My HIV Story, Two and a Half Years of Living with HIV

It was 2 years and 6 months ago when I got diagnosed with HIV, Stage IV (AIDS). I was bedridden for 10 days and I thought I was going to die. I had bibasal pneumonia (wherein both of my lungs were affected) and I also had pneumocystiis pneumonia (PCP). They were my grave opportunistic infections. My CD4 was only 70 and my initial viral load was 107,000++.

Then I recovered fast. After only 6 months of religiously taking my ARV's, my CD4 shot up to 487, then after only one year, my viral load was already undetectable. I never got any serious infection, only the common cold from time to time. My body is the same as before I got sick. I went back to work and cherished my life with my life partner and legal husband: travelling, enjoying my hobbies, valuing family and friends and enjoying life. 

For 2 years and 6 months, I have been defeating HIV as my viral load is still undetectable.

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My Second Anniversary

I have been celebrating my second anniversary of being a PLHIV everyday of this week now. It started  with a grand vacation then a relaxed week, together with my life partner Tag. I can't believe that it has been two years already since I was diagnosed and a lot of things have happened since then, a lot of people I have talked to and touched, a lot of programs that have been implemented. I had never imagined how fruitful my life would be despite having HIV. It had never crossed my mind that having HIV would open wider doors for me.

Being One of You!

When I was diagnosed with HIV, 2 years ago, in September 2011, I was literally on my deathbed as my pulmo doctor said. I had recurring bibasal pneumonia and PCP. I had difficulty of breathing. I had chest pains. I was confined in a private hospital where my pulmo doctor suspected I may have HIV. I took the HIV test the following day and it turned out positive. I was referred to an infectious disease (ID) doctor who, while waiting for the confirmatory, prescribed both the CD4 and Viral Load test. My CD4 then was 73 and my VL was 107, 216. I was confined in the hospital for 10 days, spending around P500,000 on hospitalization bills.

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MY Story: POZZIEPINOY's Journey

Hi Pozziepinoy,

Just curious of your story, is there a link where I can see this. This is just to inspire my friend who is currently having a difficult time handling his "gift". He is currently experiencing PJP. 

Hoping a reply to my enquiry.

Regards,
Alex

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Pozziepinoy: My Own Story

A lot of people have been asking why I am not telling my personal story. Well, actually I already did. I told it on my very first entries of this blog. I was writing and sharing it as it was happening, on September and October of 2011 when I first got diagnosed. 

For the sake of all those who want to know my story, I listed down, in order, my experience, starting from when and how I got diagnosed, to how I prepared for treatment and the entire treatment process. 

By sharing it again, I just wish that others will learn something from it and eventually know that my living with HIV/AIDS is basically a struggle at first but becomes a fruitful journey from a different and more optimistic perspective.

So this is my story: Pozziepinoy's HIV/AIDS Story

1. I Have AIDS
2. Recovering in September
3. Getting the Medicines
4. The Ordeal
5. No Side Effects Yet
6. Making Myself Healthy
7. On Antihistamine Now
8. Spreading Like Wild Fire
9. Rash Boy
10. My ALT is not Cooperating
11. Dr. Ditangco, My New HIV Doctor

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: 

Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

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World AIDS Day and What You Can Do

By Malcolm Brown
International Contributor

Hi Viral Brothers and Sisters.

World AIDS Day is held on December 1st each year.  According ot the Foundation of AIDS Research, at the end of calender year 2011, more than 34 million people were living with HIV/AIDS, 3.3 million of them were under the age of 15 and since the beginning of the epidemic, more than 60 million people have contracted HIV and nearly 30 million have died of HIV-related causes

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Our Voices NEED to be Heard!

To celebrate WORLD AIDS DAY,

 I am calling on all 

ADVOCATES and PLHIV's 

to 

write a paragraph or two about this topic:

WORLD AIDS DAY:

WHAT IT MEANS TO ME

Please email it to me at

pozziepinoy@yahoo.com

OUR VOICES NEED TO BE HEARD!

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The Love Fund: November 2012 Report

Maram Bartolome of RITM-ARG in Alabang just sent me an email about the patients that have been helped by The Love Fund.

Here is the list for November 2012:

1. HIV with multiple infections:was assisted with laboratory work and medicines
2. HIV patient: was assisted with his transportation fares and medicines (antibiotics and optha medicines)
3. HIV with oral candidiasis: was assisted with fluconazole
4. 4 HIV patients: were assisted with registration fees
5. HIV confined with CMV Retinitis with possible brain infection: was assisted with meds and lab tests

For this month, these are the patients who were assisted by the Love Fund Group (LFG) thru PCSO:

1. HIV with multiple infections
2. HIV with CMV Retinitis
3. HIV with pneumonia 

To all those who have helped and who are still planning to donate to The Love Fund, thank you so much. Always remember that your donations are REALLY going to indigent HIV patients who can't afford treatment.

For more information about The Love Fund, please check out the link: The Love Fund

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: 

Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

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Email 130: ARV's in RITM-ARG

Hi Pozziepinoy,

I was not able to go to RITM-ARG as I ran out of time. As expected, I was only able to get for one month supply of ARV from San Lazaro Hospital.  I will be coming back this December to get my ARV again.  Hopefully this time I will be able to go to RITM-ARG.

