Healthy HIV life style - Your tips and tricks ?

[John2038]

I find myself not living with HIV, but . but surviving to it, so I decided to improve a couple of habits to improve my health, starting from June 1st, 08 (yesterday) as I guess there are no others choices left.

There are many way to improve our health, and among them

I- pshychic
1) positive mind to reduce the stress
2) love , family, friends
3) medication

II- body
1) food
2) drink
3) sport
4) supplements
5) Medication
6) sleep time

I would like to know what you are doing yourself doing to maintain the best possible health ?

I might want to add them to my list, which is very limited, and look as follow

I-1) Psychic, positive mind
Forget the disease: The most helping attitude seems to try to forget this disease, for e.g. reading less

II-1) Food
Eat green and no red meat, favorising fish

II-2) Drink
Green tea, cranberry juice, probiotic drinkable yogurt

II-3) Sport
3x/week cardio 1h

II-4) Supplements
Selenium 200ug, B1-12, C, D, omega 3-6 (where to find 9 )

II-5) Medication
Zelitrex (2x per day), aspirin (time to time)

II-6) sleep time: 8h/day min

The list above is not scientific.

So what is your list or just your tips and tricks  ?
Do you think it has help you significantly and do you have scientific evidences ?

John

[tendai]

I-1) Psychic, positive mind
Forget the disease: The most helping attitude seems to try to forget this disease, for e.g. reading less

i cant forget about it. its always on my mind.  Trick is not to stress about it. Accept that its a part of me and live with it

[RapidRod]

I don't do any thing different now than when I was negative. I don't take anything that the doctor hasn't ordered.

[joemutt]

I take my meds. My cd4 was 1332 when I got my latest results this morning.
I TRY to watch my food and I TRY to walk and do some yoga and meditation
but I lead a very stressful and lonely life so it must be the meds and stuborness and luck.

[Assurbanipal]

1) Very adherent to HAART
2) Changed my diet -- breakfast is now usually an apple or seasonal fruit and some nuts
3) Daily aspirin and fish oil
4) Making time for doctor's appointments is now a top priority (it used to slide for months/years)
5) Trying to get back to 5x cardio and 3x free weights per week (hint -- don't break your wrist if you want to lift weights)

But mainly try to live less in the future and more in the now -- more time outdoors in the early morning, more time with family and friends

[sharkdiver]

i cant forget about it. its always on my mind.  Trick is not to stress about it. Accept that its a part of me and live with it

Wise words from a wise woman.

speaking of women...

Psychic? do you mean like Sylvia Brown? jk

[komnaes]

.... it must be the meds and stuborness and luck.

I am adhering to mainly stubbornness now but hopefully luck can play a role.. I don't know how it works but I am told the sheer will power to refuse to die works miracles...

Shaun

(who's perfected the art of stubbornness... except when he's having panic attacks)

[Miss Philicia]

I have a cd4 count of 1300 and I sniff poppers, generally in the company of Miss Cleo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3ABE3wvxzA

[bocker3]

I try to eat more healthy than not

I exercise 3-5x a week (usually tennis)

I sleep at least 7 hrs a night

I take my medication, every day

I see my doctor every 3 months

I spend time with my partner

I relax by my pool with a good book (in the summer - and I don't forget the sunscreen)

I see a therapist every couple of weeks

I get a monthly massage

Oh yeah -- and I go on living my life, pretty much like before.

Mike

[John2038]

I was wondering what kind of symptoms each of you are experimenting, if any.
I got some light  dizziness time to time but hard to say if it's  not related to stress.
Feeling also sometime here but not there.. Strange feeling

Also, I don't know if you know  the "lecithin".
It's a natural supplement rich in phospholipids and poly-insaturated fatty acids needed by almost every cell in the body and is a key building block of cell membranes. It also plays an important role in the absorption of fats and maintaining liver health.

Taking it daily as well as buchu.

Of course, it's something to discuss with the id doc before taking any of those supplements, especially if on meds I guess.

Edit : PDA  ..

[richva]

Laugh.

I go out of my way to find something (or someone), read something, or watch something everyday that makes me laugh out loud.  I usually don't have to look too hard.  While there's a great deal of sadness in the world, there are plenty of damn funny things (and folks), too.

(I've also mastered the ability to simply crack myself up.)

More than my diet, more than my sleeping or exercise habits....  I've no doubt that laughter has been my best medicine.

Rich

[LordBerners]

Living in Thailand I have no problems getting enough green leafy vegetables.  I think the most important thing for anyone is getting lots of sleep, though the medications can certainly interfere with that.  I'm not even on them at the moment, but my TB antibiotics definitely reduce the duration and quality of my sleep.

[bear60]

Laugh.

