Fw: Hot Topics at The Body's Ask the Experts Forums

October 4, 2011

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 04 Oct 2011 18:04:22 -0400<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlOctober 4, 2011Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSBody Shape Changes HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS Hepatitis C TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHIV TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS What Could Be Causing My Low Sex Drive?I'm 60 years old and I've been HIV positive for 10 years. My CD4 count is in the 200s and my viral load is undetectable. My partner of 13 years and I have always been extremely sexual, in addition to our great relationship, but lately my libido has been close to zero. Even self-stimulation isn't successful. Is it because of my low testosterone levels? What are some other causes, and what can I do about them? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Young, Depressed and Newly Diagnosed: How Can I Cope?I'm 17 years old, and in June I was diagnosed with HIV. I live with my father (my mother passed away in 2008) and he doesn't quite understand what I'm going through. When I try to tell him something about how I'm feeling or about HIV, he gets really angry and yells. I've been really stressed out because of that reason and others, including school and getting ready for college. Is there any way to deal with stress and depression without taking antidepressants? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumBODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS What Can Be Done About Facial Nodules Caused by Sculptra?I had Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid, New-Fill) injections four years ago, and some nodules formed. After a few years they went down. Now that I've had intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy done on my face, the nodules have returned. Are there treatments available for minimizing or removing these nodules? Gerald Pierone, M.D., responds in the "Facial Wasting" forum Is Egrifta Worth a Shot a Day?I've had increased belly fat for over a year and a half. I've read about the new drug Egrifta (tesamorelin) for visceral fat reduction in HIVers. Is it worth injecting myself with it every day? What are the odds that it will actually work? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumDetail from:"HIV/AIDS Obituary Chair," 1994Kurt ReynoldsVisit the October 2011 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, entitled " Stereopsis, " is curated by Blackley.HIV/AIDS HEPATITIS C TREATMENT Should I Switch to the New One-a-Day Pill Complera?I've been taking Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) since I was diagnosed two years ago. My viral load is undetectable and my CD4 count is in the 600 range. I've had bad gut side effects with this combination, as well as lipodystrophy and high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. I know my HIV meds have been working for me, but I'd love to only take one pill per day. Might I have the same benefits with fewer side effects if I switched to Complera (rilpivirine/tenofovir/FTC)? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum What's the Latest on a Functional Cure for HIV?I've been seeing a lot of news articles recently about Sangamo BioSciences' study into a possible functional cure for HIV. What exactly are they looking at? ph P. McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Newly Diagnosed With Hepatitis C: When Should I Start Treatment?I've been HIV positive for 15 years and I take Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC); my CD4 count is 500. I was exposed to hepatitis C (HCV) around mid-July. I went to my doctor for tests in August. I didn't have HCV antibodies but my doctor found that I did indeed have the virus in my blood. My doctor suggested I start HCV treatment, but I want to hold off for as long as possible as I have a high-pressure job that involves lots of travel. How long can I wait before starting treatment? Barbara McGovern, M.D., responds in the "Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection" forumMore Questions About HIV/AIDS Hepatitis C Treatment:Just Started Atripla: Will My Wild Dreams and Calf Cramping Go Away?Does the Bergamot in My Tea Interact With My HIV Meds?Is It OK to Take Creatine if I Have Hepatitis C?OTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS Androgel and Arimidex: Will This Unusual Protocol Work Against Hypogonadism?I have secondary hypogonadism (low testosterone), and my endocrinologist put me on Arimidex (anastrozole) and Androgel. What do you think of this combination? Will it affect my ability to have children someday? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Should I Find an HIV-Positive Mental Health Provider?Do you think it's important that a mental health provider be HIV positive in order to understand his or her HIV-positive clients? Is there any way to find counselors in the HIV community that are open about their HIV-positive status? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumMy Boyfriend's Visiting and My Viral Load's High: How Can We Be Sexual and Keep Safe?(A recent post from the " Gay Men " board)This is my first post on these bulletin boards. I was recently infected which means that my viral load is astronomically high. In between being infected and being diagnosed I fell for an HIV-negative guy and he is coming to town this weekend.I am not feeling very sexual at all but are there safer ways that I can still show him that I am still tremendously sexually attracted to him? My fear is that I will get too into my thoughts and not be as adventurous as I know that we both enjoy. Does anyone have any advice or tips? -- Steelers07Click here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS Will My CD4 Count Ever Reach 500?Ever since I was diagnosed with HIV in 1995 my CD4 count has hovered around the 200 mark. The lowest it's ever been is 40; then I started HIV meds in 2005. Recently I was astonished to find it had peaked at 350, the highest it's ever been in 15 years. I see on this site that people should start treatment if their CD4 count is 500 or below, but mine seems to be naturally low. I have never had a day's illness in all these years. Should I be worried that I have only ever attained 350 CD4 cells at once? Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHIV TRANSMISSION Can an HIV-Positive Person Be Reinfected?Can someone who has been diagnosed HIV positive be reinfected by another person also living with HIV? Is it possible for someone to know if their strain is the same one their partner has? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesThe HealthCentral Network, Inc.250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 Take Action! PWN Stands With Planned Parenthood Tell Your Representative to Join the Congressional AIDS Caucus Action Alert: Tell Congress NO on Cuts to Medicaid! Community Input for 2012 International AIDS Conference You Are Invited! The Inaugural HIV Prevention Justice Leadership Assembly Call for Abstracts: 2012 National African-American MSM Leadership Conference on HIV/AIDS and Other Health Disparities in New Orleans AIDS Healthcare Foundation Announces March on Washington HIV+ Gay and Bi Men! Sign-On Letter Supporting an Informed Debate About PrEP Based on Facts, Not Misinformation

October 4, 2011

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 04 Oct 2011 18:04:22 -0400<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlOctober 4, 2011Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSBody Shape Changes HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS Hepatitis C TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHIV TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS What Could Be Causing My Low Sex Drive?I'm 60 years old and I've been HIV positive for 10 years. My CD4 count is in the 200s and my viral load is undetectable. My partner of 13 years and I have always been extremely sexual, in addition to our great relationship, but lately my libido has been close to zero. Even self-stimulation isn't successful. Is it because of my low testosterone levels? What are some other causes, and what can I do about them? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Young, Depressed and Newly Diagnosed: How Can I Cope?I'm 17 years old, and in June I was diagnosed with HIV. I live with my father (my mother passed away in 2008) and he doesn't quite understand what I'm going through. When I try to tell him something about how I'm feeling or about HIV, he gets really angry and yells. I've been really stressed out because of that reason and others, including school and getting ready for college. Is there any way to deal with stress and depression without taking antidepressants? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumBODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS What Can Be Done About Facial Nodules Caused by Sculptra?I had Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid, New-Fill) injections four years ago, and some nodules formed. After a few years they went down. Now that I've had intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy done on my face, the nodules have returned. Are there treatments available for minimizing or removing these nodules? Gerald Pierone, M.D., responds in the "Facial Wasting" forum Is Egrifta Worth a Shot a Day?I've had increased belly fat for over a year and a half. I've read about the new drug Egrifta (tesamorelin) for visceral fat reduction in HIVers. Is it worth injecting myself with it every day? What are the odds that it will actually work? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumDetail from:"HIV/AIDS Obituary Chair," 1994Kurt ReynoldsVisit the October 2011 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, entitled " Stereopsis, " is curated by Blackley.HIV/AIDS HEPATITIS C TREATMENT Should I Switch to the New One-a-Day Pill Complera?I've been taking Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) since I was diagnosed two years ago. My viral load is undetectable and my CD4 count is in the 600 range. I've had bad gut side effects with this combination, as well as lipodystrophy and high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. I know my HIV meds have been working for me, but I'd love to only take one pill per day. Might I have the same benefits with fewer side effects if I switched to Complera (rilpivirine/tenofovir/FTC)? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum What's the Latest on a Functional Cure for HIV?I've been seeing a lot of news articles recently about Sangamo BioSciences' study into a possible functional cure for HIV. What exactly are they looking at? ph P. McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Newly Diagnosed With Hepatitis C: When Should I Start Treatment?I've been HIV positive for 15 years and I take Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC); my CD4 count is 500. I was exposed to hepatitis C (HCV) around mid-July. I went to my doctor for tests in August. I didn't have HCV antibodies but my doctor found that I did indeed have the virus in my blood. My doctor suggested I start HCV treatment, but I want to hold off for as long as possible as I have a high-pressure job that involves lots of travel. How long can I wait before starting treatment? Barbara McGovern, M.D., responds in the "Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection" forumMore Questions About HIV/AIDS Hepatitis C Treatment:Just Started Atripla: Will My Wild Dreams and Calf Cramping Go Away?Does the Bergamot in My Tea Interact With My HIV Meds?Is It OK to Take Creatine if I Have Hepatitis C?OTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS Androgel and Arimidex: Will This Unusual Protocol Work Against Hypogonadism?I have secondary hypogonadism (low testosterone), and my endocrinologist put me on Arimidex (anastrozole) and Androgel. What do you think of this combination? Will it affect my ability to have children someday? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Should I Find an HIV-Positive Mental Health Provider?Do you think it's important that a mental health provider be HIV positive in order to understand his or her HIV-positive clients? Is there any way to find counselors in the HIV community that are open about their HIV-positive status? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumMy Boyfriend's Visiting and My Viral Load's High: How Can We Be Sexual and Keep Safe?(A recent post from the " Gay Men " board)This is my first post on these bulletin boards. I was recently infected which means that my viral load is astronomically high. In between being infected and being diagnosed I fell for an HIV-negative guy and he is coming to town this weekend.I am not feeling very sexual at all but are there safer ways that I can still show him that I am still tremendously sexually attracted to him? My fear is that I will get too into my thoughts and not be as adventurous as I know that we both enjoy. Does anyone have any advice or tips? -- Steelers07Click here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS Will My CD4 Count Ever Reach 500?Ever since I was diagnosed with HIV in 1995 my CD4 count has hovered around the 200 mark. The lowest it's ever been is 40; then I started HIV meds in 2005. Recently I was astonished to find it had peaked at 350, the highest it's ever been in 15 years. I see on this site that people should start treatment if their CD4 count is 500 or below, but mine seems to be naturally low. I have never had a day's illness in all these years. Should I be worried that I have only ever attained 350 CD4 cells at once? Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHIV TRANSMISSION Can an HIV-Positive Person Be Reinfected?Can someone who has been diagnosed HIV positive be reinfected by another person also living with HIV? Is it possible for someone to know if their strain is the same one their partner has? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesThe HealthCentral Network, Inc.250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 Take Action! PWN Stands With Planned Parenthood Tell Your Representative to Join the Congressional AIDS Caucus Action Alert: Tell Congress NO on Cuts to Medicaid! Community Input for 2012 International AIDS Conference You Are Invited! The Inaugural HIV Prevention Justice Leadership Assembly Call for Abstracts: 2012 National African-American MSM Leadership Conference on HIV/AIDS and Other Health Disparities in New Orleans AIDS Healthcare Foundation Announces March on Washington HIV+ Gay and Bi Men! Sign-On Letter Supporting an Informed Debate About PrEP Based on Facts, Not Misinformation

