Our treatment blog is currently in hiatus and will return in January 2009. In the meantime, please let us know what your areas of interest are. We notice there are many “hits” on the blog so many of you are reading, however there aren’t many comments made on the entries we make.

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Can We Cure HIV Using Stem Cells?

You are HIV+. The virus is undetectable from the use of HAART. Is it possible to cure HIV from the body? Physicians from Germany appear to have done so. They describe a 40-year-old man—an American working in Berlin—whose HIV had been under good control for several years using a typical cocktail of drugs known as HAART. Then he developed acute leukemia. In an attempt to cure the leukemia, he underwent a course of radiation therapy and chemotherapy in preparation for a stem cell transplant. The patient's stem cell transplant was a success. Furthermore, now off HAART for almost two years, the patient shows no detectable signs of HIV in his blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, intestines, or brain. This patient represents a functional cure. Is this the future of HIV therapy? Are stem cells the answer to HIV/AIDS? Are we finally at the door to a cure? What are your thoughts? What do you think of this?

Raw or Wrapped? Is Barebacking a Concern?

You are HIV+ and Undetectable. Are you jeopardizing your health because you think it’s ok to play raw? Unsafe sex isn't worth the risk. You are risking your health. For PHA’s unsafe sex places both individuals at risk for a wide array of STDs. STDs can behave differently in PHA’s. Hepatitis, Syphilis, HPV and many others can have far more serious consequences for PHA’s than for those with intact immune systems. HIV reinfection (dual infection, superinfection) can also occur early in the course of infection. Safe sex does protect against many blood-borne infections that are major causes of life-threatening diseases and death in people with HIV. What do you think? Is it condom fatigue or wishful thinking? How are you playing?

HIV+ In Today's World. So Many Possibilities!

You are HIV+. Taking your medications has stabilized your health. But has living with HIV stopped you from living a full life? Has your world become a smaller place because of instability or your needs not being met? Is anyone listening? Do you require more than just medical appointments, doctors and meds? HIV treatment includes living with the virus and awareness to mental/physical needs. Is it time to be ‘pro-active’ in your own life? There are many resources available to you for assistance and guidance as a PHA in today's world. Connecting with peers may be a way to open your life to new avenues while continuing the fight to remain healthy. What are some positive steps you are taking to remain active? Is there something we can help you with? Perhaps you can share ideas that have helped you.

Bones and HIV. Do you have that aching feeling?

As people living with HIV take medications over time, a growing list of conditions has become a concern for those who try to manage their overall health. One of the concerns is painful, aching bones. As the body is weakened by HIV the increase in pain can be difficult to live with. Bone is living tissue and is in constant change during your life. People with HIV face more bone loss than HIV-negative people of the same sex and age. Increased risk for developing thin bones (osteoporosis) and bone damage such as fractures are just some of the problems. Supplements can help support your body’s ability to stop and reverse bone loss. It is suggested to refer to your doctor for information on the need for bone-building nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and vitamins C and D. What do you do to ensure healthy bones? Please share your thoughts.

HIV and METH. A deadly game. Are you playing it?

Methamphetamine, or Crystal, is a synthetic stimulant that is similar in chemistry to adrenaline, a central nervous system hormone that stimulates the body's responses. The drug is used recreationally for sexual enhancement and stimulation, to initiate more sex and to prolong the encounters. Methamphetamine (Meth) and HIV do not mix well together. Meth suppresses killer T cells, causes hypertension, chest pain, increased heart rate, abrasions in the mouth and rectum, damages blood vessels in the heart and brain and more importantly reduces effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy, thus increasing viral replication. Meth use and HIV infection might significantly alter the size of a person's brain structure and lead to cognitive function impairments such as difficulties learning or processing information. Younger Meth users who are HIV+ were more affected in some areas of the brain than older Meth users who are HIV+. Meth and HIV also causes personality changes, paranoia, anorexia, weight loss, irritability, memory problems, depression, sleep disorders and physical aggression. Are you playing with Meth and your health? Do you experience any of these problems? What are your thoughts?

Nutrition & HIV. Are you maintaining the balance?

