Category: Viral load

Change in medication
Since I have been on dialysis, I have been having real difficulty with adherence for my HIV medication. This has been because of the regime including 1 tablet once a day, 1 once a week, and 1 once every 96 … Continue reading Change in medication
Results and no meds collected
Yesterday, I had my latest trip to the Guide clinic at St James’s University Hospital in Dublin. The doctor annoyed me by constantly touching my leg – so much so that I told her, If I touched you, the way you are touching me, it would be assault.” Fortunately, this made her stop and think. I have been debating whether I should let the clinic know officially. The clinical information that I received were the results of the blood test from my visit in November. Viral Load is undetectable still – which is great news. CD4 level is 573. Again … Continue reading Results and no meds collected
Another appointment and all is well
On Tuesday of last week, I had my regular appointment at the HIV clinic: results from the previous visit were as we expected: Viral load undetected. CD4 510 or 26% All other tests good. Although I got on really well with the doctor, on this occasion, I still put in my request to change clinic. The main reason for the change is that Andrew and I have moved and the one to which I want to change, is more accessible to where we live, rather than where we used to live. Continue reading Another appointment and all is well

Change of meds…
Eviplera to Stribild Today I am making the change from Eviplera to a newer drug which is four-in-one called Stribild. It is made up of four drugs: elvitegravir which is a type of antiretroviral called an integrase inhibitor; conicistat a … Continue reading Change of meds…

Disappointment from GHA today
Today, was my second appointment with my new GP here in Gibraltar. I woke up looking forward to it. I was due to get the results of the blood tests done by the Infection Control nurse about a month ago. … Continue reading Disappointment from GHA today

Can I navigate the Gibraltar system for HIV care?
Recent experience of getting HIV meds prescribed in Gibraltar. I have found it to be relatively easy to navigate the system. Continue reading Can I navigate the Gibraltar system for HIV care?

A bit of a bounce last week…
It was results time last Tuesday morning when I visited the Royal Victoria Hospital’s GUM clinic for possibly the last time. Since diagnosis my CD4 count has been rather on the low side, on diagnosis, it was 100, and has dropped to 80, before climbing up to above 200. Last Tuesday morning I got told that it was over three hundred! As I said on Twitter: #bounce VL <70. CD4 = 330 and 20%. #bestever couldn't have done w/o help from @BelfastTrust @belfastwriter and @PositiveLife_NI — John [HIVBlogger] (@HIVBlogger) March 25, 2014 The Viral Load count was a little bit higher than … Continue reading A bit of a bounce last week…

Over thirty years of experience and it’s a schoolboy error that delays my day!
With a hospital appointment clashing with the funeral of a friend, today was not the day for further delays to happen during a routine appointment at the Royal Victoria Hospital. Sadly, a simple schoolboy error ended up winding me up. At least I don’t have to return for six months… Continue reading Over thirty years of experience and it’s a schoolboy error that delays my day!

How involved are you in your HIV care? (via Baseline magazine)
How involved are you in your HIV care? What is the impact of treatment on your day-to-day life? BASELINE have an online survey, please complete it here. http://baseline-hivcare.kantarhealth.com/wix1/p1572343412.aspx Continue reading How involved are you in your HIV care? (via Baseline magazine)