Write a Comment
26 Comments
I have never been able to swallow pills, and have never been able to figure out why, just can't... I take liquid Kaletra twice a day and chew up a Travada and live in fear that my regiment will stop working... how do I find out which medications are ok to chew up (I can handle the taste).. or is there a way to take meds and make them into a liquid? Anyone else have this problem?
I am humbled that my blogging helps. It is a very unique position to be an HIV positive man who practices HIV medicine. I hope your partner will continue to read and respond. I hope the blogs can help calm down some of fears patients face and put a human view on this virus. Providers, believe it or not, are just fragile human beings but some hide behind out fancy titles and social status. I firmly say BULLSHIT to that. Patients will get better care when they feel more caring from their medical and nursing providers.
Thanx Richard and all the other bloggers who write of your experiences. I am an HIV neg er nurse living with an HIV pos partner and one cannot truly understand the trials and tribulations of him and you folks except through your writings. My partner is one who does not express his motions very much and it hurts me so to think of what he must be going through. Love u all Alan in Boston and The Berkshires.
Funny how life is ... still seems like those of us who have been around a while (23 years poz here)gone through the various phases of treatment, hope, hype and despair need to keep reminding everyone that this is a life changing situation and we can't settle for "normalizing" something that we have to address every time we pop those pills and wonder how much longer before they don't do what they do now and when will my liver and kidneys say ENOUGH ALREADY. And while we are doing that we have to go out in the world with those who still worry about nothing more than their 401Ks, cars and vacations. Surreal.
Hey Cade...always nice to hear from an old colleague on the blogosphere. Thanks for your comments on my writing. Trust me today is one of those days in which I wish I did NOT have this "unique" vantage point since death would not be an unwelcome suitor today.
Hi Rick! It is good to see you blogging. You put into words the feelings, frustrations, and epiphanies that many (both sides of the equation) experience. This gives us a chance to dig deeper and be better at who we are and aspire to be. It also forgives us for our darker feelings and thoughts when we know that we are not alone. Looking forward to more blogs... it will be a regular touchstone for me. Thanks for everything! Cade.
I hate when readers make me sound like a nice guy doing some good but thanks anyway. Usually, I am much more abrasive and rude but you hit a hot button with me. Living on HIV drugs IS LIVING ON LIFE LONG CHEMOTHERAPHY AND IT SUCKS BIG TIME!!!
Ric Ferri
I know what you are talking about. I use to have the same problem but somehow I was able to overcome it...maybe it was from my years as an active drunk, whore, and slammer. Funny how throwing yourself to into the flames of hell can fix the damnest things. But more seriously...where the fuck is your doctor or nurse practitioner? If they don't know about your problem get your ass to their office pronto and explain your situation. If they blow you off - fire them and find a new provider...ask around or search the American Academy of HIV Medicine site at http://aahivm.org/. Also go to best HIV medication site in the world (alright this is a biases of mine, but one based on the principles of standards of care and medical research - so just not some made up notion in my head) at www.AIDSmeds.com. Also, if you are not taking a fully suppressive dose of your AIDS meds you could be doing a hell of a lot more harm than good. By only taking a "partial" dose due to your issues with swallowing you may be allowing resistance strains of the virus to form in your body. It is better to stop ALL HIV meds than take partial doses until your problem is fixed which needs to have been done yesterday! PLEASE GET BACK TO ME TO LET ME KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON...YOU ARE DANCING ON A FINE WIRE AND DON'T FALL OFF...HELP IS RIGHT HERE!
February 17, 2009