New life for me!!!

[Jamkid]

So I am a 22 years old African American male who started HIV treatment yesterday (Sept 1, 2013) and I am/was a nervous wreck! 

Viral load    15,000
CD4           472
Medication  Complera

I have started a new diet and been trying eat properly so that my body will adjust and that I will not have any side effects which include the physical ones.

Surprisingly, I have been feeling normal; it's only day 2 and it may be too early to say that there is no side effects but to date I am doing well.

I unlike many others, feel as if I have not dealt with my condition yet. I have not cried and I do not have problems taking the pills though I am fearful.

Am I weird?

I read the stories of people having a hard time coping and I feel for them but I do not know what that feels like. My boyfriend is supportive but I cannot really talk to him about it as it is somewhat taboo (for a lack of a better word) and  to him it's ordinary. I  glad that he is so accepting and understanding but sometimes I want to talk about it- what I feel or what I do not feel.

I found this forum through a magazine and I am glad that I did because I think that I can talk and people will listen.

[cicero]

Hi Jamkid.  I feel like I have recently started a "new life" as well.  I started medication on August 9.  I also felt for these first few weeks that I have not "dealt" with it. I felt more badly for the doctor telling me than for myself at the start. I have since told three people, my three closest friends, and only cried when telling them the whole saga out loud. Other than that I've surprised myself with how well I've been coping, so you are not "weird".

Taking measures to be healthy is also good.  I should follow your example.

If you're not having side effects that is good too. You just have to monitor them. My side effects were only feeling like lead in the morning but that's subsided now. The worst thing for me is any little thing -- like a bug bite or a sniffle in the nose -- makes me worry that d-day is here.
 
The second worse thing is the knowledge that potential sex and romantic partners have been greatly reduced, so it is good you have a boyfriend who is supportive and understanding.  Maybe he will come around and let you talk about your feelings beyond what he finds normal and no big deal?

The people on this forum have helped me a lot in this short time I've been diagnosed so I am sure they will help you too with any questions or issues you are going through.

[Billy B]

Jamkid,  I would say that you have dealt with it wonderfully. You are on meds, you are starting to take better care of yourself and you have a supportive partner. The big advantage is that you are only 22 years old so you can avoid all the bad things that a lot of us LTS did to our bodies. I smoked too much, drank too much and did too much cocaine. I stopped all that about 20 years ago and I am thankful for that. My friends both + & - who kept partying are all now dead.
I cried for them but I have never cried about the fact that I am + because I don't have time for it. I am too busy living!
Peace,
Billy

[wolfter]

Welcome to our special little group.  I'll give an appropriate welcoming later as I have important matters to attend to. 

Wolfie

[drewm]

Good for you! Welcome to our little party! Your numbers look great, look forward to much success