October 12, 2011

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 12 Oct 2011 16:28:14 -0400<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlOctober 12, 2011Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSMixed-Status CouplesBody Shape Change HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHIV Hepatitis C TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS How Should HIV-Positive Individuals Come to Terms With Mortality?I'm in shock and saddened at the loss of Dr. Bob, who was only 59. I looked up to long-term survivors like him. I've known at least five other positive individuals who died in the last couple years when they were just 50-60 years old. The causes ranged from heart attacks to liver failure. I just don't know how to process the uplifting claims that we will live a normal lifespan versus the people I've seen die way too young. I'm thankful that HIV meds give us more healthy years, but HIV may eventually win out. How are we supposed to cope with this? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum Is Juicing the Healthiest Way to Consume Fruit?I am 28 years old, was diagnosed with HIV nine months ago, but not on any HIV meds yet. Recently, I bought a juicer, but I'm not sure what fruits and veggies my body will need more of. I am eager to get started. Is going on a juice fast a good idea? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumMIXED-STATUS COUPLES How Can I Get My Wife Pregnant Safely?I am HIV positive and my wife is negative. We want to have a baby now. How can we minimize the risk of infecting my wife and baby? And are there programs in the New York area that can help us? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumBODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS All About Egrifta: Where'd It Come From, and How Can I Pay for It?My insurance company refuses to pay for Egrifta (tesamorelin), even after my doctor wrote a letter. I have a lot of visceral fat (18-pound increase in weight since I started HIV treatment). What advice do you have on obtaining Egrifta and improving body composition in general? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Can I Use Sculptra to Prevent Facial Wasting?Does Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid, New-Fill) prevent facial lipoatrophy or is it only a treatment for when facial wasting has already begun? How do I know when or if to start treatment?Gerald Pierone, M.D., responds in the "Facial Wasting" forumDetail from:"Nervous System," 1997 RheinVisit the October 2011 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, entitled " Stereopsis, " is curated by Blackley.HIV/AIDS TREATMENT Could Atripla Be Affecting My Sex Life?Does Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) impede sexual function? Are sexual side effects common for others on this regimen? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forum Which Tests Does Someone Need Before Starting Treatment?I am 40 years old and was diagnosed in 2003. According to my most recent labs, taken back in November 2008, my CD4 count was 345 and my viral load was around 1,700. Now I'm thinking about starting treatment. Besides the regular CD4 and viral load tests, what other assessments should I consider before starting meds? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumOTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS Have My Depression and Anxiety Meds Stopped Working?I'm 58 years old and have been HIV positive since January of 2010. My HIV meds are Norvir (ritonavir), Reyataz (atazanavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and clinical depression in 1986. I started with Prozac (fluoxetine) and have been on numerous medications since then. Some helped for months or years before they lost their effectiveness, and others didn't help at all. I've been on my current GAD regimen for more than five years. This year has been horrible for my anxiety and depression. Is it time for a medication switch? What are the options out there for treating GAD? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum Will I Ever Be Able to Take Hepatitis C Treatment Without Interferon?Several years ago I was treated for hepatitis C but was unable to tolerate the interferon portion of the treatment. Will there ever be a treatment regimen for hep C that doesn't include interferon? Barbara McGovern, M.D., responds in the "Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection" forumDon't You Get Angry When You Can't Get a Date?(A recent post from the " Living With HIV " board)I'm a 25-year-old man. I'm very upset because I'm looking for a nice woman who I can date. I have tried mixed-status relationships but it's hard. I want to date a woman with HIV. I know there are tons of us on this same boat, so why am I the only one who's angry? I have joined a few so-called HIV dating sites but they took money I didn't have and no one replied to me. Where are the resources for us to meet other HIV-positive people to date? Is there anyone out there for me? -- NormalguyClick here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS What's the Difference Between "Undetectable" and "No Target Detected"?Is there a difference between the terms "no target detected" and "undetectable" in regards to viral load testing? If so, can you please explain? Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHIV HEPATITIS C TRANSMISSION Can I Get Hepatitis C From Dried Blood on a Cocaine Straw?The other night I snorted a line of cocaine at a house party. I used my own straw, but what if the bread knife I used to cut the straw with had dried blood on it and I just didn't notice? I have read that hepatitis C can live outside the body, so could there have been some risk of infection? How would I be able to tell? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Substance Use and HIV" forum How Many Drops Does It Take to Transmit HIV?If there is a small drop of blood on household items and we touch the items with an open wound, what is the risk of HIV? Does HIV survive long outside the body and has anyone ever been infected this way? ph P. McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesThe HealthCentral Network, Inc.250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107Advertisement Sign On: Treatment Prevents Transmission -- Obama, Stand Up for Treatment Expansion Worldwide Action Alert: Tell Gov. Cuomo to Consider Transgender Medicaid Proposal Take Action! PWN Stands With Planned Parenthood Tell Your Representative to Join the Congressional AIDS Caucus Action Alert: Tell Congress NO on Cuts to Medicaid! Community Input for 2012 International AIDS Conference You Are Invited! The Inaugural HIV Prevention Justice Leadership Assembly Call for Abstracts: 2012 National African-American MSM Leadership Conference on HIV/AIDS and Other Health Disparities in New Orleans AIDS Healthcare Foundation Announces March on Washington HIV+ Gay and Bi Men! Sign-On Letter Supporting an Informed Debate About PrEP Based on Facts, Not Misinformation

October 18, 2011

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 18 Oct 2011 18:15:38 -0400<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlOctober 18, 2011Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSMixed-Status CouplesBody Shape Changes HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS Treatment Side EffectsOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHIV Hepatitis C TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS Which Diet and Supplement Regimen Will Help Me Build Muscle?I weight train four times a week, do cardio and take supplements, and I would like to build more muscle. It seems that consuming more calories or taking products like Muscle Milk aren't the answer because they may result in more visceral fat, which is already a concern for me given the metabolic changes caused by my HIV meds. Can you suggest an approach to diet and supplement use that would help me increase muscle without adding belly fat? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumMIXED-STATUS COUPLES Can You Give Me the Pregnancy Info My Conservative Doc Wouldn't?I was diagnosed with HIV six years ago while living abroad. I remember the professionalism and kindness of the doctor who gave me hope and sound advice. Upon returning to east Texas, I eventually found and married a wonderful lady who's HIV negative. We want to have a child together but when I asked my doctor about this she said I should forget about it. It would be expensive, and I couldn't possibly "do something like that in this conservative part of the country." This was personally hurtful, but I listened to her. Now I have so much regret. I'm 42 and my wife is 40. Is it too late for us to have a baby? If not, what should we do next? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumBODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS Could My Dental Work Cause My Facial Filler to Get Infected?I read somewhere that dental work, even just teeth cleaning, may cause infection in an existing Bio-Alcamid (poly-Alkyl-Imide) implant in the cheek. How is this possible and what can be done to prevent it? Gerald Pierone, M.D., responds in the "Facial Wasting" forum I Survived Prostate Cancer: Does This Mean I Shouldn't Take Egrifta?I had my prostate removed successfully two years ago. I've recently gained a lot of belly fat, but because of my prostate cancer history I've been told I can't be a candidate to take Egrifta (tesamorelin). Why would this be? Do you have any suggestions for dealing with my weight situation? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumDetail from:"Self Divided," 1999;Brent Nicholson EarleVisit the October 2011 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, entitled " Stereopsis, " is curated by Blackley.HIV/AIDS TREATMENT SIDE EFFECTS Did My HIV Med Resistance Go Away?I became HIV positive about six years ago. I'm not on HIV meds yet; my CD4 count is 800, my percentage is 30 and my viral load is stable at 5,000. When I first tested positive, a resistance test showed M41L and T215 mutations. I recently had another test which showed no mutations. My doctor explained that this is common as the virus can mutate to a stronger wild-type virus and compete with the original, weaker version, but he did say the mutations would still be archived. Is all this correct? If so, what are my treatment options? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Could My HIV Meds Be Causing Depression and Fatigue?I was diagnosed with HIV 18 months ago and have been taking Isentress (raltegravir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) with good results. The problem has been increasingly severe problems with fatigue and depression. I've been a steady gym-goer for over 25 years, but lately I seldom have the energy to get through a workout. I also battle serious bouts of depression that last several days. I've tried therapists and antidepressants with no real benefit. We've looked at hormone levels but so far nothing is abnormal. I know there was one published study of temporary worsening of existing depression with Isentress. Do you know of any further data on this phenomenon? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumMore Questions About HIV/AIDS Treatment Side Effects:What Effect Does Atripla Have on Joints and Blood Sugar?Did My HIV Meds Make Me Stop Sweating?OTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS Depression Worsening as I Deal With Health Concerns: How Can I Cope?I've stopped taking my HIV meds and antidepressants on my doctor's recommendation because my liver is damaged. I was diagnosed with HIV in 2003 and have been on the same HIV med regimen since 2004; the liver damage happened all of a sudden. We've been looking for answers since June and there are no conclusive ones. I've been working in HIV prevention since I was diagnosed; I did this work as my way to "get back at the disease" and recently, because of my liver, I've missed a lot of work. I'm in therapy because of all this but can only take Ativan (lorazepam) for anxiety. I'm at a loss as to how to lift my spirits. Do you have any suggestions? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum Anal Itching Driving Me to Distraction: How Can I Treat It?In the last year I've had two episodes of anal candidiasis after taking antibiotics. They each lasted two weeks and caused intense itching in my anus. Two months ago I tested HIV positive with a CD4 count of 200 and started on Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) immediately. I had to be on antibiotics again last week and now my anus is again itching unbearably. How can I treat this condition? Is it likely to get better now that I'm on HIV meds? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forum Heavy Drinking and Redness on Hands: Could It Be Liver Failure?I'm 40 years old and I was diagnosed with HIV less than a year ago. I have 686 CD4 cells and an undetectable viral load. I had a full organ panel in May, including liver tests, and all the results were normal to good. I have, however, been drinking heavily (six to 10 beers per evening, four to six days a week). My concern is a slight redness in my fingers and palms, which I've read could be a symptom of liver failure. Could I have developed cirrhosis in only a few months? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Substance Use and HIV" forumI Disclosed My HIV Status to a Partner After We Had Unprotected Sex: What Now?(A recent post from the " Living With HIV " board)I just told someone who I had unprotected sex with about 24 hours ago that I am positive and she is freaking out. I am very worried about being prosecuted. I live in NYC; I didn't orgasm; I asked her for a condom and she didn't provide one; my viral load is undetectable and I was diagnosed six months ago.I really really hope that she doesn't press charges, and that she doesn't get infected. I really screwed up, I know that. That is the first unprotected sex I've had since I found out, and I know it was selfish. I just couldn't bear to tell her after knowing her for only a week, as I was afraid she'd look at me differently. What can I do in this situation? What should I be prepared for? What could I do differently next time? -- dmb147Click here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS Could a Flu Shot Reduce My CD4 Count?I've been taking HIV meds for a year. In that time, my CD4 count has gone from 70 to 419. My viral load is now at 30. My question is, can a flu shot cause a person's CD4 count to decrease? If so, how long does this effect last? Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHIV HEPATITIS C TRANSMISSION Hepatitis C, Sex and My Period: Is My Partner at Greater Risk?If a woman has hepatitis C and has unprotected sex with her partner while on her period, is the partner at greater risk for getting hepatitis C than at other times of the month? Barbara McGovern, M.D., responds in the "Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection" forum Anxiety After a Rape: Does the Window Period Ever Get Bigger?I was raped in the fall of last year. In the months since then I've been tortured by fear and anxiety over whether I'm now HIV positive. I finally mustered up the courage to get tested a few weeks ago, and the test came back negative. I'm just so worried that the lady administering the test may have lied to me. Has there ever been a case where the "window period" grew wider than six months? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesThe HealthCentral Network, Inc.250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 Sign On: Treatment Prevents Transmission -- Obama, Stand Up for Treatment Expansion Worldwide Action Alert: Tell Gov. Cuomo to Consider Transgender Medicaid Proposal Take Action! PWN Stands With Planned Parenthood Tell Your Representative to Join the Congressional AIDS Caucus Action Alert: Tell Congress NO on Cuts to Medicaid! Community Input for 2012 International AIDS Conference You Are Invited! The Inaugural HIV Prevention Justice Leadership Assembly Call for Abstracts: 2012 National African-American MSM Leadership Conference on HIV/AIDS and Other Health Disparities in New Orleans AIDS Healthcare Foundation Announces March on Washington

October 26, 2011

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 26 Oct 2011 13:34:31 -0400<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlOctober 26, 2011Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSMixed-Status CouplesBody Shape Changes HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHepatitis C TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS Would Boosting My Testosterone Help Increase My Sex Drive?I'm a long-term HIV survivor in my mid-40's. My viral load is undetectable and all my other numbers are great except my testosterone level, which used to be high-normal but is now right in the middle. I'm in good physical shape but my sexual drive and sensation continue to drop from year to year. It seems too early in life for this to happen to me. My doctor doesn't want me to start testosterone replacement therapy just yet, but do you think it would help my sex drive? Do you have any other ideas? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Diagnosed With HIV on Top of Existing Anxiety: It Wasn't the End of the World!I was diagnosed with HIV 20 months ago. I'm taking Norvir (ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) and tolerating it well, though it took me over a year to get my viral load undetectable and my CD4 count up to 720. Before I was diagnosed I was dealing with severe panic attacks, and after trying many anxiety meds I saw a hypnotherapist. I learned to recognize and deal with anxiety, and I haven't had a panic attack since. My point is that becoming HIV positive and dealing with anxiety do not have to be the end of the world. I know when I was down-and-out dealing with this I thought for sure I would never get better. But I did, and I hope other readers will too. Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumMIXED-STATUS COUPLES After All These Years, How Can I Ask My Poz Partner to Use Condoms?My husband is HIV positive and has been for the nine years we've been together. We found out while I was pregnant with our first child. I had an HIV test immediately and it came back negative. My husband's doctor told us that because my husband's viral load was undetectable, we could enjoy a normal sex life. My husband took this advice to heart and doesn't use any precautions. We have a second child who also tested negative (I was also negative at that time). It's been four years since I had a test and I'm scared to take another. I feel we should use condoms, but my husband thinks we've been doing this for so long that it's obvious I can't get HIV from him. What can I do? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumBODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS I Can't Afford More Sculptra: Can I Use Radiesse Instead?I've been getting Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid, New-Fill) injections once a year after having six initial sessions for facial wasting, and it's worked great for me. However, my doctor just informed me that I won't be eligible to get more vials of the product through the Sculptra patient-assistance program for two more years. I'm nervous that waiting two years for a "tune up" will take away all the work that has been accomplished. My doctor's office also has an assistance program for Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite, Radiance). How well does Radiesse work, and how long does it last? Is it OK to go back and forth between Sculptra and Radiesse given the restrictions of the programs? Gerald Pierone, M.D., responds in the "Facial Wasting" forum"You, Dr. Bob's global online family, have suffered an immeasurable loss," writes Natterstad, M.D. ("Dr. Steve"). In this blog post, Dr. Steve writes about the life and loss of his husband and partner for 18 years -- our amazing friend and online expert Dr. Bob. Dr. Steve also shares the details of Dr. Bob's final hours.HIV/AIDS TREATMENT Should I Switch From My Current Regimen to the New 1-a-Day Pill?I've been HIV positive for 16 years. My viral load is undetectable and my T-cell count is 680. I take Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) and Viramune (nevirapine) and was wondering if there would be any benefit in switching to Complera (rilpivirine/tenofovir/FTC). Aside from taking the extra tablets daily, what's the disadvantage of Viramune compared to the new medication in Complera? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Trying to Quit Smoking: Will Nicotine Pills Interact With My HIV Meds?I take Norvir (ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC), and unfortunately I smoke. I want to quit and bought nicotine pills to help me do so. But now I'm suddenly scared that these pills might interact with my HIV drugs. Are we 100 percent sure it's safe to take both at the same time? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumOTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS Feeling Run-Down: Would Human Growth Hormone Injections Help?I'm a 46-year-old man with an undetectable viral load and a T-cell count of about 500, and I take Isentress (raltegravir), Norvir (ritonavir) and Reyataz (atazanavir). I have at times felt run-down and tired. My friend is a nurse who works for a clinic that prescribes injectable human growth hormone (HGH) to HIV-positive clients. Do you think using HGH would have any benefits to my overall health? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum What Are the Dangers of Using Poppers While on HIV Meds?I have a patient on Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) who also uses poppers. I've suggested that he refrain from recreational drug use but he is persistent. What are the potential effects of using this product while taking HIV meds? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum Detail from:"Listening to Myself: Closed," 2002 Sawdon Visit the October 2011 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, entitled " Stereopsis, " is curated by Blackley.UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS Is an Elevated CD8 Count Good or Bad?After a year on Isentress (raltegravir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC), my viral load is undetectable and my CD4 count has gone from 400 to an average of 680. However, my CD8 count remains high and my CD4/8 percentage averages at 32. What does this mean?Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHEPATITIS C TRANSMISSION Do Sexually Active Couples Need to Worry About Hepatitis C Transmission?My husband has hepatitis C. Should I be tested? Barbara McGovern, M.D., responds in the "Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection" forum Worried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesThe HealthCentral Network, Inc.250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 Sign On: Treatment Prevents Transmission -- Obama, Stand Up for Treatment Expansion Worldwide Action Alert: Tell Gov. Cuomo to Consider Transgender Medicaid Proposal Take Action! PWN Stands With Planned Parenthood Tell Your Representative to Join the Congressional AIDS Caucus Community Input for 2012 International AIDS Conference You Are Invited! The Inaugural HIV Prevention Justice Leadership Assembly Call for Abstracts: 2012 National African-American MSM Leadership Conference on HIV/AIDS and Other Health Disparities in New Orleans AIDS Healthcare Foundation Announces March on Washington

