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.