Burning eyes.

[izprince1984]

Hello everyone, I'm kind of new here, I tested positive in 2004, but haven't taken any meds or had any bloodwork done since then.

Lately my eyes will sometimes feel like they're burning, and I get migraines a lot, this has never really been an issue.

I was just wondering is this normal, or caused by something else maybe?

[Strayboy74]

It's probably just the monotony of Philly's posts... they all say the same thing... sex, sex, sex, I'm elitist, sex...

Some nights, it almost causes my eyes to bleed...  white wine.

I'd just recommend using eyedrops and ignoring him from hereon.  It's what the rest of us do.

  LOL

Love ya, philly. 

Actually, though, are you crying alot, iz?  I think someone posted about this same problem some time ago, but I don't think there were any discoveries were made or conclusions reached.

Good luck.

-joseph

[aupointillimite]

Hello!  Welcome and bienvenu and stuff.

I have absolutely no clue what could be causing burning eyes and migraines... but I am really concerned that you haven't been receiving any care.

What's kept you from doing that?

Lack of insurance?  Other stuff?  What?

[izprince1984]

Hello!  Welcome and bienvenu and stuff.

I have absolutely no clue what could be causing burning eyes and migraines... but I am really concerned that you haven't been receiving any care.

What's kept you from doing that?

Lack of insurance?  Other stuff?  What?

Well, lack of insurance is one now I guess, I got really sick in February and went on a medical leave from work, and had the HR director calling and screaming at me to come back to work, I eventually quit that job, it was tearing me up anyway, I've felt a lot better just getting off the night shift.

Right now I'm working part time and going to school part time, I'm reasonably broke, and when I lost my insurance, with it went all my meds for bipolar disorder, so thats been acting up a lot lately too.

I did the test anonymously and refused to have my name put on it because I don't want it coming back to bite me in the ass with all the classes I'm taking, in the line of work I want to get into, you have to submit to all kinds of physicals and stuff and I'm sure being on the state HIV registry would be a bad thing.

Finally, I know a person that hasn't been on meds in the last 15 years and he's fine, I've seen people die after 2-3 years even on the meds, I'm not going through all the nasty side effects in an attempt to delay what might happen.

I've just been popping aspirins and drinking coffee like crazy, and pushing myself, it's probably just that, I hope.

[Strayboy74]

I did the test anonymously and refused to have my name put on it because I don't want it coming back to bite me in the ass with all the classes I'm taking, in the line of work I want to get into, you have to submit to all kinds of physicals and stuff and I'm sure being on the state HIV registry would be a bad thing.

Coming to terms with the realities of limitations is something maybe you should consider before making long term commitments, especially when you're hiding from inevitability.  Truth finds you out, eventually.  It always does. 

So, when the choices in life turn up empty, will you be dissatisfied?

I wish you a careful journey.

-joseph

[izprince1984]

Coming to terms with the realities of limitations is something maybe you should consider before making long term commitments, especially when you're hiding from inevitability.  Truth finds you out, eventually.  It always does. 

So, when the choices in life turn up empty, will you be dissatisfied?

I wish you a careful journey.

-joseph

The only thing I really have left now is wanting to finish school, the man I was with is gone, my family and I haven't spoken really in years.

After I finish school, I really don't care what happens, but this has been a goal of mine for years.

[Matty the Damned]

Matty the Damned welcomes you to the forums. He notes that you're an Ubuntu user.

MtD

[aupointillimite]

Well, it's your life... but those people aren't you... it might be a good idea to find out what's going on with your infection so you know where you stand. 

You can't treat this disease based on what happens to other people. 

I was diagnosed in early 2005, and I'm on meds, even though I don't technically have to be on them yet... no side effects really... but I prefer to kick ass first and ask questions later.  I'm probably one of the luckier ones... I have a naturally low viral load, and my CD4s are high.  But I try not to press my luck, because when I do... never mind.

A friend of mine was diagnosed in late 2005, and he just got out of the hospital with PCP.  Scared the shit out him... he never went to see what his labs were... and now he's in the process of getting on government programs and stuff.

But I would submit that you might be better served by seeing a doctor... especially since your diagnosis was three years ago... to see what's going on.  People here are pretty great for the most part and a lot of people here are extremely knowledgeable... but without labs... nobody's going to be able to even hazard a guess as to how you're doing.

Even if it's crap news, at least you know and can take steps to work on it however you choose.  Knowing what's going on removes the stress of ignorance... and less stress is good for the immune system and all that... but I don't think I've yet to see anything that can beat being under a competent doctor's care. 

Of course, it's your right to refuse treatment if you so desire.  But I would imagine that the end results would be very serious indeed.

[water duck]

As Joseph had covered the stress, thought i put in a word or two about the physical side.

Had you changed face cream, night cream or whatever ??
Have you changed place of residence ?? sometimes, tap water can causes this kind of problem.

Migraines is another thing, maybe, you should start an thread with that heading, as i am sure there are lots of people here who are sufferers of this; you may get very interesting input.

Siang

[StrongGuy]

My suggestion would be to get your bloodwork done and see where you stand in terms of numbers - what your doctor thinks - and take it from there.

I know allergy season is bad this year (I keep hearing people all around me complaining about it), so it could possibly be something as benign as that, but don't just chalk it up - I'd get a full checkup first and see what your doctor says.

[J.R.E.]

Finally, I know a person that hasn't been on meds in the last 15 years and he's fine, I've seen people die after 2-3 years even on the meds, I'm not going through all the nasty side effects in an attempt to delay what might happen.

I've just been popping aspirins and drinking coffee like crazy, and pushing myself, it's probably just that, I hope.

Hello,

I can only suggest to you, what the others have already stated. If you last blood test were in 2004, you will need to have these rechecked. The sooner the better.


This is exactly the mistake i made after 1999. By the time I had my next blood test, it was done in a hospital with several opportunistic infections going on. Be care, don't allow this happen to you. So much can be prevented by staying on top of the blood test. You have got to take care of yourself.


From the time I was diagnosed in 1985, I went 17 plus years, before I went onto meds. But, if I had started sooner, I could have possibly prevented a lot of damage. Our bodies are going to react differently to this virus, so get yourself those blood tests. Also, not everyone goes through the nasty side effects. No one is saying that the meds are easy, but they saved my life in 2003, and I also know that if I hadn't started them when I did, I would not be here today.


And I also understand about popping the aspirins. I was living on them daily just prior to starting on meds, along with heating pads.

Edited for spelling

Ray

[newt]

my eyes will sometimes feel like they're burning, and I get migraines

These go together and are probably related. 

Study, pushing yourself = stress, okay to reach a goal but not good long-term.

What everyone else said about getting your HIV position checked out.  It is possible (but, erm, kinda hard these days) to leave it too late to get the best and easiest benefit from combo.  Meds are less horrid, even boring, if you take them in good time, ie before the virus and other nasties (the treatment for which can be much, much, much worse than combo) have done major damage. It's nice to have a real and timely choice on this, ie do I want to? when? etc, which means knowing what's going on with your CD4 count at least.

Anyhow, welcome, good luck with school.

- matt