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Author Topic: would like to talk about HIV in brain and symptoms- feel like dumb and dumber  (Read 24582 times)

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Offline webontheweb

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  • Posts: 110
Hello all,  I have an appointment with my reg DOC- fabulous all the way 'round- and I need to talk with him about effects of HIV on brain function.  I am only on Atripla.  Started out at CD4 134, now it is 246 after a year of struggling along with allergic to bactrim- another story indeed!
But what I am looking for is this:
I feel like my short and mid term memory is completely gone.  I will be at work and all of sudden HOURS have gone by with no recolletcion of what happened.  My typing skills are going downhill.  There are times when I am walking that I feel myself drifting to the left.  Forgetful forgetful forgetful.  I leave entire words or phrases out of my typing.  I used to be able to type 5,000 characters an hour with no errors!!!!
Sometimes I am doing great and don't notice a thing.

I feel that I need a complete testing of my mental capacity and maybe an MRI, but want to talk with all of you first.  Does this seem "normal" to you all, Has anyone gone through this?  What should I have my Doc look for and what tests will help determine if this is infection, depression- I don't think it is this- aging, just dumb old me or what? 
If somone on here with medical pr personal knowledge could contact me privately, I would be ever so greatfull.  Aslo any generic posts with info is great , too.

Thank you all.  I have gotten great help here over the last year and a half.

Cheers

Offline Assurbanipal

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Try putting "brain fog" into the search box (downscreen and to the left)-- you'll find a lot of threads and advice.

5/06 VL 1M+, CD4 22, 5% , pneumonia, thrush -- O2 support 2 months, 6/06 +Kaletra/Truvada
9/06 VL 3959 CD4 297 13.5% 12/06 VL <400 CD4 350 15.2% +Pravachol
2007 VL<400, 70, 50 CD4 408-729 16.0% -19.7%
2008 VL UD CD4 468 - 538 16.7% - 24.6% Osteoporosis 11/08 doubled Pravachol, +Calcium/D
02/09 VL 100 CD4 616 23.7% 03/09 VL 130 5/09 VL 100 CD4 540 28.4% +Actonel (osteoporosis) 7/09 VL 130
8/09  new regimen Isentress/Epzicom 9/09 VL UD CD4 621 32.7% 11/09 VL UD CD4 607 26.4% swap Isentress for Prezista/Norvir 12/09 (liver and muscle issues) VL 50
2010 VL UD CD4 573-680 26.1% - 30.9% 12/10 VL 20
2011 VL UD-20 CD4 568-673 24.7%-30.6%
2012 VL UD swap Prezista/Norvir for Reyataz drop statin CD4 768-828 26.7%-30.7%
2014 VL UD - 48
2015 VL 130 Moved to Triumeq

Offline webontheweb

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Thanks for the pinters, I have read them, and I am not supremely confident that they answer the nagging question that is in my head.  I usually have a pretty good intuition about my body when things are wrong.  EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT I WAS HIV+ FOR ABOUT 8 YEARS BEFORE I KNEW IT!
In most cases, if I feel that something is worng, there is usually something there.

I will el tyou know what the Doc says after next thursday.  I am gettting thisclose to disclosing my status at work.  i work a lot of hours which does not help me out, I am always tired.  I knwo they will be supportive, it is just doing it that is the scary part.
Cheers all,

Offline planonstaying

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  • Hiv is the FOX,tcells the rabbit, CALL the HOUNDS!
There was a podcast on hiv and cognitive disorders. I am having some word retrieval stuff and forget what I am talking about on occasion. I chalk it up to age but..http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/hiv_croi_letendre_2297_16582.shtml

I found it unsettling to read about :(
If someone tells you  potential consequences of a behavior  it  doesn't  mean they jude you or mit    they may just give a shit about you

Offline TheRoof

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I've been only positive for 10 months, and I already notice brain fog. Mind you I am also young too. Though I'm more into meditation so I notice the "little things". Myself I am not on HAARP or any psychoactive meds.

