POZ Community Forums

Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Lipodystrophy & Metabolic Problems => Topic started by: newbie05 on August 18, 2009, 10:31:35 pm

Title: Is wasting a true precurssor to death?
Post by: newbie05 on August 18, 2009, 10:31:35 pm

Is HIV/AIDS wasting a sign that possible death is around the corner?

Title: Re: Is wasting a true precurssor to death?
Post by: mecch on August 18, 2009, 10:43:35 pm

Wouldnt that depend on the person's history of HIV+ and treatment options?

Title: Re: Is wasting a true precurssor to death?
Post by: Giblarry on August 19, 2009, 01:23:08 pm

Quote from: newbie05 on August 18, 2009, 10:31:35 pm

Is HIV/AIDS wasting a sign that possible death is around the corner?

Not necessarily.  My wasting of the mid 90's was a harbinger of iminent death, which as you can see, didn't happen. 

I've had a couple other incidents since.  Wasting is tough to get a handle on, but it can be done.  A qualified nutritionist schooled in HIV would help a lot. 

Good luck,
Gib

Title: Re: Is wasting a true precurssor to death?
Post by: minismom on August 19, 2009, 07:27:57 pm

Mim has been poz for 9yrs (as of 8/30) and  is in the throws of a wasting episode (?)  Her liver is involved and she may have some malabsorption issues.  But, she's far from on her death bed.

Mum

Title: Re: Is wasting a true precurssor to death?
Post by: Giblarry on August 21, 2009, 02:09:43 pm

Quote from: minismom on August 19, 2009, 07:27:57 pm

Mim has been poz for 9yrs (as of 8/30) and  is in the throws of a wasting episode (?)  Her liver is involved and she may have some malabsorption issues.  But, she's far from on her death bed.

Mum

Very cool, Mum.

I didn't mean to imply that Mim is on a deathbed.  But you did form the question in that way.

The liver, in this storm within which we find ourselves, is more often the culprit than most doctors would tell you.  The liver processes most of our nutrient intake and is, therefore, affecting how we absorb.  This is proven by the fact that nearly all HIVers have chloresterol and/or triglycerides problems.  Some people have perennially low chloresterol on these meds, and that too, is a signal, though it doesn't seem to be a dangerous one.  Just a warning that the liver may not be doing it's job entirely.  It may be rebound respond and work unnecessarily hard.  I have no data on this, just a hunch formed through long observation.

So, besides the usual admonitions about coffee (tea is an acceptable replacement) and alcohol, what we eat is extremely important.  Specifically carbohydrates.  I suggest you school yourself on the good and bad carbs and how they interact with other foods we ingest. 
The simple regimen of following a diabetic diet has eased my wasting in a way I hadn't heretofore experienced.  Quel surprise!

Very best,
Gib