Hiv

Hi Rita (). Please know that there are people here who understand how you are feeling. Learning to cope with an HIV diagnosis is not easy and it took great courage for you to reach out. The stigma of HIV is real (see: https://h-i-v.net/stigma), but as noted in the article things are improving. Treatments can control the HIV, even make it undetectable. Is it possible for you find a medical professional you trust? Hopefully others here will chime in with their thoughts and experiences. This community is here for you. Best, Richard (Team Member)

Hi, Eddingtonrita . I'm so glad you reached out to the community here. I've been HIV positive for 30 years (or I've known for 30 since I didn't take a test until my partner fell ill). I understand what you are feeling. At first, I resisted taking medication. But that was in the 1990s when there weren't many options.

Over the years, I have had great success with various regimens. And now, this very week, I'm prepping to change again and trying a once-a-day pill.

I admit, I'm terrified. What if it doesn't work? What if I have side effects? Then, I remember everything I've been through over the years to maintain my undetectable status.

I can't tell you what to do, but I will share that my commitment to medicine has allowed me to live longer than I ever thought possible. Not long after my diagnosis, I was told to get my affairs in order. Yet, I'm still here.

And all of those things I was worried about? Well, just about none of them happened.

Can I ask you a question? What is your hesitancy to start treatment?

I hope you keep in touch with us. We all understand where you are with this.

Take care.

Robert Brunet - (Team Member)