Are you on any anti-anxiety/anti-depressant medication

Offline webontheweb

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hey roof,  was on antidepressants, but no more for a long time.  Still have same symptoms.  I have a great regular doc who believes along with me, that knowledge is power, so I have an appointment with a neuraologist in a few weeks to check out the old grey matter.
It is only short term memory that is affected.
Althougha funny happened the other day.  A commercial came on for the new amelia earhart movie that is coming aout and while looking at the images I thought, "I wonder what airport they used for the backgrounds or is it all computer generated" and said outloud, "Oh look, there is a movie about amelia airport coming out".  Funny but sad, no?   I was laughing for about ten minutes!

Offline pos2007

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webontheweb,   what  you describe sounds  so much  like  myself  that it sounds like  I  had  written  it. The   viral  load,  years before diagnosis,  bactim,  Atripla,  brain fog.   All the same.  My wife even asked  me if  I  had written  your comments.  My  symptoms  exactly.   I  can say that after being  on the Atripla for  17 months  the brain fog  got a little  better. I still think  that some people  or some  mutations of  HIV are geneticly predisposed to cause certain  symptoms.  I can't get anyone to agree with  me ,  but still I  think  if there were any large scale studies  comparing  all these factors,  a pattern would emerge.   What REALLY   helped  me was my  doctor  finally gave  me a prescription  for  Ambien CR and the  brain fog  and  my thinking really improved.  Until them ,  my wife and  kids were really worried about me because it was very difficult for  me  to  function.  There are other HIV meds that do cross the brain  barrier  that you may want to  talk to  your doctor about.  I don't think  the components  in Atripla do.   Hiv was tough  on  me  mentally,  but fatigue  was worse.  Might  be  that  they compound each  other.   I forgot  things.  wrote checks  incorrectly, Had to start writing EVERYTHING down when I  used to be able to  memorize every account  number,   got  lost  in the same  town where I  have lived  for  40  years.  etc.   Days I  get tired I still  have problems.  Anti depressants did not  help. Substantially cutting  the number  of  hours I  work and   increasing  the amount  of time I  rest has also  helped.  It still takes 3  or 4 edits to   get an email right.  Hang  in there. Hope this  helps.
« Last Edit: July 30, 2009, 11:12:44 pm by pos2007 »
Diagnosed  CD4 138 VL. 38,000
Partner Diagnosed CD4 <20  VL.  488,000

Offline Tempeboy

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  • Like St Francis of Assisi I am wedded to Poverty
Hey webontheweb,

There could be a few things that you have mentioned that might be contributing to your symptoms.  The good news is that there is lots you can do.

Atripla contains Efavirenz - notorious for causing fogginess, memory loss, slowed thinking, depressed mood, fatigue (just to name a few).  You could discuss alternative medication options with your doctor - nevirapine is an excellent alternative.

Secondly - one of the reservoirs that HIV hangs out in is the brain and this could be part of the reason for your symptoms as well.  To put it plainly not all HIV meds get into the brain ( they are not all able to cross the blood brain barrier - a protective structure that prevents infections etc from harming the brain ).  This structure also prevents some HIV drugs getting into the brain - meaning that although you are undetectable in your blood, you still may have HIV replicating in your brain which could explain your symptoms.

None of the meds contained in Atripla are particularly good at getting into the brain and other reservoirs ( like cum and certain other body parts).  Nevirapine is said to be the most superior at getting into the brain and many people who switch from Efavirenz to Nevirapine say they experience an 'awakening' with dramatic improvements in their cognitive and psychiatric symptoms.

There is emerging evidence about these issues, the collective name for these symptoms is HAND - HIV Associated Neurocognitive Disorders. 

I found this info below on the net but couldn't work out a link.

HAND

(HIV Associated Neurocognitive Disorder)

The availability of HAART (Highly Active AntiRetroviral Therapy) in the late 90’s has seen a marked decline in the incidence of brain disorders for people living with HIV, such as ADC (AIDS Dementia Complex).  There is evidence, however, that up to 50% of people living with HIV will still experience some form of mild cognitive impairment - even when taking effective HAART.  Research suggests that such impairment is a result of the direct effect of HIV related activity on the brain.  The term used to describe these symptoms is HAND – HIV Associated Neurocognitive Disorder.

