Climbing to Kilimanjaro

[LifeIsGoodForMe]

Maybe an off-the-wall question, but I'm wondering if any long term survivor with undetectable level challenged him- or herself climbing Kilimanjaro? I have been steadily progressing through previous altitudes, but this one is a different story when it comes to body impact. Also, if any doctors are reading this post, could you share your opinion whether you would recommend your patients to do it... (I'm planning to chat to mine in any way). Thank you all for reading and have a wonderful day.

[leatherman]

Welcome.

What's your cd4/vl counts and how long have you been on meds?

It sounds like you're in good health , and as long as you've been UD for a while, besides making sure you have access to meds while in your travels, I can't imagine why suppressed HIV would make a difference. But of course check with your doctor for a definitive answer.

While I prefer roller coasters, and recently saw lawn mower racing and think I'd love that, I'll stick to swimming pools and leave the mountains to you.

[Diagnosedat50]

As leatherman said, I see no reason why you shouldn’t go for it as long as you are otherwise healthy and medically cleared.

BTW, I found this link about someone with HIV who accomplished what you’re contemplating.

https://reuters.screenocean.com/record/293623

[Towel]

The nurses at my treatment facility I should refrain from very extensive workouts and try to not do things that are very demanding physically. That probably applies here, although I don't know if it's a serious rule or just something they say out of carefulness.

[LifeIsGoodForMe]

Welcome.

What's your cd4/vl counts and how long have you been on meds?

It sounds like you're in good health , and as long as you've been UD for a while, besides making sure you have access to meds while in your travels, I can't imagine why suppressed HIV would make a difference. But of course check with your doctor for a definitive answer.

While I prefer roller coasters, and recently saw lawn mower racing and think I'd love that, I'll stick to swimming pools and leave the mountains to you.

Thank you, leatherman, for your reply. I promise not to mess your sand box (lawn mowing 😜) if you don't mine 😘... Unfortunately, I don't know my CD4 count. In the UK they don't routinely measure it for UD patients. I suppose, when I speak to my doctor, I can ask him, but our doctors say this test expensive and the vital itself is not important. 🤷‍♂️  I have been on meds since 1996, UD since 1997.

[LifeIsGoodForMe]

As leatherman said, I see no reason why you shouldn’t go for it as long as you are otherwise healthy and medically cleared.

BTW, I found this link about someone with HIV who accomplished what you’re contemplating.

https://reuters.screenocean.com/record/293623

Thank you, Diagnosedat50, for the link. An inspiring story 🙏😇

I am healthy. I don't smoke, I don't do drugs of any kind and I don't drink alcohol. Gym, sports and good eating. Pretty much pickling myself to live until I'm 100 😁😉

 

[LifeIsGoodForMe]

The nurses at my treatment facility I should refrain from very extensive workouts and try to not do things that are very demanding physically. That probably applies here, although I don't know if it's a serious rule or just something they say out of carefulness.

Interesting... is this a blank type of advice? Or personal for you? I'd probably sought an independent advice. Or maybe to speak to a doctor))) or maybe clarify what they mean by extensive)))

[Diagnosedat50]

The reply mentioned by the nurses Towel talked about seems generalized, possibly geared towards those without a background or history in strenuous physical activity.

I was DXed in late 2019 (a late DX, as someone who had avoided any sort of HIV testing). But before that, I had an extensive background in endurance-type training, having run 36 marathons between 2010 and 2018. I asked about getting back to regular running after the DX, and my doctor said that I was good to continue once I was feeling good again. Though I haven’t run a marathon officially since my DX (thanks to COVID shutdowns and the demands of balancing grad school and my job), I am currently training for my first one in over 5 years. I have the blessing and encouragement of my primary care physician and my infectious disease specialist.

So my unprofessional opinion is that if you’re healthy and sufficiently prepared for the demands of climbing Kilimanjaro, go for it!

[harleymc]

Go for it!

I'm regretting the things I didn't do when I was younger.

With global heating, there may not be many years of the snow cap left.

[leatherman]

So my unprofessional opinion is that if you’re healthy and sufficiently prepared for the demands of climbing Kilimanjaro, go for it!

