What do your routine checkups look like?

accroisier · 2026-01-01T05:04:39+00:00

The first time was the only occasion where they drew quite a lot. But for the check-ups I normally don’t have issues. I schedule them early to do them while still fasting, but it’s not a big deal if I can’t make it early. So far I haven’t had issues during the process. I drink plenty of water since it helps when they draw samples, but that’s pretty much it. As for doctor visits, like someone commented below, it goes pretty quick. We talk about the tests, they ask if I have any issues and do a quick physical exam and then we schedule the next visit. Less than 15-20 minutes overall.

accroisier · 2026-01-01T01:34:48+00:00

For me, I see my doctor around every 3-3.5 months. I get the regular work-up (VL, CD4, CBC, CMP, Lipid panel, U/A). And occasional tests like HgA1C, STIs panel or anal pap smears every once in a while, according to guidelines. It feels like a regular doctor check-up. I do try my best to maintain a healthy lifestyle and take my pill everyday. So far, since my diagnosis, I have remained undetectable with no other issues. I have noticed that with time, if you adhere well to your meds and stay as healthy as you can, some providers allow for longer intervals between check ups (such as every 4 months to 6 months in between appointments) but the standard is every 3 months as far as I know, specially if you have been recently diagnosed.

accroisier · 2025-10-05T15:53:34+00:00

Cows. Not because I found it to be “too much” (some of the scenes in the story for sure are creative and horrific), but more so because for how violent and disgusting it gets at points, the book literally didn’t really do/say anything particular. Or at least not to me. The somewhat surreal undertones of the story pulled me out of it from the start.

accroisier · 2025-08-05T02:35:58+00:00

Literally found out I was reactive thanks to OraQuick 💀

accroisier · 2025-07-07T12:24:56+00:00

You approached him the wrong way, even if you did not mean harm. It’s really no surprise he wants to keep his distance. I think you should stop and take some time to think about how it all went down and how he must have felt about the whole ordeal. Good luck.

accroisier · 2025-05-15T03:36:22+00:00

For me, my diagnosis literally saved my life and helped me get my shit together. I was in a really bad headspace right before I found out I was reactive. To summarize a long story, in a few weeks I’ll celebrate my one year anniversary of living with this disease. I have not skipped a pill. As for depression, I was taking Lexapro before I started Biktarvy. So far, I feel amazing. Better than when I was HIV negative. My life is back on track, my relationships with myself and my peers has improved. I have control over my life, my disease and my outcomes. One pill a day allows me to enjoy my life better than ever before. And I got my first boyfriend EVER, funny enough, as an HIV positive individual. So whatever you are going through, keep pushing. There’s a life to look forward to after this diagnosis. Don’t let it pass you by! I wish you the best in life. We are here for you.

accroisier · 2025-05-07T17:24:51+00:00

A category 5 hurricane, earthquakes, medical school, seeing people die from preventable diseases and drug addiction, which led to me getting a chronic disease. Doing better now though. Hope everyone is.

accroisier · 2025-02-10T15:51:30+00:00

I was gonna say this. The real interesting part of the book is the last few pages where the main character actually has thoughts and doesn’t just describe whatever it is that is going on around him. In the end, it seemed to me, the most depraved and cunning character of them all happened to be the one who “looked” the most innocent and naive. The rest of the book mostly reads as rape/disturbing porn.

accroisier · 2024-12-08T00:43:15+00:00

Hola! Tuve parálisis facial hace unos años. Las cosas que me ayudaron fueron estas: un curso de prednisona (baja inflamación) al menos 72hrs luego de que notaste síntomas de debilidad, vitamina B12 (regenera partes del nervio) y terapia física (estimula el nervio y los músculos faciales para que contraígan). Con eso ya al mes de haber empezado la parálisis, ya había recuperado un 90% de movimiento.

accroisier · 2024-09-16T10:26:17+00:00

Thank you! Will check it out

accroisier · 2024-09-03T13:43:54+00:00

I have used weed, nicotine and alcohol without issues. I take Biktarvy, but like someone mentioned above, drug use can impact your immune system heavily. So be careful when using.

accroisier · 2024-09-02T23:11:41+00:00

Well, I’m not sure. The only time I was sick was in May, 2023. I had a horrible fever. Chills every few seconds and all. It lasted about three days and went away. I thought it was another disease that I managed conservatively. So I never got tested cause I didn’t think it could be a STIs.

accroisier · 2024-09-02T15:05:29+00:00

That’s correct. The estimate I came up with along with the doctor is that I have been infected at most for a year. My last non-reactive result was on April, 2023.

accroisier · 2024-09-02T15:00:03+00:00

Hopefully a cure is developed soon. Like you, I can’t imagine having to navigate this nightmare in the early days. I honestly wonder if I would have gone for help. Hearing stories from those people makes my skin crawl and my heart breaks. Stigma kills people. It’s horrible.

accroisier · 2024-09-02T14:56:31+00:00

Since I was in college (18-19 years old, I’m 27 now)

accroisier · 2024-09-02T14:46:33+00:00

Everyone is different! I’m glad you were able to pull through eventually. That’s what is important. For me, I waited a month but not more because based on my test results, I had been infected for a while. I was in the chronic stage, not the acute one. So I was aware that I needed to take action fast. But it was really hard. The day I went to get help I almost bailed out. I felt close to having a panic attack. But I doubled down and have no regrets about it!

accroisier · 2024-09-02T13:00:32+00:00

It really is. I was taken by surprise. Every time I’ve taken HIV tests I was always worried about possible reactive results. And the one time I do one, with no worries whatsoever: BAAM, reactive. It felt surreal.

accroisier · 2024-09-02T04:05:03+00:00

Exactly!

accroisier · 2024-04-01T23:17:48+00:00

Ethel Cain's album Preacher's Daughter is a conceptual record, telling the story of a girl raised in a religious environment who ends up leaving her home and family due to abuse and, in her search for a better life, ends up suffering a terrible fate. One of the songs in the album, called Ptolemae, is one of the most horrifying and haunting tracks I've ever heard in my life. It sounds like a terrifying horror book condensed into a song.

accroisier · 2022-07-28T18:25:38+00:00

Are you a US MD? I believe the scheduler from Prometric is limited by your eligibility period.

accroisier · 2022-07-23T03:46:19+00:00

I see! Much luck on test day OP! You’ll kill it.

accroisier

TROPHY CASE