Neurocognitive  disorders have long been an issue for people living with HIV.  Research presented at CROI suggests these disorders might be more common than previously thought.  This research also suggests that HAND could be progressive over time and compounded by other factors such as smoking, previous HIV related health issues of the brain, ageing, overall health, CD4 count and length of time living with HIV. 

Symptoms of HAND can include:

Difficulty concentrating
Poor attention
Problems with memory
Reading difficulties
Being easily distracted
Losing train of thought
Tremor of one or both hands
Low energy
Disturbance in mood
Everyday tasks take longer and become laborious

People living with HIV often attribute these symptoms to low mood, ageing, stress or general fatigue.  It is important to remember that several of these symptoms need to be consistently present over time for a doctor to think they are related to HAND.  If symptoms are discussed with a doctor a neurological examination might suggest that the person is ‘neurologically intact’ and not indicate any problems.  Some cases can therefore be missed.  Other possible causes of these symptoms include depression, alcoholism and side effects from certain HIV Treatments.

 
More serious symptoms are rare and much more easily detected.  This group of symptoms can include marked disturbances in cognition (confused thinking) emotion (anxiety, personality changes or agitation) and often include problems with motor function (movement).  These more severe cases are rarely seen if people are diagnosed early and have access to HAART. 

Diagnosis

There are no blood tests available to diagnose HAND.  Researchers have developed a screening tool in the form of a mathematical formula.  A doctor can enter a persons information into this formula that will give a result in the form of a numerical score.  The score indicates whether an individual is possibly displaying symptoms of HAND.  This formula is complex and involved and needs to be done by a qualified and experienced clinician, such as your HIV specialist, in order for the results to be reliable.

The formula and score indicate whether more intensive screening, such as Neuropshchological Testing (NPT) is required.  NPT usually comprises a range of assessments that can take a number of hours.  The assessments comprise questions and tasks that are designed to assess a wide range of ‘brain’ functioning.  These tests can repeated over time to guage improvement or progression of symptoms.  Other tests such as CT scans  or lumbar puncture  can also be suggested.

Treatment

The symptoms of HAND can be avoided or improved with timely commencement of effective HAART.  Mounting research suggests that the best indication for commencement of treatment might be when an individual’s CD4 count  is 500.  Commencing treatment at this number prevents many HIV related health issues, including HAND, and continues to guard against them over time.

Some HIV Treatments better penetrate the CNS (central nervous system) than others.  This in short means that some medications are better than others at getting at HIV in the brain and other nerve tissue.  Current guidelines recommend that effective HAART should contain at least one drug in this category.

Specialists will sometimes prescribe more than one of these drugs at sometimes higher doses for people with HIV related neurocognitive issues.  In time we may see people commencing with or switching to combinations that contain 2 or even 3 drugs with superior CNS penetration.

 
What to do?

Some people reading about HAND might think that they have the disorder - even if they do not.  This is a common and normal response when read new health information.  It is important not to become anxious, even if symptoms are present there is much than can be done.

Self monitoring is important.  Keep a record of symptoms and note any significant changes that concern you and discuss with your doctor.  Your doctor may want to rule out other causes such as fatigue, stress, depression, lack of sleep, poor nutrition and may even want to perform blood tests to check testosterone, thyroid and certain vitamin levels. 

If you think that alcohol or recreational drugs could be contributing give yourself a break and see what happens.  Abstinence can often result in many improvements in health.  If you or your doctor thinks that you might have symptoms of depression think seriously about antidepressant medication. 

Research has shown that the serotonin decreases HIV replication.  Anitdepressant medications that work on serotonin are safe and effective.  You should also consider taking up other options for treating depression including counselling, diet and exercise.  The symptoms of depression and benefits of the different types of treatment can be read at www.beyondblue.org.au.

Treatment

If your doctor thinks that you might have symptoms she or he may suggest starting or changing HIV treatment.  You might like to discuss the pro’s and con’s of including one or more CNS penetrating drugs as possible into your combination. 

