Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Do you use complementary and alternative therapies? Many persons living with HIV use complementary and alternative therapies to manage the disease as well as some of the side effects associated with HIV medications. Unfortunately, physicians aren’t always knowledgeable on such therapies and may not even be supportive of them. They say such therapies are not supported by typical medical testing. What have been your experiences with complementary and alternative therapies? What do you use that helps you? For your information, the BCPWA Treatment Information Program will have a 6-week workshop series on complementary and alternative therapies each Thursday evening in November + on December 1st - at the BCPWA lounge (starting @ 6pm). This is open to anyone wanting to learn more about complementary and alternative therapies. Some interesting people will be presenting. You might want to come... so hope to see you there!

St. Paul's moving?

Is St. Paul’s Hospital moving? In the current living+ magazine, there’s an article about the possibility of St. Paul’s moving from the west end. Providence Health Care is looking at how to expand St. Paul’s currently limited facilities in the future. Some land was purchased on False Creek Flats (north of the rail station by Main Street), and Providence holds an option to use that land. If this happens, how will it affect the many persons living with HIV in the West End? BCPWA will be meeting with Providence officials this fall to discuss what is going on. What do you think about all of this?

Syphilis Alert

Do you know that syphilis is rising in BC at an alarming rate? We have written about syphilis before on this blog, however the importance of this sexually transmitted infection warrants another blog entry. Recently, the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control reported that in the past 5 years, there has been a steady increase in the number of syphilis infections among men who have sex with men (MSM). In 2006, 46.5 percent of new syphilis infections in BC occurred in MSM of all ages. 64.5 percent of these MSM were HIV-positive individuals who are more likely to present with later stages of syphilis. Syphilis is detected by a blood test and is available at most clinics. MSM, both positive and negative, with an active sex life should get tested regularly. Have you had experience with syphilis and taken treatments for it?

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?