October 26, 2011

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 26 Oct 2011 13:34:31 -0400<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlOctober 26, 2011Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSMixed-Status CouplesBody Shape Changes HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHepatitis C TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS Would Boosting My Testosterone Help Increase My Sex Drive?I'm a long-term HIV survivor in my mid-40's. My viral load is undetectable and all my other numbers are great except my testosterone level, which used to be high-normal but is now right in the middle. I'm in good physical shape but my sexual drive and sensation continue to drop from year to year. It seems too early in life for this to happen to me. My doctor doesn't want me to start testosterone replacement therapy just yet, but do you think it would help my sex drive? Do you have any other ideas? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Diagnosed With HIV on Top of Existing Anxiety: It Wasn't the End of the World!I was diagnosed with HIV 20 months ago. I'm taking Norvir (ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) and tolerating it well, though it took me over a year to get my viral load undetectable and my CD4 count up to 720. Before I was diagnosed I was dealing with severe panic attacks, and after trying many anxiety meds I saw a hypnotherapist. I learned to recognize and deal with anxiety, and I haven't had a panic attack since. My point is that becoming HIV positive and dealing with anxiety do not have to be the end of the world. I know when I was down-and-out dealing with this I thought for sure I would never get better. But I did, and I hope other readers will too. Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumMIXED-STATUS COUPLES After All These Years, How Can I Ask My Poz Partner to Use Condoms?My husband is HIV positive and has been for the nine years we've been together. We found out while I was pregnant with our first child. I had an HIV test immediately and it came back negative. My husband's doctor told us that because my husband's viral load was undetectable, we could enjoy a normal sex life. My husband took this advice to heart and doesn't use any precautions. We have a second child who also tested negative (I was also negative at that time). It's been four years since I had a test and I'm scared to take another. I feel we should use condoms, but my husband thinks we've been doing this for so long that it's obvious I can't get HIV from him. What can I do? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumBODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS I Can't Afford More Sculptra: Can I Use Radiesse Instead?I've been getting Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid, New-Fill) injections once a year after having six initial sessions for facial wasting, and it's worked great for me. However, my doctor just informed me that I won't be eligible to get more vials of the product through the Sculptra patient-assistance program for two more years. I'm nervous that waiting two years for a "tune up" will take away all the work that has been accomplished. My doctor's office also has an assistance program for Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite, Radiance). How well does Radiesse work, and how long does it last? Is it OK to go back and forth between Sculptra and Radiesse given the restrictions of the programs? Gerald Pierone, M.D., responds in the "Facial Wasting" forum"You, Dr. Bob's global online family, have suffered an immeasurable loss," writes Natterstad, M.D. ("Dr. Steve"). In this blog post, Dr. Steve writes about the life and loss of his husband and partner for 18 years -- our amazing friend and online expert Dr. Bob. Dr. Steve also shares the details of Dr. Bob's final hours.HIV/AIDS TREATMENT Should I Switch From My Current Regimen to the New 1-a-Day Pill?I've been HIV positive for 16 years. My viral load is undetectable and my T-cell count is 680. I take Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) and Viramune (nevirapine) and was wondering if there would be any benefit in switching to Complera (rilpivirine/tenofovir/FTC). Aside from taking the extra tablets daily, what's the disadvantage of Viramune compared to the new medication in Complera? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Trying to Quit Smoking: Will Nicotine Pills Interact With My HIV Meds?I take Norvir (ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC), and unfortunately I smoke. I want to quit and bought nicotine pills to help me do so. But now I'm suddenly scared that these pills might interact with my HIV drugs. Are we 100 percent sure it's safe to take both at the same time? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumOTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS Feeling Run-Down: Would Human Growth Hormone Injections Help?I'm a 46-year-old man with an undetectable viral load and a T-cell count of about 500, and I take Isentress (raltegravir), Norvir (ritonavir) and Reyataz (atazanavir). I have at times felt run-down and tired. My friend is a nurse who works for a clinic that prescribes injectable human growth hormone (HGH) to HIV-positive clients. Do you think using HGH would have any benefits to my overall health? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum What Are the Dangers of Using Poppers While on HIV Meds?I have a patient on Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) who also uses poppers. I've suggested that he refrain from recreational drug use but he is persistent. What are the potential effects of using this product while taking HIV meds? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum Detail from:"Listening to Myself: Closed," 2002 Sawdon Visit the October 2011 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, entitled " Stereopsis, " is curated by Blackley.UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS Is an Elevated CD8 Count Good or Bad?After a year on Isentress (raltegravir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC), my viral load is undetectable and my CD4 count has gone from 400 to an average of 680. However, my CD8 count remains high and my CD4/8 percentage averages at 32. What does this mean?Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHEPATITIS C TRANSMISSION Do Sexually Active Couples Need to Worry About Hepatitis C Transmission?My husband has hepatitis C. Should I be tested? Barbara McGovern, M.D., responds in the "Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection" forum Worried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesThe HealthCentral Network, Inc.250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 Sign On: Treatment Prevents Transmission -- Obama, Stand Up for Treatment Expansion Worldwide Action Alert: Tell Gov. Cuomo to Consider Transgender Medicaid Proposal Take Action! PWN Stands With Planned Parenthood Tell Your Representative to Join the Congressional AIDS Caucus Community Input for 2012 International AIDS Conference You Are Invited! The Inaugural HIV Prevention Justice Leadership Assembly Call for Abstracts: 2012 National African-American MSM Leadership Conference on HIV/AIDS and Other Health Disparities in New Orleans AIDS Healthcare Foundation Announces March on Washington

November 8, 2011

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 08 Nov 2011 12:59:28 -0500<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlNovember 8, 2011Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSMixed-Status CouplesBody Shape Changes HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHIV Hepatitis C TestingLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS Why Do I Feel Sick After I Exercise?My CD4 count is around 500 and my viral load is undetectable. I recently started working out, something I've wanted to do for a long time. However, each time I work out I feel as though I have the flu the next day -- the kind of full-body ache you feel when you have a temperature and are sick (though I don't get a fever at these times). My doctor thinks I'm simply sore from the workout, but I know my body well enough to tell the difference between workout soreness and a feeling of illness. What do you think could be the problem? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumMIXED-STATUS COUPLES No Transmission for a Decade: Why Should My Partner and I Use Condoms?I'm HIV positive, and my wife and I have been having unprotected sex for just over 10 years now. At the time we started having sex, my viral load was very high. Since then we've had two HIV-negative children ages 9 and 5. All this time my wife has tested HIV negative. Why should we worry about protection, particularly since my viral load is undetectable and at some stage she was exposed to a very high viral load without becoming HIV positive? Should we take this as an indication that my wife is resistant to HIV? Cordova responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumBODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS Can a Buffalo Hump Cause Additional Health Problems?My mother takes Epivir (lamivudine, 3TC) Viramune (nevirapine) and Zerit (stavudine, d4T). In the past two months she's suddenly developed a swell on the back of her neck, and she's had some pain in it. Doctors say she needs surgery to remove the hump. Are there any other options that don't involve surgery? Could this hump cause further health complications? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumDetail from:"Red Lulu," 2006 FaulkVisit the November 2011 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, entitled " i am anyone, " is curated by .HIV/AIDS TREATMENT How Does Isentress Compare to Sustiva in Sleep Effects?I've been on Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) since February. My most recent CD4 count is 324 and my viral load is undetectable. However, the Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) in Atripla has given me insomnia and I'm considering a switch to Isentress (raltegravir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). Does this seem like a safe move? How does Isentress measure up to Sustiva in terms of sleep-related side effects? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Why Does Hypersensitivity to an HIV Drug Matter if I'm Not on That Drug?I've been HIV positive since 1999, and I learned early on through a clinical study that I have the HLA-B*5701 gene that indicates hypersensitivity to Ziagen (abacavir). I know that this gene has been associated with slower progression of HIV, but I haven't found any treatment guidelines describing the benefits of having this gene. What, if any, are the benefits of having the HLA-B*5701 gene? Are there any other meds I need to avoid? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forum Will the New Hepatitis C Meds Be Easier on a Coinfected Person's Body?Are the new hepatitis C drugs easier on the body -- and the mind -- than the usual medications, especially for an HIV-positive person? What side effects can a person on one of these meds expect?Barbara McGovern, M.D., responds in the "Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection" forumOTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS What Can I Do About a Tired Brain?I'm 49 years old and I've been HIV positive for 13 years. I exercise a few days a week and get plenty of rest at night. My viral load is undetectable and my CD4 count is 560. I take Norvir (ritonavir), Reyataz (atazanavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). In the past several years it's been like my brain is tired. I can't remember things, and it's hard to concentrate and think. I began noticing this about seven years ago, but it only happened occasionally. Now it happens all the time, and it's scaring me. I need my brain for a demanding job. Could HIV, or my meds, be affecting my brain? Do you have any suggestions for lessening these effects? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum What's the Difference Between Serum and Free Testosterone?What are the differences between different testosterone measures my doctor uses? How does testosterone move through the body anyway? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumMore Questions About Other Health Issues HIV/AIDS:Can Colostrum Supplements Help Relieve HIV Symptoms and Boost My Immune System?Why Do I Feel Like I Have to Pee All the Time?Help Out a Fellow HIVer! Take a Survey as Part of a Project on HIV Disclosure(A recent post from the " I Just Tested Positive " board)I know firsthand how difficult life is with HIV. I was diagnosed in 2004, on Valentine's Day of all days, and I have since decided to focus my studies on how HIV is communicated to the individual and the public, and the effects of these communications. I'm currently working on my master's thesis and humbly request 10 minutes of your time to fill out the survey that will be the basis of my thesis. -- DolbylifeClick here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS Why Is My Viral Load Higher Than the Person's Who Infected Me?I know who I got HIV from, but my viral load is much higher than that person's. How is this possible? Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHIV HEPATITIS C TESTING Could Syphilis Antibodies Have Caused a False-Positive HIV Test?A couple of months ago I went to an HIV testing site in my community and had an OraQuick test and a Western blot done. Both tests came back positive. Last week I had an appointment to have lab tests done and possibly start HIV meds if needed, and I found out I have syphilis! I also found out that my CD4 count was 441. Could syphilis have caused this drop in my CD4 count? Could syphilis antibodies have been misinterpreted as HIV antibodies? Cordova responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forum What's the Hepatitis C Testing "Window Period"?I've read that people often test negative for hepatitis C (as well as HIV, for that matter) inside the window period, even if they've been infected, because their bodies have not yet developed sufficient antibodies against the virus. If a hepatitis C antibody test at six months past exposure comes back negative, is there a possibility that that person could still become hepatitis C positive later on? Barbara McGovern, M.D., responds in the "Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesThe HealthCentral Network, Inc.250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 POZ Life Weekend Seminar in Las Vegas, Nevada 2011 Virtual Conference: Accessing and Understanding HIV/AIDS Patient Assistance Programs Sign On: Treatment Prevents Transmission -- Obama, Stand Up for Treatment Expansion Worldwide Action Alert: Tell Gov. Cuomo to Consider Transgender Medicaid Proposal Take Action! PWN Stands With Planned Parenthood Tell Your Representative to Join the Congressional AIDS Caucus Community Input for 2012 International AIDS Conference You Are Invited! The Inaugural HIV Prevention Justice Leadership Assembly Call for Abstracts: 2012 National African-American MSM Leadership Conference on HIV/AIDS and Other Health Disparities in New Orleans AIDS Healthcare Foundation Announces March on Washington