Good nutrition is very important for people with HIV. However, this can be a problem for many PHA’s. When your body fights HIV, it uses more energy and you need to eat more than normal. You need to increase the amount of food you eat and maintain your lean body weight. A moderate exercise program will help your body turn your food into muscle. Having extra muscle weight will help you fight HIV. Make sure you eat plenty of protein and starches, with moderate amounts of fat and plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grain foods. Supplements can help you maintain your body weight and get the vitamins and minerals you need. Drinking enough liquids is very important when you are on HAART and can help reduce some side effects like dry mouth and constipation. What are your thoughts? Are you having a difficult time eating? Do you have any information on nutrition to share with others?

Women & HIV. What Are The Challenges Women Face on Treatment?

After more than 25 years and 25 million deaths, the world has yet to realize that HIV isn't just a man's problem. HIV has quietly become the third most-deadly disease for women, after heart disease and cancer. The single most significant fact that separates female PHA’s from male PHA’s is that more than 60% of women are caring for at least one child under the age of 16. Female PHA’s are also different from male PHA’s physically, psychosocially and emotionally. There is now information that states female PHA’s develop AIDS at a lower viral load than men, and in fact at a viral load below the recommended level for treatment with HAART, which makes it extremely important to treat early. The most noticeable side effects from HAART have been metabolic -- the so-called fat-redistribution syndromes, which in a woman translates to significantly enlarged breasts and abdomen. Menstrual irregularities, like amenorrhea (no menstrual periods), polymenorrhea (periods come too often) and oligomenorrhea (periods don't come often enough). Sexual function changes: decreased sexual interest, delayed or difficult orgasm. Obese women over 40 are more likely to develop lactic acidosis, which has been linked to mitochondrial toxicity due to reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Have you experienced similar or different side effects? Tell us your thoughts.

Human Growth Hormones + HIV Meds = Healthier Living?

Human growth hormone could reduce fat deposits caused by HIV treatment. Low doses of human growth hormone can reverse some of the abnormal fat distribution and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, caused by HIV treatment. 40% of males and 16% of females who take antiretroviral drugs develop visceral fat in the stomach, neck and cheeks, which is associated with higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides and can increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke. A Harvard Medical School doctor said the hormone produced good results but would have to be used carefully to avoid inducing diabetes. The hormone could increase the risk of side effects in people who have early stages of diabetes. Previous studies using higher levels of the hormone produced "unacceptable" side effects, including tissue swelling and joint pain. Another AIDS expert suggested that although there were fewer side effects with lower doses, the results of the study were "disappointing" and states hormone injections at best have limited use for treating fat abnormalities associated with HIV. Can this be the threshold for more positive results toward healthier living with HAART? What are your thoughts?

Have we won the AIDS battle? Are the years of fighting over?

Doctors have presented information which may end the painful years we know as AIDS. New HIV treatment guidelines issued at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico urge starting ARV therapy sooner. The goal is to achieve maximum suppression of the HIV/AIDS virus, with minimal toxicity, and maximum simplicity. Initiation of ARV therapy in PHA’s within the 200 to 350 CD4 cell count range should be strongly considered. Recommendations? Start ARV therapy in PHA’s that have less than 200 CD4 cell count. Doctors are encouraged to evaluate the whole patient, not just the status of HIV disease, but all coexisting conditions. What are the key areas of ARV management? When to start therapy, choice of HAART regimen, PHA monitoring and how best to approach treatment options. The hope is that the AIDS virus will be completely contained as ‘undetectable’ in the body of the PHA. Is it that simple? Can we finally conquer the AIDS virus? What are your thoughts?

Hep C and HIV coinfection in B.C. Is it out of control? An epidemic?

Hepatitis C and HIV coinfection is a reality growing out of control in British Columbia. Hep C (HCV) makes the HIV disease worse. HCV is transmitted through infected blood. HCV damages the liver. About 15% to 30% of people clear HCV from their bodies without treatment. The other 70% to 85% develop chronic infection, and the virus stays in their body unless it is successfully treated. For PHA’s, HCV can be more serious and make it harder to take ARVs. HCV and HIV coinfection slows down the rate of increase in CD4 cell counts during HIV treatment. A doctor who treats patients with HCV is criticizing the B.C. government for denying lifesaving treatment in what he terms a full-blown epidemic. “At best, I can say it is indifference to an epidemic of huge proportion. It is one of the most serious epidemics we are facing in our community today." B.C. Health Minister George Abbott disagrees. "I don't think its fair to say it's an epidemic," Abbott said. "Certainly Hep C is a very big challenge — that is why we are expending about $100 million annually in identifying preventing and treating Hep C when it occurs." Do you think B.C. is doing enough? Should we do more? What are your thoughts?

