Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 07:44:54 pm

Login with username, password and session length


Members
Stats
  • Total Posts: 772947
  • Total Topics: 66310
  • Online Today: 441
  • Online Ever: 5484
  • (June 18, 2021, 11:15:29 pm)
Users Online
Users: 1
Guests: 318
Total: 319

Welcome


Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS.  Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning:  Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.

  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

  • Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators of these forums. Click here for “Do I Have HIV?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

  • We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are true and correct to their knowledge.

  • Product advertisement—including links; banners; editorial content; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from POZ.

To change forums navigation language settings, click here (members only), Register now

Para cambiar sus preferencias de los foros en español, haz clic aquí (sólo miembros), Regístrate ahora

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: The prospect of growing old - soon  (Read 19468 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline aztecan

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
The prospect of growing old - soon
« on: February 20, 2011, 05:27:06 pm »
After surviving a foray into the Living With forum, I decided to post this is more familiar territory.

As Alan said, I really can't expect someone diagnosed in the last decade to understand where I am coming from.

Recently on The Body, there was a study about longevity for pozzies, and the statement was made that the average life expectancy for someone with HIV is 69. The catch is, that is the average and would include those recently diagnosed who have access to good medical care, meds, etc.

I know that isn't always the case, but that is another topic.

What I find scary is 69 may sound old if you are 30, but I will be 54 this year. That means that, if my life follows the average pattern, I have slightly more than 15 years left on this planet.

I find that scary, not because I fear death, but because of what may precede it. I watch my elderly mother as she tries to adapt to the ever-growing list of health concerns, and I know that, thanks to the virus, internally I am catching up with her.

I see threads posted about lipo worries and getting Medicare to pay for facial fillers, but nobody is talking about our dirty little secret. HIV is causing us to age rapidly, giving many of us in our mid 50s the immune system of someone in their 70s or 80s.

I have noticed changes in my body. Regardless of how much I exercise, I cannot seem to stay in shape. There are flabby deposits showing up and my body just feels differently than it used to.

My counts are still good, the HIV is controlled, at least in the bloodstream. But the rest of me seems to be heading down the road to senior citizenship at a rapid pace.

Perhaps I am just feeling out of sorts, but I can't help but wonder what the next decade or so has in store for me.

During the first decade after I learned I was positive, back when treatments either didn't exist or, later, were very limited, I developed a mindset of living for the day, not counting on having any tomorrows, and hoping that, when my time came, I would die quickly and with minimal pain.

Fast forward to today. Living with HIV for 25-plus years has taken its toll on me. I still try to live for today, but it isn't as easy as it once was. Every time I think I have things under control, something new is added to the mix. Sometimes it is side effects of the meds, other times side effects of the virus, often a combination of both.

It is like running on a treadmill. At some point, you just get tired.

Now, I am facing becoming elderly 20 years early. That prospect frightens me, because getting old isn't for sissies.

I am just not ready for that yet. I was hoping to remain active and vibrant until time finally took its inevitable toll. I never planned on that prospect being placed on fast forward.

I guess I have no choice, just as we didn't 30 years ago. But I am becoming tired of being a pioneer.

Just my rant for the day. If feels good just to get it out.

HUGS,

Mark
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline J.R.E.

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2011, 05:51:38 pm »
Hello Mark,

You are so spot on in many ways. I'll be 60 this year ( in December, which will put me at 26 years of living with HIV, and 8 years on meds.   I am going to try to respond more later on.  meantime, the forums are causing to many problems right now.  Too many pop-ups going on. These popups are showing up right over the post box.


Your right, no matter how much one exercises, it doesn't seem to have much if any affect.  More later on...


Ray
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline Jeff G

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 17,064
  • How am I doing Beren ?
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2011, 05:56:48 pm »
I think about this often myself , because of my age its getting to the point where I wonder if the pain of going to gym is really worth it .

I'm not in a relationship so I'm going to wait a bit before I give up and let myself go like so many of my married friends ... J/K  kind of .  
HIV 101 - Basics
HIV 101
You can read more about Transmission and Risks here:
HIV Transmission and Risks
You can read more about Testing here:
HIV Testing
You can read more about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
HIV TasP
You can read more about HIV prevention here:
HIV prevention
You can read more about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

Offline edfu

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,090
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2011, 04:22:55 am »
Rapid aging of T-cells after HIV infection:

http://www.aidsmap.com/page/1624151/
"No one will ever be free so long as there are pestilences."--Albert Camus, "The Plague"

"Mankind can never be free until the last brick in the last church falls on the head of the last priest."--Voltaire

Offline wolfter

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,470
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2011, 04:38:42 am »
Perhaps those of us who outlived our contemporaries have a better chance.  I believe a lot of our success at living so long came from sheer inner strength.  Maybe we'll have to draw upon that strength again in our golden years. 

