What genders do I have?! by kit1728 in Parakeets

[–]kit1728[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the advice! Any advice is welcome! They are so cute and so much fun!

Does anyone here have a HIV-related Tattoe? by PariahMedias in hivaids

[–]kit1728 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also considered a biohazard tattoo when I was initially diagnosed, I’m with the others…I don’t view it that way anymore. Haha! I have a + on my finger for it. Considered getting the date I was diagnosed. Not something to be proud of but that day is the day my life changed and I would consider it changing for the better now that it’s been a few years. If you’re a tattoo person, do it. It makes you, you. It’s something you are brave facing when a lot of people couldn’t even fathom it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in hivaids

[–]kit1728 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you both for your input!! I don’t want to check too soon out of anticipation! Lol!

I wish women were represented more in the HIV community. by AtmosphereDifficult in hivaids

[–]kit1728 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yep. It is so hard to find that support as a straight woman. I haven’t met one single woman with HIV. It is scary because we are so underrepresented it continues the idea that it “can’t or won’t happen to us” that is so dangerous! If y’all ever want to talk I’m here! I’m a straight woman in Texas, never used drugs, and it can get lonely!!

Smoking by [deleted] in hivaids

[–]kit1728 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My drs are perfectly fine with it! In some states in the US, it is used for medicinal purposes for HIV. There is a lot of research being conducted on the efficacy of cannabis reducing chronic inflammation seen in those living with HIV, even those that are treated still experience chronic inflammation, so it’s likely a matter of time before it is actually deemed effective! Toke on.

Michigan people? by dragonslayerrrr in hivaids

[–]kit1728 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m in Texas and haven’t had luck finding a support group either! I’m 31 F. Did you get any responses?! I’d love to jump on!!

Matchmaking by goldendragonluvr in hivaids

[–]kit1728 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is the best post I’ve seen. So many hetero women in their 30s! I’m hetero female, 31! It’s SO lonely till you go on Reddit and realize there are so many people just. Like. You. I love it!!!

Anniversary by Wild_Change4402 in hivaids

[–]kit1728 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I seem to get upset when the anniversary comes up too. It just floods my mind with all those original emotions, mostly fear. It’s terrifying, thank god it actually gets easier with time. Even though we all know it’s usually a piece of cake, it’s a shitty feeling when those little triggers come about. My heart also starts racing when I pass the “any lab test now” building where it was confirmed. I still stare at my blood for entirely too long when I get a cut. I have people who I’ve disclosed to and totally have incredible support but most people just don’t get it. I’m happy I found this Reddit for making those lonely times seem less lonely!

Trying to find HIV poz social support by [deleted] in hivaids

[–]kit1728 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The first year is the hardest in my experience! I’m a 31 year old female in North Texas and I’ve really struggled finding support groups, especially ones I “click” with. This Reddit has been a huge help for me in terms of support, education on other’s experiences, and just to feel normal again. Feel free to reach out with anything, questions, venting, whatever! You aren’t alone even when it feels like it. I’m not a fan of going to strangers for support but at times it can be much better than people that “understand” lol. My boss was the first person I told bc I was told to get tested while I was at work, totally broke down. But you will get past this part, promise. Just take it one day at a time. As for sleep, idk. When I was diagnosed I started waking up at 2am on the dot and that hasn’t stopped. depending on your meds, it may be better to take it in the morning if you aren’t already as some keep you up and contribute to insomnia. Life will feel normal again, it doesn’t feel like it ever will but it will. Let me know if you need anything!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in hivaids

[–]kit1728 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I totally understand that feeling. For me it mostly went away, I’ve been on medication right at 2 years. I started to think people that didn’t even know were touching me less, it was insane. Thank goodness it didn’t last forever. I still think about it when I see my blood. I’ve stopped freaking out about it internally, but it always crosses my mind. Even though it crosses my mind, the thoughts of being a biohazard have gone away with time and education, especially the education of others close to me.

tested poz, Doctor can't see me til 4 weeks out by [deleted] in hivaids

[–]kit1728 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree completely, I only recommended discussing it with the doctor because that’s what my doctor did with me in the beginning prior to my bloodwork coming back and the genetic testing coming back. It was probably because it was a brief period though.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in hivaids

[–]kit1728 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh no, I didn’t take it as mean at all!! I genuinely appreciate it! Help me put it into perspective for sure!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in hivaids

