What "Alternative" treatments have helped you in some way?

[JamieD]

I guess I wanted to start this thread for people to share what things have worked for them for their HIV and it's related problems.

Example: I am not bipolar, however, my doctor prescribed me Lithium ER for HIV related fatigue and it worked wonders. Miracles even. I have tried Ritalin and Provigil and neither helped even a little bit but 5 days after I started taking Lithium the fatigue completely disappeared. And if I stop taking it for a few days the fatigue comes back. There are no clinical trials to back this up, but there is no way in hell I would go off of the Lithium.
I also see a neurologist, and he told me that people with HIV have a lot of "over activity" going on in their heads (brain/CNS area) and that lithium down regulates this. Is this backed up by scientific evidence? No, but it works and I don't have any side effects from such a low dose of Lithium.

What else?

[AustinWesley]

Hey Jamie,

I've never heard of lithium for treating lethargy, but I now want to ask about it because I feel that's my number one problem with HIV.   

There were some trials going on with Depakote and HIV.   Not heard anything recently, but as I recall the theory came about because some epileptic people who were taking it were long term survivors and some researchers feel there's a link and possible benefit.  It's also prescribed for various mood disorders.

Personally, I've tried both massage and acupuncture.   I haven't been doing either lately because the meds really bumped me back up and I didn't feel the need to try the holistic stuff anymore.   I can't say they benefited me other than reducing stress and I rather enjoyed both.   I don't feel they can harm anyone so why not give em a whirl?

For a while I changed my diet drastically and that seemed to help some.   I was avoiding as much processed food as possible, but I have not been too great at adhering to that lately ; )

Interesting topic and personal story.   

Wesley

[DCGUY2007]

What has helped me is exercise. There are many times I have been tired then go to the gym for just a little bit or take a walk or  go cycling and afterwards I am totally energized. 

[BT65]

What Austin and DCguy offerred are both great suggestions.  I love massage and acupuncture.  I believe that if we can keep stress down, our immune systems will improve.  I started exercising when I quit smoking, and it does do wonders for energy levels.  I've never heard of using Lithium for lethargy either, but, hey, I don't discount it either.  My doctor just switched my antidepressants from Celexa to Effexor because of my lack of concentration.  I can't have that when I'm going to school.  Things are found out probably almost every day about what medications can do for people.  If you find any medical evidence about the Lithium, please let me know.

I haven't had acupuncture done in years, but I remember the last time I did have it done, I felt a high for a couple hours after it was finished.  I haven't had a massage done in awhile, but that's mainly because I can't afford these things all the time.  If I could, I would be doing them both regularly because of all the benefits they have.  I agree, you should try them. 

[emeraldize]

Jamie

Although this deals with the health of the mind (which is key in my opinion to dealing with HIV and life) I can recommend NET (Neuro Emotional Technique) whether the practitioner is a licensed psychologist or a certified NET practitioner it is highly beneficial. Look it up by Googling it as I don't want to write a lengthy post.

It works.

Em

[sacinsc]

I am bipolar and take 900mg of Lithuim a day and I am desperate to get off it. When it builds up in your blood one of the biggest side effects is are bad hand tremors. I look like a drug addict all the time and my students ask me about it. He prescribed a beta blocker to help, but it doesnt really. He is moving me S L O W L Y onto Lamictal but you cannot take it with Depakote ( I took that for 7 years) it causes a deadly rash, and if you start taking to quickly with a high milligram it can cause the rash, but only in about less than 1% of the people who have taken it, and most were on depakote at the time. The lithium does absolutely NOTHING for be being lethargic. I am starting now to try some herbal stuff like green tea and ginko and B12 I was told today was good for energy, its whats in most of those energy pills. All of the B vitamins are supposed to give you energy so I take them in the morning. I have had good success with them keeping me going all day, but about 5 I crash. I dont drink coffee or soft drinks though. I do drink a gaterade during the day at work, eat an apple too. Oh and my little chug of 2% chocolate milk I take the supplements with.

Hope this helps

Matt