If there are the so called, Long-term survivors. Are there the Short-term ones?

[proud40]

I've seen and heard a lot about the so called, long-term survivors. Which make me quite amazed and overwhelmed, like to see a person who's been POZ for more than 26 yrs or more, on meds and the common side effects that come with them, but not the big deal and they keep going through their normal lifestyle with not much to complain about. Now, I've also seen people who've either developed a full blown AIDS after a couple of years of being infected, despite being on meds and they've died, or the others who just cannot seem to cope with meds side effects and have succumbed to them as well. Should this type of person be called a Short- term survivor?. Together with all, I'm totally aware that lifestyle has a lot to do with making a difference; it is a lot more probable for a person who leads a healthy life and a positive attitude to live longer than the one who does all the contrary, that's logical. Even though, I have been a witness to people close to me that have done everything there is possible to survive and live longer, like keeping close to their med regime, lead a healthy lifestyle, have a positive attitude, follow Dr's orders, change habits cold turkey and more, but they just don't seem to get any better, on the contrary, they get worst and they die, how come???

[pozniceguy]

I think one of the most used statements you will find on here is that "people react differently" to meds/ virus/ lifestyle........I suppose if you have to label them  that is as good as any....personally I favor just calling them friends/buddies/persons who died.
There are no real guarantees that anyone will " live" infected or not...I see many non infected persons ( no HIV)  listed in the obits every day...ages all over the span from infants to 100s...   maybe "infected with HIV and still living" is a bit awkward   so LTS is used..  I consider myself one  I hope you will be also..

Nick

[BT65]

Proud, I've not seen someone who's been "infected" for only a couple years developing AIDS (of course that's not to say it never has happened).  What I have seen is people who have been "diagnosed" for a couple years developing AIDS, indicating that they have been infected for much longer than they've been diagnosed for.  Everyone's body reacts differently, as Nick said. 

[proud40]

I've seen and heard a lot about the so called, long-term survivors. Which make me quite amazed and overwhelmed, like to see a person who's been POZ for more than 26 yrs or more, on meds and the common side effects that come with them, but not the big deal and they keep going through their normal lifestyle with not much to complain about. Now, I've also seen people who've either developed a full blown AIDS after a couple of years of being infected, despite being on meds and they've died, or the others who just cannot seem to cope with meds side effects and have succumbed to them as well. Should this type of person be called a Short- term survivor?. Together with all, I'm totally aware that lifestyle has a lot to do with making a difference; it is a lot more probable for a person who leads a healthy life and a positive attitude to live longer than the one who does all the contrary, that's logical. Even though, I have been a witness to people close to me that have done everything there is possible to survive and live longer, like keeping close to their med regime, lead a healthy lifestyle, have a positive attitude, follow Dr's orders, change habits cold turkey and more, but they just don't seem to get any better, on the contrary, they get worst and they die, how come???

"It is not the threat of death, illness, hardship, or poverty that crushes the human spirit; it is the fear of being alone and unloved in the universe.
                                                                      Anthony Welsh.

[aztecan]

Hey Proud,

I think the answer to your question is yes, there are short-term survivors. There are with any terminal or fatal disease.

I have known people who were diagnosed and who died of AIDS complications within the same year.

I also have known people like myself, who have been positive for 20-plus years and are doing well, even with meds, etc.

Then there is all the gray area in between, and there are people here who could easily fill that area with their own personal history. Some have literally been on death's door, but somehow rallied and are still with us today.

Others try anything and everything they can do to survive, yet do not.

They didn't anything wrong, that is just the way the fates or whatever dealt these people their hands.

There are no hard and fast answers. What works for me may make you very sick or not work at all for you.

We all must just take what we have and make the most of it. I seem to be writing that a lot these days.

HUGS,

Mark

[RapidRod]

Mark you can never tell the truth enough. It's always worth repeating.

Rodney

[weasel]

HEY Proud 40 !
                       Yes there is short term NON-survivors !   I moved from Las Vegas  three years ago ! lived there 25 + years .

 Many of my friends  died  back in the Eighties , most from being in such a panic ,that they took the pills , that  would make them feel like death
and death soon followed ! they also never stopped and thought about  living a healthier  life .

some had NO choice ,back then it took most of us very fast ! doctors could only do what they knew was best .........................

 Just  before I left Las Vegas  three years ago , I met a man that had just been diagnosed , He was infected and with-in a month
was almost dead ! It hit him hard ! He did come out of it ,but it was strugle !

  But it is to mention often a person is in BAD  health  before they are infected and it is far worse for them .
Many of us OFTEN  change our life styles ,quickly I may add ! , after the BAD  news is given !