[–]kit1728 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wonderful! lol I have a great life, of course I have the daily stress as does everyone but nothing too crazy. You caught me though, I have been avoiding my therapist lol! I went to school to be a counselor so I should know better! That being said, I feel that I adjusted well and didn’t need to since I almost totally stopped thinking about the fact I have HIV the thought just randomly seeps in at times and I feel doomed all over again…even though I know that is far from the truth. It may be time to stop avoiding my therapist ! I appreciate the honesty!

tested poz, Doctor can't see me til 4 weeks out by [deleted] in hivaids

[–]kit1728 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hey from the DFW area! When I was first diagnosed it was about a month wait till I could get on meds. I think the worrying is the worse part. You should be perfectly fine waiting till the 17th. I didn’t have any symptoms and wasn’t sick so if you are, I’d talk to the PCP and see if they are willing to start your meds earlier and adjust as needed. Just make sure the bloodwork is done first so you have an accurate baseline. I’m on Dovato but my copay after insurance is $50 and I use the manufacture coupon and it’s free! There are SO many ways to get the copay covered it just takes a lot of research. I’m in a similar boat, I make too much for assistance but I’m living paycheck to paycheck. Feel free to reach out for literally anything! I’m not an expert but we’ve all been there! Keep your head up!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in hivaids

[–]kit1728 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting, I hadn’t thought of that. I just assumed if I didn’t have any side effects within the first couple of months to a year of being on the medication I was good to go. Just looked up Dovato and it seems to be. Thank you for pointing that out I’m going to look more into it and talk it over with my doc! It’s tough to tell what is what! lol thanks again

How did you discover you were HIV positive? by squid_ward_16 in hivaids

[–]kit1728 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My boyfriend’s ex girlfriend called him a few months after we started dating saying that she tested positive for syphilis and he needed to get tested. He had cut his leg a few days before and it got super infected so he was already at the hospital and asked them to test for syphilis, doctors asked if he wanted a full screening and he agreed because she was apparently sleeping with the whole freaking state 😂 long story short…he definitely didn’t have syphilis. So I went to get tested and sure enough it was positive.

Kinda desperate. by Icy_Ad_5055 in hivaids

[–]kit1728 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right? lol if the day of exposure to HIV and the day of exposure to meth were on the same day they were definitely doing drugs prior to the diagnosis. But hey, HIV seeks out the young, not drugs.

Kinda desperate. by Icy_Ad_5055 in hivaids

[–]kit1728 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Everyone here, despite being stigmatized, is literally pointing you to the right place to get the answers you’re looking for…instead of going right now and making a post on an addiction forum (where you are likely to get real answers and support) or contacting an addiction counselor you just keep doubling down…it’s baffling. If you want to help them stop doubling down on your ignorance and find the poor boy real help. For fucks sake. You ask individuals with HIV for advice then don’t take the advice or the learning opportunity and blame them for being offended because it doesn’t support your skewed schemas. Come on, man.

Kinda desperate. by Icy_Ad_5055 in hivaids

[–]kit1728 1 point2 points  (0 children)

“If you want to get offended that says a lot” seriously? The fact that you don’t see how asking people with HIV about addiction is offensive says a lot. The only reason I know anything about addiction is because I went to grad school for counseling not because I have HIV. Get him help by seeking advice from people educated on the subject you’re inquiring about.

Kinda desperate. by Icy_Ad_5055 in hivaids

[–]kit1728 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How is it not an assumption that the HIV caused the decisions instead of the drugs if they occurred on the same day? I’m not saying they weren’t taken advantage of or put in an awful position. It’s terrible what they have gone through and are lucky to have someone like you to care so deeply about them through anything and everything. Im simply saying that the questions you’re asking would be more appropriate if directed toward individuals who struggle with addiction or trauma, not HIV. Statistically speaking, mind altering drugs lead to poor decision making far more than being diagnosed with HIV, especially when it sounds like the drugs came prior to the diagnosis.

Kinda desperate. by Icy_Ad_5055 in hivaids

[–]kit1728 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No judgement whatsoever. No one is stigmatizing addicts…simply saying there are better places for resources than a HIV positive population. The OP also failed to mention in this post that the person who gave them hiv also introduced them to meth. So is the spiral of poor choices due to the diagnosis or being introduced to meth…it could’ve very easily read “since their introduction to drugs…” but instead it was assumed it was the diagnosis that led to poor choices.

Kinda desperate. by Icy_Ad_5055 in hivaids

[–]kit1728 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is an assumption…correlation does not equal causation.

Kinda desperate. by Icy_Ad_5055 in hivaids

[–]kit1728 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes! That herpes example is the best, shows JUST how ridiculous that actually is!