Injectable Update...

Both these, 1 & 2, are about the results in a study over Gilead's & ViiV's  2-drug, once monthly injection for HIV.   The injection consists of Cabotegravir, a new, long lasting med & Rilpivirine.  The 1st drug is a manufactured by Gilead & ViiV, the 2nd by Gilead & Johnson & Johnson.  

The article states the injection has suppression rates as good as  3 med oral regimens.  They specifically mentioned Triumeq.  I'm sure there will be complications with the injection & possible interactions, it's a medication.  But if not too severe, this could be a game changer for a lot of people.   It would make filing insurance simpler.  It's a lot easier to remember a once monthly shot as compared to a daily pill.  This could be big.

Cya...

Still Here Mostly...

So far, Fall light levels aren't getting to me too badly.  I feel it.  I know it's there.   The biggest problem with this isn't the weird emotions or even the increased exhaustion, it's the anxiety.   

When this is hitting, my mind races through every thing that could go wrong.  This anxiety isn't about monsters or fantasies, it's about real possibilities.  What if?  There's only so much I can do in preparation for any of it & past that I'm at a loss. 

S.A.D. picks at your rationality & the defenses you've built.   It taunts you to see how little you've actually done & how things are mostly hopeless.   The problem here is, it's partly right.  This situation is like reality on steroids.  Every bad thing not only can happen, it will happen.  Then it will all fall down

I'm making it into November & I've managed so far.  That's better than last year.  I lost this battle in late September then.   I can't say I'll make it through all the dark months, but I'm trying & I do have some strategies to get past the darker moments.   That's all I can do for now.

Take care.

Cya..

Sluggish...

It's been warm the past couple of days.  But, the light levels are shifting & by Sunday the time change will be here.   Fall leaves me sluggish in the morning no matter how I feel the rest of the day.   It's the leight change & some of it is usually dehydration.   Sleeping with any level of blankets dries me out.  Another reason I'm not a fan of this season.   I'm trying to get around, we have to go shopping.

Take care.

Cya...

Last October Sunday...

October has sped by.  I'm not sure why.  I feel like we just got here.   I'm trying to stay more here & now.  It doesn't always work.  But this month has left me wondering, where was I when all these days passed?  

So far, I'm doing better with the light levels.  I still feel it creeping up on me.  The anxiousness & weird distance from things.  But, I can handle it for now.   I'm trying to stay involved with things more than I did last year.   I know if I don't I could easily retreat & all this could get worse.  

I have stuff  to handle this week.  Nothing big.  Then bills will start all over again.  Halloween is on Wednesday & the time change is the following Sunday.  How did we get here so fast?

Cya..

Viral Rebound...

I take issue with U + U, undetectable equals untransmittable.  I have no problem with the concept in a controlled setting.  There are issues with it in day to day life.  At times, medicines fail or resistances develop.  At best most "undetectable" people  have  blood work every 3 - 6 months.   There's a lot of wiggle room in their to be sure of U = U.

This article doesn't specifically deal with this, but it's close enough to cause concern.  This piece deals with how quickly the virus's numbers rebound in patient's blood & semen.  These patients were monitored for suppression for 36 weeks, with regular labs.  The final labs while on the meds were at week 32 & 36.  Then the men were taken off the meds for 12 weeks.  

The study tested how quickly the virus would rebound in case of a regimen interruption.   In some cases the rebound was as early as week 38.  2 weeks was all it took in some cases.  Now this was a small study, but to 80% of these men rebounded quickly.  2 weeks could be well before the patient's next blood test.  That would leave plenty of time to transmit the virus to someone else while the patient thought they were undetectable, therefore untransmittable. 

Take care.

Cya...

Seasonal Swing...

The weather has been all over the place.  A few nights ago we dropped to the upper 30s, tomorrow we may almost hit 80.  It's been wet & everyone's finishing yard work, so allergens are plentiful.  Light levels have been erratic. 

The weird weather & light levels are catching up with people.  I hear a lot of people talking about how they feel off this time of year.  I wonder if S.A.D. is more common than once thought. 

Seasonal shifts can change everything from how you "feel" to causing issues with your skin, ENT, eyes, digestion, etc...   If you're dealing with S.A.D., Fall might not be this glorious season of changing colors & pies.   It might just be the gateway into a gloomy, dismal, wet hell.  Enjoy.

Take care & be kind to yourselves.

Cya...

Not All The Same...