November 15, 2011

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 15 Nov 2011 18:30:47 -0500<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlNovember 15, 2011Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSBody Shape Change HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHIV TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS How Can We Support the Cure -- and the Man Who Was Cured?If I want to send money to the best activist group working on cure research advocacy, who should I send it to? Also, I've heard that "Berlin patient" Brown isn't doing well financially. We shouldn't allow our only living cured person to be neglected by our community. Where can we learn more about Brown, and lend him some support? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Doing Well on Meds: Do My Partner and I Still Need to Use Condoms?My partner and I are on HIV meds (different regimens) and we both respond very well to them. Is there really a risk that one of us will acquire or develop a drug-resistant strain of the virus and pass it on to the other? Cordova responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumBODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS Can I Inject Egrifta Less Frequently Than Once a Day?I've been taking Egrifta (tesamorelin) for a year to reduce belly fat. Now that it's been a year, would it be all right to lower my dosage to less than every day? Doing so would save money as well as injection pain. Do you know what would happen if I only took it one to two times per week? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumDetail from:"Soap Suds," 1980Jimmy DeSanaVisit the November 2011 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, entitled " i am anyone, " is curated by .HIV/AIDS TREATMENT How Do My 2 Regimen Options Compare to One Another?According to my doctor, I have two options regarding which HIV med regimen to take next: Combivir (AZT/3TC) and Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) or Isentress (raltegravir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). Which would you recommend, and why? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Stopped Taking HIV Meds and Feeling Great: Why Should I Start Again?I've been HIV positive for 15 years. Two years after being diagnosed I started taking Crixivan (indinavir). Since then I've tried Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC), then Lexiva (fosamprenavir, Telzir), Norvir (ritonavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). For years I dealt with belly fat accumulation and a number of other terrible side effects, in addition to being severely clinically depressed. Two years ago I made a decision to stop taking my meds. I feel so much better and more alive! What are the potential consequences of my decision? Do you have any other feedback? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Does My New Poo Schedule Mean My Meds Aren't Being Absorbed?I've been taking Norvir (ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) for six months; it's restored my CD4 count to a decent level, and my viral load is undetectable. In the past month I've noticed a change in my digestive transit. I used to have one bowel movement a day, in the morning (I take my pills with dinner, around 8 p.m.), but now I go about two hours after I take the pills. Is this enough time for the pills to digest? Will going to the bathroom so soon after taking them mean the level of medication in my body will be lower? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumOTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS What Do You Think of Testosterone Replacement Therapy?I'm a 47-year-old man, 14 years poz and going strong! However, I have slowly watched my testosterone level drop from the mid-normal range to its current low, out-of-normal range. I have an incredibly hard time getting an erection and even when I do and can ejaculate, it's hardly stiff. At my age I'm not ready to give up on sex. I'm about to go see an endocrinologist about testosterone replacement therapy. What are your thoughts about it? What are the risks, and what results have you heard reported? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum Can HIV-Positive Couples Have HIV-Negative Babies?We're an HIV-positive couple and we've both been on HIV treatment for 10 years. Can we produce a child who's HIV negative? What are some important things to remember should the female partner get pregnant? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumPaying for HIV Meds: When Our Time Comes, What Are the Options?(A recent post from the " Treatment Side Effects " board)We are a newly diagnosed couple waiting for all of our bloodwork to come back. We know I will likely have ADAP assistance in paying for meds, but my partner (a teacher whose insurance will not cover any HIV meds) will have no help. He makes "too much."What are the options -- ALL OF THEM? Seriously. What do any of you have to share? Does anyone have suggestions or stories? Does he quit his job? Do we move? I know we may not even need to start meds just yet, but I need to know what help there is out there. If I know nothing my mind goes to a place where I'm scared we're going to be homeless and have no meds. -- HIVhilarity11Click here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS Viral Load Stays "a Little Bit Detectable": Should I Get a Resistance Test?My viral load has been about 100, and intermittently undetectable (but not consistently), since I started taking Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) more than two years ago. My last labs showed my viral load went up to 584, though I did have a cold at the time. My doctor seemed unconcerned and said we'd see what the next labs show in three months. Does the increased viral load indicate the beginning of treatment failure? What are your thoughts on all this? Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHIV TRANSMISSION Does Having HPV Put Me at Greater Risk for HIV?I had receptive oral sex 36 days ago. I have the human papillomavirus (HPV). Do the effects of HPV increase my chance of getting HIV from my recent oral encounter? Cordova responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesThe HealthCentral Network, Inc.250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107Advertisement Nov. 16 Webinar: 2012 -- Revolution or Ruin? Congress Must Protect Medicare, Medicaid, White and Critical Health Services POZ Life Weekend Seminar in Las Vegas 2011 Virtual Conference: Accessing and Understanding HIV/AIDS Patient Assistance Programs Sign On: Treatment Prevents Transmission -- Obama, Stand Up for Treatment Expansion Worldwide Action Alert: Tell Gov. Cuomo to Consider Transgender Medicaid Proposal Take Action! PWN Stands With Planned Parenthood Tell Your Representative to Join the Congressional AIDS Caucus

November 29, 2011

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 29 Nov 2011 13:12:35 -0500<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlNovember 29, 2011Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSMixed-Status CouplesBody Shape Changes HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHIV Hepatitis C TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS Which Nutritional Products Have Been Researched in HIVers?What are some popular vitamin and nutritional supplements, and their potential benefits for people living with HIV/AIDS or taking HIV meds? How much do such products tend to cost, and when should they be taken relative to HIV meds? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumMIXED-STATUS COUPLES What's HIV Status Got to Do With Cheating?My partner and I had been in love for almost three years, and it was all good -- until I discovered that he cheated on me in the beginning of our relationship. He took full responsibility for his actions; we both cried all night and are now trying to cope with this. I'm trying to stand by him and support him, though I am very hurt and don't want to be in that situation again. Do you think the fact that he's HIV positive has something to do with his cheating? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumBODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS Is Sculptra Patient Assistance Available to Medicare Recipients?In July 2010 I was able to get a local cosmetic surgeon to give me a single session of Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid, New-Fill) injections as an "experiment" to see if Medicare would pay enough for him to be able to offer the service to other patients -- and complete my treatment. When he was finally paid after seven months, the amount did not even cover the price of the material, much less office expenses. As a result, he will not accept Medicare coverage for the procedure. Are Medicare recipients still eligible for Sculptra's patient assistance program?Gerald Pierone, M.D., responds in the "Facial Wasting" forumThere's so much that can be done to prevent HIV, raise HIV awareness, and lessen the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV. Here's just a sampling from TheBody.com's collection of ideas for things to do on and around World AIDS Day 2011:Test your knowledge of HIV/AIDS -- beyond the basics -- with this challenging World AIDS Day quizCreate and share World AIDS Day posters with TheBody.com's "World AIDS-inator 3000"Find a World AIDS Day event near you with our lengthy listing of World AIDS Day-related events occurring throughout the worldBrowse the rest of TheBody.com's World AIDS Day section to find out what others are doing, thinking and learning this World AIDS DayHIV/AIDS TREATMENT Switching to Twice-Daily Isentress: Was Once-Daily a Bad Idea to Begin With?I've been taking Isentress (raltegravir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) for the past 18 months with great results: My viral load is undetectable, my CD4 count is 500 and I've had no side effects. I was taking both Isentress pills once a day instead of the recommended twice-daily dosage. Now that there are study results recommending that people taking once-daily dosing switch to twice-daily, I'd like to switch as well. How do I go about making this change? Do you think my HIV doctor was wrong to suggest that I take the once-daily dose before all study results were in? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum What Could Be Causing My Fatigue?I tested HIV positive in June and started taking Norvir (ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) right away. I've had no side effects other than fatigue, which is accompanied by muscle and bone ache. What do you think is causing this? Should I start testosterone injections, even if my testosterone levels are normal? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Can I Take My Atripla With Dinner?Why aren't people supposed to take Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) with food, anyway? Can I do so if I don't experience side effects? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumOTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS What's the Latest on Cognitive Impairment in HIVers?My boyfriend has been HIV positive for four years and had an undetectable viral load for about the same time period. However, his memory appears to be failing and he's only in his mid-30s. He has undergone testing but was told the tests didn't pick anything up because they're meant to detect more drastic changes than he's experiencing. This doesn't make his experience any less distressing. Can you point me to the latest and most interesting published studies, clinical trials or other resources on this matter? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum Are My Meds Keeping Me From Achieving Erection?I was diagnosed with HIV a year and a half ago and have not had sex since then. I haven't been able to get an erection. Is it because of my HIV meds? Which erectile dysfunction drugs can be taken with HIV meds? What else can I do to get to the bottom of this issue? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Have You Ever Seen an HIVer Lose His Brows and Lashes?I was diagnosed with HIV in March 2010. Since then my eyebrows and eyelashes have fallen out. I just started taking HIV meds last week. What could be causing this effect? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumHow Do You Tell New Partners That You Have Several STDs?(A recent post from the " Gay Men " board)I was diagnosed HIV positive Dec. 21, 2010. ... I've just started dating again and met someone who is also positive, and we seem to have quite the sparks flying between one another. ... I have been dealing with syphilis for quite some time now. ... It's slowly getting better, but as of today I was told that I also have genital herpes. I understand that most of you are probably thinking "oh my god, a giant bag of STDs!" ... I made a very big mistake near the end of last year and got mixed up with crystal meth which led to a lot of unsafe behaviors. ... I feel like now, not only do I have to come out to people as HIV positive but also as a herpes carrier. I know people can look past one ... but two things?I'd really appreciate thoughts from anyone, good words, advice or other people's experiences that are similar to mine -- how did you cope? -- juju2089Click here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS Sudden Jump in Viral Load: Are Steroids the Culprits?I've been on Epzicom (abacavir/3TC, Kivexa) and Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) for seven years. For the past six and a half years my viral load has been undetectable and my CD4 count has ranged from 500 to 1,000. My most recent labs showed a viral load of 45,000. I've only missed about 10 doses in all these years, and only one at a time. The only odd thing I can think of is that I was on the steroid Medrol (methylprednisolone) for a week, as well as a 30-day course of some other meds, for a herniated disc. Could there have been some drug interaction? Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHIV HEPATITIS C TRANSMISSION Oral Sex and Deep Kissing With a Poz Partner: Should I Be Worried?I made out (deep kissing) and received oral sex from a guy. I don't believe I had any sores or cuts in my mouth or on my penis, nor do I think he did (though I didn't have any contact with his penis). He told me two days later that he's HIV positive. Based on my situation and what I've researched, it seems my risk of infection is low -- more theoretical risks than probable ones. However, I am still worrying and bothered by this. Can you lend some reassurance? Cordova responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forum How Do You Acquire Hepatitis C From Anal Play?How exactly does one come in contact with hepatitis C through anal sex? Is it only if semen enters through the anus, or are there other possible entry points?Barbara McGovern, M.D., responds in the "Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesThe HealthCentral Network, Inc.250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107Advertisement African American HIV University Community Mobilization College: Apply Today! Congress Must Protect Medicare, Medicaid, White and Critical Health Services Sign On: Treatment Prevents Transmission -- Obama, Stand Up for Treatment Expansion Worldwide Action Alert: Tell Gov. Cuomo to Consider Transgender Medicaid Proposal Take Action! PWN Stands With Planned Parenthood Tell Your Representative to Join the Congressional AIDS Caucus