As Dolly always says, I don't plan on aging gracfully, I plan on fighting it every step of the way.
Being honest is not wronging others, continuing the dishonesty is.

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2011, 04:40:07 am »
Oh, look on the bright side -- if the shit starts hitting the fan you can always hasten the demise by halting your daily med intake.  Personally I have no desire to be 80 years old in a rest home playing scrabble.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline edfu

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,090
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2011, 09:28:25 am »
Recently on The Body, there was a study about longevity for pozzies, and the statement was made that the average life expectancy for someone with HIV is 69. The catch is, that is the average and would include those recently diagnosed who have access to good medical care, meds, etc.

Oh, look on the bright side -- if the shit starts hitting the fan you can always hasten the demise by halting your daily med intake.  Personally I have no desire to be 80 years old in a rest home playing scrabble.

Jayzus, I almost forgot I turn 69 this September.  My days are truly numbered.  I had been doing pretty well, thank you, all things considered, but now not so.  Last week the Governor of Connecticut decided to delete all ADAP state funding from his budget, and if the state legislature agrees, I'm a goner.  The shit (and everything else) will hit the fan.  I will indeed have to halt my daily med intake.  I don't qualify for Medicaid because of my measly Social Security, and I can't get into a Big Pharma Patient Assistance Program because I'm on Medicare Part D.  Don't know how I can get my daily ARVs.  Sayonara.  

Too bad, really, because it's in the genes.  My 93-year-old father is in a "rest home," but he don't play Scrabble, that's for sure.  And my great-grandmother in Poland lived to 110.  

And I was looking forward to aggravating Miss P for 20 more years....
« Last Edit: February 21, 2011, 09:37:20 am by edfu »
"No one will ever be free so long as there are pestilences."--Albert Camus, "The Plague"

"Mankind can never be free until the last brick in the last church falls on the head of the last priest."--Voltaire

Offline leatherman

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 8,593
  • Google and HIV meds are Your Friends
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #7 on: February 21, 2011, 10:04:26 am »
Too bad, really, because it's in the genes.  My 93-year-old father is in a "rest home," but he don't play Scrabble, that's for sure.  And my great-grandmother in Poland lived to 110.
I'm afraid of the genetics for myself too. There I thought I wasn't going to make it out of my 30s, as I kept ending up in the hospital on my birthdays, and yet in a few weeks I'll be 49 and frankly doing fairly well. (Well, except for already feeling 69.) I just returned from visitng my 93-yr old grandmother (her mom lived to be 98) who still lives alone unassisted, drives herself and her friends around, does the crossword puzzles first thing every morning, takes only a few pills, and still cross-stitches.

Egads! Just thinking I might have another 20 yrs (to reach that study's age), much less maybe 44 yrs (to reach Nana's age), living on disability and taking meds is too scary to fully contemplate. :D
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline aztecan

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2011, 10:11:49 am »
Oh, look on the bright side -- if the shit starts hitting the fan you can always hasten the demise by halting your daily med intake.  Personally I have no desire to be 80 years old in a rest home playing scrabble.

I don't know whether that would hasten my demise.  I went 11 years without meds after diagnosis and my CD4s never dropped below 400.

And, based on my mother's side of the family, they don't live to 80, they live to 90 and beyond. Good Slavic stock, you know.

But since I am already starting to experience some minor geriatric complications, I can but wonder what living another 30 or 40 years will include.

