Coming to terms

[IncognitoC]

I have been HIV+ for over 18 years now but I really don’t think that I have fully come to terms with it. I struggle with having to take medication every day. Because of my anxiety and depression I also find it difficult to make sure I attend and make appointments for blood tests. Over the years I have had to change my medication because of failing to take them. Has anyone else had this issue with coming to terms with it?

[Galen70]

Many people do . Depending on your medical profile and resistance history there is the new injection . Have you spoken to counsellors or health advisors or peer advocates at your clinic ?

[IncognitoC in reply to Galen70]

I have an appointment with them on the 19th of this month, I’ve been taking my medication regularly for nearly 1.5 years now but for the same amount of time I’ve been taking antibiotics and was told that I need them to help keep me alive

[Galen70 in reply to IncognitoC]

The antibiotics are usually discontinued after a period of time unless your cd4 count does not rise above a certain level . In this case they may be continued to protect you against certain infections. Hopefully with time the immune system cell count will rise in response to the meds , but in some people they never rise very high especially if they were started with a very low cd4 count . However you will not lose any more cells if stable on treatment, and the only way is up

[Galen70 in reply to IncognitoC]

I am glad you are speaking to someone about all of this , it can be a relief hopefully to lift some of these concerns from your mind .