HIV Info/Clinic wanted ASAP [Archive] - Sawatdee Gay Thailand the oldest and most popular gay forum on Thailand and South East Asia

February 22nd, 2010, 09:58

Hi all:

I've found out this week that I am HIV+. I need to seek treatment advise and medication. I live in Pattaya and am wondering if there is a good clinic here or (if not) in Bangkok.

I've been getting lot of info from the internet and here is what I found so far:

1. I need to get a blood test to find out my CD cound and my Viral Load.

2. I need to be prescribed medication accordingly.

3. I don't have any insurance - so is there a pharmacy/clinic where I can get my medication at a reasonable cost?

4. Any counselling/support group here in Pattaya?

Please only contribute if you have concrete information to provide... I'm anxious to get professional advise.

Thank you

Aunty

February 22nd, 2010, 10:13

Well first of all, darling, don't panic. You won't be dead by tomorrow. If you are of limited funds, contact this guy and go and see him. http://www.heartt2000.org/

Impulse

February 22nd, 2010, 11:44

Google AIDSMEDS,Its one of the best sites on the internet if your hiv positive.It will walk you thru what you need to do and it has a very supportive forum. Goodluck.

February 22nd, 2010, 13:26

So how'd you get it, anyway? Care to share your experience?

Irish1972

February 22nd, 2010, 14:53

How did you find out you were HIV+ to find out for sure you would need to have had a test, that would be done by a medical professional and they would or should refer you to an expert in that field of medicine.

I have a friend who has been positive since 1984 and he leads a perfectly normal life so take care of yourself and best of luck.

February 22nd, 2010, 15:32

1/ I hope that this is not some kind of a bad joke posting.

2/ I agree with Irish, you should have had many things explained to you when you were told that you were positive.

3/ Yes you need to know what your CD4 Count is and Viral Load (this will tell you approx how long you have been positive, and if to start medication) so you will need to go to one of the specialised clinics already mentioned for Pattaya.

4/ The medications have improved greatly over the past 5 yrs or so, if you can get the right one/s it is now down to a once daily tablet. It is recommended by most professionals that starting with meds when your CD4 his fallen to around the 350 mark will have the best long term effect and help, depending on your life stile get your CD4 back up to an acceptable level and your viral load down to undetectable. Again take the advice of the professionals you go to see.

5/ Cost can be the thing so depending where you come from it might, if you have a very low CD4 count be best to return home and seek medical advice there. Normally once your CD4 falls below the 200 count then AIDS related illnesses can and will occer.

6/ Good luck and again if you take the advice of your doctors, and adhere to the right medications then you should not have any major problems and can continue to live a relatively normal life. Just don't leave 'things' until you get sick, go and get advice and start the medication as soon as it is recommended.

February 22nd, 2010, 15:48

Thank all for your replies and yes that's including you Mr. Diec.
{now deleted as abusive - quoted posts vilifying diec gone too - jinks}

First of all I'm not a young man - I'm in my mid 40 and yes I know what SAFE SEX is all about. I came out in the early 80 at the beginning of AIDS epidemic. Honestly I am not sure when or where or who passed the virus to me - I've been practising (mostly) safe sex but (I must admit) there has been a few occasions where I made bad decisions in the heat of the moment. At this time I feel who or how I got it is a mute point. The fact is I do have it and that's the fact I have to deal with.

Mr. Diec - I blame no one but myself (so you are right). I hope it gives you pleasure for pointing your finger in judgement.

I am still in shock and this is a very sobering situation for me. I understand this is no longer a death sentence but it is still quite traumatic.

I have the information about Dr. Philippe and will make appointment to see him this week. Tomorrow I have an appointment to go to Silom Community Clinic which is located on the 3rd floor of Bangkok Christian Hospital. The gentleman there was very kind and informative. I now know that I will get a blood test to determine my CD count and Viral Load. They will also check my liver to be sure it is healthy enough to tolerate the medications. All this is done for free and then I will come back in 3 days to a week to start my medication which is not expensive. There is a generic brand for 900 baht/month and a brand name drug for 2000 baht per month.

I will let you know more about my progress.