Oh, and Philly honey, you know you won't be playing scrabble, you'll be chasing the other old farts in the nursing home, whether they want you to or not. ;)

HUGS,

Mark
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline Hoover

  • Member
  • Posts: 284
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #9 on: February 21, 2011, 10:29:09 am »
Mark,

I always appreciate what you have to say.
Thank you.
Infection date: March 16, 2010
20/05/10 - CD4 348  VL 58,000  Lymph nodes in jaw painful!  Antioxidants started.
01/06/10 - CD4 428  VL?
24/06/10 - CD4 578  VL 9,800
13/07/10 - CD4 620  VL?
04/09/10 - CD4 648  VL?
01/11/10 - CD4 710  VL?   CD8 972
16/12/10    CD4 738  VL?  CD8  896   
02/02/11    CD4 520 (month of parasites and new lab)
14/03/11 started Truvida and Sustiva (Efavirenz)
04/07/11 CD4 686 VL 75 CD8 588  41%
10/10/11 CD4 757  45%  VL UD

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #10 on: February 21, 2011, 10:38:49 am »
Hoover, I understand that you mean well, but as someone who was not diagnosed before 1996, you are not permitted to post in the LTS forum. Please read the Welcome thread that appears at the top of this forum.

Do not post in this forum again. Thank you for your cooperation.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline Billy B

  • Member
  • Posts: 392
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #11 on: February 21, 2011, 01:00:13 pm »
Jayzus, I almost forgot I turn 69 this September.  My days are truly numbered.  I had been doing pretty well, thank you, all things considered, but now not so.  Last week the Governor of Connecticut decided to delete all ADAP state funding from his budget, and if the state legislature agrees, I'm a goner.  The shit (and everything else) will hit the fan.  I will indeed have to halt my daily med intake.  I don't qualify for Medicaid because of my measly Social Security, and I can't get into a Big Pharma Patient Assistance Program because I'm on Medicare Part D.  Don't know how I can get my daily ARVs.  Sayonara.  

Too bad, really, because it's in the genes.  My 93-year-old father is in a "rest home," but he don't play Scrabble, that's for sure.  And my great-grandmother in Poland lived to 110.  

And I was looking forward to aggravating Miss P for 20 more years....


edfu- Will Medicare not pay for your meds? Since I am only 55 I haven't researched my options for obtaining Meds should I live to retirement age.
Billy
VL 4420 CD4 340 CD4% 24   3/15/10 Started I&T
VL  UD   CD4 340 CD4% 26.5 05/13/10
VL  UD   CD4 360 CD4% 27.1 08/3/10
VL  UD   CD4 310 CD4% 28.4 11/22/10
VL  UD   CD4 420 CD4% 27.9 02/11/11
VL  UD   CD4 370 CD4% 26.4 06/08/11
VL  UD   CD4 360 CD4% 27.7 09/23/11
VL  UD   CD4 370 CD4% 28.3 01/20/12
VL  UD   CD4 430 CD4% 28.8 05/11/12
VL  UD   CD4 370 CD4% 28.1 09/07/12
VL  UD   CD4 390 CD4% 32.3 03/14/13
VL  UD   CD4 450 CD4% 29.8 09/10/13
VL  UD   CD4 430 CD4% 31.0 04/29/14
VL  UD   CD4 520 CD4% 34.8 11/05/15
VL  UD   CD4 440 CD4% 33.5 03/10/15
VL  UD   CD4 450 CD4% 30.5 08/23/16
VL  UD   CD4 510 CD4% 34.0 07/21/20  (Biktarvy)

Offline bear60

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,105
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #12 on: February 21, 2011, 01:04:41 pm »
No offense David, but I think refusing to eat would be a quicker demise than stopping meds. 
Poz Bear Type in Philadelphia

Offline bear60

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,105
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #13 on: February 21, 2011, 01:11:24 pm »
Billy
Wish it was that uncomplicated my freind.   Kurt and I are now both on Medicare.  He: due to Disability and me due to age.
He, for example, is eligible for ADAP.  Medicare does not pay for drugs.
I, however, have the Medicare plan PLUS a supplemental plan that includes a prescription plan.  In my case Medicare is not paying for drugs either.
There are several people here who have this Medicare nightmare with the dreaded :"donut hole" where you have to pay for all your meds until you reach a certain $$$$.  Maybe they will chip in.
Poz Bear Type in Philadelphia

Offline bear60

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,105
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2011, 01:16:16 pm »
Mark
Its hard not to see how my partner Kurt has aged.  He looks older than me and he is 12 years younger.  On the plus side he is in pretty good health right now. After some rough times he is stable and feeling good. So.....he is off to Germany for a month to study German at the Goethe Institute.  
Live for the day.
Poz Bear Type in Philadelphia

Offline denb45

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,048
  • "1987 Classic Old School POZ+"
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #15 on: February 21, 2011, 02:07:58 pm »
Mark, I wouldn't worry too much about your demise, just live your life, whatever is left of it, I'm considering moving into a senior's 55+ living, as I'll be 55 this yr. I look at it this way, at least I'll be around others my age
and if all I have is a good 15 to 20 yrs of life left, then, I d better get my ass-in-gear.

