POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE

Though I don’t have HIV, my partner of two years has been HIV-positive since 2008. People assume I have it because I’m with someone who does. I’m aware of the constant stares and people talking about him and how ignorant and arrogant people are.

I was reading your special issue (Spring 2011). The three questions you asked HIV-positive people helped me to understand even more. The first question (What helped get you tested and into care?) didn’t apply to me, but my partner would say he did it for me. He’s told me many times that because of me, he kept pushing forward.

The second question (How do you cope with the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS?)I can answer. It’s not easy coping with the judgment from others. It’s very stressful and bothers me a lot. My partner and I support each other, because no one else understands.

The third question (What uncensored advice would you give to health care providers about what does/doesn’t work to get people tested and into care?), I don’t know—I would probably tell them not to push the issue, but to let their patients know there are people who care and are willing to help.

Your magazine has helped me in many ways. To all those who are HIV-negative and with someone who is positive, never give up and always let your loved one know you’re with them through it all. I thank you and all those who have shared their stories.

—JR
Pennslyvania

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NEVER ENOUGH DRUG GUIDES

I work in the Department of Corrections system here in New York and would love to pass out the Drug Guide to prisoners and peer educators. This is just the information that they crave. Could I get another 150 or more copies? Thank you for any help that you can give.

—Derek Villnave
Syracuse, NY

Thank you and TPAN for all you do for the HIV-positive community. Your magazine is a wealth of information that is hard to come by. It offers in-depth medical explanations in simple language. Your Drug Guide is much better reading than trying to understand the patient information inserts that come with the medication.

—Benjamin C.
Ashland, KY

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CHARTING ASSISTANCE

I wanted to start by telling you how much I love your very handy HIV Co-Pay and Patient Assistance Programs Chart. As a social worker and case manager I am using and printing this chart constantly. My clients love it too.

Now that Edurant has been approved and Tibotec is now Janssen Therapeutics, I am wondering when you’re going to update the online version. I have called to find out whether Edurant had a patient assistance program and was told applications were available at their website, www.jjpaf.com, and that the assistance programs were the same as Prezista and Intelence, both of which you show on your chart already. I was hoping that you’d be updating the information online for all of us who really love that handy chart. Thank you.

—Michael
Columbus, OH

Thanks for your e-mail, Michael, we’ve recently updated the co-pay and patient assistance chart as well as the PA 2011 HIV Drug Chart.      —Jeff Berry

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