CoffeeBreak

February 22nd, 2010, 17:12

Thank all for your replies and yes that's including you Mr. Diec. First of all I'm not a young man - I'm in my mid 40 and yes I know what SAFE SEX is all about. I came out in the early 80 at the beginning of AIDS epidemic. Honestly I am not sure when or where or who passed the virus to me - I've been practicing (mostly) safe sex but (I must admit) there has been a few occassions where I made bad decissions in the heat of the moment. At this time I feel who or how I got it is a mute point. The fact is I do have it and that's the fact I have to deal with. Mr. Diec - I blame no one but myself (so you are right). I hope it gives you pleasure for pointing your finger in judgement.

I am still in shock and this is a very sobering situation for me. I understand this is no longer a death setence but it is still quite traumatic.

I have the information about Dr. Philippe and will make appointment to see him this week. Tomorrow I have an appointment to go to Silom Community Clinic which is located on the 3rd floor of Bangkok Christian Hospital. The gentleman there was very kind and informative. I now know that I will get a blood test to determine my CD count and Viral Load. They will also check my liver to be sure it is healthy enough to tolerate the medications. All this is done for free and then I will come back in 3 days to a week to start my medication which is not expensive. There is a generic brand for 900 baht/month and a brand name drug for 2000 baht per month.

I will let you know more about my progress.

Good luck to you, and many of us appreciate your honest posting . It could happen to anyone in our scene.
Await your progress report.

February 22nd, 2010, 17:15

February 22nd, 2010, 17:45

I would sincerely recommend you go and at least have a chat with Dr Phillippe in Pattaya. He is totally non-judgemental, and very very good at explaining things and putting things in context, both for Thais and non-Thais.
He operates out of a clinic in a private house, very confidential.

Good advice as you will feel a lot better talking with a professional. It's not an easy matter to come to terms with as we are all different but don't let it get you down too much. You have taken the right first step by having a test for HIV (everyone should get one on a regular basis especially if they aren't in a stable relationship) The medications are now very, very good with little or no side effects. I'm not sure what is available in Thailand and at what cost, but if you can get the latest one a day pill then it should make your life so much more easy.

This is a very good site to read up on the latest events etc., concerning HIV and they will also email you their monthly updates.

http://aidsmap.com/cms1038153.aspx

Again good luck and remember it is no longer life threatening, like diabetes follow your doctors advice, adhere to your meds and keep yourself reasonable fit and you can continue having a normal life...........

Beachlover

February 22nd, 2010, 17:54

{now deleted as abusive - quoted posts vilifying diec gone too - jinks}

Thanks Jinks... nice to see this dick (Diec) of a poster finally deleted.

February 22nd, 2010, 17:56

Once again thank you all for your advise and links for info. I will see Dr. Phillipe this week for sure.
I'm trying to put on a brave face on this - not for anyone else but for me. Like I said before I'm still in a state of shock - and am so numb right now. I don't even have time to cry... not yet at least.

Will report back to you all soon.

Beachlover

February 22nd, 2010, 18:22

Well I have no idea what it's like to go through what you're going through. But like all things, maybe it helps to put it in perspective.

You're about 45 right? So you probably only have in the region of 30-50 years left by average life expectancy.

So what's your life about? Really, when it comes down to it, you just want to enjoy living and feel good about yourself, whether that means contributing or achieving something great. With good treatment, HIV shouldn't stop you doing any of this.

Yeah, it's a bloody horrible thing to get and you want to avoid it at all costs. But now you have it, just deal with it and get on with what you really want to do. Enjoy life and feel good about yourself. Can't let it stop you doing these two things.

Apple founder/CEO, Steve Jobs gave this great presentation about life a few years ago.

In PART TWO at about 2:00 mins in he talks about how he believes death is one of the greatest things in life and how he dealt with being told he only had a few months to live.

[youtube:26ydlmfe]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtbJM9ksxo8[/youtube:26ydlmfe]

[youtube:26ydlmfe]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLl59Q2GuC0[/youtube:26ydlmfe]

Surfcrest

February 22nd, 2010, 20:10

Well I have no idea blah blah blah blah blah blah maybe it helps to put it in perspective.

You're about 45 right? So you probably only have in the region of 30-50 years left by average life expectancy.

So what's your life about? Really, when it comes down to it, you just want to enjoy living and feel good about yourself, whether that means contributing or achieving something great. With good treatment, HIV shouldn't stop you doing any of this.

