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I'm 69 and poz for 31 years. I have osteoporosis, 2 hip replacements and a fatty liver from meds. I do have great doctors who coordinate treatment. Location is still important. Life is still pretty good with an active social life, great family and friends. Fighting ageing is a daily battle. Medicare with medigap and D has been good but still about $7,000 drug out of pocket. I do feel fortunate because I had time to plan my finances before I couldn't work. I'll hold complaints until I'm dead.
Again it is required that I sign a document if I want to receive Meds, to live. The signing offered without reason or explanation to changes in treatment or privacy. Contract Disclosure withheld, is that legal? If this signature is about my personal medical Data in anyway, then the signature was acquired illegally. Data theft from sick people unable to protect their Civil Liberties and rights. This is the state of The war on AIDS Shame
It is rewarding to see treatment of people living with HIV / AIDS progressing past a short term fix, and focus on the virus, to issues of wellness. For decades taking ARTs was the be all and end all of wellness. We weren't strongly encouraged to stop smoking, to get more exercise and some of the dietary recommendations, (for example eat high fat for some medications) were not looking at whole of mind/body wellness.
I am 65 with severe osteoporosis & emphysema (COPD) plus HIV. I smoked a lot, and didn't try to quit, before 1996. I figured I had a limited lifespan.My early onset bone disease is likely related to doing DDI/DDC drug trials and by the time I quit smoking tobacco (when doc. told me: take 2 nicotine patches permanently), I already had emphysema. Already living on Bonus time now, not depressed and happy to make it to 67. Quit smoking before its too late and live long and happy.
As one who will reach age 55 in a few weeks, and a 27 year LTS, I know all too well the multiple conditions brought on with aging and HIV. Luckily, I have a team of healthcare providers, who all communicate with one another in regards to my health issues. True, it does take a village to treat my BP issues, chronic kidney disease, borderline diabetes, lipodystrophy/wasting, cardio issues..... the list grows. However, many never lived long enough to reach middle, and older age.
I struggle with co-pays, with only medicare on SSDI and a part-time job, life of $1810 per month before my rent & living expenses has me staying proactive so's I don't go to the hospital. For me it's now fatty liver, depression, fatigue, arthritis, over-weight, suicidal thoughts, I eat at area meals programs *thank you* but end of month less then $5 in my bank. I'm thankful for my providers, for referrals to doctors who don't charge the co-pays. I decline invites as I don't have $ like used to
Oh, how I wish the physicians would talk to one another-I have trouble getting them to listen to me, let alone read the notes of others. Most long term survivors I know now have more clinical experience and knowledge than the majority of first year medical residents. To be fair clinicians and patients are all on the learning curve.
Trotski
The psychological state of those living with HIV, after watching a huge swath of their peers susuccumb to this disease, coming from a time when the support from family and friends was lost upon coming out, leaving them lonely and abandoned after spending the better part of 20 to 30 years prepared to die at any given moment is a much more pressing need to be addressed. Much, much more.
July 29, 2017 • Cincinnati