January 7, 2008

Growing Older With HIV

Many older people living with HIV/AIDS are facing an unexpected battle with a variety of chronic health conditions, including diabetes, kidney failure, depression and cancer, reports The New York Times (nytimes.com, 1/6).

Though treatment advances have made it possible for people to live longer with HIV, and though the disease is now increasingly being viewed as manageable and chronic, the Times reports that toxicity of some of the lifesaving drugs, as well as positive people’s weakened immune systems, may make them vulnerable to a host of additional complications.

“AIDS is a very serious disease, but longtime survivors have come to grips with it,” said Charles A. Emlet, a leading HIV and aging researcher and a professor at the University of Washington at Tacoma. “Then all of a sudden they are bombarded with a whole new round of insults, which complicate their medical regime and have the potential of being life threatening. That undermines their sense of stability and makes it much more difficult to adjust.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of people age 50 and older living with HIV increased 77 percent between 2001 and 2005, reports the Times. Some experts say that there is not enough research being conducted on AIDS and aging, limiting the potential for patient care.

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Previous Comments:

scott daly, schenectady, 2008-01-17 15:14:59
people over age 50 (i'm soon to be age 57) are also fearing financial security in their retirement years, which is creating its' own level of anxiety. many plwa's didn't expect to live this long and didn't plan for retirement, or have been using up their retirement savings to cover increased medical expenses.changing from private insurance to entitlements cause concern. this anxiety could be a contributing factor to the rise in numbers of those suffering from depression.

Ricky R. Jackson, Southport, 2008-01-13 15:09:42
I am 52 years old and have been positive since 1986. At this time I am very healthy and take very seriously the medication prescibed to me. To me it is import to get rest, exercise, a healthy diet.

Danny, Dumas, 2008-01-12 03:57:41
I am 44 and been HIV since 1987. Due to the Prescription STEROID I received early on for loss of appetite, I now have to have a HIP replacement on left. According my my surgeon the damage was caused by the steriods. and also was told alot of medicines have steroid in them I wish I had known of the risks. But I am very grateful to still be alive and well.

btrdrvr, West Coast, 2008-01-11 12:53:19
Diagnosed 13 years ago - now 59 - healthy. Just successfully finished one year HepC treatment - that was rough - but I expect another 20 trouble free years at least. I try not to think about it too much - just live day by day and enjoy!

Rayford Kytle, Washington, DC, 2008-01-10 11:04:59
61.Poz since 79.Both hips replaced, depression and brain surgery.Never stopped working.Credit meds, docs, me and luck. 12 yr monogamous partner died 12/02.What is "safe sex."Superinfection?Sero-sorting?Risks of unprotected oral sex?Need clear guidelines, gov't anti-homophobia campaign, support groups for gay men over 50, more intergenerational communication,retirement communities for gay people, more research on effects of HIV and meds on brain. And more activism by those of us still healthy.

Vittorio, , 2008-01-09 15:57:19
Been poz since 1982 and now at 62 and over 12 years on Sustiva and Combivir. No side effects no colds, no bumps no depression, been always very busy, started a new career this year...am thankful for my great doctor and friend and the good lord that has always been on my side.

Mark Lewis, Aztec, 2008-01-09 09:55:29
I tested positive in 1985, probably had been positive for five years at that time. Now, at age 50 and after more than 22 years with HIV, I find myself trying to offset the side effects of meds and long-term HIV. It hasn't always been easy. At the same time, I would be dead long ago without the meds. So, its a trade-off. Most things in life are.

DJ, Lincoln, NE, 2008-01-08 20:57:12
This is a subject I struggle the most with. While I am only 26, I have been living with this since I was 19, and have been on treatment since I was 21. Hearing the stories of people on PI's long term, along with other meds, really leaves me wondering where I will be in my late 30's or even early 40's. What will my quality of life be? I have had this my entire adult life, as I was barely 19 when I was infected. I guess I'm hoping things change for the better soon.

David, Cleveland, 2008-01-08 16:35:09
Good article. I've been HIV poz since 1990. I'm now almost 50. In that time I've faced so much both physically and emotionally. After long term PI use, I developed heart problems and had heart bypass surgery this past year. It's a constant onsluaght and most days I am glad to be alive. Other days I still wonder why I am still here and everyone else is dead. It aint easy getting older, especially if you have HIV.

Arvin Eyre, Cascade, Montana, 2008-01-08 16:30:45
Yup, been HIV since about 82 am 59 turning 60 this year. Onset of high blood pressure added to the whole f'd situation.

gerard, coram, 2008-01-08 14:21:18
I've been hiv poz since.. 1986 and been doing real well.. im 44 years old now.. but now have to worry about things that 70 year old men have to worry about.. high hdl , low testorone ,no energy, erection problems i can go on forever there needs to be more studies done..

Craig, Orlando, 2008-01-08 12:42:46
I have been living with HIV/AIDS since 89 and I have to say the number of things that I have been thru are some times devistating. I am just 3 yrs in remission from colon cancer and well the penimonia has hit me several times thru out. I also do not eat very well cause I am never hungry. I ach and my skin gets differant bumps and bruises easly. I realize that we need to educate. I run accross folks who do not even want to kiss cause they might catch it or even touch for they might catch it

Michael O'Brien, San Francisco, 2008-01-08 11:22:30
I am 57, and living with HIV since 1982. You fail to mention things like incredible lack of stamina, arthritis, and the fear of being so frighteningly vulnerable to the very things mentioned in your article.

Ric Cooper, Tucson, AZ, 2008-01-08 09:10:05
I am 60 and have been HIV+ for 12 years. This article is interesting but I felt should have gone into much more detail.