Don't Tell Me...

This article is long, but needs to be & it should be read.  It details a possible link between the injectable contraceptive, Pfizer's Depo-Provera & the transmission of HIV.   It may be this hormone based medication exacerbates  the situation & leads to up to 2X the possibility for transmission of the virus.

The problem here is the data concerning this matter has been gathered via observation & not clinical trials.   That doesn't mean that the data is wrong, but it does mean it hasn't been proven to any significant level.  

Observational data led to the ice cream causes murder statement.  It said the more ice cream sold, the more murders that happened.   While this is true.  The murder rates weren't altered by the ice cream sales.  Instead both the murder rates & ice cream sales were both influenced by the same phenomenon, heat.  The hotter weather led to higher rates of violent crimes & ice cream sales.

Scientists are worried this accusation against Depo-Provera could be something similar.   The rub lies in the fact no one wants to fund a study to prove or discount this hypothesis.   Why?

If it's proven, then Depo will be impacted in a very negative manner.  It could mean many women's health groups have had an indirect part of spreading HIV.  It could take out a  cost effective & efficient means of birth control in poorer regions.   It would also impact the stocks of the companies making & distributing the medication.  

So far, this isn't a case of intentional pharmaceutical wrong doing.  However, if at any time this is proven & the people who could've funded this research refused, then that would be a different matter.  It would seem Pfizer would want this handled.  However, if they already know the answer, then it could be they're trying to go as far as they can before the sale of Depo-Provera is blocked.

I understand this a very widely used contraceptive.  However, if there is a possibility it's doubling chances for HIV infections, then people need answers, not avoidance strategies.   The charity groups seem worried about their image, the governments are worried about an increase in children being born & Pfizer is worried about the bottom line.  Who's worried about these women?

Even if it's proven to double the transmission rates, doesn't mean the sales or usage would stop.  It would just mean people had to be made aware of the possibility,  That isn't too much to ask of Pfizer. 

Cya...

Heading Out...

We have to head back out.  Morning shopping at Walmart was a partial bust.  Unfortunately it was items we needed that they didn't have in stock.  We've called over to Fort Smith & 1 of the 3 stores still has some in stock.  We're heading over to get them before that store sells out as well.

Half our trips to  Fort Smith are like this.  At least we called over 1st, instead just going over & finding nothing.  More tomorrow.

Cya....

Long Year So Far...

It's been a long, trying year so far.  Amazingly enough, neither the house nor cars were the source of the drama.  I haven't been my most healthy this year.  But that's nothing compared to what my roomie has gone through.

After a host of medical issues & surgeries, she's on the mend.  She still has to have follow ups, but so far that's all.  Still, understandably the emotional/psychological cost of these events have been taking their toll,

In this past year, she has undergone a lot of changes & events.  These health events have very trying, even for myself.   There have been a lot of unknowns & not so great possibilities.   As things seem to be settling down, the stress of the situation is starting to surface.

Whenever you go through a big event, especially something you had little or no choice in the matter, the situation can be overwhelming.  That emotional burden can come in waves long after the major action has taken place.  People often say, "OK, it happened, now it's time to get over it."  Some folks can, but a lot can't.   Telling someone to just get over it, is like telling them stop breathing.  They can't.   Things like cancer or other traumas scar us, they leave a permanent mark.   

I was diagnosed with HIV on January 3, 2001. I'm still coping with that development.  The ways it impacts my life & how I handle are constantly changing.   My parents divorced when I was 8, I still remember the day someone finally told me.  There are numerous nasty days in my life, days I don't want to dwell on, but they're always the back on my mind waiting for me to stumble over them. 

The point is, life marks us.  Some of these marks don't go away.  Some are nearly impossible to live with in any productive manner.  These marks & scars may make us who we are in life, but quite honestly, some of them I could've done without,  What would I have been like if I hadn't smoked for 16+ years?    Where would I be now if I hadn't contracted HIV?   These are things I'll never get to know,  Things I won't just get over.  

Before you tell someone, it's done, now time to move on with your life.   Remember, whatever happened marked them.  They aren't the same person anymore.   Nothing in their lives is exactly the same any more.  They have to come to terms that, if they can.  What you can or can't do, really isn't their problem, that's yours.