I still want to see a few places right here in the US, before my demise, I've been across the USA in my lifetime, and lived in several large cities, but, I haven't seen everything in the US yet, of course, all of this is contingent on if I can afford to do any of this at all , and if I remain healthy enough to even do any of this, it's always been a goal of mine, so that alone keeps me going, and gives me a reason to live for something ;)
« Last Edit: February 21, 2011, 02:12:35 pm by denb45 »
"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

Offline rondrond

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,729
  • 22 years HIV+ yet a yard could be the death of me
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #16 on: February 21, 2011, 07:24:37 pm »
Mark

You sweet young thang...I'll be 58 in 8days  :o What happened to February. It was just Valentines Day...and that Groundhog needs to be fired.

Why don't we just open a B&B on the beach and play Bingo, and Yahtzee while taking care of the guests? ;D

I appreciate you
and fully expect you to be around for many years.
You have too much knowledge and experience not to do otherwise.  ;)
"I'm not done yet"....Glen Campbell

"I may not be exactly where I want to be, but I sure as Hell am not where I was"
Wynnona Judd

Diagnosed/HIV
1993
AZT
Norvir
1994-2001
Crixivan/Epivir/Zerit
No Meds for 7 Years

04jul07/DVT-right leg/Bi Lateral PE's     
16oct08/DVT-left leg
Aug09 Diagnosed: COPD

05may2015
Un-detectable
Tcells 700
44%

Offline edfu

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,090
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #17 on: February 22, 2011, 01:52:51 am »
edfu- Will Medicare not pay for your meds? Since I am only 55 I haven't researched my options for obtaining Meds should I live to retirement age.
Billy

Medicare alone, Part A and Part B, does not pay for meds. You need to acquire Medicare Part D for any (partial) medication payments, and that usually requires an additional monthly premium, ranging from c. $30 to $100+. Those of us living on Social Security income of less than $20,000 cannot even afford those premiums. The only alternative is to acquire a Medicare Advantage plan with a private insurance company that provides Part D with no additional premium.  The disadvantage with that is that you are limited to the private insurance plan's network of doctors and hospitals, which can be a real problem when that network's providers are unfamiliar with the co-morbidities of HIV disease, as I have sorrowfully learned.  

Part D will change in 2014, when Obamacare goes into full effect, if indeed it does, and some of its provisions will change in 2011, but I haven't completely researched all of that.  In my case, I cannot wait until 2014.  Drug costs are supposed to be discounted in 2011 during the Coverage Gap, known as the donut hole, but that means only that you will remain in the gap even longer.   For now, this is how Part D works, in three stages.

1.  Initial Coverage Period.  You generally pay a copayment/coinsurance for each prescription.  The initial coverage period ends when your total drug costs reach the initial coverage limit of $2,830 during the coverage year.  The total costs for your drugs in this period include the amount Part D, you, and all others making payments on your behalf have paid for your prescriptions so far this coverage year.  

2.  The dreaded Coverage Gap.  This is the period after the initial coverage limit during which you and others making payments on your behalf are responsible for ALL your drug costs.  Part D doesn't cover any drug costs during this period.  This period ends when you spend $4,550 in out-of-pocket costs.

3.  Catastrophic Coverage.  This period begins once your out-of-pocket drug costs reach $4,550.  This is the period when you pay the GREATER of either 5% coinsurance or up to a $6.30 copayment for your covered drugs for the remainder of the coverage year.  (Guess which of the two alterrnatives is applicable for ARV costs.)

How does this work in reality?  Here is my own example.  For calendar year 2010 I was covered by a premium-free Medicare Advantage Part D and by ADAP.  My total drug costs for calendar year 2010 were $28,162 (gasp).  Of that total, $5,626 was paid by ADAP, and the balance by my Part D.  

I can't afford the $5,626 that ADAP paid last year, since my only annual income, after deductions for my Medicare Part B, for medical insurance (yes--you have to pay a monthly premium for that as well), is $18,492, my age-related Social Security.    

