Hiv Support

[J666]

Hi all, I was diagnosed HIV+ 4 years ago and was doing rather well with my health until this past 6 months when my business went down, my best friend died and my mum was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Before going on the tabs (Stocrin and Truvada) my VL was over 1,000,000 and my CD4 182.

I felt great at the start of the tabs but my last VL test still showed 285,000 and a check test 10 days later showed 515,000 so it looks like I am drug resistant. I am currently waiting for the resistance test from the Red Cross and then my doctor will act accordingly. What i cannot understand is why my doctor did not perform the resistance test BEFORE I was placed on the tabs - is this normal?

What has become apparent since is that I need a support group as the best advice I have received so far was from a long term sufferer in the US. He offered calm and ordered advice that was sorely needed. Does anyone know of a support group in Bangkok or does anyone want to start one?

Love to all.

[Sheryl]

As testing for resistance is time consuming and costly it is not routinely done, only when someone fails to respond as expected. And in fact, in the case of people who have been on meds a long time and stop responding they often don't bother but rather presume resistance from the lack of response. Your case is a bit difference since you are new to the meds, so for you it makes sense to test.

The Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic has a support group for HIV+ English speakers, 2 to 5 PM on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Or at least they used to, best check.

There is also a group I know of that some TV members belong to, for the sake of their privacy I'll arrange for you to be contacted by PM.

If you haven't discovered it yet, www.thebody.com is a fabulous resource.

[notbkk]

Hi, Sheryl, you seem to be the person to speak to!

My Thai boyfriend and I are living in a condo in Sathorn. We have an acquaintance, a Thai guy of 32 years, staying in the same block. He was diagnosed HIV+ two months ago. He lost his job as he is sick, weak, depressed, has no appetite and has no money. He will be kicked out of his apartment this month as he is unable to pay the rent. He refuses to go home to the country to his parents, as he is ashamed and scared. We take water and food to him as much as we can, as we are both working.

As he doesn't really have anybody who will look after him, I feel we cannot just let him lie there in his dark room to perish. It is too awful a thought, as my previous partner contracted AIDS in the 80's, and I know what hell he went through, physically and pshycologically. We don't have funds to support him, but maybe we can help him to get some assistance from the Thai healthcare system, if there is such a thing. Any ideas, please? Many thanks.