An issue for people living with chronic illness, is that no 2 are the same.  I can  have a day where I feel relatively good, then another where I don't.  I can have stretches where life is hard & I don't feel up to doing anything.  I really never know until it's happening exactly how I'll feel at any given moment.

People living with chronic, often "invisible" illnesses other than HIV, are most likely having just as varied days.  Varied for themselves.  Different from others with the same illness.

I can't stand it when people say having HIV won't have that big of an impact on your life.   That's a lie.  Even if your health doesn't bottom out.  Even if you don't face stigma.  Even if you evade every other aspect HIV, there will be those you don't.  The financial part alone is massive.   Just because HIV hasn't affected your life "significantly" yet, just wait.  HIV is forever & it can wait.  You have no idea how things will pan out later.

My life with HIV is not like someone's who was diagnosed & treated earlier than me.  It's not like someone who started with better doctors, more aware of the virus than I did.  It's not the same as someone who started on modern meds instead of some of the dinosaurs I had in the beginning.   My life isn't theirs.  They may have better resources, react differently to meds, have more support, the list goes on.

No 2 people living with any chronic illness will live the same life.  Each will be filled with different choices, options, reactions, downfalls...  I hope all those living well with HIV can continue to do so, but that wasn't my reality.   I wish the best for them, but that doesn't mean they weren't affected, it just means they haven't accepted that part or understood it yet.  They will & that will be a hard day for them.

Take care.

Cya...

Revisit IV HIV Article...

This is going to be brief.  Not feeling this well & this article is a good read.  It goes over the ongoing HIV surge in Kentucky & Ohio. Something that's been happening for several years.   It also give links to other articles over surges in other US cities related to IV drug use, especially heroin.

Cya...

Dry Morning...

Not in the best place yet today.  I woke up dehydrated.  The weather is doing a seesaw with temps.  I either have too many or too few covers on at night.  Too few & I shiver, too many leaves feeling like a raisin. 

I'll be OK in a couple of hours, once I drink a lot of liquids & eat.  For now, I sort of feel like crap.  I hate Fall/Winter.   Is it going to cool, cold or frigid?

That's all for now.  I feel too much like 1 of the dinosaur pills you put in water right now to do more.  I need to find a tub to dive into to replump.

Cya..

Hazy Morning...

It's a very hazy morning.  I hate these kind of mornings.  They limit the light that should be waking me up.  What light that does get through, makes a weird glow that's really hard on the eyes.  Last night was a lot cooler, it's supposed to warm up a bit.  I hope it melts away this haze.  

Have some errands to run, so this is it for now.  Take care.

Cya...

2Fer...

This 1st piece is somewhat recognition then acceptance of the idea that PrEP is leading to a rise of STI's other than HIV among it's user current & post.  PrEP does nothing to aid in preventing other STI's & condoms aren't being pushed.  But, some people feel having a incurable, resistant STI is still better than HIV. Perhaps they should study the topic further.

The 2nd article is more depressing.  It's about the day to day struggles of being a long term survivor & older.  Read the article, but these some main points:

• 60%+ suffer with depression, anxiety & PTSD
• Almost 50% have neuropathy
• 50% have fatigue & other comorbidities
• 25% lack income, 7% lack permanent housing
• Up a 25% lack people for any kind of support

This is a group of aging + people.  They didn't expect to survive.  They suffer from a host of HIV related issues & those of aging.  Many don't have enough resources to even secure food consistently.  The article is a must read for those unfamiliar with the topic.

CYa...

3rd Saturday Morning In October...

Surprisingly after another full day of light rain & drear, this morning is bright & sunny.  I have no idea how long it will last.  While it's here, I plan on enjoying it.  So far, I'm doing better than last year with the light situation.  It's also not been nearly as grim as it was last year.  

We've come up with some ideas of helping ourselves through the Winter this year.  I think they'll help.  Like buying a dog bed for me to stick my feet on throughout the cold months.  Our floor is always frigid during the Winter.

That's about it for today.  Take care.

Cya...

Transplant Revisit...

This article is about a HIV+ donor's kidney being transplanted into an HIV+ recipient.   The process has been in the works for years.  I've blogged about this before & some of the matters leading up to this.  This is a fairly big deal.  Read the article.

Cya...

Fall Weather Yuck...

It's mid October & the windows are closed.  The seasonal prep has been handled.  Too bad, once the doors & windows close for the season, so do my sinuses.  Stuffy air is hard for me.  My sinuses get congested & I get an annoying cough.   There are aches & sneezing, often leading to nosebleeds.   Covers, socks & stale air leave me dehydrated & feeling off.  So my breathing, sinuses & skin will suck until Spring.  Joy.

