Diagnosed, still not on meds

[Forestredbloke]

Hi there, gay guy living in Berkshire 52 years old

Obviously concerned about the future and meds

Looking to meet guys in similar situation for chats drinks etc

Easy going friendly bloke, get in touch if u want to chat

[DevonUK]

Hi mate....any reason why not on meds yet? If offered get on them, i have been on Triumeq and awesome for me. I didn't need to go on as body was coping fine but I thought why deny myself undetectable status.....so happy I did....😀

[Forestredbloke in reply to DevonUK]

Hi mate

Won't give me meds as CD4 is around 800

Only give them to you 500 or below

So guess I'll have to wait!!

[DevonUK in reply to Forestredbloke]

Oh right, they told me three years ago that new government guidelines had changed so that you are offered as soon as diagnosed regardless of cd4, mine was 800-900 always, so I did it and 3 weeks later was undetectable! It's good that ur body is coping well tho 😀

[Forestredbloke in reply to DevonUK]

Thanks, I have regular check ups, going again in months time, so see what the results are and what consultants say.

How u feeling on the meds? Sometimes side effects?

[DevonUK in reply to Forestredbloke]

No, the only possible side effects with triumeq was disturbed sleep but have had nothing, known to be a very clean drug.....got lucky I guess. Long may it continue 😀

[Forestredbloke in reply to DevonUK]

Thanks I'll bear that in mind if they suggest that drug

[Joey9009 in reply to Forestredbloke]

You can request to be on them if you choose to be! I attend St James's hospital & I have had over 1000 cd4 count & I am undetectable & as a result it harder to pass on the virus if you are undetectable & it can be your introduction to disclosure to non hiv partners, to put them at ease but also it's controlling the virus from within your own body & immune system! 😊

[Lincolnguy in reply to Joey9009]

My consultant is on the board that advised the government and she says that the NHS is not commissioned to provide drug treatment until cd counts fall, despite the results of the start study. You can of course request drug treatment if you want to, I was left a year and was more than ready to be medicated - happily undetectable for over a year now

[Forestredbloke in reply to Lincolnguy]

Thanks for the reply and info mate

[Nino76]

Hi

[Hidden]

I am from Reading too and I attend the Floray unit. I am 6 years poz and not on meds. The Clinition I see would rather keep me off them for studied and because my Cd4 remains high and VL low. Yes! This contradicts the "start" study results and the new protocol to start meds straight away. I still have moments I feel in limbo and confused. But at the same time I don't want the meds until my counts suggest I do. This is a very debatable and also personal choice. Being undetectable is good if you have a Neg partner, some want to be undetectable for varying reasons, some good, some questionable. I'm not going to go into that.

What I will say, is it can be hard talking too guys on meds as they often don't understand why your not, been there done that conversation a million times now.

If your happy off meds and playing safe, your life. If your unhappy or unsure about your situation.... Challenge it !

Much hugs to you.

Maybe Reading clinic know something we don't as now I know I'm not the only one having meds delayed!

[Forestredbloke]

Thanks for your reply and comments.

I also go to Tvps have u heard of them, very supportive charity.

If you fancy a coffee or a drink hit me up!!!

[Joey9009]

Hi all, I've been positive since 97, almost 20 yrs now, I was on medication at the start & then once my cd4 climbed up to a very healthy level I requested to be taken off the meds as back in its day, the meds had terrible side effects. I was off them for years on end with a stable cd4 count but then new research taken from America suggests putting all newly diagnosed patient's on meds to stop the spread of the virus but also if you're in a hiv negative relationship & you're undetectable there isn't a chance of infecting your partner, which can give a great sense of confidence & a chance to have a normal relationship without the worry of causing infection, also however I have also had a few negative relationships with guys & they were ok about it, so long as you gather the relevant info from your Doctor on the issue in question!

I am undetectable & a cd4 count of over a 1000 copies but also guys are now using Prep, pre & post exposure medication to prevent picking up the infection, kind regards!