Have you been to an AIDS Conference before? Want to go to Mexico? Watch coverage of the International AIDS Conference via satellite!

Come and watch the Opening Ceremonies of the World AIDS Conference. Live from Mexico! Via satellite the BCPWA Society will be presenting various workshops ranging from “Responding to the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men” to “ARV therapy in 2008—Current Issues & Controversies in Optimal ARV Therapy”. This is open to persons living with HIV and any other interested participants. Some snacks and refreshments will be provided. The location is the AIDS Vancouver Training Room @ 1107 Seymour Street on the ground floor. For further information and to RSVP, please email zorans@bcpwa.org or phone 604.893.2239. We hope to see you there. IF YOU HAVE BEEN TO AN AIDS CONFERENCE BEFORE WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT IT? Please tell us your thoughts.

HIV and smoking. What is all the fuss about?

Smoking accelerates progression of HIV infection to AIDS. If you have HIV, you're more likely than an HIV-negative person to be a smoker. Yet cigarettes are especially dangerous for PHA’s, who already face a higher risk of heart problems than HIV-negative people. Smoking causes lung cancer and increases the risk of stroke and heart attack especially for PHA’s. Smoking also causes respiratory tract infections, sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. These, in turn, can send your HIV viral load up and worsen your HIV disease. PHA’s are at much greater risk of negative health outcomes related to smoking than those without the virus. A recent study showed that up to 66 percent of people with HIV are lighting up. Even if you’ve been smoking for most of your life, you can still quit and reverse much of the damage that smoking has caused to your body. What are your feelings about smoking and being HIV+? Is it a concern to you? Tell us your thoughts.

Is the future of HIV drug therapy the “one pill” option?

HIV medication treatment may begin to favour the ‘once-a-day’ pill called Atripla. More doctors are choosing Atripla as the HIV drug therapy for their patients and many think it will be a great boon to simpler HIV care. It contains three different HIV medications from two classes of HIV medications: Viread, Emtriva & Sustiva. Atripla can be taken alone as a complete treatment regime. Atripla almost certainly will continue to suppress your virus and be easier to take. Side effects may include nervous system symptoms, headaches, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rash, fatigue, itching, abdominal pain and inflammation of the pancreas. Note that it is powerful and will be generally well tolerated. However, if you are doing well with no side effects on your current HIV meds and your regimen is already once a day, albeit with more pills, there may be no reason to change it. Remember that your doctor and health care team are always your most important source of information about your health and your treatment. Have you had experience with Atripla? Are they positive? Negative? Has it proved to work well for you? Tell us your thoughts.

Beyond HIV medications. Why is Complementary Therapy important to PHA’s?

Complementary Therapies are an effective addition to the HIV medication regime you may be taking. With the introduction of HAART as an effective way to manage HIV infection, complementary therapies are now being used by PHA’s to improve general well-being, reduce symptoms and manage side effects. Touch Therapy, including Reiki & Therapeutic Touch modify imbalances in the energy field within you by redirecting that energy. Yoga is a great way to achieve longevity, rejuvenation and self-realization through mental, emotional and physical aspects. Massage Therapy is the movement and stimulation of body tissues by a therapist. These are just some of the many complementary therapies available to you. Have you experienced some of these before? Was the experience effective for you? Please share your thoughts.

Overweight? On meds? Bad diet? High cholesterol?

Are you on HAART and overweight with high cholesterol? If you are on HIV meds and have increased fat in unacceptable areas– you could be doing more harm to yourself if you are not willing to change your nutritional habits. Obesity can cause high cholesterol putting you at risk for other health related problems, e.g. diabetes. Diet is where you can start. The best diet for cholesterol and triglyceride elevation is one low in saturated (animal) fats, with plenty of omega-3 fats (fish, canola and flax oil, flax seeds) and loads of fresh fruit and vegetables and plenty of fibre. Skimmed milk is preferred. Bread and rice or potatoes are good. You could look at an exercise program to keep fit which will help keep your weight in the 'normal' range. Smoking is certainly not a healthy thing to do if you are living with HIV/AIDS. What is your health and weight like while on HAART? Tell us your thoughts.