Even if your symptoms are mild, HAND can be progressive so tailoring your combination can halt progression and even improve symptoms.  Your doctor may even want to refer you to a neurologist that specializes in HIV for a review. 

ends.

Also ................

Here is a link to a fantastic article from ibase that has a table of CNS (Brain) penetration scores of HIV drugs - http://www.i-base.info/htb/v7/htb7-3/CNS.html

You should also talk to your doc about ruling out other causes like depression or underlying infection eg syphilis can cause these types of symptoms.

Take care and let us know how you go.

« Last Edit: July 31, 2009, 12:44:34 am by Tempeboy »
Roughly roundabout somewhere in the eighteenth or nineteenth century, Sodomite begat Homosexual out of moral, medical and legal models, bequeathing him Identity, who inbred with Nuclear Family and Industrialism to spawn Homophobia.

Dean Kiley

Offline webontheweb

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  • Posts: 110
Wow do I feel better.  Thre previous two posts are most insightful.  for poz2007- maybe we are partners in crime!  I am strating a list of the troubles I have as I do have an appointment with a neurologist on the 27th/  My problems seem to come and go or maybe I just forget that they ahve happened.  I am in no way freaked out about htis, but should there be a real problem I want to let people know.  They can help me and maybe won''t get so angry at me that I am appearing to be just a dipshit to most of the world right now.

I have some studying to do and reading up.  I have stopped editing my emails etc.  It is too time soncuming to go back and back and back.  If I come out incorrectly, wel I hope all of you can figure out what I meant.  The last time I was tested in typing I was at 5000 keystrokes an hour with zero errors.  Kiss that goodbye!

i find my fingers do not respond in the correct order-  I leave out one or two words completely even though I think of them as I type.  blahblah
I will let you all know what happens after my appointment on the 27th.

Offline webontheweb

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well today is the day.  appointment at 945.   

Offline webontheweb

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Had the visit, and the doctor is GREAT!  I mean "Tony the Tiger" Grrrrrrreat.  We did the basic memory thing tests and he does want to do an EEG and an MRI.  I have to wait for my insurance to clear it before they will go ahead.  Waiting, waiting.  Not my best suit, but I am doing my best!
Cheers

Offline webontheweb

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Re: would like to talk about HIV in brain and symptoms- feel like dumb and dumber
« Reply #11 on: September 10, 2009, 02:49:20 pm »
Update, update.  I had the MRI today.  My insurance first denied and then okayed using injectable dye during the MRI so at least they did all the tests that they need to.
That machine is a tight squeeze!  I must admit that it took me by surprise when they started and I had to take a breather and start again.  Don't know what triggered it, but it just was toooooo much when they zoomed me into the machine.
I manned it up however, and all went well. I will not hear back form anyone for several days- again with the waiting.  I do an EEG next week which is easier as you just lay there and do nothing!  Reminds me of a former boyfriend, ha ha.
I am trying to maintain a neutral thought on what the results will be, but isn't waiting the worst?
Part of my anxiety is the fact that next Thursday I go for shoulder surgery which is unnerving in itself.  No breaks this year, it all comes crashing down.
 ::) :P :o ;D
Cheers, boys and girls

Offline webontheweb

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Re: would like to talk about HIV in brain and symptoms- feel like dumb and dumber
« Reply #12 on: September 10, 2009, 11:13:56 pm »
I got the results.  No major problems in brain, yippee!  The doctor did say that there is fluid build up around one ear.  No pain and I did not understand excatly what he is talking about, but I will go see him.
I am betting fifty bucks today that it is my left ear.  I'll let you know

Offline webontheweb

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Re: would like to talk about HIV in brain and symptoms- feel like dumb and dumber
« Reply #13 on: September 25, 2009, 01:47:35 pm »
HMMMMMMMMMM.  As previously posted, I had the MRI and the EEG and just had my meeting with the neurologist.
Of course it all came back "normal"  How banal to only be normal.
He was asking about depression.  I don't know.  It has been an extremely "active" 2 years. Diagnosis, 3 operations, mother passing, innumerable tests, Partner hospitalised with PCP which started all this.  Drug treatment started.
Blah blah blah
Any other thoughts from you my learned friends?  The neurologist is thinking that there might be an underlying depression which is keeping me from processing in the moment happenings. 
Thank you in ADVANCE!

