Diagnosed in 1995, I was immediately put on the drugs by my hiv doctor who told me outright I had 5 years to live without the meds, 10 years to live with them. I was 20 at the time. I took the meds for two years then said to hell with this bullshit, (indinavir-produced kidney stones, and the stomach acid) I stopped the meds and have never looked back. I'm as healthy as any 31-year-old chum, don't get my 'numbers' counted, and quite frankly, boycott the medical system, it's crooked and close-minded. I've also met many people who are living with the hiv label for 20-plus years, healthy, without meds. There is hope.

Tim B.

Email me at www.southerntime.ca