I developed a cavity underneath an old crown. The pain became unbearable. I asked my HIV doctor if he knew of an HIV friendly dentist. You would think they would ALL be educated on the subject, but they are not. MY HIV doctor told me to try the University dental services. But it was very difficult to get in there. The nightmare began upon going to a private practice. Turns out the crown was all busted up. I needed a root canal and a new crown. This dentist seemed to linger on my honesty on the sign-in application that I was HIV poz but undetectable. He wanted to know if I was on medicine and what my viral load was. He referred me out to another dentist.  The 2nd dentist asked me why the 1st dentist didn't do the work. I knew why but just said that I didn't know. The 2nd dentist said the tooth could be saved (not extracted like I thought) and I was referred to a 3rd dentist. The 3rd dentist did the root canal, after a lengthy question session about my HIV and medicines. 3rd de...

 I had been taking Triumeq for several years. I am going to say that being HIV positive had never interfered with my life much UNTIL I started Triumeq. I started getting weak, nauseated, hazy minded and on an on. I would wake up with a hangover every morning. It would take me 2 hours after waking to fully function. I finally asked my doctor if there was ANYTHING else available as I felt this medicine was poison that was going to kill me faster than HIV would. He switched me to Symtuza. I am feeling better upon waking up. BUT when I first started Symtuza I had  diarrhea so bad that I was convinced that I had CDIFF. I told my doctor that I thought it was c-diff and I had to gather samples of my stool and take it to the lab. That was a wonderful experience. For the first month I had the runs so bad it was disabling. Not to mention the horrible gas. Had that kept up I would have truly been disabled. Thankfully, it slowly started to subside. I don't get the runs now unless I eat so...

 I started out today feeling phenomenal. Actually, I don't have a lot of good days like this. Where I am clearheaded and energetic. I even woke up before the alarm went off. The first part of the day went swimmingly while at work. I was even running errands throughout the building with a swift walk. I had taken some Effexor that was prescribed the previous night. I told a nurse how I was feeling and she said "This is how you were supposed to be feeling the whole time." Really? I envy people that can feel this good everyday. HOWEVER, come about 2 p.m. I started to get dizzy and nauseated. By the 3 p.m. I was trying not to vomit. By 4 pm I had to leave work because I was so sick. I went home and slept the rest of the night.  This is the ups and downs of life on HIV medicine.

 Since I last posted here in 2016, there have been a number of changes. At the time I was dating someone. He came to visit from Alabama which was quite a drive and spent a few days with me. After a few days he went back to Alabama. Once there he called me. He told me, in tears, that he had met someone else and was breaking up with me. I was shocked as it was unexpected. But I wasn't mad. I wished him well and agreed we were better off as friends. There was an obvious lack of passion in the relationship which really stemmed from my decreasing and lack of interest in sex over the years. I have been single since that happened. Not only have I not dated, but I have been totally celibate for almost 5 years now. Things really come into perspective when you have a loveless and sexless life. Oddly enough, I am in a better place mentally than I have ever been. I have overcome two different, what I would call addictions in my life. Sex and booze. I am also sober since I last blogged in 2016....

 I haven't written here in years. Yes, I am still around some 5 years later. I have written down many things I would like to blog about. I made a logo, bought a domain and website, and plan on trying to get a popular podcast out there about aging with HIV. Coming soon.  BTW I tested postive when I was 24 years old. I will be 50 years old  in September, 2021. I feel truly blessed to have survived this long while many friends did not make it.