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Author Topic: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!  (Read 10762 times)

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Offline smalltown66

  • Member
  • Posts: 73
HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« on: July 21, 2008, 11:10:06 am »
My HIV specialist sent me to an endocrinologist because I have been diagnosed with severe osteoporosis. Yeah great I'm just 42!! I have 3 compression fractures in my spine already. When I went for my Endocrine appointment, the doctor told me that with a lot of my other symptoms that she want to make sure that I may not have Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer that affects the bone.

Does any one no how well this can be treated in someone that is already HIV positive? From what I have read it sounds a little scary with chemo treatment and radiation therapy and all these other powerful meds? Will I be abe to fight it?

She has ordered a lot of test and I am waiting for the results to come back. I have been a nervous wreck.

As I read through post on here today I see alot of us going through alot of challenges. I feel selfish even taliking about mine. But I do know that it helps to talk to others. Let's all group all of our problems together and stand together to face these challanges

Put your troubles on my shoulder and I will help share  the burden of yours . Two or more carrying the burden will make the load much lighter.

I say a prayer for you all

Smalltown66
Lifting the weight of the world sure is easier with others with the same goal.

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2008, 12:18:00 pm »
Hi Smalltown.  I don't know anything about your specific issue with prospective problems with your endocrine appointment, but just wanted to encourage you to log on and chat more in this thread.  Please don't feel selfish talking about it, as it sure seems you have a lot on your plate right now, and I'm wishing you the best.

Seems there have been more studies lately showing bone/osteo issues in us long-term HIV treatment folks and/or from use of certain meds.  Osteo runs in my family too.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline AlanBama

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Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2008, 01:45:07 pm »
Hi smalltown, and welcome !

I know nothing about the disease you "might" have (and let's hope it isn't so) but I do know for a fact that YES, people with HIV can and do fight cancer and survive.   

Best of luck to you, and keep us posted on the findings.

hugs,
Alan
"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Offline BT65

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Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2008, 02:46:40 pm »
Hey Smalltown,

I really don't have any first-hand knowledge about multiple myeloma-let's hope that's not it.  Like Alan said, people with HIV can beat cancer. 

I hope we hear more from you.  You need to talk this through and we're (well, someone's) always here.  BTW, most of my family has osteoporosis.  My parents both had it.  It seems prevelant, like Philly said, in us long-timers who have been on certain meds.  I'm due to have a DEXA scan done pretty soon.

Anyway, I'll be thinking about you.  Keep your chin up! 
  Luv,
Betty
I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

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Offline sharkdiver

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,353
Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2008, 08:24:59 pm »
hey smalltown

my thoughts are with ya,

Sharkie

Offline atlq

  • Member
  • Posts: 518
Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2008, 08:27:52 pm »
Smalltown,

You have nothing to feel selfish about. Keep talking, we are here...
“Keep up the good work....   And God bless you.”
  --  Sarah Palin, to members of the Alaskan Independence Party, 2008

Offline OneTampa

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  • "Butterflies are free."
Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2008, 08:36:13 pm »
Small town,

Don't you ever feel selfish for a nanosecond!  Of all the places to come, this is right one.

Warmest wishes to you.

Take care.
"He is my oldest child. The shy and retiring one over there with the Haitian headdress serving pescaíto frito."

Offline aztecan

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  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2008, 12:21:29 am »
Hey Smalltown,

First, I am sorry you are going through all these tests for multiple myeloma. While I'm not familiar with that particular cancer, I have known quite a few of us long-termers who have managed to fight off the big C while continuing to live with HIV.

So, don't give up the ship. Like Alan, I hope it turns out to be just another set of tests,.

The osteo issue is one that is becoming more worrisome as time goes by for us long-termers. Like hyperlipidemia, it seems there are times we are damned if we do and damned if we don't, pardon the expression.

But I do heartily agree with the others - don't ever be ashamed or afraid to post about what's going on in your life.

All of us let it all hang out from time to time.

You are absolutely correct when you said,
Quote
Let's all group all of our problems together and stand together to face these challenges

Put your troubles on my shoulder and I will help share  the burden of yours . Two or more carrying the burden will make the load much lighter.

