Hello Everyone,

This is Justin B Smith from Justin's HIV Journal. As most of you can recall I was put on the HIV medication regime that incorporated Norvir, Truvada, and Rayatez, it took a while for my body to adjust to these medications.


 

The Rayatez medication made my eyes yellow, which means that it was affecting my Liver functions. I first noticed this about a week after starting the medication. I was so self conscience about my eyes. Everyone was going to know that I was sick and there was nothing I could do about it. I told my doctor at the next appointment. He told me that it might occur when first stating the medications. I believe in what my doctor told me. After a few weeks went by my eyes were still a little yellow.
 

Justin's HIV Journal: Trouble with Medications Part I

 
My second visit to my doctor was a good one. I voiced my concerns and he listened. He instructed me to go to the lab and get my blood work done.

As I sat in my chair having my blood work done I thought about the events of the future. I thought about then candidate Barack H. Obama. I thought about the many struggles that this man had to endure. That was the moment I posed a question to myself, "What was this man's drive to become President of a wounded country?" My second thought was, "I'm wounded, but NOT dead".

The third visit was the reading of my blood work. It turned out to be a surprise to me. My eyes have since been better. I have been feeling so much better and the election in November gave me a lot of hope.
 

Justin's HIV Journal: Trouble with Medications Part II

 
I had the fortune of witnessing history first hand when I went to President Barack H Obama's Inauguration on January 20th in Washington DC. I'm originally from Washington DC, by way of Silver Spring MD, so it felt like home.

The Washington DC area was energized by this new President, one who has given people joy and hope. He has made people think a little differently about how they treat others, how they treat themselves and hopefully how they treat people who are living with HIV.

The people of the world have now been given a more positive outlook on life by a man who came from meager beginnings to become the leader of the free world.

Only time will tell if we as a people can keep this positive energy up, only time can tell if the health care promises of President Barack Obama will be kept. Only time will tell if HIV positive people will be given a more optimistic out look on their own lives because of new found light in America's leadership.

President Barack Obama's Promise on HIV and AIDS:

According to the White House Website, in the first year of his presidency, President Obama promises to develop and begin to implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes all federal agencies. The strategy will be designed to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities. 

The President promises to support common sense approaches including age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception and STD prevention. His promise includes combating infection within our prison population through education and prevention, and distributing prophylactics through our public health system. 

The President also supports lifting the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. President Obama has also been willing to confront the stigma -- too often tied to homophobia -- that continues to surround HIV/AIDS.

HOPE FULLY THESE PROMISES WILL BE KEPT AND WE CAN ALL LOOK WITH CLEAR EYES TO THE FUTURE.