Frightening, isn't it?  
« Last Edit: February 22, 2011, 01:55:26 am by edfu »
"No one will ever be free so long as there are pestilences."--Albert Camus, "The Plague"

"Mankind can never be free until the last brick in the last church falls on the head of the last priest."--Voltaire

Offline denb45

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,048
  • "1987 Classic Old School POZ+"
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #18 on: February 22, 2011, 10:48:14 am »
I can't even use my medicare part D, if I do use this, I wouldn't be able to afford ANY of my H.A.R.R.T meds on part D as this would cost me almost half of my monthly income, so luckly my local ASO put me in my States
Insurance risk pool, and this pays for my ADAP Meds, however all of my other non-aids-meds, I have to pay for outta pocket, like lipitor being the most expensive $115 a month, well after paying 2 months of that I enrolled in the lipitor assistance plan, (qualified for this due to my income) so I will hopefully get a whole yr. of lipitor at no cost to me, all of my other non-HIV meds are all different prices form $10 to $20 a month, yeah this stuff is very scary, and seems to get worse every yr that passes  ??? if i have to chose between MEDS or FOOD
guess what I'll chose, screw the MEDS, if I can no longer afford them, @ my income level I almost can't afford them anymore, and I can't get medicaid, I make a dollar to much to qualify for that ???
« Last Edit: February 22, 2011, 10:54:59 am by denb45 »
"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

Offline Joe K

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 5,821
  • 31 Years Poz
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #19 on: February 22, 2011, 07:28:35 pm »
I always think that I am too young, to feel this old. But old I feel and I guess I just don't care. I'm living on borrowed time and while I do not welcome death, I think I'll be ready for a rest, when the time comes. Living with HIV is damn hard work and I am damn tired of being tired. I know you know what I mean and I see no reason to worry about things that may never happen, or over which I have no control. I have enough challenge in my life, without borrowing worries from the future.

Stephen and I have a pact, that if life gets too shitty, we go together and that works for me. I always thought I would fear death, but strangely, the closer I come to it, the more comforting I find the thought.

Offline denb45

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,048
  • "1987 Classic Old School POZ+"
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #20 on: February 22, 2011, 07:35:43 pm »
But, what if you found out that you would have to make the decision between food or meds? what would you choose? and I DON'T say this lightly cause this is what we all might be faced with, if our Govt. doesn't get it's shit together about ADAP & AIDS funding, this is a very scary reality NOW playing out in a lot of States here in the good ole USA.....
"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

Offline edfu

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,090
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #21 on: February 22, 2011, 08:14:48 pm »
Food or meds is horrific.  However, it can get even worse.  Food or rent or meds.  Trifecta!!!
"No one will ever be free so long as there are pestilences."--Albert Camus, "The Plague"

"Mankind can never be free until the last brick in the last church falls on the head of the last priest."--Voltaire

Offline denb45

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,048
  • "1987 Classic Old School POZ+"
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #22 on: February 22, 2011, 08:41:39 pm »
Food or meds is horrific.  However, it can get even worse.  Food or rent or meds.  Trifecta!!!

Yeah I remember 35 to 40 yrs ago when most SSA recipients had to eat Dog Food cause they couldn't afford to buy any food, of course, your 15 yrs older than me, so I think you may recall hearing this back then....I wouldn't eat Dog Chow now-a-days as most of it is made in China, and we just don't know what's in it  :D
« Last Edit: February 22, 2011, 08:44:35 pm by denb45 »
"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

Offline wolfter

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,470
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #23 on: February 23, 2011, 05:36:28 am »
I always think that I am too young, to feel this old. But old I feel and I guess I just don't care. I'm living on borrowed time and while I do not welcome death, I think I'll be ready for a rest, when the time comes. Living with HIV is damn hard work and I am damn tired of being tired. I know you know what I mean and I see no reason to worry about things that may never happen, or over which I have no control. I have enough challenge in my life, without borrowing worries from the future.

Stephen and I have a pact, that if life gets too shitty, we go together and that works for me. I always thought I would fear death, but strangely, the closer I come to it, the more comforting I find the thought.

I think we get to a point somtimes where death seems like the easy-out.  Not long ago, I was welcoming Mr Death as I'm no longer scared of him either.  Throughout the years I've had many dates with him, and I was engaged to him not long ago.  This last illness brought about a peace that I can't express.  I don't want to expire but am no longer terrified by the prospect. 


Being honest is not wronging others, continuing the dishonesty is.