I go out of my way to find something (or someone), read something, or watch something everyday that makes me laugh out loud.  I usually don't have to look too hard.  While there's a great deal of sadness in the world, there are plenty of damn funny things (and folks), too.
......................................................................................
I agree .
There is too much pain and misery in the world....its impossible to take all the pain in and not be affected negatively.  I like to watch  upbeat movies and comedies.  I have banned most war movies and anything with a lot of blood in it.  I saw PSYCHO the other night and was struck at how tame it was compared to so many movies today. 

[John2038]

About laughing, this is the joke of my ID doc during my last visit:

We worry we die anyway
We don't worry we also die
So ?
So ?
Why die ?

and he laugh, well me too 

Since 3 days I started my positive life, feel stronger.
Seems that starting something new is very boring at the beginning, but once launched, things improve daily, for now the moods, I guess soon the rest.

Note: Faith help a lot as well

[J.R.E.]

Absolutely  laughter !!  Got to be able to have a" sense of humor". I had that for my signature line for quite a while. I like having that laugh each day,... you know the kind of laugh that makes tears come to your eyes, and takes your breath away !!


Ray

[shadowfluid]

A multivitamin, sugar, and lots of bb sex.

A multivitamin and plenty of sleep and exercise.

[sharkdiver]

I have heard from some people that "Coming Out" has helped them deal with it as well.

[DCGUY2007]

exercise, drinking more water and trying to get 8 hours sleep. Unfortunately I never get enough sleep and need to eat a lot better. But I think exercising definitely helps

[joemutt]

I have to add I meditate (vipasana, similar to TM or insight),
the quality of my sleep is better then. I sleep 9 hrs every night.

[Miss Philicia]

Remeron helps me sleep 8 hours and has done so for 5 years.

[RapidRod]

Remeron helps me sleep 8 hours and has done so for 5 years.

I concur, I take it for sleep.

[David_CA]

I agree about the laughter thing.  It helps keep me in a generally upbeat mood, which I'm in most of the time.  I also exercise daily, which helps with weight, general health, appearance, and just helps me feel good (afterwards).  I also try to eat better, which I don't always do.  I take multi-vitamins and drink lots of water.  I've cut down considerably on my alcohol consumption ('cept when on vacation camping  ).  Coming out / disclosing to my family and close friends has helped by eliminating a lot of the stress and anxiety I was initially feeling.  I take my meds every day without fail, but I give myself a break about other things.  I don't have as much stamina as I did pre-PCP, so I just can't accomplish as much.  I'm just as motivated as before but realize that I just can't do as much.

David

[John2038]

HIV cause inflammations, nothing new with that, but must of us I guess arent taking anti-inflammatory drugs. Probably because some of them nright interact with haart.

But for those not on meds  (and I guess the others as well) it is worth to google about that, and talk about it to the ID doc.

Taking time to time a Voltaren generic and I hopes it's a good idea.

[Matty the Damned]

The damage caused by HIV infection can also lead to a reduced inflammatory response.

Potent anti-inflammatory drugs like Voltaren need to be taken with care, preferably on the advice of a doctor. Really it should only be taken where it's indicated. Such drugs when taken for extended periods can have serious side effects, such as gastric ulcers.

MtD

[Ann]

It bears repeating:

The damage caused by HIV infection can also lead to a reduced inflammatory response.

Potent anti-inflammatory drugs like Voltaren need to be taken with care, preferably on the advice of a doctor. Really it should only be taken where it's indicated. Such drugs when taken for extended periods can have serious side effects, such as gastric ulcers.

MtD

[John2038]

You are definitely right and you made an important warning.

I agree with you, and after having read a little (before starting anti-inflammatory), I came to the conclusion that as for everything in life, it's a balance between pros/cons, and all about dosage.

So taking them time to time.

[Matty the Damned]

You are definitely right and you made an important warning.

I agree with you, and after having read a little (before starting anti-inflammatory), I came to the conclusion that as for everything in life, it's a balance between pros/cons, and all about dosage.

So taking them time to time.

John,

It's your body and you are free to do with it as you like.

For others who might be reading this thread I think it's important to note that there is absolutely no evidence demonstrating that diclofenac (Voltaren) has any effect on HIV infection.

None whatsoever.

It's a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and is, in particular, used to treat pain and inflammation arising from conditions like arthritis and period pain. Like all drugs in that class long term and/or off label use can have serious side effects. In addition to gastric ulcers, inappropriate use of diclofenac can cause damage to the heart, the liver and the kidneys.

MtD

[keyite]

I agree with much of all that; diet, exercise, sleep in particular. I also realise disclosing more widely is a good idea for your mental wellbeing and am working on it.

