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My Undetectable Story: I am Resilient by Mr. CombatMy Undetectable Story, #MyUStory, is a peer-led technology-based initiative by Adam's Love Global Foundation for MSM and Transgender Health (ALGO) for HIV-positive Thai MSM. The programme highlights real-life stories of Thai MSM living with HIV and enrolled in Adam's Love We Care programme and reflects on their journey and how they successfully achieved an undetectable viral load. Through these stories the initiative aims to engage and motivate newly diagnosed MSM to achieve an undetectable viral load while optimizing technology-based support. My Undetectable Story I was only 18 years old at that time. I enjoyed hanging out at night and hopping from one pub to another. But I came to know that I have HIV when I met one guy from online application. That time, the condom broke; I knew and was sure about it so I was really tensed. I called my close friend as he had similar situation earlier, and he recommended me to consult with Adam's Love online staff through official LINE IM application account about the details of the hospital to receive HIV testing. I asked Adam's Love staff and they promptly recommended me the hospital for HIV testing and booked an appointment for me. I couldn’t sleep all-night and waited until 6 AM and then I went to hospital. At the hospital, they tested my blood, and sent me to consult with doctor and then counselor to receive counseling and understand about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). I waited until 2 PM for the result, and then the nurse sent me to meet the same counselor. I started to feel nervous. The doctor smiled and asked if I had sex in the past two months, and I replied yes. Then he asked if I protected myself, and I said yes. But he looked at me as if he didn’t believe me. And then he shared that I have HIV. I got shocked and started to cry immediately. The doctor gave me tissue and I cried really hard. I didn’t know what to do next? What will happen if my dad and mom and other people around me come to know that I have HIV? What if I go to college, and be a freshmen in the university, I really did not know what to do next in my life. The doctor asked me to accept my situation and understand that there is nothing to be scared about. He explained although there is no cure for HIV but there is a medicine to treat it, and if I can be adherent and take care of my health then I would live long like normal people. I tried to listen and understand. Doctor then again asked me if I had unprotected sex, I told him maybe the condom broke or was expired, and then I cried again. Doctor affirmed that it was good that I knew my results earlier so I could get treated and asked if I wanted to be treated at the same hospital. I explained that My NHSO health insurance is in another city, but I wanted to treat here. The doctor let me decide and explain about antiretroviral treatment (ART) and how to access ART, and at the end of our conversation he provided me the diagnosis result hard copy in case I decided to seek treatment at my hometown. I opened the envelope and saw my name, with the RED alphabets saying Positive in that paper. I replied thank you and left the hospital.
Finally, I sought treated at my hospital in my hometown. I showed them my test results, to reconfirm they tested my blood again and asked me to visit next week. The nurse asked me if I wanted to meet psychologist, and I replied no and smiled. The following week I visited hospital and entered treatment. Doctor said my CD4 was 300, and that it was normal but shouldn’t get below 200. He advised me and gave tips on how to take ARV. I didn’t have hepatitis and I’m happy. They also gave the treatment memo. I got willpower from my friend who initially recommended me to receive HIV testing. He accepts me as HIV-positive, and understands about this HIV more than I do. When I told him that I wanted to tell my parents, he stopped me as I was going to university and so my parents won’t get worried. He recommended me to wait until everything was settled and then I could tell my parents. Another most important support source that I cannot forget is Adam's Love. Whenever I have problem they will advice me and help find hospital for me. They helped find hospital near my university too. Now, I have been taking ART for 7 months already, and everything is normal. I sometimes drink alcohol. I exercise a bit.
Last time my viral load test result was undetectable so I’m so happy and excited. The nurse told me there might be some virus hidden in glands but at least I’m so happy that I am undetectable. Doctor said my liver is good and he wanted me to drink more water. The pharmacist also said my adherence is 100% so he gave me an extra bottle. My student life is normal; I hang out with my friend and do lots of activities, and finally its not that bad. When I go out I will put one tablet in my pants and eat at schedule. I wont take more than 1 tablet out. I will take medicine in the toilet or somewhere nobody sees me. It’s a bit hard but I don’t want my college friends to know. If I do my best I wont feel sad afterward. This is how I think about myself and try to think like this so I wouldn’t be tensed. I talk to other people who have been treated for 10 years at the hospital and they are happy. Nurses are nice and kind so the hospital is like another place to seek advice. Mostly I got willpower from Adam's Love online team and hospital nurses that make me reach till here. But mostly because of myself, my determination to fight and my fight still goes on. By Mr. Combat
Information on this site is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication.
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