Offline AlanBama

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,670
  • Alabama: the 'other' 3rd World Country!
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #24 on: February 23, 2011, 03:59:38 pm »
Mark, I turned 54 last November.  I feel like you and I are so alike, in many ways; perhaps we were "separated at birth" or something...LOL.   Anyway, your post hits home with me honey.   I am on that treadmill with you, and to tell you the honest truth, if it all ended tomorrow it wouldn't be that damn bad as far as I'm concerned.   I've had a good life, been given a lot of years that I never thought I'd live to see.   Sure, I'd like to see my niece have children (she's my closest thing to a 'child of my own').  I find myself extremely tired these days, and feeling mostly like I'm just "going through the motions" of everyday existence.  In other words, not a lot of overwhelming joy.   The news is all bad, and depresses me to read or listen to....like others, I am genuinely concerned about our national financial crisis, and truly believe that one day it could all come to a screeching halt (I am referring to the ADAP system, Medicare, etc).   Once again, it's February and I am in the donut hole.   I'll be in it the rest of the year.

I used to have a "back-up" plan, if things got to be too much to handle...I'm sure some of y'all did too.   I had all kinds of pills.   My personal pharmacy has dwindled, and all that stuff was way outdated.   So I don't really have a "Plan B".   Stopping HIV meds is something I would not like to try, because I know what would happen...I've been there, done that (pre-protease).   

I feel much older than my actual age, most days. (of course my sense of humor is still in 6th grade).  I know part of my problem, that I wrote about in a post in L.W. I think, is that I am on so much anti-depressant medication....60 mg of Paxil, 150 of Wellbutrin, with .5 Synthroid as an "adjunct", and at night, there's Trazodone and Clonazepam.  To be honest, I don't know how I REALLY feel, emotionally.   I feel like this house of cards could all come tumbling down one day.  It's really best for me to stick to this forum, and Off Topic, because these newly diagnosed folks are looking for someone to give them a high five, and tell them life is good, and that they'll be o.k.   For their sake, I hope they will.   I'm just not the person that can give them what they need at this time.   This little young twink was scheduled forthe appointment ahead of me at the psychiatrist's office yesterday; he blew in 10 mins late (I was already there, of course) and he stayed back there a good while (running me late and pissing me off  - LOL) I was imagining in my head what he might be back there talking about.....how awful it is that he contracted HIV, and how could someone DO this to him ?   I'm glad the psychiatrist was there for him, 'cause I just can't be "the listener" to that stuff anymore.  I'm done with it.   They seem p.o.'d that they have HIV (yes, and how DID that happen?) and p.o.'d to be inconvenienced to have to take a pill each day.....and they don't want to hear anything negative from us old folks.   When a poster in the L.W. forum responded to me that he "had taken care of someone years ago who had AIDS, so therefore he felt he knew all about being a LTS" (I'm paraphrasing here) that was the final straw for me.   How do you even respond to someone who thinks that?   I had a hard time falling asleep the past two nights (even with my elephant knock-out meds) and as I think more about it, this was probably weighing heavily on my sub-conscious.   I can't help but feel bad, as if I am no help or have no advice for these guys....but really, I should't be the one to feel bad.  I just honestly never dreamed that we'd have to defend ourselves (as far as our opinions) as LTSers, or that we would have to be in pissing contests with newly diagnosed people who want to 'challenge us' or denigrate our experiences.   As I told some friends in PMs, I think a lot of that is mis-directed anger.

I'm too tired to get really mad these days.  LOL   It takes too much effort.   So back up on the treadmill I go, plodding ahead.....I'm rambling now, so I'll shut up.   Anyway Mark, I feel you honey.   I really do.

"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Offline CaptCarl

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,114
  • Located in the Palinsville subdivision, JesusLand
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #25 on: February 24, 2011, 09:11:41 pm »
Mark-

I suspect that you'll live to grow quite old, and knowing you, you'll pull it off in a rather disgraceful manner one hopes. ;) I know I hope to be able to do so. I wish I had kids and grandchildren so that I could scandalize them with my antics. Much like the grandfather in Little Miss Sunshine.

That said, I can well identify with the things that go through your (and our) head(s). I wonder what will happen when the time comes and I no longer am able to work, losing my benefits and unable to pay for the meds. I have decided not to worry too much about it, after all as an LTS of 23 years, not much, if anything scares me anymore. You tend to lose a lot of your fear after the fourth or fifth time a doctor tells you that you're going to die. At least , that's how it worked for me.

