info@ibpinitiative.org  / www.ibpinitiative.org

Thank you for writing Solomon.

1. Did you know(could you) how long have you been with HIV before blood donation in 1990?

Yes, I do know that I was infected in 1984 by my boyfriend in college. I know that because he did not use a condom, which was my only form of birth control at the time. In 1990 I asked him, and he denied it. But, in 1995 someone from my college town called me and told me that if I didn't think that Steve (my boyfriend) had AIDS "go to New Jersey and look at him now." So I went and saw him and he was very sick. He died in March of 1996.

2. Could you share your experience that how to live positively for long period of time other than ARV?

I'm not quite sure exactly how to answer this. I am presently on medication. I take kaletra, viramune, and travada. If you are asking how it was before medications were available, it was a scary time. I thought I was going to die.

3. Currently, are you taking ARV?

Yes (see above). I'll tell you what my medication history has been like: in 1998 I went on zerit, videx, and hydroxyurea and became resistant to them in 2001. My T-cells went under 200 and my doctor put me on sustiva and something else, i don't remember. I had terrible side-effects. I was very paranoid and weepy and we decided to get me off of it. The next cocktail is what I'm on now and that is kaletra, viramune, and travada. My T-cells are presently in the 800s and I am undetectable.

4. From your own experience, what do you think are some the qualities providers should have so that client provider interactions could be improved to meet RH/FP needs of clients in HIV/AIDS service settings?

This is a hard question to answer because I only speak of my experinence with American providers and I've only heard and seen a lot of support around RH/FP.

5. What currently looks your sexaul and reproductive health life, are using any contraceptive methods, if so which ones?

I am currently in a commited relationship with a gentleman who is HIV negative. We have been dating for 2.5 years. We are sexually active and he continuously gets HIV tested, every three months and has stayed negative. I believe in the power of communication. I believe condom use is very effective, when used properly. I always wanted to have a baby, but my life events have not presented that to me yet, and maybe they will in the future. I am sad that I cannot breast-feed.