November 29, 2011

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 29 Nov 2011 13:12:35 -0500<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlNovember 29, 2011Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSMixed-Status CouplesBody Shape Changes HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHIV Hepatitis C TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS Which Nutritional Products Have Been Researched in HIVers?What are some popular vitamin and nutritional supplements, and their potential benefits for people living with HIV/AIDS or taking HIV meds? How much do such products tend to cost, and when should they be taken relative to HIV meds? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumMIXED-STATUS COUPLES What's HIV Status Got to Do With Cheating?My partner and I had been in love for almost three years, and it was all good -- until I discovered that he cheated on me in the beginning of our relationship. He took full responsibility for his actions; we both cried all night and are now trying to cope with this. I'm trying to stand by him and support him, though I am very hurt and don't want to be in that situation again. Do you think the fact that he's HIV positive has something to do with his cheating? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumBODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS Is Sculptra Patient Assistance Available to Medicare Recipients?In July 2010 I was able to get a local cosmetic surgeon to give me a single session of Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid, New-Fill) injections as an "experiment" to see if Medicare would pay enough for him to be able to offer the service to other patients -- and complete my treatment. When he was finally paid after seven months, the amount did not even cover the price of the material, much less office expenses. As a result, he will not accept Medicare coverage for the procedure. Are Medicare recipients still eligible for Sculptra's patient assistance program?Gerald Pierone, M.D., responds in the "Facial Wasting" forumThere's so much that can be done to prevent HIV, raise HIV awareness, and lessen the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV. Here's just a sampling from TheBody.com's collection of ideas for things to do on and around World AIDS Day 2011:Test your knowledge of HIV/AIDS -- beyond the basics -- with this challenging World AIDS Day quizCreate and share World AIDS Day posters with TheBody.com's "World AIDS-inator 3000"Find a World AIDS Day event near you with our lengthy listing of World AIDS Day-related events occurring throughout the worldBrowse the rest of TheBody.com's World AIDS Day section to find out what others are doing, thinking and learning this World AIDS DayHIV/AIDS TREATMENT Switching to Twice-Daily Isentress: Was Once-Daily a Bad Idea to Begin With?I've been taking Isentress (raltegravir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) for the past 18 months with great results: My viral load is undetectable, my CD4 count is 500 and I've had no side effects. I was taking both Isentress pills once a day instead of the recommended twice-daily dosage. Now that there are study results recommending that people taking once-daily dosing switch to twice-daily, I'd like to switch as well. How do I go about making this change? Do you think my HIV doctor was wrong to suggest that I take the once-daily dose before all study results were in? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum What Could Be Causing My Fatigue?I tested HIV positive in June and started taking Norvir (ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) right away. I've had no side effects other than fatigue, which is accompanied by muscle and bone ache. What do you think is causing this? Should I start testosterone injections, even if my testosterone levels are normal? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Can I Take My Atripla With Dinner?Why aren't people supposed to take Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) with food, anyway? Can I do so if I don't experience side effects? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumOTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS What's the Latest on Cognitive Impairment in HIVers?My boyfriend has been HIV positive for four years and had an undetectable viral load for about the same time period. However, his memory appears to be failing and he's only in his mid-30s. He has undergone testing but was told the tests didn't pick anything up because they're meant to detect more drastic changes than he's experiencing. This doesn't make his experience any less distressing. Can you point me to the latest and most interesting published studies, clinical trials or other resources on this matter? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum Are My Meds Keeping Me From Achieving Erection?I was diagnosed with HIV a year and a half ago and have not had sex since then. I haven't been able to get an erection. Is it because of my HIV meds? Which erectile dysfunction drugs can be taken with HIV meds? What else can I do to get to the bottom of this issue? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Have You Ever Seen an HIVer Lose His Brows and Lashes?I was diagnosed with HIV in March 2010. Since then my eyebrows and eyelashes have fallen out. I just started taking HIV meds last week. What could be causing this effect? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumHow Do You Tell New Partners That You Have Several STDs?(A recent post from the " Gay Men " board)I was diagnosed HIV positive Dec. 21, 2010. ... I've just started dating again and met someone who is also positive, and we seem to have quite the sparks flying between one another. ... I have been dealing with syphilis for quite some time now. ... It's slowly getting better, but as of today I was told that I also have genital herpes. I understand that most of you are probably thinking "oh my god, a giant bag of STDs!" ... I made a very big mistake near the end of last year and got mixed up with crystal meth which led to a lot of unsafe behaviors. ... I feel like now, not only do I have to come out to people as HIV positive but also as a herpes carrier. I know people can look past one ... but two things?I'd really appreciate thoughts from anyone, good words, advice or other people's experiences that are similar to mine -- how did you cope? -- juju2089Click here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS Sudden Jump in Viral Load: Are Steroids the Culprits?I've been on Epzicom (abacavir/3TC, Kivexa) and Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) for seven years. For the past six and a half years my viral load has been undetectable and my CD4 count has ranged from 500 to 1,000. My most recent labs showed a viral load of 45,000. I've only missed about 10 doses in all these years, and only one at a time. The only odd thing I can think of is that I was on the steroid Medrol (methylprednisolone) for a week, as well as a 30-day course of some other meds, for a herniated disc. Could there have been some drug interaction? Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHIV HEPATITIS C TRANSMISSION Oral Sex and Deep Kissing With a Poz Partner: Should I Be Worried?I made out (deep kissing) and received oral sex from a guy. I don't believe I had any sores or cuts in my mouth or on my penis, nor do I think he did (though I didn't have any contact with his penis). He told me two days later that he's HIV positive. Based on my situation and what I've researched, it seems my risk of infection is low -- more theoretical risks than probable ones. However, I am still worrying and bothered by this. Can you lend some reassurance? Cordova responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forum How Do You Acquire Hepatitis C From Anal Play?How exactly does one come in contact with hepatitis C through anal sex? Is it only if semen enters through the anus, or are there other possible entry points?Barbara McGovern, M.D., responds in the "Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesThe HealthCentral Network, Inc.250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107Advertisement African American HIV University Community Mobilization College: Apply Today! Congress Must Protect Medicare, Medicaid, White and Critical Health Services Sign On: Treatment Prevents Transmission -- Obama, Stand Up for Treatment Expansion Worldwide Action Alert: Tell Gov. Cuomo to Consider Transgender Medicaid Proposal Take Action! PWN Stands With Planned Parenthood Tell Your Representative to Join the Congressional AIDS Caucus

December 6, 2011

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 06 Dec 2011 18:06:21 -0500<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlDecember 6, 2011Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSBody Shape Changes HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHIV TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS Post-Traumatic Stress and Long-Term HIV Survival: How Do We Cope?I'm a survivor of childhood sexual abuse as well as a longtime HIVer. Every single gay man I knew or had known up until the 1990s has died. I spent nearly 20 years expecting death any week, attending three to four "memorial services" on weekends, and never once having family or straight friends ask how I was handling it or what they could do to help. I recently realized that I suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. My doctor says I could live into my 80s or more, but under these conditions I'm not sure I wish to. I know "raw" sexual encounters with other poz men aren't the answer, but they're the only pleasure that distracts me from memories of that time. Do you have any suggestions? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum Will My Testicles Shrink While I'm on Testosterone?I'm in treatment with Arimidex (anastrozole) and a testosterone gel for secondary hypogonadism. Can I expect to keep my testicular volume on this course of treatment? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumBODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS Why Is Radiesse Not Sticking Around?I used to get Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite, Radiance) treatments three or four times a year, but I've gone seven times this year. I was treated with Radiesse in August, but by the first of October I had a hollow area under one cheekbone and am starting to develop one under the other. I understand the product's lifespan varies, but this seems extremely short lived, especially when I've had longer lasting results in the past. Does Radiesse simply stop working with time? I really like my doctor, but could she be using the wrong injection technique? Gerald Pierone, M.D., responds in the "Facial Wasting" forumDetail from:"Still Life With Orchids," 1999Bradford BranchVisit the December 2011 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, entitled " The Sword of Damocles, " is curated by Webb.HIV/AIDS TREATMENT Can Archived Resistance Affect Treatment Outcome Before I Even Start Meds?What is "archived resistance"? I've heard it means that it's possible to have hidden HIV mutations that don't show up on resistance tests or have any effect until the person starts taking HIV meds. How is this possible? Does this mean you could think you're good to go on all regimens, or most of them, and find out that you actually have fewer regimens that will work due to these archived mutations? ph P. McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Viral Load "Blip": Should I Be Preparing to Change Regimens?I've been taking Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) and Viramune (nevirapine) forever. My viral load recently went up to 174. If this turns out to be a signal of treatment failure, I'm curious about my options. I assume Emtriva (emtricitabine, FTC) is the probable culprit. I think I remember that AZT (Retrovir, zidovudine) and Emtriva have mutations that contradict each other. Would it make sense just to add AZT to my mix for a bit? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Will a Garlic Tea Interact With My HIV Meds?Can I soak garlic in hot water and drink the tea for its potential cholesterol-lowering benefits? Will this concoction have any negative interaction with my HIV med regimen, Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC)? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumOTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS What Can I Do to Manage Depression?I've been HIV positive for 22 years. My CD4 count is 487 and my viral load is undetectable. I've been depressed for quite a few years now. Could it be my HIV meds? I've taken quite a few HIV meds over the years, but none with the results that Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) seems to have produced. What can I do about depression when it threatens to take me over? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Can Tanning Beds Have an Effect on an HIVer's Immune System?I work with a 25-year-old HIV-positive gay man who's been taking Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) for 18 months. He's in total compliance with his meds, eats well, exercises and has the support of his family and friends. His T-cell count remained steady in the upper 200s to lower 300s during his first year on meds, but it's recently dropped significantly. Besides being under a lot of stress, the only other potential cause of this drop that we can think of is that he's a frequent user of tanning beds. Could tanning impact his T-cell recovery? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumMore Questions About Other Health Issues HIV/AIDS:Which HIV Meds Have Been Known to Cause Kidney Stones?What Kind of Specialist Treats Shingles?Can I Live With Shame, Guilt and HIV?(A recent post from the " I Just Tested Positive " board)Just in time for the holiday season I was diagnosed HIV+ and after two grueling weeks, I got my CD4 cell count and I am officially labeled as having AIDS. My count is 48. Sucks, right? Yeah. But that is not the whole of the story. In my quest for seeking some random sexual experience I may have infected my wife unknowingly. Molested as a child, raped as a teenager, I thought getting married would make it better. Cold marriage, very little sex from the beginning. ... I began to wander and now I am HIV+. ...She's getting tested now ... I used protection. I thought I did everything right. ... I pray that our complete lack of sex has protected her. ... She is planning on a divorce, keeping the kids and in her words, "I do not give a fuck what you do." And I deserve that. I am guilty. So now the question remains: Do I start taking meds and live? Or curl up in a homeless shelter and die? ... Would it not be easier to let this take me than explain everything to my family, friends and workers? ... I'm so confused and frightened, and a lot of other adjectives. Does anyone have ideas or thoughts? -- CruhavenClick here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS How Long Does It Take for HIV to Appear in the Blood?I became HIV positive in 2010. I'm in good health and my CD4 count and viral load are under control. Around 20 days after I was infected I had unprotected sex. Fortunately the person has since tested HIV negative but it makes me wonder: How many days does it take for the virus to reach a person's blood? Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHIV TRANSMISSION My Neck Got Cut in a Barbershop: Am I at Risk?I've been traveling and have gone several times to a barber near my hotel for a shave. My neck got cut at least two times on different occasions. Is there a chance of infection with HIV this way? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum Can HIV Be Transmitted by a Woman During Sex With Another Woman?What are the chances of HIV infection occurring during oral sex between two women? Cordova responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesThe HealthCentral Network, Inc.250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107Advertisement Count HIV+ Women In! PWN Launches National Campaign on World AIDS Day African American HIV University Community Mobilization College: Apply Today! Congress Must Protect Medicare, Medicaid, White and Critical Health Services Sign On: Treatment Prevents Transmission -- Obama, Stand Up for Treatment Expansion Worldwide Action Alert: Tell Gov. Cuomo to Consider Transgender Medicaid Proposal Take Action! PWN Stands With Planned Parenthood Tell Your Representative to Join the Congressional AIDS Caucus

