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Author Topic: I thought being diagnosed was the end of the world - it was not!  (Read 4572 times)

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Offline Nordicguy

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I thought being diagnosed was the end of the world - it was not!
« on: September 25, 2017, 10:58:08 am »
After reading through some of the posts in the Forums here, I feel extremely lucky and privileged being from a European country.  Ofcourse I wasn't lucky to contract HIV, don't get me wrong.  But with the healthcare system I have access to I am lucky.

Just over 2 months ago when I got my diagnosis I felt my whole life grinding to halt.  It was like everything was put on hold, all future travel plans, home re-decorations, just name it.  For me it was just a one day at a time, and sometime it even felt less, during those first weeks of the emotional rollercoaster I was on.  I wasn't feeling ill, can't even remember when was the last time I had a fever.  Had tested negative in early January so it clearly was a recent infection, as my CD4 and VL indicated too.  My biggest worry was how my partner of over 10 years would react.  I honestly thought I would be sleeping in the spare bedroom next night.  But to be honest, he has been my biggest support.  He got tested too and he tested negative.
Anxiety and sleeplessness kicked in as I waited for my HLA allele screening to come back.  I was later given the 'green' to start treatment with Triumeq.  To my surprise I have hardly felt any side effects.  But anxiety and sleeplessness continued despite having started on meds, now the cause was that I didn't know how well the meds were working.  But now after over a month on meds I know they are working, CD4 has risen to 423, was 250 when diagnosed.  My VL count hasn't come back yet, but am sure it has dropped quite a bit.  Now knowing things are going the right direction my anxiety is disappearing and I sleep better, and I feel overall better.  I truly think my future is bright.  Healthcare cost is not something I need to worry about, I have free healthcare.  I respond well to the meds and have a great doctor and nurse taking care of me.  And most of all a really understanding husband.  Two months ago I didn't expect to be where I am today mentally and emotionally.  Things have worked out well for me.  Now I just need to tell my friends and family, bit like coming out again, isn't it, that's a work in progress.

Just wanted to share my thoughts with you.  We are all different and come from different backgrounds and with different access to healthcare and support.  If this post can make just one newly diagnosed person feel a tiny bit better and optimistic about the future - then I'll be happy.  It's good to just sit down, take a deep breath and get our thoughts sorted.  Wish I had done that.

Offline Jim Allen

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Re: I thought being diagnosed was the end of the world - it was not!
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2017, 11:24:56 am »
Hi

Welcome to the forum, Sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but glad you are doing well and have started treatment.

First few months can be head wrecking for many, however as you get your head around the diagnosis things do settle down a bit of time and support also helps.

Take it easy.

Jim
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Offline Ptrk3

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Re: I thought being diagnosed was the end of the world - it was not!
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2017, 12:46:42 pm »
Sorry, too, to read of your diagnosis, but also glad for you that you have found these forums for guidance, support, and enlightenment.  You have a great attitude, which will help you live a long and healthy life.

After reading your post, however, I would suggest one thing:  that you don't rush into revealing your status with those who don't need to know.  Of course, you should do what you need to do for support, etc., but once you make the revelation, you can't take it back.

Take your time about this.  Think it through: be careful about to whom you reveal a private medical matter, that's all.
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Offline harleymc

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Re: I thought being diagnosed was the end of the world - it was not!
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2017, 04:04:34 am »
Personally I reckon my HIV diagnosis has been a blessing.
I've done all sorts of things in life, and become friends with lots of people I would not otherwise have met.

It also forced me to deal with my mental health issues that well and truly preceded my HIV diagnosis.

Offline Tonny2

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Re: I thought being diagnosed was the end of the world - it was not!
« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2017, 01:36:33 pm »


       ojo        Hello nordicguy...I'm glad you are feeling better amd recognized how lucky you are for having a good health care system, but remember, that there are lots of people who are still dying for infections related to aids, because of the lack of good health care, or for not testing themselves because of culture issuess. Let's think about them...I'm glad that your husband is supportive, you might want to take him with you to your ID doctors appoinment, so you two can talk to the doctor and learn how to have "safer" sex...I'm glad that you are leaning to live with hiv, you just need discipline in taking your pill as precribed, and a good attitude, because, it is what it is, now, we have a virus and if we want to take back control of our lives, we have to keep looking forward...best of luck for you two...hugs                                              ojo

Offline PozLawyer

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Re: I thought being diagnosed was the end of the world - it was not!
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2017, 07:11:45 am »
After reading through some of the posts in the Forums here, I feel extremely lucky and privileged being from a European country.  Ofcourse I wasn't lucky to contract HIV, don't get me wrong.  But with the healthcare system I have access to I am lucky.

...

But now after over a month on meds I know they are working, CD4 has risen to 423, was 250 when diagnosed.  My VL count hasn't come back yet, but am sure it has dropped quite a bit.  Now knowing things are going the right direction my anxiety is disappearing and I sleep better, and I feel overall better.  I truly think my future is bright.  Healthcare cost is not something I need to worry about, I have free healthcare.  I respond well to the meds and have a great doctor and nurse taking care of me.  And most of all a really understanding husband. 


For me personally, although I was crushed when I received the diagnosis, it has led to me being healthier than ever before in my life.  Stopped drinking entirely (that took a bit, though), got my mental health issues in check, and my outlook on life is at least as positive, perhaps more so, than before I was diagnosed.  It is helpful to have supportive family and access to healthcare -- you will live just as long as everybody else.  All of us expire eventually, but these days we will expire from same thing that affect everyone else: old age.
Follow me on Twitter at @PozLawyer https://twitter.com/PozLawyer.

Diagnosed August 2014
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Offline Wade

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Re: I thought being diagnosed was the end of the world - it was not!
« Reply #6 on: October 01, 2017, 09:05:12 am »
Nordicguy...You have a great attitude and are a welcome addition to the forums.
Your words of encouragement will be of help to many of the newbies that come here so please chime in when you can.

As PozLawer said, we will all get to enjoy old age... I know I am  :)

Wade
HIV 101 - Basics
 HIV 101
 You can read more about Transmission and Risks here:
 HIV Transmission and Risks
 You can read more about Testing here:
 HIV Testing
 You can read more about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
 HIV TasP
 You can read more about HIV prevention here:
 HIV prevention
 You can read more about PEP and PrEP here
 PEP and PrEP

 


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