Hi all to the group

[Guest guest]

Salutations and cheers to all and thank you for letting me be part of this site.

My name is Gerald and I find the information on this site amazing and very

informative. I hope to add to this community and have a great time here.

Now a little about my background for you: I have been HIV positive since 1982,

since I am sure the first guy I had sex with was positive in sunny San Diego,

California at Blacks beach, for he had a large growth on the back of his neck

and I was recently informed that it might have been HIV indicator. However, in

1986 I was tested, which was a harrowing experience for I came out positive, but

I vowed, after a few eons of contemplating at that moment in the testing center,

that, like the song, " I Will Survive. "

Actually, I did not take medication until a few years ago, back in 2002 when I

started on Atripla, for my immune system held up until that moment I realize

that my body was failing the fight and I had to find help. At that time, I was

anxious, slightly hallucinating, losing my mind and did not know why. Luckily,

an old acquaintance told me where to get help and the medical attention I needed

for I was down to my last rope.

Now I am better, still wish I was not positive, but I am probably healthier and

happier than those people who are not positive but do not see a doctor on a

regular basis. I am an unofficial Atkins Diet advocate for I have lost 60

pounds, since June of this year, and feel great. I do volunteer work to keep

busy and hope to be more involved in the fight against AIDS, or at I dream it,

in the hope that one day somebody will find a cure. I also take vitamins from A

to Zinc, testosterone gel and Navigil, a fatigue-fighting drug, to keep

" healthy, wealthy and wise. "

Recently I got my doctor to give me testosterone gel for I felt that I was

losing my sexual side. It was a fight to get the doc to scribe the gel but now

I am trying to get the injection for I still do not feel like my old sexual

self. It was amazing how my doc put up a barrier and a fight not to give me the

testosterone but I was persistent and she finally conceded.

Well, that's me and any more would constitute a book in the making. I hope you

all are doing well and that good things will come to you. Have a happy Thanks

Giving and Happy Holiday.