How long can I expect to Live?

[den2542]

Question similar. If I take my meds as prescribed and knowing I was Poz since 93 and now 55 yrs old and never had an OI. How long can I live for. Last night was was worried bc I was thinking about that. I mean do HIV people live to a ripe age now. What's it in layman's terms?

[Jim Allen]

Well nobody has can predict an individuals life expectancy and looking at studies and data it seems to be a questions of cutting out the bad habits that effect us, such as smoking has a profound larger impact on HIV positive people health outcomes and we already know how devastating it is to the general population.

No point loosing sleep over this one, if you want to live longer go with the tried and tested, cut out bad habits and look after yourself, below I've included some relevant and modern studies on this topic.

Jim

https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=66309.msg726734#msg726734
Another study showing early treatment, and outcome improvements. Interesting is they did take the different era post ART into account. (1996 - 2000's & 2010's) and than the overall estimated life expectancy improvements between the times.

https://www.poz.com/article/life-expectancy-24972-2090 (With treatment)
Life Expectancy for Young People With HIV Is Nearly Normal

https://www.poz.com/article/modern-progress-hiv-treatment-care-likely-adds-decade-life
the average age of death for a 20-year-old starting ARVs with a CD4 count greater than 350 during 2008 to 2010 was 78 years.

Life expectancy in older people with HIV could EXCEED the average – as long as ART keeps working
http://www.aidsmap.com/Life-expectancy-in-older-people-with-HIV-could-exceed-the-average-as-long-as-ART-keeps-working/page/2551483/#item2551485

START study shows that people starting HIV treatment earlier have better quality of life
http://www.aidsmap.com/START-study-shows-that-people-starting-HIV-treatment-earlier-have-better-quality-of-life/page/3041727/

http://www.aidsmap.com/Life-expectancy-in-HIV-positive-people-in-the-US-still-lags-13-years-behind-HIV-negative-people/page/3040314/
Now the headline is 13 years however the devil is in the detail as this 1 study is not taking other life factors into account and when they do take this into account could only find found a 5 year difference, not 13 as the the headline and intro says, now they also did not factor in all the risks and reasons, they looked at 1996-97 and 2011.  I don't live in the past things change, i can reduce my risks and who is to say i could be hit by a bus in the morning or perhaps not.  So overall its very interesting but something to read and than move on. 

[harleymc]

Well I'm older than my father's age when he kicked it, but his death wasn't from natural causes. and my mum was 28 years older than I am now so, I'll try outliving her.

I've worked hard on cutting my risk factors, I don't smoke, my BMI is 23 and I get regular exercise, there is no reason why I shouldn't outlive my mum.

[CaveyUK]

With modern treatments there is every chance of living as long as you would do if you were negative.

Of course how long that will be will be different for everyone for a multitude of reasons, and as mentioned there are certain factors that can improve outcomes for folk living with HIV.