosed
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2017, 03:22:18 am »
Hi

Welcome to the forum, glad to hear you have sorted out treatment.

Quote
I'm sure dating is going to be a problem as well and I am having a hard time coping with the effects HIV will now have on my social/sex/love life.

Thinking about all this has made me very sad and has put me in a mopey mood and I don't know how I'm going to get out of it. Any advice on how to cope and gain my confidence back would be greatly appreciated.

Its early days your only a month in, it takes a while to get your thoughts around this, on that thought, have you had or been offered any HIV counseling? Also have you considered looking and joining any local support groups, it can really help meeting people face to face.

With any dating or sex situation there are people who are going to say no thank you that is always a possibility with or without HIV. HIV just adds an additional aspect to dating and the disclosure thing well it might take you a few attempts before being able to deliver the message in a way that works for you.

Look take a bit of time to get your head back on track but best way to get confidence back in regards to sex if you ask me is by getting out there and start doing it.

Jim
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Offline hiv_rizzy

  • Member
  • Posts: 139
  • Male. 28. Positive
Re: Newly Diagnosed
« Reply #4 on: April 23, 2017, 02:56:05 pm »
Thanks, hiv_rizzy, for reaching out!

Viral load is at 681
CD4 474/mm3


That is not bad at all. Yes you have the virus but not much damage happening. Get it undetectable in no time and remain in full control of your well being my friend
Discovery! April 26, 2016
- Positive test confirmed by blood test
2016
-Viral load and CD4 unknown
-May 31st update - big delay at gov hosp lab
#July 9th late Results: CD4 16/ VL 13, 027
*Prescribed Atripla combo with Bactrim
#September CD4 97 / VL UD
2017
February CD4 137 / VL UD

 


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