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It's about time, the researchers study about us , personally , being a long time survivor, recently my doctor discovered that my HIV meds , while theyre helping me with the virus , theyre erasing my calcium , vitamin d and e, other colleagues , are experiencing the same problems, we are here to stay , seeing that virus wont kill us , please research on us,we intend to keep on the HIV STRUGGLE.
There's an article in today's NY Times (11/4/2010) about Republicans intending to cut funding for scientific research, which includes monies earmarked for the NIH.
I just want to say, I believe this article is right on. I will be 52, and I do feel 72, even though I take lots of neurological medications, I still shake and have chronic pain. I have had the virus for 27 years and each year is harder. Though I try to stay positive, my nurse says my generation is the forgotten generation of long term AIDS.I believe we no longer have the media on our side. Illnesses with far fewer people affected dominate the airwaves. How can we turn the spotlight on us?Joe
This story has vindicated my suspisions that HIV was prematurly ageing me at an accelerated pace. And all the Dr. keeps telling me is your getting older. Well I'm only 53 but feel like I'm 75.
I'll have to confess that I haven't been keeping up with Aids Meds very well, but I can say that I'll be 60 in January and have been taking Atripla since it was released. My V.L. has remained undetectable and my CD4 count stays in the 400s. I have had no opportunistic infections and have developed no "humped Back," though at - by choice - 135 lbs there really isn't all that much fat to get humped with. I've been positive for over 30 years and the most pills I ever had to take in a was 8.
I was in a clinical trial for Egrifta. It's anything but lackluster.
This is a critical issue of concern. Having worked with and cared for dozens of people life's end from HIV disease, the correlation to an accelerated aging process seemed obvious. Now, at 55, as I approach the 30th anniversary of my own infection, I have had the benefit of successful treatment for diminished cognitive function (Concerta); but I fear that many long-term HIV/AIDS people are unlikely to have access to similar clinical attention.
Brad
Ah, hope is on the horizon!The recent article 'Unraveling a Secret'-I commented on the article in quasi-application mentality. If the study gets enough attention, and SERIOUS funding, the question of 'choose between a vaccine and a cure' could become a mute point. I have railed for 20 years that those best equipped in probablity solve a problem are those at the very top, and those at the very bottom of the equation-their perspectives are limitless if combined!
November 18, 2010 • Anderson, IN