Connect with others who understand.

  • Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  • Real advice from people who’ve been there
  • People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
Powered By
Real members of myHIVteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
Barrie, ON

How was being diagnosed with HIV changed your life? Either good or bad. Up or down? Did a diagnosis made life worth living and you no longer take it for granted?

September 1, 2025
 · 
Reactions

Answer Summary

Members reflected on how an HIV diagnosis transformed their lives, with many describing it as a wake-up call that prompted them to settle... Read more

Members reflected on how an HIV diagnosis transformed their lives, with many describing it as a wake-up call that prompted them to settle down, take better care of themselves, and seek healthier relationships after years of risky behavior. Several members shared stories of resilience and personal growth, including pursuing careers in new cities, maintaining undetectable viral loads, reframing their identity around positivity rather than their diagnosis, and continuing to accomplish their goals despite daily health challenges. A recurring theme was the profound emotional toll of the diagnosis, particularly for those navigating depression, isolation, abusive relationships, and the fear of never finding love or acceptance again, yet many found strength in faith, family support, and the determination to rebuild their lives one step at a time.

A myHIVteam Member

I keep my life simple I don’t dawn on my HIV
I just live like as it’s given, when it comes to my HIV I keep it to myself I am not dating so I don’t have to expose but if I was dating I would expose, so for now healing my ankle surgery getting stronger to hopefully go back to work, little by little,
God is Good to Me I
am Blessed I hold on to my Faith and Believe
I will get through this 🙏

September 1, 2025 (edited)
A myHIVteam Member

🌈👍♥️

September 1, 2025
A myHIVteam Member

@A myHIVteam Member It was my decision to carry-on the same trajectory already established in my life, prior to the news. I really didn't have a Plan B - so it was logical to continue with Plan A - until health factors might render Plan A no longer feasible. Coincidentally however, I was offered a job out-of-town for which I'd applied 6 months earlier, pre-diagnosis. I took the job, moved to a new city - thinking it would be a good experience - but also thinking if I fell ill, I could deal with it privately - out of view from friends and family. I intended to spare everyone the visuals I believed were inevitable. So, the coincidental job offer and its timing occurring just after diagnosis came with some added privacy and anonymity in a city where I didn't know anyone prior to arriving. It was a convenient aspect of the relocation - rather than a driving factor in accepting the offer. But ultimately moot since gloom and doom never came knocking. Plus, the new place was easy for making friends - very quickly. And so I flourished there professionally and personally - in previously unimaginable ways - while also learning I'd likely live a very long, healthy and happy life - a pleasant discovery - fortunately proven true over time. I would like to think things are similar to what might have been true absent the diagnosis - because the journey has truly been amazing - fun - epic actually - and come with the blessing of great health throughout. I've enjoyed meeting a lot of very smart people who've provided my health care over the years - in cities throughout the country - thanks to other moves that came later. And now I travel the world for pleasure - working remotely - something more feasible today than not so long ago. I'm really not sure what decisions I might make differently if I had it all to do over again. Because in many ways things turned out much better than I could have intentionally achieved by design ... BUT insofar as the diagnosis being an influential factor - I don't know - seems likely it would have influenced some decisions subconsciously BUT not from a physical-health context - so, perhaps instead from an emotional-health standpoint - is my best guess. It's a great question you pose - and I wish I could give you more emphatic answers - but, thank you for letting me think about it and also indulge in this walk down memory lane 😅 Hugz, Brad

September 1, 2025
A myHIVteam Member

It have drastically changed my life, every weekend I’d look for love and all the wrong places. I was one wild and crazy guy. I went through so many Twinks that my friends said they had to kick the chicken feathers out of the floor in order to walk-through my house. So basically it caused me to settle down grow up start taking care of myself and look for love in the right places. It was definitely a rude awakening.

September 1, 2025
A myHIVteam Member

Welcome 🤗

September 6, 2025

Related Questions

View All