POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: daveR on November 28, 2019, 09:26:37 am
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It has been a while since I posted an update about my status so here we go. 3 1/2 years in, still taking the 2 pill version of Complera. Just had my 6 monthly check up with the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, who gave me a fright this time. I got the basic results straight away as usual, Liver function good, Kidneys going down hill a little bit. Creatine increased from 1.21 to 1.24 on a scale with an upper limit of 1.18. The Doctor said not to worry about it as my urine sample was normal, no protein. I did a Google search and found a website that actually said a reading up to 1.3 is normal, so I book marked that and will use that as my reference for future tests. I then went home and expected the usual email for viral load and CD4 count. What I got was a text telling me I had an appointment and had to return to the hospital to see the Doctor, that is the first time in 3 1/2 years I have had to do that. After a very restless night I turned up 1 1/2 hours early, waited and finally saw the Doc, expecting bad news but was told I am still undetectable with a CD4 count of 820 at 42%. I didn't know whether to kiss her for the good news or slap her for stressing me out. My blood pressure had increased from normal when I gave blood to high just waiting for the result. Turned out to be just a change of hospital policy as they do not consider an email to be secure enough. Fair comment by them really.
Fasting glucose was in normal range which pleased the Doc, no longer considered to be pre-diabetic. That is the 3rd reading in a row where it is normal. Cholesterol has crept up a little, in line with a drop in the intensity of my work out routine. She advised me to increase the intensity again back to what I was doing, I advised her I was 56, it is hard work at my age. I then went home and did as she told me so hopefully I can get it back down to normal.
So, 3 1/2 years gone, many more to go and the only real issue I have is still with work. Takes time to find companies that do not require a full medical with HIV testing. Other than that, life is grand.
Hope you are all doing well.
Dave
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Dave
Glad to hear things are well.
Medical practices are their policies around test results are a pain. My HIV clinic is more than happy to send my test results by SMS/text but my primary care physician/ GP insists on a second appointment to get results.
I'm a similar vintage to you and my doctor wants me to increase my exercise intensity, and have an off the scale cholesterol reading. If I can't get my cholesterol down by lifestyle then I may need to look at an ARV change.
Hugs and I hope things stay well with you
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Oh yes... fugit inreparabile tempus... carpe diem! I should remember that more often.
Jesus, the hospital policy change was freaking creepy :'( I hope they will not do the same at Thai Red Cross.
Your numbers look good though!
I’m 2 1/2 years in and in my 50s. I recently restarted physical activity after decades: a little bit swimming, a little running and gym, which I don’t enjoy much but I know it’s supposed to be good.
As you say, I feel my age: I eventually understood the meaning of “midlife crisis”... maybe a little too late :D
Trying to fighting back with exercise, keeping engaged in work (which is another challenge) and with some antidepressants for the remaining part.
Btw, you said companies in your field require hiv testing... is this a particular sector? To my knowledge average Thai companies don’t ask it.
Hugs
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Dave
Glad to hear things are well.
Medical practices are their policies around test results are a pain. My HIV clinic is more than happy to send my test results by SMS/text but my primary care physician/ GP insists on a second appointment to get results.
I'm a similar vintage to you and my doctor wants me to increase my exercise intensity, and have an off the scale cholesterol reading. If I can't get my cholesterol down by lifestyle then I may need to look at an ARV change.
Hugs and I hope things stay well with you
My doc eventually prescribed statins 1.5 years ago and my cholesterol went from double the upper limit to average values. In terms of pure numbers that’s amazing, not sure at what price it does come though ::)
Number of pills for different conditions is going up and up and now I have to double check the interactions info before taking any new stuff.
On the labs side, eGFR values are getting me worried: 5 consecutive decreasing readings, I went from 97 to 78 in 2 years. Doc is apparently not worried but I looked online and average nr Is on the 90s for my age range. He’s a Thai dr, so I never know if he doesn’t worry on a scientific basis or due to his Thainess ;D
Hugs
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My doc eventually prescribed statins 1.5 years ago and my cholesterol went from double the upper limit to average values. In terms of pure numbers that’s amazing, not sure at what price it does come though ::)
Number of pills for different conditions is going up and up and now I have to double check the interactions info before taking any new stuff.
