Newly Positive and medication advice

[Starfox]

Hi there,

Ive just been diagnosed with HIV and I am coping better than most I would think after being diagnosed although I am very stressed. I can live with HIV, although I wont disclose it to people but what I would like to know is what kind of side effects do people get from the meds these days? I am really worried about this.

I am finding it hard to find info on med side effects with the latest treatment of today. And besides the side effects can i get hiv related infections even if i get my viral load is undetectable? This stuff stressed me out so much. I have always been so healthy and fit and active that the thought of losing that is to much.

So many questions I have. With hiv, providing I look after myself will I live a normal long healthy life or will i eventually succumb to something as I get older..?

[Jim Allen]

Hi

Welcome to the forum.

So I am presuming you have not done a follow-up at the clinc yet, when do you have your appointment with the ID clinc?

Stop tying to find information on side effects, you don't even know what medication you will be taking, and with modern medication you should not be expecting any side effects, with perhaps some minor adjustment at first. You will be grand, trust me.  When you have your first clinc appointments they will do a few blood tests to check and do resistance testing before deciding what medication would suit. 

As for life expectancy well nobody has a crystal ball, however you should expect to have to plan for a retirement just like anyone else in life.  https://www.poz.com/article/near-normal-life-expectancy-25378-9121

Take it easy and keep us posted.

Jim

[Starfox]

Hi

Welcome to the forum.

So I am presuming you have not done a follow-up at the clinc yet, when do you have your appointment with the ID clinc?

Stop tying to find information on side effects, you don't even know what medication you will be taking, and with modern medication you should not be expecting any side effects, with perhaps some minor adjustment at first. You will be grand, trust me.

As for life expectancy well nobody has a crystal ball, however you should expect to have to plan for a retirement just like anyone else in life.  https://www.poz.com/article/near-normal-life-expectancy-25378-9121

Take it easy and keep us posted.

Jim

Sorry I guess ive allot of silly questions. I got blood taken a second time to confirm but im just waiting on that. But tbh with how I have been this past few months I am not surprised. Weight loss, night sweats, trush, bacterial infections or stomach bug that last 6 weeks, no energy... Im seeing transparent white blood cells on my eye lids where you can sometimes catch a floater.. All that and I got tested for just about everything else and they all came back clean so I dont hold much hope on this second test coming back negative, What is the chance? :/

[Jim Allen]

Hi

So we do see false reactive results here from time to time.
Its normal to have questions, at first this will make you head spin, try not to overthink this too much.

Step 1 is to be diagnosed so until your status is confirmed I will ask you to post in this thread only, after that you will have more blood work done and the ID doc will discuss treatment options with you. In the meantime if you are feeling sick do see the GP.

Its normal to have questions so feel free to post them here, and take it easy, you will be fine. 

Jim

[zach]

Hey, welcome, sorry you're going through this... but thats just the way it is... we've all been there.

I'm going to slice up your two posts and respond to portions. Here we go...

I am coping better than most I would think after being diagnosed although I am very stressed.

outstanding! glad to hear you're coping. of course it's stressful, hang in there, don't freak out.

I would like to know is what kind of side effects do people get from the meds these days? I am really worried about this.

I am finding it hard to find info on med side effects with the latest treatment of today.

Deal with those if you experience them. Don't build a boogey man to fear before you've even started meds. Side effects of modern generation meds are rare, mild, and usually only last a few weeks. Seriously, stop thinking about it.

can i get hiv related infections even if i get my viral load is undetectable?

no

This stuff stressed me out so much.

We understand that, we all remember being there. Best truth I can give you, your questions are really your fears voiced. They come from a place of ignorance and inexperience. You'll learn, and you'll experience first hand. Some of what we tell you, you won't really believe until you see and feel it for yourself.

I have always been so healthy and fit and active that the thought of losing that is to much.

You are the same person you were last month, and last year. You can still be fit, healthy, and active. You only lose what you don't use.

So many questions I have. With hiv, providing I look after myself will I live a normal long healthy life or will i eventually succumb to something as I get older..?

Everyone dies, but having this virus does put our own mortality in context. Without meds, eventually, we die of AIDS. With meds, we live long normal lives. Take your meds, you'll be fine.

Sorry I guess ive allot of silly questions.

It's cool, don't apologize for it. One day, in a few years, be the guy that answers questions. Pay it forward.

I got blood taken a second time to confirm but im just waiting on that.

Be patient.

clean so I dont hold much hope on this second test coming back negative, What is the chance? :/

Can't let you do that, Star Fox! I don't ever want to see you say clean in reference to status again. You aren't dirty. 

Get your confirmation. Until then don't even think about HIV. If you're positive, first numbers you'll want to know are your CD4 count and Viral Load count. That will let you know better where you stand, and how much of a fight you have ahead of you. Don't freak out whatever those numbers are. Don't let everything else overwhelm you. You're still able to type, you're going to be ok.

Don't Panic.

[Jim Allen]

@Starfox

How are you getting on ?

Jim