What I don't think has been mentioned so far is support groups - I have no doubt at all that me taking part in them has made a huge difference. It has really helped me adjust, given me some useful role models and given me new friends and acquaintances who understand what it means to be poz.

[Peter Staley]

This seems like an appropriate thread for me to post a warning I've been wanting to post for a while now.

John -- please don't take any of this as a personal attack, but I really feel, as the founder of this website, that it's my responsibility to issue a public warning about many if not most of your threads.  I would encourage others to link to this posting when they feel it's appropriate in future threads.

John is a very, very inquisitive individual.  He reads everything he can find online about AIDS research.  He is NOT a doctor or AIDS researcher himself -- just a patient, like the rest of us.

In my opinion, John often experiments on himself based on his own interpretations of the things he reads online.  He often attempts to interpret a possible conclusion from research that the researchers themselves never concluded.

This is his right.  It is also his right to post about his thoughts and his own treatment experiences in these forums.  However, other members should take his experiences with a very heavy grain of salt.  In my mind, his self-experimentation is dangerous, and his interpretations of scientific data are often faulty.  He is playing with fire, and if others follow his example, they might get burned.

And that concludes my public service announcement.

Peter Staley
Founder
AIDSmeds.com

[redhotmuslbear]

This seems like an appropriate thread for me to post a warning I've been wanting to post for a while now.  ...

Thanks, Peter.

I caught this thread and was about to add that, in addition to engaging in laughter and meditation, I have found that not getting caught up in the drama of other people has been a great benefit.  That's not to say that I do not care about others or lift a finger to help--my calendar for the next week is filled with more volunteer time than work, I believe.

Instead, I mean that I am mindful of what I can affect and what I cannot.  I can express my concern to friends and community members who choose to use drugs -- or not take their meds -- but I am powerless over their decisions and their addictions.  I will not allow myself and my life to incur collateral damage, as impermanent as all things are, though I will be there to help someone who has decided to help himself or herself out of "rock bottom."

Namaste,
David

[rick21007]

Went back to the gym--actually joined a gym close to my office so I could walk there from work.  Benefits for me: 1. I always feel better about myself when I am in shape (back to walking with a swagger LOL)  2. skin issues clear up  3. stomach issues clear up 3. deal with stress better 4. libido increases  5, I sleep better  6. helps my general mood.  Come to think of it these bennies could also be a result of practicing mindfulness while watching gorgeous sweaty hunks working out in tank tops and shorts for an hour each day.

rick

[John2038]

Hi all,

As mentioned by Peter, I am NOT a doctor or AIDS researcher, and I have never pretended to be one.
I'm holding a degree in nucl. physics, and made various specializations since.
This do not give me enough background to either prescribe or recommend any treatment, nor I can diagnose anyone.
I think I have been clear on that in my previous posts (for e.g. here), and if not, this is the opportunity to remind it. As it should be the case for all of us (I'm a reader too).

Now, and as everybody, I am on the learning curve with this disease.
As such, I am typically raising couple of questions/hypothesis (for e.g. here  or here) that I'm willing to confront with the opinion of others. No more than that.

So far, I have never presented my thoughts as being anything else than thoughts. For e.g. here.
And even in a domain where I do have a strong background, I usually mention (in case of providing recommendations) to have the approval of the doc (e.g. here).

Consequently, if I agree with Peter, Ann or MtD, I do not feel to deserve a specific public warning.
But I agree that in this specific thread, the anti-inflammatory is not a good idea for most of us. In more, I haven't mention the context of this prescription, so my comment is out of the scope of this thread.
Fortunately, not one, but 3 people have react, so you might feel confident reading this board, that if someone cross the red line, he will be corrected.

Finally, if I agree with Peter, I do not share the point "his interpretations of scientific data are often faulty".
Of course it might happen. But an example would be welcome as this kind of feedback are precious as I'm willing to improve my skills.
And that's main reason why I am posting here or there I guess, as you may have noticed.

EDIT >> typo

[Matty the Damned]

John,

Peter isn't giving you a disciplinary warning, he's warning other people that your approach to dealing HIV has no foundation in science and can be dangerous. In fact he's preserving your right to deal with HIV in your own way AND your right to post about your adventures here in the AIDSmeds forums.

MtD

[Ann]

John,

Matty is spot on in his assessment that you were NOT given a warning by Peter.

As for wanting examples of your sometimes faulty interpretations of scientific data, you yourself provided some, such as here and here, where other members tried to point out your faulty reasoning, to no avail.

Ann

[John2038]

As for wanting examples of your sometimes faulty interpretations of scientific data, you yourself provided some, such as here and here, where other members tried to point out your faulty reasoning, to no avail.

Uhhhh there are no data (so the posts).
How faulty can be the interpretation or reasoning then ?