 I have been HIV/AIDS for almost  30 years ! I have complaints , lets NOT go there !
I WILL  say ,most of my complaints  are direct from the meds ! Belly oh my belly !

 Today  I think most people have a better chance ,only my opinion , BUT  these days  people are playing with fire !
Back when I sucumvented ,if that is the word ? . I will quess most of my partners NEVER  took any AIDS  Cocktails , so I
think  it made  it easier  for my doctor when finally  after  18 years  I needed  PILLS !

 I  pray they find a cure !
but reality is there are persons that CROAK  and only GOD has the answer !

 I pray daily as i wake that I have been given one more day !
 Some days are good , some days I would rather be dead !  but I love everyday .
I seem to be rabling now ,so be good and don't do BAD drugs and drink moderatley !
                                                                    I pray for a cure for us all

                                                                                             Karl
                                                                                         

[denb45]

HEY Proud 40 !
                       Yes there is short term NON-survivors !   I moved from Las Vegas  three years ago ! lived there 25 + years .

 Many of my friends  died  back in the Eighties , most from being in such a panic ,that they took the pills , that  would make them feel like death
and death soon followed ! they also never stopped and thought about  living a healthier  life .

some had NO choice ,back then it took most of us very fast ! doctors could only do what they knew was best .........................

 Just  before I left Las Vegas  three years ago , I met a man that had just been diagnosed , He was infected and with-in a month
was almost dead ! It hit him hard ! He did come out of it ,but it was strugle !

  But it is to mention often a person is in BAD  health  before they are infected and it is far worse for them .
Many of us OFTEN  change our life styles ,quickly I may add ! , after the BAD  news is given !

 I have been HIV/AIDS for almost  30 years ! I have complaints , lets NOT go there !
I WILL  say ,most of my complaints  are direct from the meds ! Belly oh my belly !

 Today  I think most people have a better chance ,only my opinion , BUT  these days  people are playing with fire !
Back when I sucumvented ,if that is the word ? . I will quess most of my partners NEVER  took any AIDS  Cocktails , so I
think  it made  it easier  for my doctor when finally  after  18 years  I needed  PILLS !

 I  pray they find a cure !
but reality is there are persons that CROAK  and only GOD has the answer !

 I pray daily as i wake that I have been given one more day !
 Some days are good , some days I would rather be dead !  but I love everyday .
I seem to be rabling now ,so be good and don't do BAD drugs and drink moderatley !
                                                                    I pray for a cure for us all

                                                                                             Karl
                                                                                         

When my T-CELLS went way down to 90, and my VL  was  as high as 998,655 copies, in AUG 1997, I HAD 3 OI's (PCP, Hairy leukoplakia  and Candidiasis) , I WAS VERY SICK, with a  FULL BLOWN AIDS DIAGNOSIS, then I WENT ON DISABILITY in  FEB 1998, I've been a LTS since 1987 was when I tested HIV+, I didn't start mono-theraphy MEDS untill 1991, And YES I Survived HIV Mono-theraphy and was on AZT back then...I lost 3 Life Partners and many many Friends and loved ones to AIDS back in the 80's and 90's.................so, YEAH, I think I qualify as a LTS.............at least I think I do 

[redhotmuslbear]

People survive as well as their bodies, their spirits, and science allow.  Before HAART it was common to hear of a friend finding out he was HIV+ one day after a flu-like illness and six months later watch him pass from one opportunistic infection or another.  Nowadays, those with such a brief life after diagnosis are as unusual as long-term non-progressors--other conditions impair their response to HIV Inlcuding substance abuse and depression), or they receive their diagnosis in the throes of an advanced OI ten to twenty years after their seroconversion.

Yesterday was the fifteenth anniversary of the passing of a good friend who survived six years after testing HIV+.  Roy did AZT for three years, but HIV eventually got around the drug and finished destroying his immune system.

[hudstar]

Some good points posted here. I consider myself a LTS. For me, that title means I am recognised as living with HIV over a long period of time after being told I would likely die. The title reminds me of the struggles all LTS went through until HAART came along and of the issues that still evolve. The evolutionary history of HIV shaped many of us so I do not think we have the outlook that having HIV is not a big deal anymore, we are just well seasoned to HIV with many memories under our belt. As for "we keep going through "our" normal lifestyle with not much to complain about. I don't think any of us continued with our previous "normal lifestyle". We adjusted as we lived longer but this was not without issues. I once read a good article on the Lazarus Syndrome, it seemed to identify some problems faced by LTS. As for short term Vs long term. Initially, I think genes that make your body what it is has much to do with someones health outcome, then of course lifestyle and eating habits also influence. I don't understand your term "short term survivors". Those that were here for a short term did not survive and I remember them by name. Having HIV is all about survival as their is no known cure, only prolongation of life so in that respect I guess we are all survivors