So here I am, gonna be 46 this summer, been Poz half of my freakin' life with no clue as to what the future holds for me. But here's the reality of this situation as I see it:


You (we) would probably have pretty much the exact same fears even if we were totally healthy. To be sure, there are some HIV-specific aspects, but by and large, I think a lot of this type of thinking is common to most people as the age. HIV might be causing us to go through some of these thought proccesses a bit earlier than most, but I think that for the most part these fears are the norm. Even the issue of meds is something most people will have to deal with. Being pozzies, we are tuned in to meds and the different aspects of them, earlier on in life, but overall, non-positive people will be facing much the same situation as we will. The just have the luxury of not knowing it yet, which may make it harder for them. We are already used to trying to figure out how to arrange for our needs. For the others, it will be something that they will have to learn later in life when it will be more difficult.

Perhaps a conversation or two with some  people your age who are not HIV postive is in order to help with a different perspective.

I hope that this helps a bit, cold comfort though it may be. In the meantime, put a really big turbo on the Miata and go racing every chance you get. After all. if you're gonna age prematurely, it doesn't mean that you have to do it quietly.

See you in Seattle big boy.

CaptCarl
« Last Edit: February 24, 2011, 09:14:02 pm by CaptCarl »
The only thing I can do straight is shoot..

Offline HeLookaLikaMan

  • Member
  • Posts: 13
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #26 on: February 25, 2011, 05:13:51 pm »
Until reading the article on T-cell ageing posted earlier in the thread, I had not heard about anything about accelerated aging and HIV.  I admit to only skimming the article, but I didn't read anything comparing acceleration caused by HIV to acceleration caused by anything else like stress, depression, smoking, Twinkies, etc., so I'm not really sure how to use this information. But I do know I'm not going to worry about it.  I take care of my health in ways I see fit, and I have no control beyond that. 

In 12-Step recovery I've learned to not fret about the things I have no control over, and I think the rate at which my T-cells age is probably one of those things I have no control over.  I'm just gonna live as best I can.

Offline rondrond

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,729
  • 22 years HIV+ yet a yard could be the death of me
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #27 on: February 25, 2011, 10:48:39 pm »
How is our Mark feeling today?  If we were neighbors we could go shopping and go to the spa and have a mud bath and a massage....

I've never experienced any of the above, except shopping, but they say they help improve ones mood..so I'm open.  :D
"I'm not done yet"....Glen Campbell

"I may not be exactly where I want to be, but I sure as Hell am not where I was"
Wynnona Judd

Diagnosed/HIV
1993
AZT
Norvir
1994-2001
Crixivan/Epivir/Zerit
No Meds for 7 Years

04jul07/DVT-right leg/Bi Lateral PE's     
16oct08/DVT-left leg
Aug09 Diagnosed: COPD

05may2015
Un-detectable
Tcells 700
44%

Offline Sfteve

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #28 on: March 31, 2011, 10:29:51 pm »
Reflecting on aging:

I have lived the roller coaster of HIV since 1984. I was diagnosed with AIDS/Cancer in ´96 and to this day I feel happier than most people I know.

Yes, AIDS and Cancer gave me an different outlook on life. I take things as they come and never worry about things I can´t change, just go around them.

As my father once said: "As you grow older, find something you enjoy doing, have a passion for, something that doesn´t involve anyone´s approval." It works!


HIV since 1984, Cancer survivor since 1996.
Tcells= 678, Undetectable
Prezista
Truvada
Norvir

Offline Theyer

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,701
  • Current ambition. Walk the Dog .
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #29 on: April 01, 2011, 02:17:13 pm »
Mark I read your piece and cheered out loud. That bought on a coughing fit where I banged the foot whose ankle snapped due to the osteoporosis in Jan this year and now  remembered I am late for the drug that needs 2 hours before and after with no food but I loved your piece  and wanted you to be in no doubt about that
love theyer
"If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people ."  Tony Benn

Offline Theyer

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,701
  • Current ambition. Walk the Dog .
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #30 on: April 01, 2011, 02:26:21 pm »
And Hello Alan you hit some nail heads for me also Love to you all
theyer
"If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people ."  Tony Benn

Offline Bucko

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,947
  • You need a shine, missy!
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #31 on: April 02, 2011, 07:16:33 pm »
I always think that I am too young, to feel this old. But old I feel and I guess I just don't care. I'm living on borrowed time and while I do not welcome death, I think I'll be ready for a rest, when the time comes. Living with HIV is damn hard work and I am damn tired of being tired. I know you know what I mean and I see no reason to worry about things that may never happen, or over which I have no control. I have enough challenge in my life, without borrowing worries from the future.