December 6, 2011

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 06 Dec 2011 18:06:21 -0500<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlDecember 6, 2011Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSBody Shape Changes HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHIV TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS Post-Traumatic Stress and Long-Term HIV Survival: How Do We Cope?I'm a survivor of childhood sexual abuse as well as a longtime HIVer. Every single gay man I knew or had known up until the 1990s has died. I spent nearly 20 years expecting death any week, attending three to four "memorial services" on weekends, and never once having family or straight friends ask how I was handling it or what they could do to help. I recently realized that I suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. My doctor says I could live into my 80s or more, but under these conditions I'm not sure I wish to. I know "raw" sexual encounters with other poz men aren't the answer, but they're the only pleasure that distracts me from memories of that time. Do you have any suggestions? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum Will My Testicles Shrink While I'm on Testosterone?I'm in treatment with Arimidex (anastrozole) and a testosterone gel for secondary hypogonadism. Can I expect to keep my testicular volume on this course of treatment? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumBODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS Why Is Radiesse Not Sticking Around?I used to get Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite, Radiance) treatments three or four times a year, but I've gone seven times this year. I was treated with Radiesse in August, but by the first of October I had a hollow area under one cheekbone and am starting to develop one under the other. I understand the product's lifespan varies, but this seems extremely short lived, especially when I've had longer lasting results in the past. Does Radiesse simply stop working with time? I really like my doctor, but could she be using the wrong injection technique? Gerald Pierone, M.D., responds in the "Facial Wasting" forumDetail from:"Still Life With Orchids," 1999Bradford BranchVisit the December 2011 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, entitled " The Sword of Damocles, " is curated by Webb.HIV/AIDS TREATMENT Can Archived Resistance Affect Treatment Outcome Before I Even Start Meds?What is "archived resistance"? I've heard it means that it's possible to have hidden HIV mutations that don't show up on resistance tests or have any effect until the person starts taking HIV meds. How is this possible? Does this mean you could think you're good to go on all regimens, or most of them, and find out that you actually have fewer regimens that will work due to these archived mutations? ph P. McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Viral Load "Blip": Should I Be Preparing to Change Regimens?I've been taking Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) and Viramune (nevirapine) forever. My viral load recently went up to 174. If this turns out to be a signal of treatment failure, I'm curious about my options. I assume Emtriva (emtricitabine, FTC) is the probable culprit. I think I remember that AZT (Retrovir, zidovudine) and Emtriva have mutations that contradict each other. Would it make sense just to add AZT to my mix for a bit? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Will a Garlic Tea Interact With My HIV Meds?Can I soak garlic in hot water and drink the tea for its potential cholesterol-lowering benefits? Will this concoction have any negative interaction with my HIV med regimen, Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC)? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumOTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS What Can I Do to Manage Depression?I've been HIV positive for 22 years. My CD4 count is 487 and my viral load is undetectable. I've been depressed for quite a few years now. Could it be my HIV meds? I've taken quite a few HIV meds over the years, but none with the results that Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) seems to have produced. What can I do about depression when it threatens to take me over? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Can Tanning Beds Have an Effect on an HIVer's Immune System?I work with a 25-year-old HIV-positive gay man who's been taking Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) for 18 months. He's in total compliance with his meds, eats well, exercises and has the support of his family and friends. His T-cell count remained steady in the upper 200s to lower 300s during his first year on meds, but it's recently dropped significantly. Besides being under a lot of stress, the only other potential cause of this drop that we can think of is that he's a frequent user of tanning beds. Could tanning impact his T-cell recovery? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumMore Questions About Other Health Issues HIV/AIDS:Which HIV Meds Have Been Known to Cause Kidney Stones?What Kind of Specialist Treats Shingles?Can I Live With Shame, Guilt and HIV?(A recent post from the " I Just Tested Positive " board)Just in time for the holiday season I was diagnosed HIV+ and after two grueling weeks, I got my CD4 cell count and I am officially labeled as having AIDS. My count is 48. Sucks, right? Yeah. But that is not the whole of the story. In my quest for seeking some random sexual experience I may have infected my wife unknowingly. Molested as a child, raped as a teenager, I thought getting married would make it better. Cold marriage, very little sex from the beginning. ... I began to wander and now I am HIV+. ...She's getting tested now ... I used protection. I thought I did everything right. ... I pray that our complete lack of sex has protected her. ... She is planning on a divorce, keeping the kids and in her words, "I do not give a fuck what you do." And I deserve that. I am guilty. So now the question remains: Do I start taking meds and live? Or curl up in a homeless shelter and die? ... Would it not be easier to let this take me than explain everything to my family, friends and workers? ... I'm so confused and frightened, and a lot of other adjectives. Does anyone have ideas or thoughts? -- CruhavenClick here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS How Long Does It Take for HIV to Appear in the Blood?I became HIV positive in 2010. I'm in good health and my CD4 count and viral load are under control. Around 20 days after I was infected I had unprotected sex. Fortunately the person has since tested HIV negative but it makes me wonder: How many days does it take for the virus to reach a person's blood? Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHIV TRANSMISSION My Neck Got Cut in a Barbershop: Am I at Risk?I've been traveling and have gone several times to a barber near my hotel for a shave. My neck got cut at least two times on different occasions. Is there a chance of infection with HIV this way? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum Can HIV Be Transmitted by a Woman During Sex With Another Woman?What are the chances of HIV infection occurring during oral sex between two women? Cordova responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesThe HealthCentral Network, Inc.250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107Advertisement Count HIV+ Women In! PWN Launches National Campaign on World AIDS Day African American HIV University Community Mobilization College: Apply Today! Congress Must Protect Medicare, Medicaid, White and Critical Health Services Sign On: Treatment Prevents Transmission -- Obama, Stand Up for Treatment Expansion Worldwide Action Alert: Tell Gov. Cuomo to Consider Transgender Medicaid Proposal Take Action! PWN Stands With Planned Parenthood Tell Your Representative to Join the Congressional AIDS Caucus

December 20, 2011

If you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.html

December 20, 2011

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"Hot Topics" Library

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Strangest but Truest of 2011 -- The "Best of Bob": You Make the Call

Living With HIV/AIDS

Mixed-Status Couples

Body Shape Changes & HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS Treatment

Other Health Issues & HIV/AIDS

HIV Transmission

STRANGEST BUT TRUEST OF 2011 -- THE "BEST OF BOB": YOU MAKE THE CALL

Each year, we scour our "Ask the Experts" forums and ask you to vote on 10 posts we feel are the "best of the worst" -- some of the oddest questions we've seen people ask about HIV that year. Bob Frascino, M.D., ("Dr. Bob"), who passed away in September, was a master at responding to these questions. To honor his intelligent, rambunctious, compassionate spirit, our "Strangest but Truest" collection this year is a tribute to him. You still have a few days left to check out the nominees (including some past favorites) and vote!

LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS

How Can I Help My Doctor Manage Burnout?

My doctor is a great man who went into HIV/AIDS treatment back when there were AIDS wards, and has treated HIV/AIDS for the majority of his years in practice. He expressed to me, as a friend, that he now feels he's treating "age" rather than AIDS. After so many years and so much tragedy, I worry he's becoming disheartened and burned out. As a long-term survivor whom this doctor literally saved from death, what can I say to him?

Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum

What Should I Do if I Want to Cleanse?

I want to do a cleanse. Are there cleanse herbs that are safe to take with HIV meds? What can I do to cleanse toxins from my body?

Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum

MIXED-STATUS COUPLES

Brief Unprotected Penetration: What Should My Boyfriend and I Do?

I'm an HIV-positive woman with an undetectable viral load and a CD4 count of 441, and I currently take Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC). My boyfriend is HIV negative and we've always used protection, but yesterday he penetrated me without a condom for at least 10 seconds. I'm really concerned about him getting HIV from me. When would you suggest he get tested? What else can we do?

Cordova responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forum

BODY SHAPE CHANGES & HIV/AIDS

How Do I Find a Radiesse Provider Who Offers Patient Assistance?

I'm on Social Security Disability and I've run out of access to Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid, New-Fill) treatments. Where can I go to access the other approved treatments like Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite, Radiance) that entail fewer treatment sessions and greater affordability?

Gerald Pierone, M.D., responds in the "Facial Wasting" forum

Detail from:

"Anger Management," 2003

Jerry Frost

Visit the December 2011 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, entitled "The Sword of Damocles," is curated by Webb.

HIV/AIDS TREATMENT

Just Started Atripla: How Can I Alleviate Side Effects?

I started taking Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) a bit more than two weeks ago. Since then I've been experiencing severe dizziness, especially in the morning though lately it's been progressing through the afternoon. Moreover, a light rash and nausea appeared today. I understand I have to be patient but these symptoms are driving me crazy. Is there anything you can suggest that might help?

Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forum

Should I Switch From One 3-Drug Combo Pill to the Other?

I've been on Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) for about two years with very good results aside from high cholesterol and triglycerides. My doctor suggested I switch to the new one-pill-a-day regimen Complera (rilpivirine/tenofovir/FTC) to avoid these lipid-related concerns. What's your opinion on this? What do I need to know as I consider this switch?

ph P. McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum

Are There Different Strains of HIV?

Are there different strains of HIV? If there are, are treatment plans the same for all?

Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum

Anyone Ever Feel Hopeless and Isolated -- Even in the "Big City"?

(A recent post from the "Living With HIV" board)

I'm a 34-year-old gay man living in New York City and I've been HIV positive for two and a half years. I'm having a harder time now than when I was first diagnosed. ... In a city like New York, you'd expect there to be a huge support network. But I haven't found that to be the case. ... There seem to be some good resources for people who have no job or housing, or for those with great jobs and fabulous health insurance -- but not for those of us who are working hard and struggling to pay for rent and insurance.

I just feel incredibly overwhelmed with no support system at all. ... I don't really have any relationship with my family, and my self-esteem is too low to deal with the "gay scene" and all the bitchy beautiful boys who are eager to reject me. And it makes me angry when people say things like, "Just be glad it isn't the 1980s," or "Anyone can get hit by a bus and die tomorrow." No one seems to understand (or care) how it really feels. ... I feel pretty hopeless right now. Has anyone else out there experienced something similar? -- cambr9

Click here to join this discussion, or to start your own!

To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!

OTHER HEALTH ISSUES & HIV/AIDS

What Else Can I Do to Build Up Lost Muscle Mass?

I'm a 31-year-old man with an undetectable viral load and a CD4 count of 500. I currently take Norvir (ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). I also use Androgel, which helped with my low testosterone levels. Since becoming HIV positive two years ago, I've lost muscle mass, My doctor referred me to a nutritionist and I've been exercising at least three times a week, but I'm still having trouble maintaining my weight and muscle mass, and it's beginning to show. What else can I do to improve this situation?

Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum

Can My Cat Give Me Toxoplasmosis?

I have a cat, and I'm always very careful when I change the litter box -- I wear gloves and wash my hands twice afterward. Would there still be any risk of coming into contact with the toxoplasmosis parasite via an airborne route while I change the box? Do you think I should have lab work done to check for infection?

Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forum

HIV TRANSMISSION

How Can I Cope With My Anxiety Over Possible HIV Exposure?

I'm a 32-year-old woman. Two weeks ago I had a weekend affair with a friend of mine. We had unprotected vaginal and oral sex, and I came home with incredible fear and anxiety. I had flu-like symptoms three days after coming home. I told my friend and he felt horrible for scaring me; he went to the clinic for an HIV test and should get his results within the next week, but now I've got a rash and I'm terrified it's due to seroconversion. I'll be getting tested soon but where I live that can't happen until 28 days after potential exposure. I don't know what would happen to me, or my 3-year-old child, if I were HIV positive. I also really do believe I have an anxiety disorder. I don't want to keep worrying about the "mights" in my life. Do you have any suggestions of first steps I can take to get help with anxiety?

Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum

Worried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?

The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.

To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.

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Demand Hershey Reverse Decision on HIV+ Student and Dismiss School Officials

Count HIV+ Women In! PWN Launches National Campaign on World AIDS Day

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Sign On: Treatment Prevents Transmission -- Obama, Stand Up for Treatment Expansion Worldwide

January 4, 2012

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 04 Jan 2012 18:43:10 -0500<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlJanuary 4, 2012Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionOur Newest Safe Sex andHIV Prevention Forum ExpertRecently Diagnosed With HIV/AIDSMixed-Status CouplesBody Shape Changes HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS Hepatitis C TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSHIV TransmissionOUR NEWEST SAFE SEX AND HIV PREVENTION FORUM EXPERT Medical Care Manager Southall Joins TheBody.com's "Ask the Experts" ForumsPlease join us in welcoming R. Southall as our newest expert in the Safe Sex and HIV Prevention forum. A longtime HIV/AIDS advocate and leader, currently works as a medical care manager at Rocky Mountain CARES, a Denver nonprofit organization. She is a wife and a stepmom to two boys, and has been living with HIV since 1992. With all her experience, knowledge and wisdom, we're glad to add her voice and perspective to the growing team of experts in this forum.RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH HIV/AIDS How Do I Live With Constant Worry?I'm a 46-year-old gay man and I was diagnosed with HIV a year ago. I take Complera (rilpivirine/tenofovir/FTC) and I haven't felt ill with anything HIV-related since the flu-like symptoms I had after infection. However, anytime I feel I might be coming down with anything, I fear the worst, which is a horrible way to live. How can I cope with this? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum What Does My Future Hold?I was recently infected and diagnosed with HIV. I'm planning to check my CD4 count soon and start taking Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) if it's below 550 because I've heard that if people start HIV meds with a higher CD4 count, they have a better chance of living longer. I'm becoming madder day by day, because I want to live. Can I? What does my future look like if it turns out I was diagnosed at a fairly early stage? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum Which Lab Tests Should I Be Getting?I was just diagnosed with HIV through a local HIV outreach group. It will be two more weeks before I see a specialist. I was exposed less than six months ago, but I'm reading stories of viral loads being high even for those who are newly infected. The wait to see a doctor is making me tremendously anxious as I imagine my numbers skyrocketing each day. Can you help me understand the kinds of tests I should get when I finally see the HIV specialist for the first time? ph P. McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumMIXED-STATUS COUPLES Should I Look to Marry Someone Who's Also Poz?I recently advised my HIV-negative girlfriend to leave me since I tested HIV positive. We were just about to get married, but I told her to find a healthy person to marry and not put herself at risk with me. I hope she agrees with me. I'm so afraid of isolation and stigma, and of not finding anyone to love. Should I set my sights on finding someone HIV positive to marry? R. Southall responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumDetail from:"Untitled ( Haring)," 1985-1988 Visit the January 2012 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, entitled " If You Didn't Laugh, You'd Cry, " is curated by Stuart Sandford.BODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS Switching Meds or Sheep Placenta: Which Is Best for My Lipoatrophy?I'm an HIV-positive man in my 40s and I've been taking Combivir (AZT/3TC) and Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) since 2003. My CD4 count ranges from 600 to 850 and my viral load is undetectable. I'm experiencing facing lipoatrophy -- my face has that sharp, thin look. I've been taking sheep placenta supplements daily for several weeks to slow the effects of facial wasting. Do you think this will help? Could switching meds be another option?Gerald Pierone, M.D., responds in the "Facial Wasting" forumHIV/AIDS HEPATITIS C TREATMENT What Do You Know About Telaprevir for Hepatitis C?I'm a 53-year-old non-smoking woman with no other health issues besides hepatitis C. Do you know of any studies or reports about the newly approved hepatitis C drug Incivek (telaprevir)? My doctor told me that, taken in combination with Pegasys (peginterferon alfa-2a) and ribavirin, there's an excellent chance for me to get rid of the hepatitis C virus. What do you know about this course of treatment? Barbara McGovern, M.D., responds in the "Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection" forum Can I Crush Atripla Before I Take It?I have oral candidiasis and can't swallow my Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) pill, so my doctor told me to crush it in order to take it. Am I'm still getting the necessary dosage by taking the medication in this way? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumWhat NOT to Take With HIV Meds?(A recent post from the " Nutrition, Exercise HIV " board)We always hear about what to do for our health, but how many know what NOT to do while on HIV treatment? I don't mean the obvious stuff such as sex and drugs, but things like grapefruit juice. Did you know that it is a BIG no-no when taking some HIV meds? How about milk thistle? It's great for hep C livers but again, it's a no-no with HIV meds. Be careful with your herbal supplements! Is anyone else aware of any foods, supplements or herbs that we should be particularly careful of? -- riverprincessClick here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!OTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS What Do HIVers Need to Know About Bone Health?I'm a 61-year-old woman who has just been diagnosed with osteoporosis. I've been taking Isentress (raltegravir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) for about a year and a half, and prior to that I took Combivir (AZT/3TC) and Viramune (nevirapine) for about 10 years. Are treatments for osteoporosis safe to take with my HIV meds? What else is there to know about bone health and HIV? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum What's the Skinny on Other STDs?Can you tell me the different testing window periods for various sexually transmitted diseases? What about the kinds of tests that detect each of them? Cordova responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumHIV TRANSMISSION Could Banana Lectin Prevent HIV Transmission?I recently read an article that suggested that a substance found in bananas could potentially block HIV from attaching to CD4 cells. Can you explain this study to us? Based on the results of this study, can I assume that eating a lot of bananas would increase one's CD4 count?ph P. McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesRemedy Health Media, LLC250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 Tell to Stop Turning Its Back on AIDS Patients HIV Positive Detroit Man Faces Massive Discrimination by Employer: The White Story Activists Launch New Survey to Help Speed HIV Cure Research Demand Hershey Reverse Decision on HIV+ Student and Dismiss School Officials Count HIV+ Women In! PWN Launches National Campaign on World AIDS Day African American HIV University Community Mobilization College: Apply Today! Sign On: Treatment Prevents Transmission -- Obama, Stand Up for Treatment Expansion Worldwide