Have you used Herbal Therapy in your HIV regime?

Using Herbal Therapy can be a wonderful compliment to your HIV therapy. Simple uses for skin problems or immune cell building are available through the proper use of Herbal Therapy. Ginger is the root of an herb plant grown throughout the tropics and may be used to combat nausea and other gastrointestinal problems. Garlic has been used by people with HIV to treat fungal conditions like thrush and also parasites which may cause diarrhea. Astragalus is a bone marrow stimulant and has shown increases in immune cells for people live with HIV. Aloe Vera may be used to treat skin problems associated with HIV and anti-HIV meds causing dry skin and other skin blemishes. Andrographis Panicilata is a weed found primarily in India, Thailand and Indonesia which can be beneficial to the immune system helping to increase your cd4 count and possibly decrease in your viral load. It is strongly recommended to speak with your doctor and pharmacist first before trying any of the Herbal Therapies available. Some Herbal Therapies may interact negatively with your HIV medications. Have you used any of these Herbal Therapies? Do you have any suggestions regarding Herbal Therapy which may help other people living with HIV?

Questions about HIV treatment? Need to talk about it? Come on in!

We recently opened our ‘new’ Multi Purpose Room located on the 2nd floor of the BCPWA building at 1107 Seymour Street in Vancouver. The room will, among other things, provide Treatment Information to you Monday to Friday from 10am – 12pm. Our aim is to help you find answers to the overwhelming questions you may have concerning your HIV treatment. Available to you are the most recent articles on medications, HIV & aging, mental health, alternative health options, side effects and things to ask your doctor. Treatment Information in our 'new' Multi-Purpose Room gives you access to printed materials and online readiness. We will sit down with you and help you find the information pertaining to your needs and what you want to know. This is your health and your body, so come in and check out the “new” Multi-Purpose Room. Are you ready to learn more? Please give us your comments and feedback about this new venture.

Can PEP reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV?

Recent studies may offer hope to many HIV+ mothers with newborns. Effective strategies are urgently needed to reduce mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus through breast-feeding. Post-Exposure Prophylaxis is using antiretroviral drugs to stop the transmission. Studies now may offer hope using single-dose Nevirapine plus 1 week of Zidovudine or extended Nevirapine or extended Zidovudine until the age of 14 weeks. This may significantly reduce postnatal HIV infection in 9-month-old infants. Or will HAART be a concern with the onset of side effects? Should we place the already vulnerable newborn at more risk? What are your thoughts?

Are you experiencing lingering side effects with the facial filler polyalkylimide?

Facial lipoatrophy is the loss of subcutaneous facial fat due to HIV or aging and is not uncommon in individuals on HAART. Facial lipoatrophy appears as facial lines increase with folds and depressed scars leaving pronounced cheekbones, sunken cheeks and loss of facial volume. Polyalkylimide is sold in Canada as Bio-Alcamid. It is a permanent filler that is a popular option for the treatment of HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy. It is an injectable, water-based gel containing 4% polyalkylimide. Polyalkylimide has become one of the most promising and widely-used facial fillers used in treating facial lipoatrophy. However, people who have injections of the facial filler polyalkylimide may have immune-related side effects many months after the injections. Side effects range from tender nodules, headaches, fever and immune inflammation. Are you experiencing any side effects from polyalkylimide? Please let us know here.

Does peripheral neuropathy affect you? Are you on HAART?

Some people living with HIV will develop a disease of the nerves called peripheral neuropathy, or PN. People living with HIV are at a much higher risk due to a history of PN, low cd4 counts, high viral loads, medications that have damaged nerve cells, poor nutrition, diabetes and abuse of alcohol. HIV itself can cause PN by infecting the nerve cells, while some medications may contribute to the nerve damage in the later stage of HIV disease. The newer medications have not shown the risk for PN, though it may take several years before evidence of this side effect appears. It is important to talk with your doctor to help reduce further damages to your nerves. Talking to your doctor sooner rather than later will improve your diagnosis and outcome. Has PN affected your health living with HIV? Please tell us your thoughts.