Stephen and I have a pact, that if life gets too shitty, we go together and that works for me. I always thought I would fear death, but strangely, the closer I come to it, the more comforting I find the thought.

This sums up my feelings on the matter completely. Honestly, if I truly believed that I had 15 years left, I'd be overjoyed. And I'm only 51 (though I feel much, much older most of the time).
Blessed with brains, talent and gorgeous tits.

Blathering on AIDSmeds since 2005, provocative from birth

Offline mewithu

  • Member
  • Posts: 160
  • mewithu
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #32 on: April 03, 2011, 02:01:56 am »
I just turned 51 last summer waiting on 52 this summer. Frankly I don't really want to be an old fart and the drugs have already dammaged my body drugs and HIV That is prescrition drugs . I allways when I get over one thing something else pops up and know I have about 20 something things bothering my body. How am I going to cope with these when I get even older. Very depressing thought I must say.
 The best thing is not to worry about your age and worry about the things at hand. I have two terrible things to deal with AIDS and Anti-Thrombin3 deficiency. The Aids drugs cause my blood thinner which I have been on for 30 something years, make my PT-INR go up and down this never happened when I was negative.
 So already I know what it is like being old and I really don't like what I am feeling or seeing happen to myself. Most drugs I either are resistant to or I can't take them because of other reasons. I don't see a happy longivity.  Jerry
1997 is when I found out, being deathly ill. I had to go to the hospital due to extreme headache and fever. I fell coma like,  two months later weighing 95 pounds and in extreme pain and awoke to knowledge of Pancreatis, Cryptococcal Meningitis, Thrush,Severe Diarea,  Wasting, PCP pneumonia. No eating, only through tpn. Very sick, I was lucky I had good insurance with the company I worked for. I was in the hospital for three months that time. 
(2010 Now doing OK cd4=210  VL= < 75)
I have become resistant to many nukes and non nukes, Now on Reyataz, , Combivir. Working well for me not too many side effects.  I have the wasting syndrome, Fatigue  . Hard to deal with but believe it or not I have been through worse. Three Pulmonary Embolism's in my life. 2012 520 t's <20 V load

Offline Tim Horn

  • Member
  • Posts: 797
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #33 on: April 08, 2011, 08:36:56 am »
I've removed the various messages that derailed this important discussion, started by Mark. We're not expecting another intrusion.

Carry one.

Offline CaptCarl

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,114
  • Located in the Palinsville subdivision, JesusLand
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #34 on: April 08, 2011, 11:24:30 am »
I've removed the various messages that derailed this important discussion, started by Mark. We're not expecting another intrusion.

Carry one.

Thank You Tim. This is too important a discussion to have it derailed.

Until reading this thread, I never really gave the subject of aging with HIV a thought. I hadn't realized the cumulative effects of several decades of infection as well as the meds, can have on the body. Thank you, Mark, for bringing this to my attention. I will be watching this discussion closely, and learning as much as I can from it.

CaptCarl
The only thing I can do straight is shoot..

Offline denb45

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,048
  • "1987 Classic Old School POZ+"
Re: The prospect of growing old - soon
« Reply #35 on: April 08, 2011, 11:44:46 am »
Thank You Tim. This is too important a discussion to have it derailed.

Until reading this thread, I never really gave the subject of aging with HIV a thought. I hadn't realized the cumulative effects of several decades of infection as well as the meds, can have on the body. Thank you, Mark, for bringing this to my attention. I will be watching this discussion closely, and learning as much as I can from it.

CaptCarl

Here's what makes me a little sad about aging and having HIV/AIDS, I wish I wouldn't have gave up my career 12 yrs ago, due to being very sick, having 90-t-cells, and a VL of way over a million, and having this stomach condition, that I now understand that's not even AIDS-related,

It would have been nice to have this treated
back then, as I would have gotten better, and would still be able to continue my career, Carl, my advice to you is, if you are still able to work, and you enjoy doing so, do THIS as long as you can, your body, will tell you when it's time to STOP ;)  it's a real bitch to be sick & old, I will tell you that much  ;)
"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

 


Terms of Membership for these forums
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.