January 10, 2012

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 10 Jan 2012 17:13:51 -0500<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlJanuary 10, 2012Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionMore New Safe Sex and HIV Prevention Forum ExpertsLiving With HIV/AIDSMixed-Status CouplesBody Shape Changes HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHIV TransmissionMORE NEW SAFE SEX AND HIV PREVENTION FORUM EXPERTS Two Seasoned HIV Docs Join the Safe Sex and HIV Prevention ForumPlease join us in welcoming B. Hightow-Weidman, M.D., M.P.H., and Wohl, M.D., as the newest experts in our "Ask the Experts" forums. Both are professors as well as clinicians at the University of North Carolina -- Chapel Hill, and both have extensive experience working with people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS. Dr. Wohl is also an "Ask the Experts" veteran, having answered questions in the Choosing Your Meds forum from 2002 to 2008. His and Dr. Hightow-Weidman's perspectives are excellent additions to the diverse and growing Safe Sex and HIV Prevention forum expert team.LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS How Do I Control Water Weight While on Testosterone?What are some of the causes and symptoms of increased water retention while using testosterone? Is there anything that can be done to manage this effect? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Is Sauna Use Safe for People Living With HIV?I love to go to the gym because exercise helps me look and feel good. I love to use the sauna at the gym as well. Is using the sauna potentially harmful for HIV-positive people? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumMIXED-STATUS COUPLES Am I Missing Out on an Important Experience by Playing It Safe?I'm 37 and I've never had anal sex. My boyfriend tested HIV positive a year ago, he takes HIV meds and and his viral load is undetectable. Since I've never experienced the complete intimacy involved in having somebody cumming inside me without a condom, do you think I'll someday start to regret being with someone with whom I always use condoms? I love my boyfriend, but is love enough? R. Southall responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumBODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS How Do My New Meds Measure Up in Lipoatrophy Risk?I just started taking Norvir (ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) about a week ago. Is this regimen considered low risk where lipoatrophy is concerned? Are there better regimen options for avoiding this effect?Gerald Pierone, M.D., responds in the "Facial Wasting" forumWe here at TheBody.com scoured the "Strange but True" sections of last year's Hot Topics newsletters and nominated some of the most unusual HIV-related scenarios people asked about in 2011. We also brought back some old "bests of the worst" from previous years as a tribute to Bob Frascino, M.D., ("Dr. Bob"), master of the "Strange but True" response, who passed away in September 2011.Hundreds of you voted on which of the 10 finalists represent the zaniest of what the forums have to offer. We've tallied up the votes and calculated their average ratings, so check out the "Best of Dr. Bob" from 2011 and beyond!HIV/AIDS TREATMENT Is Kidney or Liver Failure Inevitable on HIV Meds?I currently take Complera (rilpivirine/tenofovir/FTC). I was talking to someone who told me that the HIV meds will eventually lead to kidney or liver failure 20 years or so down the road. This idea is just irking me. Is it true? Is it inevitable that HIVers eventually die from kidney or liver failure because of the meds? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Doesn't My Size Mean I Should Take Less of My Medication?I take Aptivus (tipranavir) and Norvir (ritonavir). After reading that many HIV meds are tested in men who are at least 200 pounds, I thought that since I'm a small guy of only 140 pounds, I could cut the dosages of both my meds in half. I've been doing this for two weeks now and my side effects have been gone ever since; in fact, I feel like I have more energy. What are the potential risks of this plan?ph P. McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum How Can I Tell if My HIV Meds Are the Reason I Can't Sleep?My HIV med regimen includes Intelence (etravirine), Isentress (raltegravir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). Could one of these meds be causing my sleeplessness? How can I figure that out? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumMore Questions About HIV/AIDS Treatment:Could a Gold-Containing Compound Used in Monkeys Kill HIV?Atripla and Social Cocaine Use: What Are the Risks?OTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS How Does Heavy Drinking Affect HIV?My wife was diagnosed with HIV in March 2011. Her CD4 count was 100 and her viral load was 273,000. She was put on Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) and long-term antibiotics; but because of immigration problems she was deported back to Africa, where she has been binge drinking two to three times a week for the past three months. She's still taking meds, however. Is heavy drinking while on HIV meds detrimental to her health? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Is It Too Late to Be Vaccinated for HPV?My CD4 count is 350 and my viral load is undetectable. I recently had a slightly abnormal anal Pap smear, so my doctor had me get an anoscopy. The specialist said that everything looked fine, and suggested that I consider getting a Gardasil vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV). My regular HIV doctor thinks I should wait until more research into the benefits of this vaccine is completed. Given that I'm sexually active, not in a monogamous relationship, and can afford the vaccine, should I just do it? What do you recommend? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumGetting Comfortable With Sex Again: Can Anyone Relate?(A recent post from the " Gay Men " board)After almost two years of living with HIV, I'm finally starting to be open about my status and to let people really get to know me. However, I'm still not comfortable with sex. Therapy really isn't an option for me because of where I'm located. Can anyone suggest books or anything that may help me? -- engmotoClick here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS How Could a Person With the CCR5 Mutation Become HIV Positive?I have an HIV-positive friend who has the CCR5 mutation. He's never had a detectable viral load and he is not on HIV meds. If bone marrow with this genetic mutation cured "Berlin patient" Brown, then how can someone who has the gene naturally be infected? If the virus needs the CCR5 protein to infect the cell then how can someone in my friend's situation become HIV positive?Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHIV STD TRANSMISSION TESTING Would Syphilis Cause a False-Positive HIV Test?I'm a 30-year-old man with no history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). I had a possible exposure to STDs and HIV through unprotected oral sex (I was the insertive partner -- the one getting sucked). It happened exactly seven days ago. How accurate would an HIV test be at 28 days? What about tests for other STDs? If I contracted syphilis from this encounter and was tested for HIV, could syphilis antibodies cause my HIV antibody test to mistakenly come back positive? B. Hightow-Weidman, M.D., M.P.H., responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forum Swallowed Something From a Stripper's Breast: Am I At Risk?I swallowed a small amount of breast milk from a stripper. I don't know her HIV status, and my mouth is intact -- no sores, cuts or bleeding gums. How likely is it that I could become HIV positive as a result of this encounter? Cordova responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesRemedy Health Media, LLC250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 Activists Launch New Survey to Help Speed HIV Cure Research Demand Hershey Reverse Decision on HIV+ Student and Dismiss School Officials Count HIV+ Women In! PWN Launches National Campaign on World AIDS Day African American HIV University Community Mobilization College: Apply Today!

January 31, 2012

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 31 Jan 2012 16:52:12 -0500<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlJanuary 31, 2012Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSBody Shape Changes HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSHIV TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS Could Exercise Cause Excessive Inflammation?I do two heavy trainings and two light trainings at the gym each week, and I play golf on the weekends. I also have a viral load of 300 and a CD4 count of 1,340, though I don't take HIV meds yet. My doctor is worried that my gym sessions and related fat burn will cause unnecessary inflammation, and encourages me to exchange my gym sessions for just swimming or walking. I'm a little confused about my doctor's advice. What do you know about exercise and inflammation? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum How Do I Tell My Loved Ones I'm HIV Positive?I was just diagnosed, and I haven't told anyone. I was diagnosed within four months of exposure and I'm in good shape, with good insurance and a good job. Things seem in my favor as much as they can be. My biggest stressor is the thought of telling my family, who all live out of state. I'm the "rock" who always helps them, and I can't imagine delivering news that will devastate them. At the same time I feel not telling is a betrayal. Right now they help me without knowing because when I talk to them it's the only time I'm not thinking about this disease. Once they know I fear I'll have no escape. Do you have any advice? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum Do I Have to Go on Medicare When I Reach 65?I'm 59 years old. In six years my company's insurance will drop me because my company requires I go on Medicare when I'm 65. Is this legal? My excellent HIV doctor doesn't take Medicare. I'm already anxious. What can I do to prepare for this? Jacques Chambers, C.L.U., responds in the "Workplace and Insurance Issues" forumDetail from:"Sheer Gucci Underwear," 1998Edurado MiralesVisit the January 2012 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, entitled " If You Didn't Laugh, You'd Cry, " is curated by Stuart Sandford.BODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS What Diet Do You Suggest to Slow Weight Gain?I'm on Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) and I've been gaining weight around my belly. Can you recommend an eating plan that might help reduce this fattening?Gerald Pierone, M.D., responds in the "Facial Wasting" forumHIV/AIDS TREATMENT Can I Go Off Meds to See if My Virus Is Gone?I'm 54 years old. I've been HIV positive for 18 years and I've been taking HIV meds since I seroconverted. My viral load is undetectable and my CD4 count is 602. I want to do some sort of test to see whether HIV is lying dormant anywhere in my body, and if it can't be found I want to stop taking HIV meds for a while -- not because of any health issues or side effects, but because I dislike taking them. Do you have any experience with people who have tried something like this? What effect could going off meds have on my sex life with my partner, who's HIV negative? Wohl, M.D., responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forum Will My HIV Regimen Still Work After a 2-Month Break?I had a hysterectomy in November 2011. I was so sick I couldn't take my HIV meds for two months. Now that I'm better, will my HIV meds still be effective or should I change medications? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forum Do I Have to Start HIV Meds if I'm Treating My Hepatitis C?I'm HIV positive but not on meds. My viral load is low and my CD4 count is above 500. I was diagnosed with hepatitis C and it seems I'll be starting meds for that. My doc mentioned briefly that I should start HIV meds as well, but I feel that treating hep C first is the way to go. Am I correct not to want to start HIV meds while I'm still doing well HIV-wise?Barbara McGovern, M.D., responds in the "Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection" forumHow Can I Stay Healthy Before I Start HIV Meds?(A recent post from the " Treatment Side Effects " board)I got my first labs in today: My CD4 count is 1,040 and my viral load is 9,095. Not considering HIV meds right now. I will evaluate after my next test in three months. However I was wondering what I can do NOW to prepare my body. One of my big concerns is the damage all of the unnatural chemicals in the meds will do to my body. Any advice? What can I do or take -- herbs, etc. -- to offset that before I start? What have others out there done? -- TheGoodLifeClick here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!OTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS What if Surgeons Won't Operate on Me Because I'm HIV Positive?I was given an AIDS diagnosis six years ago. I've started taking Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC), and having good results. My CD4 count is 364 and my viral load is undetectable (up from less than 50, and down from 260,000, when I began). I've now been diagnosed with avascular necrosis in both hips, and urgently need a hip replacement on one of them. I've been to two orthopedic surgeons who've refused to take my case, and it's obvious from what they both said that it's because neither of them wants an HIV-positive patient. I know this is not legal, and I wouldn't want a doctor who was prejudiced against me anyway. But how can I find the help I need without going through this discriminatory process over and over again? Jacques Chambers, C.L.U., responds in the "Workplace and Insurance Issues" forum Do Immunizations Patch the "Holes" in Our Immune Systems Left by HIV?I've been HIV positive for over 24 years. A long time ago, my doc told me that upon initial infection with HIV, it pokes "holes" in your immune system that are presumably permanent. He used an analogy like: if you remove the letter Z from the alphabet, you can't spell "zebra" any longer, but you can still describe it. If this "hole" theory is correct, are immunizations the thing to make up for these vulnerabilities? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumHIV TRANSMISSION HIV Transmission Through Sharing a Crack Pipe: What's the Risk?I have never smoked crack before but one night, when I was very depressed, I was looking for cocaine and could only find crack, so I shared a pipe or two. I didn't have any open cuts in the beginning or end of the night, but when I woke up, I saw dried blood on my lip. What are the chances that I contracted HIV from the pipe? What other kinds of HIV risks come with smoking crack? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Substance Use and HIV" forum Could My Lesbian Partner Have Put Me at Risk for HIV? I am a lesbian and have been dating a close female friend for a few months. Recently it came to light that she has never been HIV tested before, as she for some reason thought it was part of routine blood tests. She had unprotected vaginal and anal sex one time with a man she met at a bar back in 2008. He did not ejaculate inside of her. I'm concerned that she may have been exposed to HIV during her one-night stand because he obviously didn't care about using condoms. Could she be HIV positive, and could I have been exposed to HIV through her vaginal fluids coming into contact with small cuts on my lips when I perform oral sex on her? R. Southall responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesRemedy Health Media, LLC250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 Young AIDS Activists! Apply for C2EA's 2012 Youth Action Institute -- June 10 - 16, 2012 Ohioans Living With HIV/AIDS Need Our Help! Activists Launch New Survey to Help Speed HIV Cure Research Demand Hershey Reverse Decision on HIV+ Student and Dismiss School Officials Count HIV+ Women In! PWN Launches National Campaign on World AIDS Day African American HIV University Community Mobilization College: Apply Today!

