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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: tommy246 on May 03, 2009, 03:54:43 pm

Title: Modern meds and survival
Post by: tommy246 on May 03, 2009, 03:54:43 pm
I would like your thoughts ,i have read this forum alot in the last two months and read with great intrest the members lab results it seems to me that modern haart treatment works very well in keeping people undetectable and in raising c4s ,so my question is what do you really believe our life span to be under treatment as you read so many different opinions.
Title: Re: Modern meds and survival
Post by: mecch on May 03, 2009, 04:57:50 pm
Wouldn't one say there are an awful lot of factors involved?

How about taking it a week, month and year at a time, and listening to what YOUR experts tell you about you, in your situation. They will know your family history, your health care access, your body, etc. etc.

Title: Re: Modern meds and survival
Post by: David_CA on May 03, 2009, 06:17:51 pm
I would like your thoughts ,i have read this forum alot in the last two months and read with great intrest the members lab results it seems to me that modern haart treatment works very well in keeping people undetectable and in raising c4s ,so my question is what do you really believe our life span to be under treatment as you read so many different opinions.

Well, do you smoke?  Are you overweight?  Do you exercise much?  Do you drink excessively?  What other (non-HIV related) issues do you have, if any?  All these (and many more) will factor in how long we live.  Most of what I read says that we'll likely live a 'normal' lifespan. 
Title: Re: Modern meds and survival
Post by: Assurbanipal on May 03, 2009, 07:15:29 pm
Tommy

People in western countries who are diagnosed relatively early in their infections have almost the same chances of living or dying as people who are not infected.  With current drugs they can live near normal lifespans. There was a big study that came out in the past year that looked at how thousands of people were doing.

A brief write up of the study results is here http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/hiv_life_exectancy_survival_1667_14989.shtml

A
Title: Re: Modern meds and survival
Post by: BlueMoon on May 03, 2009, 10:28:49 pm
HAART is effective at suppressing the virus.  When you combine that with a program of regular testing and monitoring your health for signs of opportunistic infections and other problems, and a healthy lifestyle, then you are actually in a better position health-wise than a lot of HIV-negative people. 
Title: Re: Modern meds and survival
Post by: camille07 on May 03, 2009, 11:43:03 pm
Well, do you smoke?  Are you overweight?  Do you exercise much?  Do you drink excessively?  What other (non-HIV related) issues do you have, if any?  All these (and many more) will factor in how long we live.  Most of what I read says that we'll likely live a 'normal' lifespan. 

I think, some people, are more conscious of lifestyle factors, after being diagnosed, and attempt to address some of the bad habits adapted, such as smoking or over eating.  I started juicing over the last few years and exercising more.  I quit smoking about 8 years ago but would still smoke if I was out drinking.  I made a decision to quit all together and I'm smoke free for well over a year and a half. But every body is so different, I think you should discuss with your doctor for a more realistic opinion.

Title: Re: Modern meds and survival
Post by: tommy246 on May 04, 2009, 09:37:50 am
Well, do you smoke?  Are you overweight?  Do you exercise much?  Do you drink excessively?  What other (non-HIV related) issues do you have, if any?  All these (and many more) will factor in how long we live.  Most of what I read says that we'll likely live a 'normal' lifespan. 
Good points ,i like most people i think make lifestyle changes after diagnosis as i have ,no drugs ,little drink ,better diet ,lost wieght,probably would of killed myself with drink ,thanks for the advice guys.
Title: Re: Modern meds and survival
Post by: LordBerners on May 06, 2009, 12:06:33 pm
If I may I'll venture a personal opinion - in the long run it mainly depends on how quickly you develop resistance (if you develop it at all.. though I think most eventually do) to each successive combo.  Of course I could be wrong about that..

But I am quite certain that access to health care is an absolute necessity for we hiv people to survive, and I personally don't feel at all secure about that (being american).

Title: Re: Modern meds and survival
Post by: joemutt on May 06, 2009, 12:32:36 pm
your opinion that most patients eventually wil develop resitance is not confirmed
by any current scientific findings, or is it?
Title: Re: Modern meds and survival
Post by: LordBerners on May 06, 2009, 12:50:19 pm
your opinion that most patients eventually wil develop resitance is not confirmed
by any current scientific findings, or is it?

No no.. I'm just saying that for many people that is a very serious risk or problem over the long haul.
Title: Re: Modern meds and survival
Post by: randym431 on May 07, 2009, 02:55:51 am
What’s the word for today? Adherence!  ;)