HIV? On medications? Has your quality of life improved?

Has it been a difficult road while coping with HIV? Are you experiencing challenges due to the drug therapy you were prescribed? Come to an open discussion with experts on HIV therapy and ask questions related to your progress. A forum and panel discussion on HIV & medication side effects called Has your quality of life improved? will be presented by BCPWA. Tuesday, June 3rd @ 6pm in the Best Western Chateau Granville. (corner of Granville & Helmcken) Open to persons living with HIV and any other participants. Dinner provided. Please RSVP by June 1st to 604-893-2274 or email zorans@bcpwa.org.

Using marijuana? Are you HIV positive? Are you harming yourself?

Some people feel smoking marijuana offers relief from depression if you are HIV+, while others say it is harmful to your system. It's important for you to consider possible health risks before using marijuana. Immune function, lung complications, mental well-being, the worsening of asthma and possible increase of lung cancer over and above smoking tobacco are some of the harmful effects from smoking marijuana for someone HIV+. Marijuana may also increase your risk for certain infections, including herpes and a variety of other bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Smoking marijuana has become a popular treatment for HIV related weight loss improving the appetite and weight maintenance. Other studies show the use of marijuana does not increase the HIV disease progression or loss of CD4 cell counts. It has been the drug of choice for many who are living with HIV. The benefits to some offer immense relief from the day to day struggles of this disease. So, ask yourself the question. Is using marijuana worth the risk for you? Or is it an added ingredient to your wellness? Does the usage of marijuana affect your HAART therapy regime? What are your thoughts?

Abacavir. Part of your HIV therapy? Experiencing hypersensitivity?

Abacavir is a nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor with activity against HIV, available for once daily use in combination with other antiretroviral agents. It has shown positive results, few drug interactions, and a favorable long-term toxicity profile. Abacavir hypersensitivity reactions occur in 3% to 8% of patients starting the drug. Allergy to abacavir is strongly associated with the presence of the HLA-B*5701 gene, and a test has been developed to monitor patients for its presence. Symptoms of hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir include combinations of fever, rash, gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms that become more severe with continued dosing. A test to predict who will develop a severe allergic reaction to the anti-HIV drug abacavir is said to be accurate and found in the April 1st edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases. What is the alternative to taking this drug if you are experiencing hypersensitivity? Have you experienced hypersensitivity reaction? Did you need to switch medications? Give us your thoughts.

Will there ever be an AIDS vaccine? Or are we chasing a ghost?

It is now years later! About 33 million people in the world are infected with HIV and some 26 million have died of AIDS since the pandemic began. Is there ever going to be an AIDS vaccine? Or is HAART a better solution? With HAART, you can recover from HIV/AIDS and live with HIV for a very long time. Putting funding and belief toward HAART may be saving lives rather than the waiting and false hope of a vaccine. A substantial minority of scientists admit that an HIV vaccine may never be developed. Some say it will take another 20 years of research before one is discovered. Others believe that a vaccine against HIV is further away than ever and admit that effective immunization against the virus may never be possible. A mood of deep pessimism has spread among the international community of AIDS scientists after the failure of a trial of a promising vaccine at the end of last year. It just was the latest in a series of setbacks in the 25-year struggle to develop an HIV vaccine. However, we do know HAART is an effective way to control the HIV spread and allow people infected to live longer and healthier. Should all efforts be put into prevention? What are you thoughts?

MRSA. What is it? Does having HIV affect MRSA risk?

The HIV community is watching carefully as MRSA breaks out among ‘men having sex with men’ and ‘injection drug use’. What is MRSA? MRSA , "methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus", is a bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. If the skin is cut or broken, the bacteria are given the opportunity to infect. MRSA looks similar to a large pimple or boil. MRSA can cause a wide variety of infections ranging from mild skin infections to serious infections such as pneumonia or sepsis. People with a weakened immune system should follow the same preventive measures to prevent being infected, including washing their hands frequently, covering wounds with bandages, and refraining from sharing personal hygiene items. Treatment is by incision and drainage of the wound. Then antibiotics may be used for up to ten days. Have you known about MRSA? Is it the next health problem for people living with HIV?

Can you talk to your doctor? Does he provide the care you need?