Take care.

Cya...

Guidelines...

This article is about updated guidelines for the treatment of HIV.   It doesn't alter much from the previous years.  It does stress the use of  1 a day regimens to increase adherence.  

The main point that's different than when I was diagnosed is the push for immediate treatment after diagnosis.   I can see the point, but I also know that some people can live for over a decade & not see any significant change in their health.  I realize those people are rare.  But, I think I'd want to wait until the virus was actually impacting my well being, before taking meds that would alter everything about my life, health & body. 

The problem with guidelines like these with people like me is that we're suspicious.   The doctor's very approach is suspect.  If they don't push enough, maybe they don't care.  Maybe they think + people asked for what they're dealing with healthwise.  If they push too much, they could be newbies just following a medical script & not paying any real attention to you as an individual.  They could be drug company flunkies pushing whatever medication paid them the most for their support.

As a person living with HIV for quite some time, I've become suspicious of the motives of medical professionals.  Are they really interested in my health?  Are they being bought off by a pharmaceutical rep?  Are they just thinking about that lunch date they have today & don't want to be bothered with me?  Maybe they just don't give a damn about any of it anymore. 

Being HIV+, you become something other than yourself.  You become a subject of conversation.  You become the walking life lesson.  You can be seen as a freak, deviant or burden.  You can be seen as a financial win for some company.  HIV can make you live stigmatized, relegated, alienated life.   Yes, I'm suspicious when  new HIV guidelines mention specific drugs.

Take care.

Cya...

Another PrEP Failure...

This article tells of another Truvada failure.  I'd heard about this case in San Francisco, CA earlier in the month.    I was waiting to see what would be said about it & it's very little.   At least they're not denying this case or blaming the patient.  They claim this is only the 6th failure.  I doubt that.  It may be the 6th case they couldn't deny, but it's unlikely this is just the 6th failure.  

The birth control pill nor condoms never claimed 100% success rates.  PrEP was sold with a nearly 100% efficacy.  Nothing is that, at least Gilead is finally admitting that.  Part(s) of this drug are 2 of the most apt meds for HIV resistance.  Probably due to a lack of regimen adherence.  But, still the resistance is there.   This pill depends on a host of factors, some affected by patient knowingly & unknowingly.   Drugs often have interactions with other conditions, meds, foods that can impact their efficacy.  

But, it's only 6 people they're admitting too.  They're still not ready to push education & condoms again.  That might cut into profits & undermine customer faith.  Even if this was the 6,000th  patient, Gilead will still say Truvada was a great medication.  The company's concern is profits, not patients.

Cya...

More Rain...

It drizzled yesterday.  It rained last night & it's doing a light soak as we speak.  Our rain totals have almost been reached.  It'll be lucky to hit 50 today.  I hate saying that already.  Last week, I had the windows open, slept with a sheet & a fan.  Now, I have the windows closed & an extra blanket.  Cold will never be my friend. Dreary cold is a declaration of nature's malintent.   Cold, wet & dreary is just outright war.  Too bad I'm don't stand much of a chance in that skirmish.  

That's all for now.  This seems to be the weather for the week.  Maybe there will be decent articles soon.

Take care.

Cya...

Well It Rained...

Yesterday was a gloomfest.  It poured & the next few days have a chance of being just as dark & rainy.  We got around 2".  We'll make our rain averages for the month.  Even with it being dark, I'm feeling better than I did yesterday morning.  

I got the storm door fixed on Friday.  I hope it holds.  It's nice when we can fix things on our own with calling someone to do it for us.  I mean seriously fix the issue & not just rig it.

This may be the 70ish for the season.  We didn't get much in the 70's.  We barely dropped out of the 90's into the 80's for a couple of weeks & then into the 60s.  We may have a couple days this week where we don't hit 50.  This is probably due to the hurricanes in the gulf.  Which means we could warm up some, not much, but at least back into the mid 60s.  I hate when Fall completely skips a temperature range.  A couple of weeks at 70ish would've been nice.

Take care.

Cya...

Long Day...

Yesterday wasn't a hard day.  It wasn't actually diverting.  But it was a long day & not something I'm used to doing.  I started off tired, had a long day, then drove over to Fort Smith.  There we had dinner with some friends & hung for a while before driving home.  I'm not used to driving  at night in a heavy drizzle.  Add allergies to all that & I wound up pretty exhausted.

