Email 676: Taking Control


Hi Pozzie (I am sorry I don't know how to address you),

Let me start by saying "Thank you" for your blogsite. Now, I was able to muster the courage to finally get tested. Forgive me for this lengthy message. I just want to share my current ordeal.

Yes. I set an appointment with Loveyourself and will face the "life-changing" result on Saturday.

I have been suspecting that I was already infected I guess 4 years ago when  fever, colds, sore throat, and dry cough kept on recurring like almost every two months. I did not entertain the idea even though I know I was sexually active. I convinced myself that these are just common virus illnesses that will just disappear eventually.

Until I had this severe dry cough on July 2013. I still was in denial though that I am "positive". I played a 5-hour volleyball game prior to the cough attack and I though it was because of that. Not to mention that my back was terribly aching, I felt so really weak the following days. My cough, already a week-old got worst. I consulted our company doctor and he prescribed an antibiotic for pneumonia (I searched for the drug's indication online). I know that taking antibiotics should get you well after 3-4 days, but have to continue taking as prescribed by the doctor, which I did. However, I the antibiotic did not do its wonders. I consulted another doctor, this time a pulmonologist (in our province as I was in vacation that time) and prescribed another kind of antibiotics, and a higher dosage at that. Still, no positive results. I got also a chest x-ray with a "clear lungs" result. I was already worried because I know how antibiotics can affect the immune system.