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I've live with it for about 33 yrs. Now my numbers are real good... If it wasn't for the meds... I would be dead when I was first diagnosed I was taking about 20 pills if not more but now just 1 tablet hiv as came along way since then yeah I hear there's a cure but the pharmacy wouldn't make there cut my med is very expensive just my opinion on that maybe one day there will be a cure nobody should go through what were going through... About the stigma and the other things people judge you for… read more
After my AIDS diagnosis in 2010 I was sure I was going to die. My first ID Dr let me know my first apt with him that people with HIV on their meds don't die from AIDS, we typically die from cancer.. I'm glad he's not my Dr anymore, and it took a while to believe that ART keeps us alive. (and we wont turn into AIDS zombies)
Heck no I didn't! I was diagnosed in 1991 and my partner died one year later from AIDS. This was 5 years before HAART was developed. I was 100% certain that I would also be dead within the year. And why not? Everybody else I knew was dying. I gave up on my education, my career, all of my life aspirations. After my partner died, I also drowned myself in alcohol. Often passing out at the bar by myself on a stool in a lonely corner away from everyone else. Even one of my doctors during that time told me I would die soon. Despite my CD4 being very good. He was just that kind of callous asshole.
Of course, living 35 years with HIV has taken its toll. Despite my pretty excellent health, I do suffer from pain, both physical and mental.
Kudos to all of the long-term survivors here. Our stories are different but in many ways the same. Most of us did not think we would still be here today. And many of us paid a high price for that. I love you all and I support you 100%.
33 years — that is truly remarkable, and something worth celebrating! 🎉 Many people in the early days of HIV were told they had just a couple of years to live. A myHIVteam member diagnosed in 1985 was told exactly that, and they're still here decades later, thriving.
Your story is a powerful reminder of how far HIV Show Full Answer
I have delt with stigma so much over the years mostly from medical and dental professionals. Watch for Dentist scheduling you at the end of the day and just recently I felt it at a dermotology appointment when the doctor just sat there and said well what can I do for you? I guess over the years it takes a toll on you and you can see it easier when it happens. Sorry you are feeling so isolated and alone where you live. "Maybe start singing that song in your head "Gotta make a move to a town thats right for me, won't you take me to funky town" There is most likely a blabber mouth stiring up trouble close to you. Stigma sucks, I just felt it recently from my daughter inlaw and grand daughter when they didn't want to hug me goodbye before they left to go back home. My son did but their actions really cut deep because it was family.
Jamie 4 thanks for your vulnerability
I too am a long term survivor 37 years for me
Sometimes I get an attitude because it did come with a price.Many people don't understand that mental,physical,emotional and spiritual toll it has taken on us.The extreme stigma , death of others, family separations, side effects of meds and other issues we had to face back then when no one would talk about hiv
Hiv has come along way
Just remembering the journey
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