Offline pos2007

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As  my  wife  will attest,  when I get tired,  which  is easy  with  HIV,  or if  my CD-4  drops for some reason, cognative function  goes  to pot.  My typing  goes  the same  way and  it  can take  me  a lifetime to type a simple email and get it somewhat  correct with  many edits.  The best I  have  found  is  lots of rest, and strict adherence  to  the  meds  to  keep  the  numbers  up as  much as possible.  I still  think a different  HIV med that  crosses  the brain barrier would  help,  but convincing a dr.  to make  changes is a whole new ballgame.  stress surely contributes ; in  the past 2  years both  my wife and I were diagnosed +, she was hospitalized twice,  3 family  members died,  and I  have  had 4 surgeries,  but   getting adequate rest seems to make more difference in my overall well being than anything. That is hard to  handle after being used to working 16 hour days but is a " must do to function".  glad your tests turned out alright.  Hang  in  there.
Diagnosed  CD4 138 VL. 38,000
Partner Diagnosed CD4 <20  VL.  488,000

Offline webontheweb

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Thanks friend.  I am bone tired most of the time.  It is hard to deal with that.  I have had two surgeeries in 9 weeks and that accompanied with the lack of sleep due to not being able to get comfortable is very wearing on me.  I am sure that when I get my blood work done in few weeks it will not show an uptick in the cd4.
I am more than willing to try any and all things to keep maintain and rebuild my health.  I have been taking vitamins for the first time ever.  3 months now and counting, every day.  added selenium.  100% adherence, all my shots, blah blah blah.
Thank you for keeping track of me.  You do not know what it means to me to have another person who really understands I am going through.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
CHEERS!!!!! ;D

Offline next2u

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hello web,

ive been poz 2 years this past sept. my memory took a headlong dive into the crapper over the past few months. emails are more difficult to type. i find myself rereading them noticing entire words gone or similar sounding words where other words should be.

i cant for the life of me remember yesterday's events or tomorrow's appts. seeing as how i still work this is quite worrisome. i've decided to engage myself in other types of activities that are supposed to stimulate memory and mental functions (learning, etc).

i am not on meds. my doc and friends believe it is stress, etc affecting my memory. i don't think so. it takes far too long for me to recall simple things (if they come back at all). my note taking has gone from scarce to copious and i pray that the combination of mental stimulation and meds will vanquish this loss.

keep us posted in your progress. you are not alone.

best,

d
midapr07 - seroconversion
sept07 - tested poz
oct07 cd4 1013; vl 13,900; cd4% 41
feb08 cd4  694;  vl 16,160; cd4% 50.1
may08 cd4 546; vl 91,480; cd4% 32
aug08 cd4 576; vl 48,190; cd4% 40.7
dec08 cd4 559; vl 63,020; cd4% 29.4
feb09 cd4 464; vl 11,000; cd4% 26
may09 cd4 544; vl 29,710; cd4% 27.2
oct09 cd4 ...; vl 23,350; cd4% 31.6
mar10 cd4 408; vl 59,050; cd4% 31.4
aug10 cd4 328; vl 80,000; cd4% 19.3 STARTED ATRIPLA
oct10 cd4 423; vl 410 ;); cd4% 30.2
jun11 cd4 439; vl <20 ;); cd4% 33.8 <-Undetectable!
mar12 cd4 695; vl ud; cd4% 38.6
jan13 cd4 738; vl ud; cd4% 36.8
aug13 cd4 930; vl ud; cd4% 44.3
jan14 cd4 813; vl ud; cd4% 42.8
may14 cd4 783; vl *; cd4%43.5
sept14 cd4 990; vl ud; cd4% *
jun15 cd4 1152; vl ud; cd4% *
july15 - STRIBILD
oct15 cd4 583; vl 146; cd4% 42
mar16 cd4 860; vl 20; 44

Offline Tempeboy

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  • Like St Francis of Assisi I am wedded to Poverty
Hey Next2u,

Difficulties with memory are a classic symtom of depression - which is easily treated.  Could you talk to your doc about this?  It may not be the cause but it would be good to rule it out.