On the labs side, eGFR values are getting me worried: 5 consecutive decreasing readings, I went from 97 to 78 in 2 years. Doc is apparently not worried but I looked online and average nr Is on the 90s for my age range. He’s a Thai dr, so I never know if he doesn’t worry on a scientific basis or due to his Thainess ;D
Hugs
My eGFR readings have dropped to 64, apparently as long as it stays over 60 I am doing OK. I checked my medical results going back several years before I was HIV + and taking meds. Even when my blood creatinine levels were normal they still had me at stage 2 CKD. Just never bothered to tell me, like you say, either a bit of Thainess coming out or it really is not that important unless it gets worse. I did read up on it and found that unless there are any other issues, stage 2 CKD is not a worry.
I am trying to avoid additional pills, don't even take a vitamin pill now, just trying the natural route, so avoiding statins. Again the Doctor was not to bothered by the cholesterol, she pays more attention to the fasting glucose and possible diabetes issues.
On the unforgettable Latin theme, Floreat Sapientia is the one I cannot forget. My old school moto.
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Dave
Glad to hear things are well.
Medical practices are their policies around test results are a pain. My HIV clinic is more than happy to send my test results by SMS/text but my primary care physician/ GP insists on a second appointment to get results.
I'm a similar vintage to you and my doctor wants me to increase my exercise intensity, and have an off the scale cholesterol reading. If I can't get my cholesterol down by lifestyle then I may need to look at an ARV change.
Hugs and I hope things stay well with you
Thanks harleymc,
I did discuss a change of ARV's but my options here in Thailand are limited due to cost and my Doctor can't see a reason for it yet.
Dave
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My eGFR readings have dropped to 64, apparently as long as it stays over 60 I am doing OK. I checked my medical results going back several years before I was HIV + and taking meds. Even when my blood creatinine levels were normal they still had me at stage 2 CKD. Just never bothered to tell me, like you say, either a bit of Thainess coming out or it really is not that important unless it gets worse. I did read up on it and found that unless there are any other issues, stage 2 CKD is not a worry.
I am trying to avoid additional pills, don't even take a vitamin pill now, just trying the natural route, so avoiding statins. Again the Doctor was not to bothered by the cholesterol, she pays more attention to the fasting glucose and possible diabetes issues.
On the unforgettable Latin theme, Floreat Sapientia is the one I cannot forget. My old school moto.
I checked the creatinine: increased but still in the normal range. I will keep these numbers monitored from now on.
When I raised the question with Doc he said I may consider to switch to Genvoya, which is available at Red Cross at about 2600 bath/bottle and contains TAF instead of TDF. I will consider this anyways after reading some articles about TAF vs TDF, I’m not really sure if the switch is worth it: results seem controversial.
I also discovered, thanks to Expat, that generic Descovy is available at Pulse clinic in Bkk at about 85$/bottle. That may be another alternative (I’m on Edurant +generic Truvada). But as I said I’m not completely convinced by the studies.
I’d also avoid all the additional pills but unfortunately can not afford it: taking statins for extra high cholesterol, Cialis for BPH and ED and Bupropion for chronic depression (I tried almost everything: different talk therapies, meds, meditation). Besides, I have to take meds for asthma from time to time to keep it under control.
Months ago I started to have a sort of numbness to the fingers of both hands: same feeling like when you sleep on your arm but limited to the fingers. Again Doc shrugged and told me to it’s not related to ART or HIV but no clues on how follow up. Eventually I decided to keep it monitored.
Anyways, for now it seems I still manage to keep my pieces together. I was lucky enough to be infected in an age when effective ART are available.
“Memento audere semper”, something like “remember to dare always” (that may be not accurate, I’m notEnglish mother tongue)
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Hi Dave, great update and glad things are generally going well for you.
Best, Jim