Yeah, it's a bloody horrible thing to get and you want to avoid it at all costs. But now you have it, just deal with it and get on with what you really want to do. Enjoy life and feel good about yourself. Can't let it stop you doing these two things.

Interesting advice from someone in their twenties who starts out by rightfully saying he has no idea, before he barges in with advice about doing something great with their life....rather than wasting it here, responding to nearly everything everyone says on each and every topic.

As sanook already said, it's best to have your blood tested to see where you are in term of the viral load and the CD4 count. There has been a great deal of improvements to anti viral medications up until now. The longer it is before you need to start on any of these medications the better it is for you as new medications are being developed with fewer side effects and a better defence against the virus. Physicians are also prescribing medications earlier now, not waiting for the immune system to deteriorate for a better long term strategy. The best thing you can do for yourself now is to look after yourself. This means eating properly, sleeping properly and not drinking excessively to maintain your best CD4 counts.

Before starting medications, you may want to consider going home and seeing what the professionals back home recommend. You may also want to reconsider your sexual priorities in Thailand and make some serious adjustments in this respect. When you first become positive your viral count is very high making you high risk for sex with others.

lonelywombat

February 23rd, 2010, 05:10

{now deleted as abusive - quoted posts vilifying diec gone too - jinks}

Thanks Jinks... nice to see this dick (Diec) of a poster finally deleted.

Dont often agree with Beachlover, but totally agree with the deletion and also jinks explaining why he did it.

Seeing Dr Phillippe now rather than waiting until you get home and make an appointment makes a lot os sense.

February 23rd, 2010, 06:35

Was this the first time in your life you'd ever had an HIV test? If not, when was the last time you did?

February 23rd, 2010, 07:23

Interesting advice from someone in their twenties who starts out by rightfully saying he has no idea, before he barges in with advice about doing something great with their life....rather than wasting it here, responding to nearly everything everyone says on each and every topic.
The puppeteer who handles this puppet will stop at nothing to complete "Beachlover's Encyclopaedia. From A like AIDS to Z like Zurfcrest." By daily installments here in the Beachlover Forum. Let's bow to the inevitable.

February 23rd, 2010, 07:59

Well please let us know how it goes,Whatsnow".

I am sure there are support groups in Pattaya,maybe contact Dr Phillipe s office or Jim at the Ambience Hotel.

Whether they are farang support Im not sure,but Bangkok definetely has some.

Dont listen to the closet poofs on here,mate.It has happened to you,full stop,so no use wondering how/why you got it.
If you find you need some support and if you can afford it,there is a few private gay pyschologists in Pattaya,actually in Jomtiem beach,DR ROBERT ,I actually went to see him a few times when I thought LONELY WOMBAT was following me and forcing me to do the chickendance on jomtiem beach and he s a great Psychologist.
I dont have a number but im sure someone has it.

One time you made a mistake somewhere,but let me finish with a Jewish Quote.

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.

thrillbill

February 23rd, 2010, 16:50

Good information and support on this subject. I was wondering, if one is tested for HIV in Thailand and the test is positive (at a clinic or hospital) does the medical profession have the obligation (by law) to report it to immigration or government? Seems like I read this a couple years ago .

lonelywombat

February 24th, 2010, 15:04

{Thanks for the nudge T - the offending posts are now deleted (available in the Google Cache if you want to see them) - jinks}

who was complaining about jinks not doing his job
If he was most of the most recent posts would have been deleted

Scottish Guy and Hereforeme.

Are you saying

if jinks was doing his job both of you would not be allowed to post the shit you do

February 24th, 2010, 18:07

For what it is worth. My advice is to share your burden with a couple of well trusted friends.
Dont keep it all to yourself because it will be hard for you down the track. On a board like this,it is not sharing it, other than getting complete strangers thoughts.
The HIV virus is just that... a virus. Where no cure has yet been found. But will be.
Do not let it bottle up inside. As the saying goes ..A load shared is a load halved. So go to those TRUSTED friends.
My own experience is purely from belonging to an AIDS councelling service for years and listening to people like yourself.
Best of luck, particuarly in getting the right medical advice...ie Dr Phillipe.Pattaya.

Hi all:

I've found out this week that I am HIV+. I need to seek treatment advise and medication. I live in Pattaya and am wondering if there is a good clinic here or (if not) in Bangkok.

