POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Maestro on September 07, 2006, 05:58:36 pm
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Is there any relevance to the fact that my Uncle is 50 years and is HIV +? Is there any evidence to suggest the virus is more/less a problem in an older person versus a younger person?
Thanks
M
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You know Maestro, I don't really know. I do know that a number of our members here have exceeded the Nifty Fifty mark and seem to be doing rather well.
For old folk. ;)
MtD
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Hi M
I'm 58, was diagnosed when I was 54..the first 18 months were pretty bad, various things going on, trying to find the right meds etc, etc..but I have no complaints now, no health problems, numbers are good, and doing really well on my meds..3TC and Ziagen...i don't know if the age thing makes a difference or not to be honest with you, hopefully someone will have the answer for you.
Hugs
Jan :-*
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for older people on arv's, survival rate is the same. In studies - & there aren't too many of those, more please, research people - cd4 increase can be a bit less, but that's balanced with more people acheiving undetectable viral load (possibly cos of better pill-taking commitment)
tolerability/toxicity wise, meds can be a bit more of a problem, with the kidneys, liver etc. Hard for doctors to know, often, what is that person's natural ageing process, vs what is hiv related/caused?
couple of links, might be worth a look:
http://www.thebody.com/bp/dec04/aging.html (http://www.thebody.com/bp/dec04/aging.html)
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/67AD7FA8-3504-4006-9B1C-87BBAFC81939.asp (http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/67AD7FA8-3504-4006-9B1C-87BBAFC81939.asp)
kate
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Annie,
I don't mean to get personal here, but what kind of care do you take of yourself? My Uncle takes abosulute horrible care. Eats like crap, never exercises. It is encouraging that you are doing so well. Do you work out? Healthy diet?
I have tried to tell him that with his age, his numerous health issues, his many, many pills he takes; a healthy diet and some exercise would not be the worst thing to happen to him. I really think that since he has lived with HIV for 7 years, he has lost respect for what it can do to him.
I understand if you tell me to mind my own business!
Thanks,
M
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Hello ,
I am over 50. Soon to be 55, and HIV positive for 21 years. I have read that it can be difficult for older people to rebuild their t-cell count. I had thought I had read that from a reliable source. I am guessing a lot matters, at just where the individual started on medication, and where their t-cells were, at that point. Age has a normal effect on the immune system anyway...
Ray
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M.
Well I'm 56 and I started my meds (NOrivr, Reyetaz, Truvada) 3 years ago when my t-cells were 18. I've had a pretty good rebound. My CD4 is at 490 (30%) and VL is undetectable. Overall I'm in good health. But my Dr keeps a close check on all my vitals (liver, kidney, blood pressure, cholesterol, etc) and we've had to make a few adjustments but not many.
What is just as important to my health as the meds is exercise and good diet. Now I'm not on a macrobiotic diet or anything of the sort. But I do fix my own meals (meat, potatoes, beans, salads, souffles, etc) and they're pretty well balanced. I drink lots of liquids. Also I exercise, I row for an hour every day and walk the dogs constantly.
The meds will only go so far. You need to get your uncle off his ass and onto his feet some more. I'm not saying it's easy. It's not. Every moring it's a chore for me to get up out of bed. I'm depressed as hell. I dread the rowing. But it's the one thing that starts my day off right.
good luck.
I do know that a number of our members here have exceeded the Nifty Fifty mark and seem to be doing rather well.
thanks for the vote of confidence, matty!!
robert
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Hi M
Like Robert I don't do anything drastic, I try to be careful about what I eat, I don't eat fast foods, I drink as much water as I can take in, and the only excersise I get is around the farm and doing house work, that seems to keep me going..I do have regular checks for my LFT's and cholestrol...I don't drink (maybe the occasional one on holidays) but I do smoke, the one vice I admit to enjoying although I know it's not good for me.
Your Uncle needs to be motivated and that is not an easy task, I really don't know what would be best for him, if he isn't interested in helping himself there is not much we can do....just keep nagging at him maybe it will get through eventually.. ;)
I hope he gets on his feet soon.
Hugs
Jan :-*
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thanks for the vote of confidence, matty!!
Anytime doll! I feel about 97 myself at the moment. ;)
MtD
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It is my humble opinion age CAN be a factor and yet in some people we're just getting started
at fifty. I should know...I'm turning 50 again this month. :o (Shocking as it may be) ::) I must admit
however like Matty I often feel my age and older...Poor Matty. 97? She don't look a day over eighty.
It's not the years that gets you...its the mileage :P
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Hi Maestro,
Fifty Nine here, looking at the big 6 - 0 in January, and I don't feel a day over 50 on good days.
I think age has absolutely nothing to do with survival, or anything really. I think it is just like life, it is what you make it.
In Love and Support.
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54. Meds for 17 years. When I first found out I was +, and being told I only had a couple of years, I remember praying to stay alive to see my daughters in high school. They are seniors in college and women now. Wow.
No smokes, no alcohol, yoga, constant dieting, and exercise every day. Just came off a two month sugar binge after being off all carbs for 6 months. Fuck.
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You all make me feel so YOUNG!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
HUGS,
Mark
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Thank you all for the quick responses. I have tried EVERYTHING to get him motivated, but he refuses. I even bring his mail to him and we won't read any of the numerous magazines he gets. All he wants to do is watch TV and eat. (And not even eat all the time). I bought him a laptop, set up wireless internet, and still nothing. I would suggest this website but A) He would never visit and B) if he did and saw I was discussing this he would absolutely freak out!
His CD4 is in the 140 range, has been for a long time. His Viral Load was previously undetectable, but now is at 600. Is 600 high, low, insignifigant?
Thanks as always..
Maestro