Wednesday, July 25, 2007

A Bureaucratic Response on Facial Lipoatrophy!

The BCPWA Society has been advocating to get coverage for injectable compounds used to treat HIV associated facial lipoatrophy through the Medical Services Plan (MSP) so that PWAs don’t have to pay out of their own pockets. Compounds such as Bio Alcamid and Sculptra are used to treat HIV associated facial lipoatrophy. Doctors treating people with HIV associated facial lipoatrophy state clearly that it is a treatment leading to longterm health improvement as opposed to a mere cosmetic procedure. Recently, the Ministry of Health Pharmaceutical Services responded and informed us that they were not familiar with the injectable compounds used as treatments for HIV associated facial lipoatrophy. They needed more information. We have been writing to the Ministry for well over a year on this issue, and now they need more information! It boggles the mind. Just more bureaucracy! What do you think? If interested in working with us on this important health issue, please contact zorans@bcpwa.org or make a comment on this blog.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Bone Health

There is growing evidence that HIV-positive individuals are more likely to have bone problems. It is not fully known whether this is the cause of HIV or HIV medications. Osteoporosis occurs when your bones lose mineral content and can become more brittle and fracture more easily. Osteopenia is the loss of bone minerals that is less severe than osteoporosis, however it is a warning sign. Lots of folks talk calcium supplements to improve their bone health in addition to weight bearing exercises. What do you do? What questions do you have about bone health and HIV? What are your thoughts on bones?

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Syphilis and HIV

Syphilis is on the rise here in Vancouver. Early symptoms of syphilis are an open area called a chancre which can be firm, round, small and painless. There are some indications that it may progress more quickly and severly in people with HIV. If untreated, syphilis can progress to late stages of the infection leading to organ damage. The treatment for syphilis consists of a course of antibiotic injections. These injections may involve higher doses for a longer period of time in HIV-positive individuals. It is important to take the entire course of this treatment. What questions do you have about this or any other sexually transmitted infection, and its treatments?

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Cardiovascular Health and HIV

As people with HIV get older, cardiovascular conditions become an increasing concern. Cholesterol and triglycerides are two major lipids (types of fat) that circulate in the blood and can contribute to cardiovascular disease when they become high. Many use lipid lowering drugs like statins (i.e. Lipitor, Lescol) to manage high lipid levels. Some lipid lowering drugs can interact with your HIV medications and may increase risks of side effects. There are other things people do to manage cardiovascular conditions such as healthy diet, weight management and physical activity. What are your experiences with statins? What else do you do to manage high lipid levels? What questions do you have?