I've been getting lot of info from the internet and here is what I found so far:

1. I need to get a blood test to find out my CD cound and my Viral Load.

2. I need to be prescribed medication accordingly.

3. I don't have any insurance - so is there a pharmacy/clinic where I can get my medication at a reasonable cost?

4. Any counselling/support group here in Pattaya?

Please only contribute if you have concrete information to provide... I'm anxious to get professional advise.

Thank you

February 25th, 2010, 23:29

I was wondering, if one is tested for HIV in Thailand and the test is positive (at a clinic or hospital) does the medical profession have the obligation (by law) to report it to immigration or government? Seems like I read this a couple years ago .

No, there is no legal requirement and the opposite is actually the case. Irish 1972 and Sanook both wondered why the hospital/clinic had not given whatnow appropriate counselling following a CD4 count, etc, assuming quite reasonably that this would be the case - it isn't.

My partner and I have a regular medical check-up at BHP every year; although we are both monogamous he has borderline OCD and is still convinced that he can catch HIV from casual contact (using the same cutlery or glass as friends who have/may have HIV, unsterilised scissors in a hairdressers, etc) so he likes to have an HIV test done as well when they check his blood, and I think it is only reasonable that I do likewise. I have never been asked anything prior to the test at all, although he was asked about his sexual partners (and mine!) by a nurse, who then asked him why he wanted the test and explained that he could not catch HIV in the ways he described; this year the nurse remembered us both and simply asked him very pleasantly if there had been "any changes" and whether he wanted to be given the result by a counsellor or simply handed the results in an envelope; he chose the latter (I didn't get any choice), as he had done previously. Last year we were simply handed he envelopes without any comment by a nurse and this year although my partner was told by the doctor during the post-test summary that he was HIV-negative, I wasn't (the relevant paragraph in the report book simply reads Anti-HIV: The result is confidential due to the patient's right and is disclosed only to the patient) and I had to open the envelope and read the result myself while we were waiting to pay the bill.

Whatnow, Dr Philippe will gve you far better and more experienced advice than anything you may get here, although most of it is well meant. As with others here, I know a number of people who have been HIV+ for a number of years and who lead totally normal lives; being realistic and honest, I also knew a number who either did not get proper medical treatment and advice at all or who left it until it was too late and who are no longer with us. It is not necessarily the death sentence it once was, so there is simply no reason at all for you or anyone else with the virus to be thinking about "death" or "life expectancy" any more than anyone else.

Off topic, for once I agree with Surfcrest and stop. What a totally unnecessary, ill-informed, wanton and unbelievably stupid post by Beachlover, even by his standards.

February 25th, 2010, 23:54

The case of HIV is really alarming also here in our country. We should not just blame victims instead just do our best to help them. I admire you for sharing your case with us and talking about your experience to educate us further. Our prayers are with you and your family. Angioplasty (http://www.ecommunity.com/cardiovascular/)

February 26th, 2010, 04:21

I know a number of people who have been HIV+ for a number of years and who lead totally normal lives; being realistic and honest, I also knew a number who either did not get proper medical treatment and advice at all or who left it until it was too late and who are no longer with us. It is not necessarily the death sentence it once was, so there is simply no reason at all for you or anyone else with the virus to be thinking about "death" or "life expectancy" any more than anyone else.

To add to that, the latests news from reseach recently reported in AIDSMAP relating to the life expectancy of HIV Positive males that has been carried out over a number of years who started on medication at 25 yrs old states that "providing they lead a reasonably healthy life style i.e. not smoking and drinking moderately, they can expect to live to around 77 years on average".

Surfcrest

February 26th, 2010, 09:17

jenny[/b]]It is a good idea for having a regular HIV test on a clinic for you to know that your safe. It could make your mind calm that you are clear.

just a moment....where have I heard the name before?

witchhunt

February 26th, 2010, 09:27

I have contact with members and support staff of People Living With Aids PWLA and they stress that with care and self discipline you can live a normal life with a normal life expectancy Dr Phillippe is an excellent place to start and you should have been there by now.