Do you have a doctor who does not listen to you? Do you feel you are caught in the middle of a medical world not interested in your needs? Finding the right doctor is of great concern to people living with HIV. It is a matter of expecting the right care and knowing your doctor will provide it. Empowered communication with your doctor is personal and important. Perhaps you have encountered problems and need information pertaining to the things ‘your’ care should involve. A community forum called “Doctor Visits: Are yours what they should be?” is being presented by the BCPWA Society in the Best Western Chateau Granville (corner of Granville & Helmcken) at 6pm on Tuesday, April 22. Open to persons living with HIV & other interested participants. Free dinner included. If you wish to attend this you need to rsvp to paulk@bcpwa.org by april 17th. If you have any comments or share experiences, please do so on this blog.

Could HAART treatment strategy reduce HIV?

A new strategy to battle HIV might reduce the epidemic of HIV/AIDS. Dr. Julio Montaner, of the B.C. Centre for Excellence, suggests using HAART as treatment for HIV could lower the number of cases around the world. HAART reduces viral loads of HIV in the patient's blood until it is undetectable, and as a result they become less infectious. A patient going on HAART soon after testing positive to HIV lessens the transmission of the virus. Montaner adds, "It's time that we start talking about it, and the Center would like to lead that discussion because if that is the case between better prevention and strengthening of our treatment programs we may be able to, at least in the short term, control the spread of HIV." Convincing people who have already tested positive to HIV is a very heavy task. Why would you want to take medications when you are not sick? Is this one more way of prevention? Or is it suggesting something else?

Swiss study states: no virus? = no infection?

Professor Bernard Hirschel, MD, of the University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland, declares that HIV-positive people with undetectable viral loads cannot transmit HIV. Stated at the 15th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Boston, MA, and based on an analysis of several studies over a long period of time, Hirschel’s bold statement has rocked the HIV community. There’s a lot of discussion on both sides of the debate. Hirschel, along with two other co-author’s, has disclosed the findings for several reasons including a series of court trials in Switzerland where HIV positive people have been accused of endangering others, who are HIV negative, through sexual relations. Hirschel argues that an HIV infected person on HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy), with an undetectable viral load is not technically infectious. Others say that the absence of a risk can never really be proven. Does Hirschel’s study send the wrong message? Does it give hope? How do you feel about this statement?

HIV/AIDS and working life

Are you living with HIV and working? In the cover story of the current issue of living+ magazine, there is a feature entitled Back to Work: living and working with HIV. We have noticed a trend these days that as more people are becoming healthier, they are also returning to work. Stable antiretroviral drug regimens may be contributing to people’s health however there are still challenges in living with HIV. One person states that having HIV and working are accompanied by unique concerns not faced by the average worker. What are your experiences? If you have gone back to work recently, how have you managed? Share your experiences with others.

Facial Wasting and HIV/AIDS

Facial wasting/lipoatrophy is a serious medical condition that plagues many people living with HIV/AIDS. It can cause disfigurement and make people feel stigmatized. There are treatments for it, however, people with HIV have to pay out of their own pocket if they wish to have the necessary treatment procedures – which we say just isn’t right!
The BCPWA Society has been actively advocating to get medical services coverage for treatments used to correct facial lipoatrophy for people living with HIV/AIDS. We are now in discussions with the Ministry about this issue and awaiting an answer. In the meantime, we have organized a community forum on facial lipoatrophy. It will take place on Wednesday, March 26th at 6 pm at the Best Western Chateau Granville (corner of Granville and Helmcken). If you wish to attend this you need to rsvp to zorans@bcpwa.org If you have any comments or share experiences, please do so on this blog

HIV/AIDS & kidney problems

Kidney problems can occur amongst HIV-positive individuals and that some HIV medications may cause kidney-related side effects. Recent research shows that HIV treatments can help improve the health of kidneys in people with low CD4 counts. The results of this study showed that there are improvements in kidney function in people who started HIV medications with a CD4 count below 200, and whose viral load falls below 400 when they started HIV treatment. Researchers are implying that HIV may cause kidney problems for people with weak immune systems even before starting treatment. Do you think this is true? Are kidney problems caused by HIV medication side effects or is it HIV itself? What is your experience?

