Skip to main content

Dentists afraid of HIV

 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 dentist refers me back to 1st dentist for the crown. 

I see my chart on the shelf among others. But my chart stands out from the others. WHY? There is a big red toxic symbol on my folder.

Dentist number one aske me again about my viral levels. He tells me that his co-worker is pregnant so it is IMPERATIVE that only he does the crown (which will require prying off the old busted up crown). Am I going to give the other pregnant dentist the HIV? Why can't I see her? He does the temp crown and I have to go back soon for a permanent crown.

The dental technician talks me out of the teeth cleaning, telling me to just wait until next time (most likley when she doesn't have to do it).

This is what one has to put up with on a daily basis when you are positive. I also have another story about a Pulmonary doctor who listened to my heart and lungs while holding the stethoscope up in the air about a foot away from me, never even touching me, LOL. That one actually amused me. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

 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....
Post a Comment
Read more
I was standing there in the little airport with a ticket in my hand bound back to my hometown. There was a group of college girls standing in a circle singing "Take Me Home, Country Roads". I stood there in a daze watching them. I will never forget that song. Only a few moments before I was in the college cafeteria eating lunch alone. When a nurse walked in and announced my name. I remember the walk to her office. Almost passing out. Knowing why she called me, but a million other reasons I could think of that she wouldn't say it. I was in nursing school in the job corps and back in those days, an HIV test was mandatory. She said "follow me". I sat there in front of 4 people at a desk and they told me that I had tested positive for HIV. I stared and even started to laugh hysterically. I joked that I would find any reason to get out of class. A counselor came in to talk with me, I was still in a daze. I remember her asking me if I liked Greg Louganis, who had ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Some days are diamonds

 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.
Post a Comment
Read more