Impulse

February 26th, 2010, 09:33

All very good advice.The problhas no insurance so he will have to pay em will be for the op....getting a hold of Atripla.the one pill wonder.He retail.Thais don't pay much for their meds,but they are the older meds,and correct me if I'm wrong,but azt is one key ingrediant they must take.
Avoid azt if possible,as it causes lipodystrophy.This was one of the first antivirals introduced in the late eighties and is still being used today as its cheap.
Also as sanook stated,starting meds before your cd4 drops below 350 is important.In Thailand they wait till its down to 200 before they start.To save money or to avoid the side affects,probably both.

February 26th, 2010, 21:53

.....the latests news from reseach recently reported in AIDSMAP relating to the life expectancy of HIV Positive males that has been carried out over a number of years who started on medication at 25 yrs old states that "providing they lead a reasonably healthy life style i.e. not smoking and drinking moderately, they can expect to live to around 77 years on average".

тАж 77? So it is exactly the same average life expectancy as any man in the UK or USA!

As for Steve Jobs and what he said in 2005 (which has absolutely no connection with whatnow, as Steve Jobs had recently been told incorrectly that he had incurable cancer with 3 - 6 months to live), he never said that "he believes death is one of the greatest things in life". What he actually said was that "remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life" - totally understandable, and a totally different sentiment.

Brad the Impala

February 27th, 2010, 00:46

Beachlover

February 27th, 2010, 05:54

Joining the party from the recesses of The Library vaults appears a creature dusted with the powder of disintegrating aged manuscripts, whose eyes have worn away with endless and obsessional study of fine print, and whose shambolic gait bears witness to the hours of prostration at the altar of semantics. Oh joy!

Hehehe... GF you mean.

Sitting at his big old wooden desk in a starched white suit... brows furrowed... moustach raised.... fingers flicking through his trusty abacus... BF toiling away at dinner in the background

February 28th, 2010, 21:28

It is regrettable but getting inevitable with this board that even the most serious of topics are taken as an opportunity by some to make totally irrelevant comments about other posters. There may be a time and a place for such antics, but this particular thread is not it.

kittyboy

March 2nd, 2010, 12:09

Though some poster on this forum have expressed doubt about my experience, I was a volunteer HIV counselor for many years before I moved overseas. My experience was that most people who seroconvert have lots of fear, shame, guilt etc...

Asking someone "How did you get HIV?" or "Did you use protection?" or any number of other questions may satisfy our own curiosity but it does not help the newly HIV postive person deal with their situation.

IMHO - there is more than just a bit of personal judgement involved in asking those type of questions.

Medial evaluation, emotional support and couseling are generally what is needed not a bunch of self serving questions.

March 2nd, 2010, 12:33

Asking someone "How did you get HIV?" or "Did you use protection?" or any number of other questions may satisfy our own curiosity but it does not help the newly HIV postive person deal with their situation.

Thought it might help the person ASKING, non?

March 2nd, 2010, 13:28

March 3rd, 2010, 10:09

Thank each and every one of you for your replies, word of support, critiques as well as suggestions. ItтАЩs been a week since my last posting and I thought I would give you an update of my situation.

The past 1 week has been a busy week for me тАУ I saw many doctors, visited many hospitals, and gone thru a battery of tests.

On your suggestion, I went to see Dr. Philippe Seur at his practice. He is a very kind, caring and compassionate doctor with the most up-to-date knowledge of HIV/AIDS. I am grateful to have found him.

Yesterday I received the results of my tests as follows:

CD4 Count: 311
Viral Load: 29000
Liver Function: Normal
Kidney Function: Normal
Heart: Normal
TB: Negative
Hep C: Negative
Hep B: Negative

I am scheduled to see Dr. Philippe tomorrow and give him the above results. He will then make a decision on Anti-retroviral medication regiment suitable for my condition. Dr. Philippe NGO also supplies medication at cost which makes it affordable.

The past 1 week has been a very difficult and sobering time for me. I know that I am responsible for my own action and have no time to feel sorry for myself. My focus now is my health and well being тАУ keeping in mind that I am HIV+ and will be for the rest of my life.

Again thank you all for your kind words and wish me luck.

PS: to the Moderator - I know a poster can be rude and insensitive - but I don't see the need to ban Mr. Diec for his comment as insensitive and self righteous as it was. It is an accurate expression of his feelings and it's good for us all to be reminded people still think this way about HIV, even in our own community.