Cya...

Saturday Again...

I'm very happy we have nothing to do today.  My roomie & I could both use some nothing time.  Its a day to catch up on TV & that's about it.   With any luck, our neighbors won't be loud jack-asses.  There seriously needs to be a quiet day around here.

That's pretty much all I have.  I'm doing my best to be well, which isn't easy for me this time of the year.  Here's hoping for no major illnesses this Winter.  I'm making plans for my next dentist visit.  I have 1 remaining crown that needs replacing.  

Have a good weekend everyone.

Cya...

Somewhat Better...

We went shopping this morning.  I'm doing some better.  I don't feel like I'm dragging everywhere.   I was at least able to get the groceries in, even though they felt like they weighed far more than they should have. 

I'm dealing a  lot with the changes in seasons & light levels.  I'm not sure if I have full out Seasonal Affective Disorder, but my mood definitely alters as the light lessens.   I've looked at articles regarding SAD.  So far I don't see any direct relationship between it & HIV.  However, HIV does reduce my ability to cope with a lot of things.  This would mean that HIV was simply making me more susceptible to the effects of lessened light levels that come with Fall.

Luckily it's brighter & warmer today.  I can get a chance to bounce back a bit.  I'll take it easy for the rest of the day.

Cya...

Still Off...

Suddenlink struck again last night for almost 5 hours we had no internet.  They did Friday & Sunday Night.  I guess I can look forward to this in another night or so.    

It's weird whenever I comment on here about that company within a day or 2, I get a comment from a Suddenlink rep.   They want me to private email or to message them on the matter.  I don't.  There's nothing they can do about it.  

The physical nature of their equipment (cables, boxes, towers)  in my area is ancient.   This area didn't get cable until the mid 80's & I think most of the infrastructure is still from then.  Suddenlink needs to completely overhaul everything they have here, but they never will.  They'll just keep making crappy patches that never hold for more than a couple of days.  I feel sorry for their field guys, they bear the blunt of people's frustration with this horrible company.

I'm still feeling out of it & the net going out only added to my stress.  Yesterday was trash day & I barely got my part to the curb.    I was just too exhausted.  I'm still low on energy.  

Most people worry about crisis.  I can usually handle crisis.  It happens, I freak out for a bit.  Then  I focus on the matter to come up with the best plan I can to handle it.  

For me, it'll be the straws that make me snap.  I get the camel analogy.  It's not the loud boom of the crisis that gets to me,  It's the constant needling & aggravation of ever growing mounds of little BS that will cause me to lose it.  

Some people say that if "A" happens they'll be happy.  That never works.  Things/events don't make you really happy, you do, but sometimes you just can't.

There are things that can make it harder to be in a place where you can let yourself be happy or at least less stressed.  Getting rid of clutter helps me.  Eliminating as many problems as possible does wonders.  Unfortunately, there are some problems/issues you can't get rid or, at least not easily &/or possibly legally/ethically.  

For example, right now I live in an old, problematic house, with crappy internet, weird power outages, noisy neighbors, shitty outdoor dogs & with aging, annoying cats.    At the point, when 1 or more more these change for the better, my life will improve & hopefully my stress levels will lower.  

Albeit, external things or happenings can't really make you happier.  The removal of some of the crap, can make it less anxiety ridden.  Less anxiety means less stress.    That gives your chances at happiness a big boost.  So, do your best to take the stressful trash out of your life.  I will,

Cya...

Feeling Off...

I got up early & made it to my appointment this morning.  I hate waking up early when it's dark.  I'm morally opposed to rising at dark o'clock. 

The appointment went well.  I got my flu shot & my lab scripts.  I picked up something ot eat & went home.

We ate & then put put trash.  I'm exhausted.  I barely got the trash to the curb.  I noticed another couple of fie ant mounds.  I dealt with those & went back inside.

I'm achy & tired.  My allergies are going hard,  I'm probably shot for the rest of the day.  I'm not a fan of this time of the year. Or any time of the year that has allergens for that matter.

Cya...

PS:  Add to that, 1 of the cats is doing her best Pukezilla imitation...