POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: klvnhrpr on December 26, 2007, 02:18:22 pm
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Hello guys. I have been on here before but somehow my account was erased due to inactivity or something. Any I was having a discussion with my brother after seeing the movie "I am Legend" which was really good but we got on the topic of HIV and AIDS. My brother believes that once a person has AIDS that thats it, they die. Done deal. He believes that in essence AIDS equals death. I simply cannot believe this is the case. I have done research and it appears to be very clear to me that people come back from AIDS allot now a days especially with all the new medications and advancements in health care. Needless to say the convo got heated and ended abruptly.
Who's right?
klvn
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My opinion here. I would say in the early days of AIDS when people knew very little, I would think it was a death sentence then. I do not feel that way now. Not to say people are not dying from AIDS, they are. I just feel with the medication that is out now that it is not happening as fast. That may not be the correct way of saying it but I think people will understand what I mean.
There are people here in these forums that has been living with hiv/aids for over 20+ years. Most of them, doing pretty well, I believe. So, I don't really think of it as a death sentence. I am also diabetic and could drop tomorrow from heart disease or something. Tomorrow is promised to no man regardless if you have AIDS or anything else. Live each day to the fullest and be glad you are still here.
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You are.
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That's just silly. I've had an AIDS diagnosis since Dec 1, 2006. Nothing about me is unhealthy, 'cept that I'm HIV+ and have a bit of reduced lung capacity (from PCP pneumonia which contributed to my diagnosis). I feel as good, if not better, than I have in years. I seriously doubt that I'm going to die anytime soon, unless some freak accident or similar takes me out.
The others who've responded are right, in my opinion. Back in the 'old days' AIDS often equaled death, but not so much now.
David
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Are you HIV+ klvn? Just curious.
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Are you HIV+ klvn? Just curious.
kinda wondering too.
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Look at the Long-Term Survivors forum. Many of us have been living with this virus for over 20 years and most of us are not contemplating death in the near future.
Allan
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My friend Felix has Aids. His cd4 count is below 200, so he is not only HIV+. But he is very healthy. He does not even have a cold or a cough. Once your immune system recovers (with HAART) you are no longer in danger of having oportunistic infections due to AIDS. AIDS is not what kills people. The oportunistic infections are.
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I have AIDS. I have for a while now. Guess what, still alive and kicking and raising hell. I also plan to be doing this for more than a few years to come.
LIFE = DEATH -- live it to the fullest.
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Hello guys. I have been on here before but somehow my account was erased due to inactivity or something. Any I was having a discussion with my brother after seeing the movie "I am Legend" which was really good but we got on the topic of HIV and AIDS. My brother believes that once a person has AIDS that thats it, they die. Done deal. He believes that in essence AIDS equals death. I simply cannot believe this is the case. I have done research and it appears to be very clear to me that people come back from AIDS allot now a days especially with all the new medications and advancements in health care. Needless to say the convo got heated and ended abruptly.
Who's right?
klvn
Let me just say there are people that do live healthy lifestyles have AIDS and others that live riskier lifestyles after HIV and AIDS. Some people are living in street and have AIDS.
Having said all of that there is no one way to measure survival with AIDS for one person alone every situation is different. This is more of a subjective argument in the fact you will get some different ideas and opinions from various walks of life.
I heard from some AIDS survivors that they're doctors said they most likely die from old age or something else before AIDS takes a toll on them. But there are others that Asymptomatic no matter what they do.
In these days and ages Trearment options are much better and technology has increased.
Some of the factors contributing to longivity are exercise, diet, sleep, decent medical coverage and access to meds if needed, adherance to antiretrivirals.
Things that can be hard on your immune system recreational or street drugs, drinking alcohol can be harder on your liver especially when taking meds etc... the list goes on.
Hope that helps.
Mike
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If you have an AIDS diagnosis, and don't get proper treatment (due to access, cost, etc.) then you're increasing your risk of an OI which increases your risk of death .
But with proper treatment, monitoring, and adherence many do well for very long stretches (and many will die of something other than an AIDS).
So I'd say you're right.
There are people I know who had an "AIDS" diagnosis who went on meds and NOW have better counts than I do onmeds (my disease never progressed to the "AIDS" criteria).
And as rule of thumb, when I hear anyone speak in "absolutes," I generally look elsewhere for guidance. Very few things in life are black and white IMHO. Lots of shades of grey.
Just my take...
Peace :)
Mike
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AIDS is not what kills people. The oportunistic infections are.
Thank you for pointing this out, BB. The myths and misinformation are obviously still out there.
We are all dying from the moment we are born. But life is about living, so make the best of what you have because tomorrow you could wake up dead.
;)
Daniel
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The answer is "All of the above."
Yes, some people die as a result of complications of AIDS - in other words, opportunistic infections able to get a foothold because of a devastated immune system.
Others receive an AIDS diagnosis, like David, and, through treatment, come back to become strong, vibrant and sexy.