HIV Drugs and Heart Conditions

Do you take abacavir? At the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections abacavir and DDI were associated with an increased risk of heart attack. Do you take abacavir and are you worried about this? Do you have any questions? The researchers who conducted this study believe that its findings have the greatest implications for those persons with HIV who may already have diabetes, a family history of heart disease or those who smoke. Now that more HIV-positive people are getting older, there is an increased the risk for cardiovascular problems.

HIV/AIDS & hospital stays

When was the last time you stayed at a hospital? Did you have a good or bad experience? In the current issue of the living+ magazine, there is an article on how to make your hospital stay a more pleasant one. This involves knowing what to expect, what to bring with you when going to the hospital and knowing how to advocate for your rights. Let us know your experiences and what questions you may have about hospital stays.

Smoking Room at BCPWA

Did you know that the smoking room at British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society lounge may close on March 31, 2008? A new regulation in the BC Provincial Tobacco Sales Act may force BCPWA to close the smoking room. At the Society’s Annual General Meeting a few years ago, the majority of the membership voted in favour of keeping the smoking room, so the Board of Directors has written a letter to the Ministry asking for an exemption to this new regulation. We will have to see how the government responds. There are statistics that show that 60-80% of persons living with HIV smoke, which is significantly higher than the general population at 20-30%. There are pros and cons to closing the smoking room. What do you think about this? Do you think the smoking room should close? What do you think the smoking room should be used for?

BCPWA Complementary Health Fund

Are you using the BCPWA complementary health fund (CHF)? It’s a unique service for people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada. What complementary health products have helped you address your HIV or AIDS symptoms or related conditions? In the new issue of living+ magazine, our society Chair has written an editorial about the complementary health fund and the fact that it hasn’t been used to its full capacity by eligible HIV-positive members of the Society. There are many medications and services that are not covered by private and public insurance plans, so the Society’s complementary health fund subsidizes things such as traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, massage and even gym memberships. As we all know, there are numerous side effects associated with HIV medications, so complementary and alternative medicine can benefit. Are you taking advantage of the complementary health fund? What do you use it for? Do you know how to access it? Share your experiences and thoughts with us on this blog

Treatment Access Denied?

Would you like to learn more about how government policies and systems affect your access to drugs and other therapies? Do you want to better understand government cost containment strategies, and if they put your health at risk? Do you think BC should cover the cost of treatments for facial lipoatrophy for those who can’t afford it? There’s a workshop and panel discussion on treatment access issues in BC for persons with HIV/AIDS on February 7th at the Best Western Chateau Granville (in Vancouver) starting at 9:30 am. It’s free to attend and is hosted by the Canadian Treatment Action Council along with several other community groups. Let us know what your concerns are about healthcare in BC

Bacteria Strain Hits Gay Men

Have you heard about the new bacteria strain affecting gay men? Last week, researchers in San Francisco and Boston reported upon a new highly drug-resistant strain of flesh-eating MRSA bacteria spreading among gay men. The bacteria is easily shared through anal intercourse, and can also be spread through casual skin-to-skin contact and touching contaminated surfaces. The infections can cause skin ulcers and abscesses, and are difficult to treat because the bacteria is resistant to many of the antibiotics used to treat earlier strains. If you notice anything unusual with how you are feeling or with your skin, you should check with your doctor. Let us know if you have any questions about this new bacteria.

International AIDS Conference

This year the International AIDS Conference will take place in Mexico City in early August. You can click www.aids2008.org for more information. Have you ever attended such a conference? There is usually lots of information that comes out of this event on new drug developments, clinical research, and international issues. In 2006, over 25, 000 people attended the International AIDS Conference in Toronto. If you attended past conferences please share your experiences with other blog readers.
On January 24, the treatment information program will provide information about the 2008 International AIDS Conference, how to apply for a subsidy to get there, and how to submit a workshop proposal. The information sessions starts at noon at BCPWA and everyone is welcome to attend.

Stigma and Discrimination

Welcome to 2008. In the last blog posting we asked for your ideas. Someone discussed whether your mind can control HIV. What about those people who have been HIV-positive for a long time, and don’t take HIV medications? How do they stay healthy? How do they handle stigma and discrimination? Do they tell others about their HIV status or live in secrecy? Although we are into a New Year, there are unfortunately some things that haven’t changed, such as the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV. What are we going to do about it?