I totally concur with this opinion!

I have been on meds since 1996, UD since 1997.
. . .
Pretty much pickling myself to live until I'm 100

Ah! This info makes me agree even more. I've been on meds since 92. With a similar constitution to my GrandMother, I'm expecting I'll live to at least the 104yrs that she made it. Not bad for a long term survivor who was expected to die a few times back in the late 90s, if I do day so myself.

Even though it took 15 yrs for me to reach UD and get much over 250 cd4s, here I am at 61 looking a lot better and a helluva lot more active that most of my age peers that I meet. Healthy, sporty, eating well without alcohol or drugs? I can't imagine why you couldn't climb a mountain if that's what you want to do.

Heck! Wasn't that one of the things I used to complain about ARV ads back in the late 90s - early 00s? I used to hate all those actors rock climbing, skiing, being all sporty. Nobody was that healthy on AZT, Norvir, or Sustiva. Now though, at the gym, I'm running the treadmill while all the other "old people" (fricking 50 years olds) look like somebody's grandparents slowly trudging at a snail's pace for a few minutes.

The nurses at my treatment facility I should refrain from very extensive workouts and try to not do things that are very demanding physically.

I read that you've been on meds for 5 yrs. but I don't think you ever mentioned your cd4s or VL from you diagnosis. Were you very sick then and has that left you in the situation of taking longer to recover? That could be why they advised you to not over do it. Or perhaps are you on an antibiotic? Some antibiotics have been associated with tendon rupture. I've been dealing with a recurring prostate infection over the last 6yrs. and have to be more cautious about strenuous activities while taking Cipro. (I jog instead of run the treadmill for a couple of weeks. LOL)

Just like my advice to LifeIsGood, you know your body better than anyone, have the opinions of others in similar situations, and the advice of your healthcare providers, if you feel like you can do certain activities then do them. You only get one life and if you want to enjoy it, then by all means get out there and do it.

[LifeIsGoodForMe]

The reply mentioned by the nurses Towel talked about seems generalized, possibly geared towards those without a background or history in strenuous physical activity.

I was DXed in late 2019 (a late DX, as someone who had avoided any sort of HIV testing). But before that, I had an extensive background in endurance-type training, having run 36 marathons between 2010 and 2018. I asked about getting back to regular running after the DX, and my doctor said that I was good to continue once I was feeling good again. Though I haven’t run a marathon officially since my DX (thanks to COVID shutdowns and the demands of balancing grad school and my job), I am currently training for my first one in over 5 years. I have the blessing and encouragement of my primary care physician and my infectious disease specialist.

So my unprofessional opinion is that if you’re healthy and sufficiently prepared for the demands of climbing Kilimanjaro, go for it!

We all have different inspirations in life. People like you inspire me!!! Best of luck with your preparations and on the day! Come back to this community and tell us how you did)) I'm sure I won't be the only one who will cheer for you, mate 🤗

[LifeIsGoodForMe]

Go for it!

I'm regretting the things I didn't do when I was younger.

With global heating, there may not be many years of the snow cap left.

Thank you! Disappearing glacier is exactly why I moved up my plan to go for it to the next year, rather than waiting until 2025. I'm not young anymore 😉 either, but I won't get any younger, right? 😇

[LifeIsGoodForMe]

Ah! This info makes me agree even more. I've been on meds since 92. With a similar constitution to my GrandMother, I'm expecting I'll live to at least the 104yrs that she made it. Not bad for a long term survivor who was expected to die a few times back in the late 90s, if I do day so myself.

Even though it took 15 yrs for me to reach UD and get much over 250 cd4s, here I am at 61 looking a lot better and a helluva lot more active that most of my age peers that I meet. Healthy, sporty, eating well without alcohol or drugs? I can't imagine why you couldn't climb a mountain if that's what you want to do.

Heck! Wasn't that one of the things I used to complain about ARV ads back in the late 90s - early 00s? I used to hate all those actors rock climbing, skiing, being all sporty. Nobody was that healthy on AZT, Norvir, or Sustiva. Now though, at the gym, I'm running the treadmill while all the other "old people" (fricking 50 years olds) look like somebody's grandparents slowly trudging at a snail's pace for a few minutes.