Link to cool website that explains symptoms - http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=89.579

Take care

Roughly roundabout somewhere in the eighteenth or nineteenth century, Sodomite begat Homosexual out of moral, medical and legal models, bequeathing him Identity, who inbred with Nuclear Family and Industrialism to spawn Homophobia.

Dean Kiley

Offline webontheweb

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  • Posts: 110
Next2u- thanks for your post.  I have now found four new frinds on here going through the same thing as me.  I don't feel so stoooopid anymore.   I have been the same as you for about two years now.  I will make an appointment to see a wonderful therapist that I went to a few years ago who know me and a bit of my history which help her in talking with me.  I saw her before the diagnosis and she helped me through both my partner's and my own diagnosis and the death of my mother last year.

I will certainly let you all know what we find if anything.
Thank you one and all for all your support.  I do not know where I would turn without this site.
Cheers!

Offline pos2007

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I've been  on Amytriptalene ( elavil)  and  all  kinds of  the  anti depressants.  The   whole  bottom  line is,  the  only  things  that  helps  me is getting  my  CD4 up,  and sleep.   When  I  lose  sleep (  like  when  they  keep  the  lights  on 24 hrs per day and  poke  you every 15 -30  minutes for 5  days straight  in  the  hospital  or  when I   have to  have a steroid  shot and don't sleep  for 3  days)  or  if  my CD$  drops (  why  it does  that sometimes  I  don't  know)  memory  goes  to  pot.  When   I  am rested and CD4 is above 200 I can function  fairly well.   The  higher  the CD4,  the  more hours I  can  function  before I wind   down .  300    will  make  pretty good days  for  me. When  CD4 gets down into 130-180's  or I  am  only getting 3 to  four  hours  of  sleep  at  night,  my  wife is at  my side all day to think  for  me  and  won't even  let  me leave  the  house alone.  Hang in  there. I  know  it  is  frustrating. I get  down  a lot   with  HIV,  Cancer, losing  my  voice  from surgery,  impotency  from   prostate cancer surgery, Fighting thieving  insurance  companies,  Gov't  program  cuts,   daily  paperwork trying to get  pre approvals for doctors visits, meds  and  tests,  but  every  now and  then I  hit a HIGH that  says  this  $@!#$#  sht  is  not  going to  beat  me.  I  refuse  to  be  Beaten!   Aim  for those  highs. ;D If I  can  pull  myself  up  to  that  point every now  and  then ,  anyone  can. Another thing, I  find that any  time I  can  help someone with their problems,  it  helps me find those elusive  highs. :D I don't  know  why,  but  it   just does. When U  need to talk,  just  post. There are many understanding people that care  here. Some days  you  feel  like  you are on a sinking  ship and can't   bail  fast enough.  Some days you  feel   like  the  ship  is breaking  up  on  the  rocks  and  yet  there  are always  those days when  you feel  like  you  have   just  been retrofitted  in  dry dock and  ready  to sail  anew.  :o
« Last Edit: October 14, 2009, 12:15:09 am by pos2007 »
Diagnosed  CD4 138 VL. 38,000
Partner Diagnosed CD4 <20  VL.  488,000

Offline webontheweb

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Again and again, thank you to all who have added to this thread.  pos2007, props to you buddy,  you have gone through more than me!  I am going to go see my therapist whom I have not seen in about a year.  She is my one professional link that knew me before diagnosis and will be able to make an accurate appraisal of what has changed with me since the "before times".
She is great and I feel very comfortable talking with her.
I agree that exhaustion and illness can bring you down faster than anything.  It does help me when I can talk with someone and help them out.  It always makes meel a bit stornger and worthy of being on the planet and not so selfish about myself.

