POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Lipodystrophy & Metabolic Problems => Topic started by: aztecan on December 11, 2008, 09:17:58 pm
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Yep, I finally found a positive side to having lipoatrophy and lipohypertrophy.
I recently tested someone who, shall we say, is pretty sexually active. Well, at least more than I am. ::)
Anyway, he came in for the results today, gratefully still virus free. While we were talking about safer sex, condom use, oral vs. anal sex, etc., I turned to pick up some paperwork for him and he noticed the lumps on the back of my head.
Actually, they are at the base of the skull on either side behind the ear. This young man asked about my lumps. He expressed concern something was wrong. He seemed fearful I had cancer or some such.
Nice fellow, at least he didn't immediately start poking at the lumps as others have.
I calmly showed him the lumps, then the hump at the top of my spine, then the gut, which he thought was from beer until I enlightened him, then the horsecollar neck and chipmunk cheeks.
I took the opportunity to educate the youngun regarding HIV, HIV meds and possible side effects.
When I told him the lumps, bumps, humps, etc., were a side effect of more than a decade of taking HIV meds, he turned pale and gave me the tired line, "But I thought it was easy to treat HIV today?"
It is, said I. But that doesn't mean its always easy to live with the treatment.
I asked him why he thought I was always bugging him about using condoms and taking care of himself.
I think I got the point across this time. He filled up on condoms and lube before leaving and asked me how to use dental dams for rimming.
See, there is a bright side to everything.
HUGS,
Mark
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Mark, you should go on Oprah :)
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Mark...
Good for you! This is absolutely the best way, however involved, to wake younger people up to problems that they face if infected. Beats the heck out of billboards and posters and all the rest. Bravo!
john
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Fantastic story, Mark. Sounds like you stopped one young man from joining our ranks. That's wonderful! Thank you.
Hugs,
Ann
xxx
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Excellent post. I bet he won't forget that S.A.T. (Show and Tell)!
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"But I thought it was easy to treat HIV today"
Great "aztecan"! :)
At this point, I fear that no educational campaign, but only "show and tell", may partly counter the widespread and completely mistaken belief in the "manageable HIV-disease".
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One down, 5 billion to go! Great job Marc, you DA man!
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Am glad there's an useful side of unexpected body changes. Must be why i have silver highlights on my temples.
Happy holidaze to ya Mark and everyone else!! YaKa
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Mark,
I was just thinking how pissed off I am about my gut. I try to work out a few days a a week for cardio mostly. My blood pressure is up there so that's the main reason. I thought It would help me lose weight and my guy....no such luck. I really discouraged.
Mark have you heard of any success stories in getting rid of the gut, or at least part of it?
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Oh, Jeffrey honey, I'm with you.
I do crunchers on that abdominal (or is that abominable) Nautilus machine with at least 100 pounds extra weight on it.
I have abs - but they don't help. I have gone from a 29 waist to a 34 in just a few years after being thin for most of my life.
At this point, I think all we can do is hope we can lower the blood pressure and lipids so we can stay healthy and active.
I don't hold out much hope for losing the gut - or the humps, and other lumps that make me resemble Jabba the Hut.
I actually switched to an electric razor for my face because the expansion of my neck has made it very difficult to shave with a blade.
Oh well, shit happens I guess.
Let me know if you come up with anything.
HUGS,
Mark
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..."But I thought it was easy to treat HIV today?"
It is, said I. But that doesn't mean its always easy to live with the treatment.
Hah, 'easy to treat'. Even aside from the many visible side effects (which I suspect bother us elderly types less than vain youth), the real issue about difficulty of treatment seems to me to be access to treatment. I can't imagine being as blase as your young man apparently is about being able to have access to health care - it is inherently precarious in the US.
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I can't imagine being as blase as your young man apparently is about being able to have access to health care - it is inherently precarious in the US.
Yes, I know. I see that a lot. Younger people are usually very healthy and don't usually require many doctor visits. As a result, they have many misconceptions about what the realities of proper care for we Hifivers should be.
As for healthcare in the U.S., it is a sore point with many of us. Some are struggling with Medicare Part D, others with Medicaid limitations and restrictions.
I have high hopes that President Obama will be able to at least start to change some of this. I don't expect miracles or change overnight, but I hope we can at least embark on some improvements.
HUGS,
Mark
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I have high hopes that President Obama will be able to at least start to change some of this. I don't expect miracles or change overnight, but I hope we can at least embark on some improvements.
I'd like to share your hopes, aztecan, but I don't. Such a move would be not only humane but very good depression-fighting economics. Alas I doubt that the powers behind the throne will allow it - look at how they wittled down the harmless and already inadequately small 'stimulus package'!
Sorry for the attempted thread hijakcing...