You are making a great point, mate, maybe we were forced into a healthy lifestyle, but at the end it might be making us healthier than we could have been otherwise, and probably with a happier outlook on our lives))) so very happy to hear about your experiences 🤗🤗😘 the important thing is not to give up! Life gives us so many chances to be happy whatever were choose to do to fulfill our lives

[leatherman]

maybe we were forced into a healthy lifestyle, but at the end it might be making us healthier than we could have been otherwise, and probably with a happier outlook on our lives

I've done a lot of work with the Ryan White Quality Management programs in North and South Carolina, and keep abreast of a lot of data. PLWH are actually living longer and healthier lives than many of their peer groups because they have better access and more frequent access to health care. Not to mention, for some of us that "touch of aids" is often a wake up moment in not only living more healthy but having a better outlook on life. One of my two pieces of advice is always, "Any day you're NOT in the hospital, not matter how terrible the day, is still a GREAT day." It's hard not to have a better life with a better outlook. Hmmm. maybe I have three pieces of advice, but this one applies to PLWH, "Dealing successfully with HIV takes a positive (pardon the pun) attitude"

[Towel]

The reply mentioned by the nurses Towel talked about seems generalized, possibly geared towards those without a background or history in strenuous physical activity.

So my unprofessional opinion is that if you’re healthy and sufficiently prepared for the demands of climbing Kilimanjaro, go for it!

It could be a generalized advice. I am not sure why they said that, but it was a few years ago and it just stayed with me and comes to my mind sometimes, because I do try to work out 2-3 times a week. Mostly weightlifting.

I read that you've been on meds for 5 yrs. but I don't think you ever mentioned your cd4s or VL from you diagnosis. Were you very sick then and has that left you in the situation of taking longer to recover? That could be why they advised you to not over do it. Or perhaps are you on an antibiotic? Some antibiotics have been associated with tendon rupture.

Just like my advice to LifeIsGood, you know your body better than anyone, have the opinions of others in similar situations, and the advice of your healthcare providers, if you feel like you can do certain activities then do them. You only get one life and if you want to enjoy it, then by all means get out there and do it.

I don't understand those numbers very much sadly (cd4/VL), neither what they mean  . When I am at the doctor they always say that "all the numbers are good" and that I am undetectable, but they no longer give me that paper with the different values. They used to in the past, but not anymore. I was not on antibiotics any time when I went to my HIV doctor, so I am not sure why they told me to not work too hard. Mayhe just general advice. But I do try to be active and build the body.

One of my questions about that is if it's okay to consume protein powder while also taking the HIV medication, but no one seems to know the definitive answer to that.

[Jim Allen]

Maybe an off-the-wall question, but I'm wondering if any long term survivor with undetectable level challenged him- or herself climbing Kilimanjaro? I have been steadily progressing through previous altitudes, but this one is a different story when it comes to body impact. Also, if any doctors are reading this post, could you share your opinion whether you would recommend your patients to do it... (I'm planning to chat to mine in any way). Thank you all for reading and have a wonderful day.

My HIV clinic always recommends more exercise; Not into climbing, but I used to go hiking frequently, including hiking trips that lasted days but stopped due to leg issues in recent years.

No blanket restrictions or recommendations are against being active whilst living with HIV. It's pretty much like our HIV-negative peers down to your own health and fitness level, something to discuss with your healthcare provider beforehand.

I can't say I have heard of any LTS going up Kilimanjaro, know of someone from the local NGO going up a few years back to raise funds for HIV Ireland but that's about it.

Anyhow, best of luck.

[leatherman]

I can't say I have heard of any LTS going up Kilimanjaro, know of someone from the local NGO going up a few years back to raise funds for HIV Ireland but that's about it.

Anyhow, best of luck.

And while I have no yearnings to be climbing any mountains (I'm a beach kind of guy), I wish you the best of luck with your planning and trip. Now that you've peeked our interest, definitely keep us updated on how everything goes.