Offline pos2007

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Never,  Never think  you  are  not  worthy  of  being  on  this  planet. Any time  you  have  those  feelings,  just  tell  those  thoughts  to  get  behind  you  and   follow,  because  you are  going  to  march.  You  are going  to  walk  tall  and  strong  and  those  feelings are   going  to  lag  behind  your  shadow.  You are strong!  This  week  I  told  the  neighbor  that  I  do  not  feel  worthy  of  all  the prayers I  have  been  getting. (  He is  a preacher) .  He  told  me  that  in   comparison to God  or  Jesus,  none  of us are as  worthy ,  but  we all are welcome  to  be  here and  all  of  us  are  worthy  of  the  concern,  compassion  and  prayers  of  others.  College degrees  don't  fall  out  of  the sky but  the efforts are rewarded. You  are rewarded in  your  diligence  and you  will be rewarded  in  this  fight  too.  .
« Last Edit: October 16, 2009, 03:59:34 pm by pos2007 »
Diagnosed  CD4 138 VL. 38,000
Partner Diagnosed CD4 <20  VL.  488,000

Offline nicknatpatywack

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wow being new here these posts really uplift me... So sleep, excercise, and memory games ie. learning is what I've concluded so far. Anything esle there that helps people? Music, good caring friends is what really gets me through the day, and having a feeling deep within that I was put here for a reason to help others. The more you help others and get involved the more reason you have to keep on going through the next day the more reason there is to  :D I believe people have lost touch with that. Especially the knowing or suspecious of being infected ones that fall pray on their victims. How does one heal or forgive?

Offline pos2007

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nicknatpatywack,   first  you   have  to  forgive  yourself.  You  have  to  realize  that    you  did  not   create  that  nasty  little  bugger  that  has  invaded  your  body. You did  not   wake  up  one  day  and decide;  "Hey  I  am  going to  make  myself really  really  sick  today".  The  person   that  gave HIV  to  you  didn't  create  that  nasty   little  bug  either.  You  are  both victims  of   fate.   The  same   fate  that  determines  the  shape  of  the  clouds.   Forgiveness makes  life  less stressful.  Sometimes  people are careless.  Even a paper  cut  is  a careless act,  but  it   does  not  imply  malicious  behavior.  Even  when  people try to  be safe sht.  just  happens.  I  know  in  my  heart  that  the  person I was  infected   by  never,  never wanted  me to  be  infected. I  also  know  that  that  person   never  wanted  to  be  infected  either.  I  still  love  that  person  with  all  my  heart. You  will  never be able  to  move  ahead if  you  carry  a grudge.  That   doesn't  mean  you  have  to  forget.  It  just  means  you   have  to  remember  in  an  intelligent  compassionate  way. ;)
Diagnosed  CD4 138 VL. 38,000
Partner Diagnosed CD4 <20  VL.  488,000

Offline webontheweb

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Boy is this ever the thread that doen't die!  Hi, gang.   I have an update for you all.  I went to my therapist whom I have known since before diagnosis and she is a real sharp cookie.   We had a nice long chat about all that has been going on in the last two years and she said that she saw concrete signs of depression that could be manifesting in the symptoms that I have been experiencing.  Along with my regular doctor they proscribed Prestiq and the turn around has been incredible.  I mean the next day I noticed a change.
I can make it through the day with no exhaustion.  I can concentrate.  I am interested in things again.  I look forward to the day ahead.

I wish that I had gone about my investigation in reverse order, but the blessing of all the testing that was done is that I know for sure that I am in pretty good shape physically.  I encourage anyone who has read these postings and is experiencing the same problems to talk to a professional about depression and it's effects on the human body and mind. 

Offline pos2007

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Glad you shared the good news! ;D
Diagnosed  CD4 138 VL. 38,000
Partner Diagnosed CD4 <20  VL.  488,000

Offline webontheweb

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Still feeling fantastic!   ;D

Offline webontheweb

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I wish that I could change the name of this thread to Smart and smarter because after two months of medical treament, I feel like my old self again completely.  I remember stuff, I have good recall and I feel like I sleep when I sleep.  Please talk to your doctor if you have suffered with any of the symptoms presented in this thread.  If it IS depression, there is help out there.
Call me lucky for investigating to the end and not giving in.
Cheers and happy new year to you all.

