Side Effects and HIV medications

How do you cope with diarrhea? HIV medications come with side effects, and diarrhea is a common and unpleasant side effect of many HIV meds. One way to manage this is through a BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). What other side effects are you experiencing and how have you been managing them? Do you ever think about stopping your meds because of unpleasant side effects?

Remembering to Take Medications?

HIV medications – not something to forget… but people do miss taking them: Side effects, busy schedules, drug fatigue, etc. But, skip too many and you can develop resistance – the drugs won’t work. Then, you have to switch to other HIV drugs. How do folks remember? Pill boxes? Alarm reminders? We’ve heard that “HIV drugs suck, but HIV sucks worse.” How do you remember taking your drugs?

HIV/AIDS & Funding

Where is AIDS funding going? In 2004, the government announced an increase of funding to the national HIV/AIDS strategy, however little of that funding has even shown up at community based AIDS organizations. As a result, these organizations, which provide direct services to PWAs, have experienced significant hardships in the past couple of years. Many have had to cut services and programs which has impacted the health and well-being of persons living with HIV. BCPWA has joined forces with AIDS service organizations across the country to lobby members of parliament to pressure the federal government to meet its commitment to improve services for people living with HIV/AIDS. What do you think about this? What can you do?

Housing, Security and HIV

Lack of affordable housing is a big issue in Vancouver. Though there are condos being built just about everywhere, most are unaffordable. Rent is ever increasing as is the cost of living (food/grocery prices are on the rise now too). A number of studies suggest that a high percentage of people living with HIV are also living in poverty, often on the streets. One thing is for sure, for those living in the lower income brackets, the rising cost of living in Vancouver is becoming increasingly challenging. How can a person living with HIV/AIDS even think about their well being when they lack basic needs, such as affordable housing and adequate food? What are our priorities these days? What are your thoughts on this important issue? Is anyone doing anything about this?