Well another year down and a new one before us; the time when people make personal resolutions to improve their lifestyle or way of living. I myself prefer to set goals rather than resolutions; and not crazy unachievable goals, but ones with a more realistic chance of success for me when all is said and done.
One of my goals for this year, I make to myself at the start of every New Year: to live my life in as “healthy” a way as possible in order to prevent my HIV infection from moving into serious illness, requiring major medications to deal with one or more of the numerous infections than can occur.
In the last year I have had a number of friends and acquaintances come to me and share their recent HIV diagnoses, and pose a similar question. “What do I do now to make sure I do not get worse?” Honestly, that answer is not set in stone. I have only my personal experience, the life stories shared with me by many people living with HIV, and promises offered by medicines developed over the last 20 years by pharmaceutical companies and implemented by the physicians providing our health care.
There are of course the obvious things that we can do like sleep well, eat right, exercise and all the other great things we know we should be doing more often. I suppose these statements can relate to anyone who really wants to live healthy. But the one sure answer I can give persons living with HIV is that the road to staying well for as long as possible depends on our individuals choices, and our access to medicines, physicians and health care. We as persons infected with HIV must follow through on the prescribed medication treatments made by our HIV professional (adherence to medications), abstain from abuse of alcohol, non prescribed drugs and other medications, and develop a strong sense of personal self worth and being. For those battling HIV infection or any other disease this is most important for maintaining good health as long as possible.
I wish to focus more on the detrimental aspects of personal self harm through the use and abuse of alcohol, drugs, and other risky behaviours. It has been a cycle that almost every person I have known to be living with HIV has gone through; where they have considered one or more of them as an option to escape the reality of their HIV diagnosis. But I have witnessed friends who were at the bottom of a bottle pull themselves back to help educate, support and advocate for other persons with HIV and live a long and healthy life to this very day. I have sadly also witnessed those who were swept away by their addictions, making their HIV progress faster, and leading them to an early end.
Cocaine and its many variations are known to allow HIV replication to increase by as much as 10 times the normal rate, and have a direct impact on the medications used to treat HIV infection. Cocaine also has an impact on the respiratory system after prolonged use and when smoked in its “crack” form, leading to rotten teeth and gums that allow for greater infection and illnesses to take hold. The same danger exists with other party drugs such as Ecstasy, Special K, etc. which are known to have serious conflicts and side effects when combined with HIV treatment medications.
Alcohol is well known for having a negative impact on HIV treatment medications; many are basically very powerful antibiotics, and their efficacy is reduced with the use or abuse of alcohol like any other antibiotic. Another scary reality is that almost all HIV medications are passed through the liver, and adding alcohol use or abuse to that scenario can cause of serious liver damage and or failure; more so in a person who may be infected with both HIV and HCV (Hepatitis C). The other effect on medications is that the HIV virus can develop a resistance to these life saving medications more quickly if the body is under the additional stresses of excessive drug and or alcohol use.
The other destructive behavior that I commonly discuss with others living with HIV is that of increased risky sexual behaviours. Having unprotected sex without regard because one is already infected, or unprotected sex with another person who is HIV positive, are dangerous avenues to travel - yet so many have admitted to going down one or more of these paths. Some have made these choices for a short period of time, while others continue to struggle to find the strength and supports they need in order to realize that they are doing themselves further harm, and sadly some are simply lost; for now.
The reality I feel is that the shame, stigma, embarrassment and fear of what friends and family will say when they find out about our HIV status may lead us to engage in harmful activities and to take directions we would otherwise not even consider - all in an effort to escape from the reality we must face in order to survive and live well with this infection.
It is my hope that in the coming year, persons living with HIV - especially those newly diagnosed – will make connections to support systems and other persons living with HIV to help them through the reality of their diagnosis. You are not alone, and you do not have to feel that way. Please speak with your doctors honestly and openly, as that is the only way for them to provide you with the best care for your HIV infection. They also have the connections and access to help you overcome many addiction issues in a full and comprehensive circle of care unique to your needs. It is up to you to make the choice and commitment. HIV is no longer an “end of the world” diagnosis unless you choose to take the road of self-harm over self-care.
I encourage you to make the connections you need and find your “KEY” to self care and living well with HIV.
If you have questions or concerns about living with HIV/AIDS, assisting those living with HIV/AIDS or you have ideas and suggestions for future articles related to HIV/AIDS please forward them to m.randall@gaycalgary.com.