[RapidRod]

Uhhhh there are no data (so the posts).
How faulty can be the interpretation or reasoning then ?

Very faulty...

[John2038]

Very faulty...

data ?

[Ann]

data ?

Interpretation/reasoning

[RapidRod]

John, what data would you like? You don't listen to what others have told you. You are not a LTNP of which I was for 21 years. Do you even know the definition of a LTNP? It would probably benefit you more by less posting and more reading from those that have been dealing with HIV for many years.

[John2038]

1) I have mention nowhere that I was a LTNP - but mentioned my doc who said "you might be". Again, not me
2) The question about the CD4% not LTNP.
3) There are no data neither about Kaletra monotheraphy for LTNP nor about the meaning of the CD4% in the very specific case of a CD8 increase a.k.a are we or not comparing apple with apple.
4) It is not enough to say "I was a LTNP for 21 years" if you are not putting on the table your experience in the thread above, with evidence or at least arguments.

[RapidRod]

As you were told LTNP do not take medications. Their body fights and controls the infection without the need of medications. That is the reason they are LTNP. What evidence do I have about being a LTNP. How about blood test every three months for 21 years. What more evidence do you want?

[John2038]

RapidRod,

you are a LTNP, and it seems you are reading everything through the LTNP eyes.

I have never open a discussion on whether or not I am a LTNP.

So I don't understand what you are saying.

The questions in the 2 threads mentioned by Ann where:

1) Kaletra monotheraphy for LTNP yes/no ?
2) CD4% are relative if CD8 much higher than the std range ?

Those are open questions. As such, need to be debated, as for the time being, we don't know.
And we are in a forum, so we can debate.

[RapidRod]

There is no debate. LTNP don't take medications, there is NO need to be on medication. As you were asked before, "Would you take medication for arrhythmias when your heart is not having arrhythmias?" Of course not..

[John2038]

The question of taking monotherapy have a sens that you definitely want to ignore and you are basing your conclusions on the definition of LTNP and not in the context of the post.

1) Most if not all LTNP will became a day or another FP.
2) For those, there is a time where they might consider starting HAART.
3) Might this HAART be a monotherapy is the question.

The question is not:
Should LTNP start to take a monotherapy immediately after having been diagnosed.
Of course it is not that ! We even don't know before years is someone can be classified LTNP or not (despite nothing else than clues).

In http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=21088.msg271100#msg271100 it is said:
Don't you think watching closely their counts, LTNP can "predict" (in term of probability) a "body failure" for sooner or later ?
[if so] What will be the cost of being on monotherapy let say even 2 years earlier ?
Maybe 2 y earlier + mono will work 10 y,  while 2y after + HAART will work just 3 years, because in the meantime, the body is no more able to give his full.

[bocker3]

John,

STOP -- STOP -- STOP!!

As I stated in the other thread, you are not looking for debate here.  You are merely looking for validation.  You have to take other's experiences at face value, because it is their experience.  Stop burning bridges.  Someday you are going to need their wisdom, and they may not be willing to give it.

For once, just read what people are saying without formulating your rebuttal.  Absorb, ponder and ask a clarifying question or two if you are confused.  Do NOT keep pounding your own point and disregard theirs.

Mike

[RapidRod]

John, what part of NO is that you don't understand? There is no reason what so ever to take medications when you don't need to be taking them. Is it that hard to understand? People that are newly diagnosed with HIV don't even take medications until their CD4's drop. You aren't on medications I see. Why are you not taking HAART if that is your belief?
1. When someone that has been a LTNP and their bodies ablity to control the virus has stopped then yes they will go on HAART just like all persons with HIV that needs to take HAART. The advantage of being a LTNP is your bodies ability to fight the virus and the need NOT to take medication.

[John2038]

1) Lets make it very simple: RapidRod, you are on HAART no ? So question: Could this HAART have been a monotherapy somewhere in your timeline ? (see this study before answering

2) I do not start HAART because I have been infected by a multi-resistant virus, and so have only few choices left. So a more conservative approach that I would like

3) I might be a LTNP having a VL < 2000, and CD4 ok. But % bad. That's my main chance I guess. But I might not be one as well.

[RapidRod]

1. NO
2. The reason you haven't started HAART is because you don't need to start HAART at this time.
3. You won't know for years if you are a LTNP or not.

[Matty the Damned]

Roddles,

Let it go.

John2038 has decided what he's going to do in terms of his own health, which is why we have the In Memoriam Forum.

Let's focus our attention on those who want to live.

MtD

[J.R.E.]

Roddles,


John2038 has decided what he's going to do in terms of his own health, which is why we have the In Memoriam Forum.


MtD

Wrong !!.... The Memoriam forum was not created, because of what John2038 decides to do, or the choices he makes with his health.

Ray