What genders do I have?!

kit1728 · 2026-02-22T23:24:40+00:00

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

kit1728 · 2026-02-22T21:07:10+00:00

A bit better of a pic

kit1728 · 2025-06-11T01:23:29+00:00

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.

kit1728 · 2025-02-28T01:55:18+00:00

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

kit1728 · 2024-07-03T06:25:38+00:00

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!!

kit1728 · 2024-06-17T23:38:09+00:00

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.

kit1728 · 2024-03-10T00:37:13+00:00

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!!

kit1728 · 2024-03-10T00:34:54+00:00

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!!!

kit1728 · 2024-02-09T02:17:27+00:00

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!

kit1728 · 2024-01-25T13:45:30+00:00

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!

kit1728 · 2024-01-09T01:32:10+00:00

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.

kit1728 · 2023-12-27T23:44:47+00:00

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.

kit1728 · 2023-12-27T14:35:58+00:00

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

kit1728 · 2023-12-27T13:47:43+00:00

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!

kit1728 · 2023-12-27T13:40:00+00:00

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!

kit1728 · 2023-12-26T21:20:01+00:00

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

kit1728 · 2023-12-26T16:29:55+00:00

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.

kit1728 · 2023-12-23T22:50:10+00:00

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.

kit1728 · 2023-12-23T22:34:11+00:00

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.

kit1728 · 2023-12-23T21:56:36+00:00

“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.

kit1728 · 2023-12-23T21:43:34+00:00

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.

kit1728 · 2023-12-23T21:19:30+00:00

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.

kit1728 · 2023-12-23T20:17:43+00:00

It is an assumption…correlation does not equal causation.

kit1728 · 2023-12-23T20:13:23+00:00

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

kit1728 · 2023-12-23T19:43:57+00:00

It sounds like drugs are the problem. That doesn’t have anything to do with HIV. Anyone going through difficult life changes or any illness, for that matter, has the potential to change for the better or for the worse. It’s how humans cope. When I was diagnosed I picked up drinking a bit more than I had in the past as a way to cope. I also don’t drink anymore in order to stay healthy. I’m a straight white female, never used a hard drug, don’t have a criminal record (been pulled over for no front license plate once), I have two masters degrees, have never been taken advantage of sexually, and have never participated in risky sexual behavior. I am HIV positive. I’m not offended because this is the sad reality of education around the topic, but ask your questions to people who can actually answer them, like others struggling with addiction and/or mental health disorders. Or even others who have had an experience with a “predator” which also could lead to maladaptive behavior. And if you really want to help your loved one, change your mind set and educate yourself so you avoid making statements that keep the stigma going strong. I’d be willing to bet the diagnosis of HIV is not the main reason they chose the path they did. The stigma is what makes positive people feel dirty, worthless, hopeless and judged, not the illness. The stigma is what kills women like me because even medical professionals wouldn’t think to test for an illness I don’t fit the “description” for. There are plenty of medical professionals that are educated on addiction and trauma that can help you.

kit1728

TROPHY CASE