Offline blackwingbear

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  • Hello, all you happy people....
    • THE DARK MIND OF BLACKWINGBEAR
Hello all,  I have an appointment with my reg DOC- fabulous all the way 'round- and I need to talk with him about effects of HIV on brain function.  I am only on Atripla.  Started out at CD4 134, now it is 246 after a year of struggling along with allergic to bactrim- another story indeed!
But what I am looking for is this:
I feel like my short and mid term memory is completely gone.   Forgetful forgetful forgetful.  I leave entire words or phrases out of my typing.   Does this seem "normal" to you all, Has anyone gone through this? 
Cheers

I did and Ginkgo Biloba and Lecithin helped me a great deal!
It's all a sham. Politics is a big game, same as the media - and same as religion. The point is to distract & control. If we're looking at what they tell us is the "big issue", we're not looking at what they are doing. In time, there will be different causes and different minorities to pick-on. All in the name of keeping the system going, and the people distracted.

Offline loop78

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I did and Ginkgo Biloba and Lecithin helped me a great deal!

Just wanted to remind to anyone taking an efavirenz based combo (sustiva, atripla), that it seems Gingko may lower efavirenz blood levels, so be cautious about taking it if you are on one of those meds.

Offline Okealyshire

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I did and Ginkgo Biloba and Lecithin helped me a great deal!

Last December JAMA published the results of the largest NCCAM-sponsored study of ginkgo biloba. For age-related dementia, at least, the results are completely negative.

Quote
The study was very rigorous – a consensus trial designed to address all the criticisms of prior smaller studies. It was a direct comparison of gingko biloba at 120mg twice a day, double blind, randomized, multi-center trial involving 3019 subjects aged 72-96 for a median of 6.1 years. Subjects were followed with standardized tests of cognitive function.

The results are easy to report – every measure showed no difference between G biloba and placebo. There was no difference in cognitive function, risk of developing dementia, rate of progression of dementia or normal cognitive decline with aging. Usually such studies involve some random noise in the results, especially when several outcomes are measured. But with such a large study, random fluctuations should average out, and that is exactly what happened.

Gingko biloba has been used for centuries as a medical herb, and the most popular claim made for its use was to enhance cognitive function. The justification for this claim was always thin – G biloba has a mild blood thinning effect. It was therefore claimed that the herbal drug would enhance blood flow to the brain and improve brain function.

However, this is not a plausible mechanism. The brain exquisitely regulates its own bloodflow, and suboptimal perfusion results in a widening of the blood vessels to increase flow. This autoregulation would not be enhanced by mild blood thinning in a healthy individual.
« Last Edit: March 17, 2010, 03:02:43 am by Okealyshire »

Offline blackwingbear

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  • Hello, all you happy people....
    • THE DARK MIND OF BLACKWINGBEAR
Just wanted to remind to anyone taking an efavirenz based combo (sustiva, atripla), that it seems Gingko may lower efavirenz blood levels, so be cautious about taking it if you are on one of those meds.

I notice that was only in 1 case and there wasn't any others listed - perhaps that mans body-chemistry?
It's all a sham. Politics is a big game, same as the media - and same as religion. The point is to distract & control. If we're looking at what they tell us is the "big issue", we're not looking at what they are doing. In time, there will be different causes and different minorities to pick-on. All in the name of keeping the system going, and the people distracted.

Offline Matty the Damned

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I did and Ginkgo Biloba and Lecithin helped me a great deal!

How?

MtD

Offline blackwingbear

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  • Hello, all you happy people....
    • THE DARK MIND OF BLACKWINGBEAR
How?

MtD

I'm sure some will say it's psychosomatic, but my short-term memory increased as did my recall.
It's all a sham. Politics is a big game, same as the media - and same as religion. The point is to distract & control. If we're looking at what they tell us is the "big issue", we're not looking at what they are doing. In time, there will be different causes and different minorities to pick-on. All in the name of keeping the system going, and the people distracted.

 


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