That is why we are here

HUGS,

Mark
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline edfu

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,090
Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2008, 04:34:06 am »
I've been diagnosed with osteopenia, the forerunner of osteoporosis.  Doctor has put me on calcium +Vitamin D
(Citracal--non-prescription).  He attributes it to my age (65) or to longtime HIV infection (25 years) or to my HAART drugs (Trizivir and then Sustiva + Combivir) or to my smoking.  Luckily, I don't have any symptoms, however.  I must remember to ask him why he thought to have me tested. 
"No one will ever be free so long as there are pestilences."--Albert Camus, "The Plague"

"Mankind can never be free until the last brick in the last church falls on the head of the last priest."--Voltaire

Offline Nancy

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  • No one belongs in jail for a Plant!!!
    • The Human Solution International
Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2008, 04:10:17 am »
Like Alan said, people with HIV can beat cancer

Like Alan said, HIV and cancer is not a death sentence.  I'm here as proof.  Granted mine could rear it's ugly head again if my HIV takes control of my body again (mine is from HPV).   But I've gone thru a 4 surgeries, quarterly biopsies, annual Cat Scans and X-rays, 8 weeks of daily radiation treatments, and 5 years later, I'm still here to talk about it  :o.

The doctors won't put you thru more then your body can handle
Deborah Cadigan-Little
Diagnosed Oct 1993
Member since Sept 2002
Meds Dec 2003

Offline AlanBama

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  • Alabama: the 'other' 3rd World Country!
Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2008, 10:00:35 am »
That's our Nancy --   She's a SURVIVOR in every sense of the word.

Love you honey,

Alan
"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Offline smalltown66

  • Member
  • Posts: 73
Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #11 on: July 24, 2008, 09:01:21 am »
Great words of encouragement from all of you!
Thanks for taking the time to listen to others problems.
I want to be more involved in this group and more helpful to others also.
This is a very nice place to share our concerns, successes and just enjoyment of one another

Thanks, Hugs and Kisses

Smalltown66
Lifting the weight of the world sure is easier with others with the same goal.

Offline jesen

  • New Member
  • Posts: 1
Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #12 on: August 15, 2008, 12:21:15 pm »
Hi Smalltown
I am very concern about your problem maybe you can check this herbal medicine at http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chris_Teo,_Ph.D.
 

Offline BT65

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  • Posts: 10,786
Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #13 on: August 15, 2008, 12:32:28 pm »
Hi Smalltown
I am very concern about your problem maybe you can check this herbal medicine at http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chris_Teo,_Ph.D.
 

Before anyone uses herbal medicine, they should check with their doctor.  Some herbals can have some extremely nasty side effects.
I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Condom and Lube Info https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/safer-sex
Please check out our lessons on PEP and PrEP. https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/pep-prep

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/treatmentasprevention-tasp

Offline lipoenvy

  • Member
  • Posts: 62
Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #14 on: August 15, 2008, 07:58:05 pm »
Wow, that's a lot to be hit with in a short time.

I have osteoporosis in one hip and osteopenia in the other and in my spine.  Fosamax and resistance exercise have halted the deterioration but so far they haven't reversed it.  I'm 55.

It can be very worrisome when changes seem to be coming fast and furious.  I hope you can take both the osteoporosis and the tests for cancer one step at a time.

lipoenvy

*******************************
"So I'm sitting on the bus and three little old ladies up front start talking about their health, and then about how it's impossible to get health insurance with a pre-existing condition.  And then I realize:  I have become one of those little old ladies."
--Karl Baecker

Offline smalltown66

  • Member
  • Posts: 73
Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #15 on: August 17, 2008, 02:59:39 pm »
I have good news everyone!!! All my lab tests came back good. I have been waiting quite a while on the serum electrophoresis and the urine protein electrophoresis tests. They came back with no sigh of multiple myeloma. Cancer free!!!

My diagnosis now is just severe osteoporosis.  I have started Forteo a daily injection to build bone and will take this for 2 years.

Thanks for being there when I was so upset.  You all are so much support. Thanks for all the responses. I Cherish them all.


Smalltown66
Lifting the weight of the world sure is easier with others with the same goal.

Offline BT65

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  • Posts: 10,786
Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #16 on: August 17, 2008, 06:37:54 pm »
Smalltown, that's great news about you being cancer-free.  Hurrah! 

Taking a daily injection for the osteoporosis doesn't sound like much fun, but I know it's better than the alternative.  Good luck.
I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Condom and Lube Info https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/safer-sex
Please check out our lessons on PEP and PrEP. https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/pep-prep

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/treatmentasprevention-tasp

Offline aztecan

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: HIV and Cancer! Help I'm Scared!
« Reply #17 on: August 23, 2008, 12:17:09 pm »
Hey Smalltown,

That is fantastic news about being cancer free!  ;D ;D ;D

The osteoporosis is a pain, but sounds a bit better than what you feared might happen.

I am delighted for you.

HUGS,

Mark
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

 


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