I slept way too deep & had a problem waking up.  I'm a little stiff.  The sunlight is still off. We may get more rain.  Sunrise is all the way back to 7:22.  The time change happens in about 3 weeks, by then sunrise will probably be about 7:45.   So far the gloomy drear hasn't been getting to me too badly.  There's been enough light otherwise.  I hope that holds for a while.  

That's all for now.  Take care.

Cya...

Off Morning...

Not feeling the best this morning.   The previous week's exertion levels, allergies & the weather have gotten to me.  I'm tired & achy.  This morning was dreary & overcast.  It's supposed to rain all day.  I have to go out later.  I hope that goes well.  I could be feeling better by then, but who knows.   that's life with a chronic illness.  Yesterday was OK, today isn't good.  Tomorrow maybe the same, way better or way worse.  

That's it for now.

Cya...

New Angle...

It's a nice morning so far, I've get groceries, so this will be brief.   Read this article.  Researchers think there may be a link between HPV & an increased likelihood of contracting HIV.  Check out the article.  Another reason to get vaccinated.

Cya...

Pain Article...

This is a rare article.  It discusses chronic pain in people living with HIV.  It's considered a 3rd tier issue, "quality of life."  It's not a great article.   It doesn't offer answers, but it recognizes  the enormity of the issue HIV+ people.   40 - 80% of + people cope with chronic pain.  Especially neuropathic issues caused by the virus & early meds. It doesn't offer answers, but it starts a conversation.  Maybe, more will come.

This isn't an issue I have to cope with, at least ways not yet.  I do have pain, but mine is mostly aches & gout.  It's possible the virus & meds increased my chances of developing gout.  But fortunately at this point, my issues with gout are sporadic.  What I do know, is that any other chronic issue; pain, fatigue, depression, etc..., can impair your ability to follow your regimen successfully.  This is a necessary conversation for patients, researchers & doctors.

Waiting for the next part of this dialog.

Cya...

Sore & A Gripe...

I'm a little sore after finishing up the seasonal yard work.  I hate vibrating power tools.  They mess with my arms & hands.  It lasts for quite a while & then I feel weak for hours afterwards.  I'm a bit tender today.  At least it's done.

I read about advancements in long-acting HIV meds.  Lasting anywhere from 2 - 12 weeks.  I'd love a monthly.  It'd be great if it worked.    Then I see how people need the long-acting because taking a 1 a day regimen is just "too" hard.

Too hard?  Really?  

When I started I was taking 18 Fortovase (horse pills), 2 Epivir, 2 Didanosine & 1 Dapsone.  Not to mention OTC stuff like ibuprofen, allergy pills, supplements, vitamins & more.  I was literally scarfing pills.  I wasn't taking nearly as many as some people.  When they said a drug cocktail they meant it.   Fill your glass with pills & start swallowing.

Maybe everything's relative or maybe we were just tougher.  Maybe these people are just whining because they have no idea how good they have it.  Suck it up bi$%* & swallow your damn 1 a day.  At that rate I was swallowing a month of pills a day.  

Take care.

Cya...

Ick Morning...

All the crap lately has gotten me.  The strange weather, allergies, old furniture moving, exertion, stress & just all of it has worked me over.  I'm sore & this morning I woke up well enough.  But, when I stood up, I felt queasy.  I'm hoping it fades, but for now it's still making me feel like a wobbly percolator.  I hope this lets up soon.  I have to go shopping.

Take care.  

Cya...

Sorry Can't...

There may be articles out there today.  There may be lots of things going on that should get my attention.  That's not happening.  I'm too spent from yesterday.  The day went as well as could be expected, but it was still exhausting.  Very little cooperated.  Any 1 or 2 obstacles being absent would've made the day much easier.  But, they were there & it was hard.  It's done as well as we could do it.  That's all I can say for now.

Take care.

Cya..

4 Things...

1st, the weather is seriously weird for this time of year.  It's nearly 90 & very humid.    I was usually worried about freezing on Halloween night.  I don't think these kids will have to worry about that. 

2nd, the house drama continues.  The problem at hand seems to be beyond our capability of resolving for any significant period of time.  The item in question just needs replacing.  Off we go shopping this morning.

3rd, this article details a better understanding of the HIV virus.  Not the idea of having it, but the virus, itself.  They're studying a specific, small molecule.  While this molecule doesn't prevent the virus from existing.  It does allow it to mature & become contagious.  Interesting.