Some, like myself, have somehow managed to live more than 22 years with HIV and never receive an AIDS diagnosis. (Picture me knocking on wood here.) I call it luck of the draw.
As Daniel pointed out, life is a death sentence. What matters is what you do in between those two points.
So, tell your brother he is all wet. There is no way for any of us to predict the future.
HUGS,
Mark
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Accounts don't just get "erased" here. How far back are you referring to that you were on the site?
I too am wondering about your HIV status. It's not clear from what you've written. Please clarify. Thanks.
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I agree most with Mark's/Aztecan post above.
The only thing I wish to add is that there is a misperception by some that death from HIV complications is something of an older generation or the past. It is not. There are still some newly infected who do not respond well to treatments albeit they are more the exception than the rule.
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Thank you and as for if I'm poz or not the answer is yes. 26yr's old have been poz since 2003. I'm currently not taking meds as I'm abnormally healthy. I owe my health to the way I live my life. I'm happy and plan on staying that way. I do hot have time for feeling sorry or focus on negative energy. I have been struggling with my family who is scared. I understand their fear but I you can only be scared for so long until you get informed and move on with your life.
thank you all.
Kelvin.
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Maybe you should try to educate your family on hiv. It just might make things a little easier for you and answer some of their questions. Just a thought...
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Welcome back K-Man
Why not print out this thread and hand it to your brother?
Just a thought.
Peace
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When I was diagnosed, I was told I have aids, because I had two category 4 defining illnesses (and a cd4 count of 50'ish)
After meds, I'm back to just being 'hiv positive'
Agree to disagree with your brother, if he's not interested in listening to the truth or facts.
J
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Edit: I can't put that..it was just a message of support though.
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Well, AIDS hasn't equalled 'death' for me, yet. My equation is more like this:
AIDS = Mess
It has made a big ole' mess out of my life, ruined my career, devastated me financially, lipoatrophied my face, lipodystrophied my belly...you know all that kind of stuff. Other than that, I can't complain and I am fortunate and blessed to have the meds that keep me alive. I pray that I can continue to receive them, at the mercy of the State of Alabama (not known for being a merciful state).
With me, it is first and foremost about the Quality of Life. I'm glad I didn't give up when I had basically no life, just existing to die from AIDS. I hung on, and the meds saved me. My quality of life has improved dramatically from that point. That is and always will be the standard of measurement for me.
Alan
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I was diagnosed in 1986 with hiv..after 16yrs, then and only then did I go on meds.
I felt fine no matter what the doctors kept telling me.
But that day came, when I was so tired and had a small rash and wondered if it was time
to get on meds.
Well it was ..MY tcells were 27 which sci encest say, OH MY Dear, You have FULL BLOW AIDS.
I only waited due to my ex lover who has passed and watching her with that damn azt
only made her worse..she looked like a walking skeleton..
So with that in mind, I said, Shit..Ill wait till something better comes out and I did for 16yrs..
After awhile of taking melds, I was back to being hiv poz again..
Its kind of stupid when they go by...if your 200 or below that amount of cells, you have full blown aids...
I looked good, just felt tired and knew I had to do something..so I got on the newer
cocktails, which so far so good..
I am still here after 21 yrs, and I haven't had aids for 3 or 4 years.>>
I am hiv poz my viral load is undetectable, and I am still here..........
Years ago in the early 80's I saw many friends drop around me like flies..Including my
brother and my lover,....
But now with so many new and upgrade melds, we stand a chance or else we would be
in this forum......
Now its up to each and every one of us to live as normal as possible...Hell I wake up
and say...damn its nice outside, I feel no pain, i can see, smell , taste, and still enjoy my life..
Yes I had a few scares, and i am sure there will be more to follow, but hey..you can get
hit crossing a busy street too and die..
So why dwell on it..
Full blown aids, got left back somewhere in the late 80' early 90's.......
I know I went on and on..
:-X
Ha I am on prisoner for my asthma so it keeps me up all night long....so excuse me if i wondered away from your question...But dint worry and keep in touch with the forums..
Theres alto to be learned from us oldtimers.............. 8) cuz we still cool.. :P
Silly ass me better get to bed now.............
Say goodnight Gracie..."good night Gracie"... ;)
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OK, the question was discussed at my HIV support group about being diagnosed with AIDS vs. HIV. Even the facilitators said, once diagnosed with AIDS, it doesn't go back to just HIV.
Anyway, I agree with Alan. It's really about quality of life. What used to be hell is now hmmmmm, pergatory (SP)? Not that I believe in pergatory (SP), there was just nothing else I could think of. Yes, my face is drawn in, my belly is poofed out, my legs look like rails, I have skin problems, it seems like I always have a yeast infection. But it's not like having to rush to the hospital to get a transfusion because of being megadosed with too much AZT, or wasting away down to 87 lbs and being pronounced dead by your Hospice nurse etc. Today is much better by comparison.
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Thanks for the clarification about your status, K.
