Whirlwind of Change

[Mluna]

Hello Group,

I was recently diagnosed with HIV three weeks ago and the in and out of doctors offices has begun. It's scary, I'm hurting emotionalally and physically.

I have always been the type of person that would avoid taking pills if possible. If there was a home remedy, I was using it, or taking it. The idea of having to take pill everyday is heart breaking.

I have a good support system and I would like to think I'm okay, but I know I'm not. I'm angry, and I know this because I have noticed it isn't hard for me to go from one to ten in an instant and that's not me. What's to come?

[pauldecle Partner ForumLink]

Dear Mluna,

Firstly, things will get better. Secondly, you are not alone. I would say we all feel like we had just been thrown into a "Whirlwind of Change" when we found out we are now living with HIV. I was diagnosed nearly 20years ago. Now I have a great job, a husband and partner of 27 years and I have a very happy life.

Starting taking pills everyday for anything is a milestone for many. I had to start taking meds for my stomach years before I became positive. I definitely saw it as a marker on the slow decline in to old age. Sadly I cannot offer any solace only encouragement and the knowledge that Anti Retroviral Therapy will, if you take it as you should, keep you alive until such times as there is a cure or you die of old age.

Three weeks is not very much time for you to adjust to finding out you are living with HIV. Although it is not a terminal diagnosis any more it is still a life changing piece of news. Give yourself time to adjust, I think it took me about six months to really come to terms with things but then it was still a terminal illness.

It would be useful to know where you live and what your Viral Load and CD4 test results are before I, and others, can give you any guidance about treatment.

I hope this helps.

Kind Regards,

Paul

[Mluna in reply to pauldecle]

Thank you, Paul.

I'm starting to familiarize myself with the terminology like viral load and CD4.

I go in for addiontial lab work this Friday and have my sit down with my doctor on May 8th. I assume we will go over that and I will begin my treartment.

I'm a 27 year old male from Austin, TX. Just an FYI.

Thanks again.

[Lincolnguy]

Aww mate, I doubt there's anyone here that hasn't felt the same, give yourself time, it's real early days for you yet and it DOES gets better.

The day after my diagnosis I was a wreck and a guy said to me that 'you work with what you've got' - which seemed strange to me at the time but kinda helped, I'm not going to lie and say it will go away, because it won't, but the acceptance does become easier...Take care mate.

[Griffon]

There is nothing to worry about so long as you are receiving treatment and you stick to the regime .

To be honest taking a pill once a day is no hardship compared to what some people go through on a daily basis .

[Mindset-change]

Hello to there,

Welcome to the Club, of course it does not feel like the kind of club you want to be in. But I like to look at the glass as half full. It really could be worst. Know this; by going on meds you are being proactive and helping yourself. That in itself is empowering.

You will be doing an amazing thing for yourself by starting med's ASAP. Doesn't being non-infectious sound good? That's the security of taking your pills will give you. A bit of peace of mind.

It's going to be be rough for some time but learn to be compassionate with yourself. You'll feel pitiful and like nothing matters; like you've been cursed. I tell you it gets better, it really does.

Message me if you want to talk.

[DevonUK]

Hi there

Sorry to hear you are having many struggles. I can only speak from my own experience when diagnosed three years ago.....I hope to come for you, as it was for me, will be peace and stability. It is now something that is not there with me every day, I rarely think about it. I know it's a cliche but give it time friend.

[ed7112]

Hey, I know it can be scary and trust me I'm still going back and forth to the doctors since I've been diagnosed in Oct. I've started my treatment and I'm going with the flow. It can be hard and stressful and be may this is way I decided to look for support groups. Keep your head up

[Hsgwolf]

It gets better i promise