Is there a specific day where ARV are distributed to patients in RITM-ARG?  Im having problems because ARV are only given to patients in SLH every thursday and the doctor won't allow me to get it on other days. 

Regards

XXX

POZZIEPINOY'S REPLY

Hi XXX,

Thank you for your email again.

You can get refills for ARV's in RITM-ARG everyday except during the weekends.

Stay healthy,

Pozziepinoy

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: 

Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

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Email 119: On EBV and CMV Tests

Hi Pozziepinoy,

I am particularly interested to know/confirm if I have EBV or CMV since it was mononucleosis that convinced me to take the HIV test. Do we have the EBV/CMV lab tests in RITM? These are available in St. Luke's and UST Hospital but of course, you know my concern.

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Email 114: Getting Back on Track

Hi Pozziepinoy.

I'm XXX and I'm HIV positive since 2007. I was diagnosed in Singapore and is still in denial until today. 

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Email 113: Can I Switch ARV's?

Hi Pozziepinoy. 

Just a little background about me, my name is XXX and I live in CDO. I have been diagnosed with HIV last September after voluntarily taking a test. Knowing that I have HIV was a shock and I’m still dealing with it out now. My family already knows. Before taking the test, there is this guy that I have been dating.  He has accepted my current situation and we’re now in a magnetic relationship. 

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Thank You for Your Generosity!

A lot of PLHIV's, both patients of RITM-ARG and non-RITM-ARG, have pledged for "Our Christmas Gift" for RITM-ARG. Thank you so much.

It has been a good year for a lot of PLHIV's and so many PLHIV's have been helped by RITM-ARG so the project is a good venue where we all can be generous for the benefit of our fellow PLHIV's.

Aside from monetary contributions, some PLHIV's have pledged to give to RITM-ARG:

1. Coffee maker
2. Monoblock chairs
3. Office table

Once again, thank you so much. Please keep on pledging monetary contributions and or other office gifts to RITM-ARG. Christmas is the time of sharing so let us all join our hands in giving back the love and support that RITM-ARG has given us.

For more information about "Our Christmas Gift", please click the link below:

OUR CHRISTMAS GIFT

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: 

Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

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Email 105: About I.R.I.S.

Hi Pozziepinoy,

When I had my counseling session with my doctor, he told me that when the immune system becomes stronger, all possible diseases will come out. I think it is called immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. Prior to taking ARV's, my cd4 count was 60, but I was diagnosed negative on RPR, tuberculosis, hepa, etc. 

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Email 103: "I want to Get an HIV Test"

Hi Pozzie,

I found your blog doing some research about HIV/AIDS. I've been wanting to get an HIV test since I believe I may have been exposed to the HIV virus. I just want to know the cost for the test cause in one your blogs it said it was free only to MSM. May I also go directly to RITM in alabang to have the test done at their facility? 

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Email 101: Glutathione and ARV's

Hello friend,

I used to take glutathione to make me healthy and glowing. Since I started taking ARV, I stopped it due to fear of negative reactions. I have read blogs, journals and articles that ARV can be harmful to the liver in the long run. So, I read further on how to take care of the liver. I found out that glutathione in the liver can make it more powerful. 

Is is advisable to take glutathione supplements?

XXX

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Email 99: Confirmatory Result in RITM

Hi Pozzie.

I like ur blog so much. I take so many infos about HIV. May the God bless you always!

How long it will take for the confirmatory result in RITM?IS IT ONLY 2 hours or 2 weeks?
Thank u pozzie!

XXX

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"Spiderman's Fight"

Ate Beth of RITM-ARG, two weeks ago texted me about the 28 year old, unemployed "Spiderman". She told me about this new patient who went to RITM-ARG, who was referred by a Self Empowerment Training (SET) participant. She met him in the clinic, with body rashes and blurred vision. Ate Beth said that her chest tightened up when he saw him being assisted by his 70 year old aunt as he had no other relatives to assist him.

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Study on High Dose of Vitamin Supplementation

Dr. Ditangco just texted me this:

"Hi Pozziepinoy. You may want to share this information. A recent research published in the Journal of American Medical Association has shown that high dose vitamin supplementation among patients who are taking ARV's has no added benefit compared to standard dose of vitamins and in fact may even be harmful to the liver. The recommendation was to stick with the standard recommended dietary requirement".

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Email 98: My Brother Needs to be Tested!

Hi there..

First time I saw your site. I'm concerned about my brother because I think he is HIV positive but still he's scared to take the test. I just want to know the address of RITM Satellite Clinic in  Malate? 

Thank you and I hope u can answer very soon

XXX

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Email 97: OFW Nurse Got Needle Pricked

Hi Pozzie,

I accidentally found your blog as I was searching for my queries about AIDS. I think you're a heaven sent to my questions. I'm an OFW  currently working as nurse. I was freaking because accidentally I pricked myself of a needle used for my patient. I don't know my patient's history but I'm paranoid in a way because after a week I had fever. So far that's the only symptom I had.

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