If on occasion a family member asks a question about HIV, I suggest just answering the question. Don't load them up with too much information. And/or recommend something for them to read -- perhaps an appropriate lesson on this site. It's amazing and discouraging how uninformed most people continue to be about the basics concerning HIV.
You might also let them know you're in good health and working to stay that way. It can become tiresome dealing with the anxiety of others about HIV, but sometimes they just want some reassurance that you're doing ok. Which sounds like it's true for you.
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Being a 14 year survivor I have learned that its not an immediate death sentence unless you give up. I have had my ups and downs with HIV and been as low as 2 Tcells and a viral load so high they couldn't count it. When Jeff and I lived in South Florida I had my HIV specialist tell me that I needed to go back home (ohio) and get my affairs in order, in other words I was going to die but I'm still here and kicking after 7 years and with 325 Tcells and a a V/L of 1500. I firmly believe that your mindset has alot to do with how you combat the virus and I refuse to let the virus run my life. I've been on SSD since 2000 and last year I decided I was tired of sitting around basically waiting to die and went back to school full time. Yes, its been a challenge but its been well worth it too. On the flip side, I've seen people who tested poz and it was like they gave up at that point and it wasn't long before they did die. I thought when I tested poz I would have maybe 5 years tops but I'm still here after 14 years and I've decided I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines and I want back into the big game of life. So you can tell your brother that once you have it, it doesn't mean you are going to checkout. You can live a long productive fun life
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I was most likely infected in 1983 (when I was 16) and I received an AIDS diagnosis in 1985. Now being almost 41, I have lived with it more than half my life.. in fact I can't remember what is was like to not have to have AIDS. My dear sweet partner died almost 3 years ago, he was 41. He lived 18 years with an AIDS diagnosis. We both were/are very healthy people with healthy lifestyles. It might also have something to do with genetics and the type of virus he had. I for some reason have remained "healthy"
peace
Sharkie
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Life = Death. We all must die from something including your brother.
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When we got the phone call from Mini's PID (pediatric ID doc), the first thought that entered my mind was how i was going to make it through her funeral. The second was how i was going to tell her brothers that their sister died. Docs wouldn't even predict how long we'd have her. Then I got angry and survival instinct kicked in. Hubby and I flat out refused for her to die. Things were touch and go for the first 21 months of her life before she went undetectable. She still has a hard time with the side effects of contracting the virus in utero and the medications she's on. But she lives her life and lives it well. Now we happily plan her future. She'll outlive us all.
Mum
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Life = Death.
I agree with this. I try to remind myself this every day. I always knew that one day I'd die, now I just feel that I have had to come to terms with it on a more real level than "totally healthy" people.
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I don't think AIDS = Death. I was honestly scared to death that I would be diagnosed with AIDS after that blood test in October, and saw my CD4's dropping. But someone put me straight on that....AIDS is nothing more than a label. Yeah once you reach it, you keep the title. So what? You can still rebound and be happy and sexy (I agree, David that is one really hot pic of you). Anyway, I was told that the reason the title sticks was that once diagnosed with AIDS you can receive medicare benefits in the US. And if you lose the AIDS diagnosis you no longer qualify. I honestly don't know if that 100% accurate, but if it is it makes since that once you diagnosed with AIDS you would keep the title even if you technically fall back in to HIV+ range.
All my diagnosis to me means being HIV+ is...well I no longer fear death. If it happens I don't care, I am not going out looking for it, but if it comes to me I think I am pretty ready. The diagnosis just kinda made me think and accept life and death. I can tell you this stupid virus inside me won't be the thing that kills me in the end. (It's probably going to be my parents....if I don't manage to move out of here soon....34 and living with your parents blows)
So the answer is to me anyway, nope AIDS don't mean nothing but you get some medical with some help from the government in the US if you need or want to deal with it. :)
Matt
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Thank you all for your opinions on this issue, because I myself wasnt sure..
Now I know once you do go below 200 tcells, and are considered having aids,
You can go back and be hiv, but things do change..
Just thank god that we are all here for one another.......
So glad my I got my computer for this reason alone........ :)
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I like what Woody Allen says about life and death in general.
Life is full of pain, suffering, misery and its over way too fast. (something like that) ;)
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klvn,
Your original account - klvn (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?action=profile;u=4153) - was not "erased", as we do not erase accounts here. However, as we do not allow members to have more than one account, I have disabled your original account. Please do not create any more new accounts. Thank you for your cooperation.
Ann
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I think everyone who has posted has some really great advice. AIDS, is not necessarily a death sentence today, it is however a life sentence. How long a sentence it may be, no one really knows. But, it sounds to me as well, that your family could use some better education on the matter.
I encourage you, to also learn as much about the virus as you can, and become an expert yourself. Once you understand the more about the virus and understand more about you, this will be a winning combination for sure. Knowledge is power my friend, and I am sure that your family will come around in time.
Good luck!
Jeromy