4th, this piece details who South African doctors transplanted part of an HIV+ mother's liver into her HIV- child to save it's life. (Not trying to be overly gender neutral, they just didn'tidentify the sex of the child.)    This was far from ideal, but it was intentional.  With a lack of viable donations, the choice was this or death.  A proverbial rock & hard place type of sitaution. 

Take care.  I hope today goes well. We need it.

Cya...

Morning Shot...

I actually woke up well this morning.  That got shot when I went into the front room & saw a problem I thought I'd fixed wasn't.  I had to spend a lot of time & energy on that issue.  Now I'm spent.  I have no idea if there were any good articles today.  I'm too tired to care.  I hate this house.  Everything in it is timebomb.   Either I'm wasting time rigging something mostly beyond repair or I'm waiting for it to break down again. It's exhausting & stressful.

Cya...

Reservoir...

This is another article detailing attempts to destroy dormant HIV virus hidden within the body.  The reservoir is mostly unaffected by conventional methods & medications.  Other methods have been tried for this, such as the "kick & kill" or "shock & kill".  Both of those showed some promise, but also some major health concerns with the methods themselves.  

How will this method differ?   Will it work?  Those are questions yet to be answered.  However, this is a necessary step, if the virus is ever to be actually cured & not just prevented.

Take care.

Cya...

Worn Out...

I'm exhausted.  I tried to go to bed at a decent time.  As I was headed to bed, a couple of demanding things happened that needed to be handled.  The 1st was physically harder & tiring, but handled fairly quickly.   It may have to be revisited, but for now, it's covered.  The 2nd took forever.  I didn't get to sleep for another 3 hours after I  headed to bed.  

We have bills to handle & I have to run by Walmart.  It's also trash day.  This is as much of a post as I can handle today.

Take care.

Cya...

Maybe Just Being a Bit#%!...

Maybe I don't get it or maybe I'm just being a bit of a bitch.  But, I see articles about HIV+ people wanting to have children.  The numbers are large, always over 40% & that's including gay people.  I'm not posting articles, because all I've read on this matter so far has been mostly OpEd. 

But, if those numbers are anywhere near accurate, that's a massive amount of HIV+ people who want to be parents.   Why?  Why would you put yourself & a child through that?  It isn't easy living with HIV or being a parent.  Why would you want to combine the both of them?

These people don't seem to be implying they'd like to adopt either.  No, they have to have their own little genetic copies running amok.  We are still learning about HIV.  How it & the meds affect people, especially as they encounter other health matters, like aging.   Cognitive issues have been noted in child development among those children who were born with HIV or have to be treated for it at an early age.  There are so many issues about this we have no idea about.

HIV treatment is hard enough on adults.  We have no  certainty  of the long range effects on those born + or contracting the virus at an early age.   These offspring could be condemned to a life of hellish health issues; physical, mental & cognitive. 

OK, you want kids.  I don't get it, but fine.  So adopt.  You don't have to have copies of yourself.  Do you want to be a parent or egotist?   When there's a choice, we shouldn't condemn children to a life of being + or being born to + parents.  

Take care.

Cya...

Hello Goodbye Adjustments...

September has ended & it was a strange month.  It got hotter than August.  It also got wet & gloomy.  It was mostly a humid mess.  It wasn't the most pleasant month.   So long September.

October is here & the holiday season is around the corner.  Not sure how I feel about that this year.  We're trying some new approaches to make it through the dark of the year easier.  We'll see how they work.   This week will be busy with bills.  That's OK, after that, those things are mostly handled for the month.

I'd like to address something a little off topic for me,  maintenance.  Maintenance is important, but some people just don't get it.  Including me, sometimes.  Lately, I've been seeing a lot of people ragging on going to chiropractors.  

I don't have access now or I'd go for somethings.  Chiropractors aren't cure-alls.  They provide corrective maintenance, like getting your car aligned.  Where your car is in alignment, it drives better.  Same concept applies to human bodies.

I don't understand how people fail to see that.  So many people & agencies have set out to blacklist chiropractors.  If you have had physical therapy, dental cleanings, vaccines, eye exams/eyewear, check-ups, etc... you've had maintenance.  

So, what's the big deal about going to a chiropractor?  MD's & drug companies don't get money.   If you choose to use a chiropractor, talk to them 1st about what they can & can't do.  What you can expect out of it.  It helps a lot of people without resorting to pain killers.   It's just another form of maintenance for you body, nothing more.  Just remember, many of us wear glasses & they don't cure eye issues.  But, they do allow us to see better.

Cya...

PS:  October please be a nice & mostly drama free month.