February 7, 2012

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 07 Feb 2012 18:23:47 -0500<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlFebruary 7, 2012Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSBody Shape Changes HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSHIV TransmissionStrange but TrueLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS How Do I Deal With the Uncertainty of Living With HIV?I've found it stressful to see people who are being successfully treated for HIV die between 50 and 60 years old. I just turned 48. What if my number is up in the next decade? Suppose I spend all my money doing things I want to do now, then live into retirement and have nothing saved because I didn't expect to live that long? What if I save lots of money, then die before I'm able to use it? How am I supposed to enjoy my life day by day? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum Returning to Work: How Will I Keep Paying for My HIV Care?Ever since being placed on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) due to an AIDS diagnosis in 2008, all I could think about was returning to the workforce and finding my place in the community again. However, I'm terrified of losing my ability to pay for my HIV meds and medical care. What do I need to be aware of as I prepare to return to work? Jacques Chambers, C.L.U., responds in the "Workplace and Insurance Issues" forumBODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS Should I Treat My Enlarged Parotid Glands?I've been looking for information on electron radiation therapy for the treatment of enlarged parotid glands, which can cause facial distortion -- particularly a "moon face" look. Does this treatment method have any clinical benefit besides improving quality of life through cosmetic benefits? Does it have any effect on viral load or CD4 count? Where can I get more information? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumToday, Feb. 7, is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in the U.S. In observance of the day, TheBody.com asked African-American HIV/AIDS experts to cut through the hype and tell us in plain language what factors are really to blame for the persistence of HIV in African-American communities.HIV/AIDS TREATMENT What Can I Do if I Can't Get ADAP Coverage?What will happen to people who can't get access to their HIV meds through AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs)? If income requirements for eligibility keep lowering, do people have to just not get their meds and wait to die? What are our options? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Why Would I Ever Need to Switch Meds?Thankfully, I've never experienced any side effects in the past two years I've been taking Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC), my first and only HIV med regimen. Is there a chance that I may one day need to change my medication? What factors would contribute to this need to switch? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum How Can I Get Rid of Loose Stools?In my first month on HIV meds I had no side effects, except for slightly looser stools. Now, after several months, it seems my stools are always loose, regardless of what l eat. Is this common? What can I do about it? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumMore Questions About HIV/AIDS Treatment:Is Atripla or Triomune Better for Starting Treatment?Will Over the-Counter Sleeping Pills Interact With My HIV Meds?OTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS Is Depression in Poz People Caused by the Virus Itself?I recently saw the psychiatrist at my provider's office due to some depressive thoughts. Is depression a common occurrence due to the virus's effect on the body, as opposed to the psychosocial factors that contribute to depression in people living with HIV? Aren't antidepressants just an aid until one can change the psychosocial factors and feel better on their own? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum Can HIV Meds Slow the Progression of Hepatitis C?How can HIV meds have an effect on hepatitis C virus progression? I've read that they can exacerbate liver damage, but is it possible that the meds could also slow liver disease progression?Barbara McGovern, M.D., responds in the "Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection" forum Reactive Syphilis Test After Treatment: Is This Possible?Is it possible to be treated successfully for syphilis and have a nonreactive test result, then have another reactive test without having had sex with anybody?Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHey, Poz LGBT Folks: Share Your Coming-Out Stories!(A recent post from the " Gay Men " board)What has the whole "coming out" process been like as a person living with HIV who is gay, bi or transgender? Is coming out -- as HIV positive and/or as LGBT -- something you still struggle with? Why, or why not? I am a young person in my early 20s. I was born with HIV and I am bi, and I would love to hear other people's stories of coming out! -- KeyaClick here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!HIV TRANSMISSION Just How Delayed Was the Most Delayed Seroconversion Ever?I had a low-risk exposure to HIV 18 months back. I have tested negative for HIV every three months since that encounter. I've been reading about delayed seroconversion and I was wondering: According to available literature, what is the longest possible duration between HIV exposure and seroconversion? I read about a case in a 1997 study in which seroconversion took eight to nine months. Is that the maximum? Wohl, M.D., responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forum Pregnancy Has Me Anxious: Is My Risk Real? I have a fear of contracting HIV from means that are out of my control. I'm pregnant with my fourth baby, and my fears seem to heighten when I'm pregnant. I recently went for prenatal testing and they needed to draw blood. I'm worried that when I wasn't looking, the technician might have accidently pricked herself with the needle she then used to draw my blood. If I contracted HIV or hepatitis C, this would not only affect me but also the baby inside me. I'm really scared and would just like to enjoy my pregnancy rather than worry. Should I get tested for HIV? B. Hightow-Weidman, M.D., M.P.H., responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumSTRANGE BUT TRUE Could Sparky's Claws Double as HIV Transmitters?Last week I visited an HIV-positive friend. I brought my small dog that likes to scratch people's legs as a greeting. He scratched my friend's leg, and a few minutes later the dog scratched my arm. Neither of us bled, but my skin did burn and get red. I know the "H" in HIV stands for "human" and dogs cannot contract it, but could the (hypothetical) blood on the dog's nail be fresh enough to have infected me? Cordova responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesRemedy Health Media, LLC250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107Advertisement "Update Your Status" This Valentine's Day and Encourage More HIV Testing Young AIDS Activists! Apply for C2EA's 2012 Youth Action Institute -- June 10 - 16, 2012 Ohioans Living With HIV/AIDS Need Our Help! Activists Launch New Survey to Help Speed HIV Cure Research Demand Hershey Reverse Decision on HIV+ Student and Dismiss School Officials Count HIV+ Women In! PWN Launches National Campaign on World AIDS Day African American HIV University Community Mobilization College: Apply Today!

February 22, 2012

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 22 Feb 2012 11:23:30 -0500<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlFebruary 22, 2012Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSMixed-Status CouplesWorkplace, Insurance Legal ConcernsHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHIV Hepatitis C TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS How Can I Stop My Sisters From Telling Everyone My HIV Status?I am astounded each time I find out yet another person in my life knows my HIV status because one of my sisters feels the need to tell people their brother "has AIDS," as they say. I disclosed to friends, a gay couple, in confidence when I was newly diagnosed in September 2002. One of them told my younger sister, who told my older sister. They speak freely to whoever about my HIV, yet they never reached out to me then. I'm very comfortable with my status (the world is not), but it's my own personal business to disclose when I need to. Is there anything I can do legally to let them know I mean business, and what they're doing is wrong? Christa Douaihy, Esq., responds in the "Legal Issues and HIV" forum What About Testosterone Replacement in Poz Women?I'm an HIV-positive woman in my 40s, in good health with an undetectable viral load and high CD4 count. Recently, though, I have been experiencing fatigue. I was reading about various possible causes and noted that low testosterone was among them. When I asked my doctor if we could check my testosterone level, he said he wouldn't know what to do with the information and there really isn't any guidance regarding testosterone for women. In other words, no. What do you think about this? What are my options? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumMIXED-STATUS COUPLES If Saliva Doesn't Transmit HIV, How Do Oral HIV Tests Work?I'm an HIV-positive woman dating a man who's HIV negative. My T cells are above 900 and I've always had an undetectable viral load. He and I have some questions about HIV and saliva: If it's possible to swab a person's mouth to do an oral HIV test, doesn't that mean HIV could be transmitted through mouth-to-mouth contact like kissing or sharing wine between each other's mouths? Is there a gum I can chew before we kiss to protect him from HIV? R. Southall responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumWORKPLACE, INSURANCE LEGAL CONCERNS Returning to Work: What Are My Rights?I've been out on disability for 15 years. At that time I became ill and was put on "emergency medical leave." Call it what you want: I was fired, plain and simple. I was employee of the year at my last place of employment, so such a big, sudden hole in my resume makes it look like I went to jail or something. How does one explain this to a human resources director? How much am I required to disclose about my history with HIV? Can they "let me go" once I'm hired because of the cost of employing me?Christa Douaihy, Esq., responds in the "Legal Issues and HIV" forum How Am I Going to Get Medical Coverage?I'm HIV positive and permanently disabled. I get $1,169 in social security disability insurance (SSDI) every month. I don't qualify for Medicaid because of this income, but the cost of my HIV meds per month is higher than my income. How can I afford to get the care I need to live? Jacques Chambers, C.L.U., responds in the "Workplace and Insurance Issues" forumGot a question about workplace discrimination, nondisclosure laws, immigration issues, or any other HIV-related legal concern? Ask our newest expert, Christa Douaihy, Esq., in TheBody.com's brand-new Legal Issues and HIV forum! Ms. Douaihy is a practicing attorney with a wealth of professional experience working with people living with HIV/AIDS on legal matters.Learn more about Ms. Douaihy, and ask her a question in the new forum!HIV/AIDS TREATMENT How Do I Get Used to My Switch to Isentress?After several years I recently switched from Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) to Isentress (raltegravir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). I'm having a hard time getting used to changing from a once-a-day medication to taking meds twice a day. In spite of setting dozens of reminder alarms, I'm missing my morning dose by hours and hours and end up adjusting my night dose to compensate. After only a month I'm already afraid I might be causing problems for myself. What's the "margin of error" for Isentress? How can I adjust to taking it at the appropriate time? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Will HIV Meds Interact With My Meds for Bipolar Disorder?I was diagnosed with HIV three months ago and am not on HIV meds yet. I am, however, being treated for bipolar disorder. I've read that one of my medications can interact with HIV meds. What do you know about this, and what can I do? Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forum Could My Sudden Increase in Sex Drive Have to Do With HIV?I've been on HIV meds for two months. My worry is that my appetite for sex has suddenly increased, and my boyfriend can't always satisfy my needs. Could it be the medication causing this, or is it something else? What should I do? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumMore Questions About HIV/AIDS Treatment:What Could Be Causing My General Ill Feeling?Can I Eat After Taking Atripla?Does Coffee Interact With HIV Meds?OTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS Do Poppers Really Have a Negative Effect on HIV Health?I've been on Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) for the past two years with an undetectable viral load, a CD4 count between 500 and 600, and a CD4 percentage of 28 or 29. I try to live a healthy lifestyle, keep up with my meds, exercise, etc. Besides that, I've been using poppers occasionally, and I've read contradictory reports as to whether they're dangerous for HIV-positive people. What do you think? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Substance Use and HIV" forum Are My Blisters HIV Related?I'm HIV positive with a CD4 count of 437, and I'm not yet on HIV meds. I've been getting itchy blisters that look like insect bites all over my body, and they leave ugly dark marks. I've tried all sorts of ointments and creams but nothing seems to help. Could this be some kind of opportunistic infection? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumMore Questions About Other Health Issues HIV/AIDS:Do We Still Need to Worry About Swine Flu?Is the Hemangioma on My Liver HIV Related?Can HIV-Associated Glomerulonephritis Be Controlled?Facing the Courts for HIV Nondisclosure: Got Stories?(A recent post from the " Living With HIV " board)It truly saddened me to read the horror that some poz people were put through in our court systems. And what scared me just as much was those that caused it due to being malicious over a broken relationship. What's next? Disclosure papers for prospective partners to sign before getting involved? Just to cover one's butt from being prosecuted? Does anyone have stories about dealing with the legality of HIV disclosure -- or even having to go to court? -- riverprincessClick here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS Why Isn't My CD4 Count Rising?I tested positive for HIV without any real symptoms, but my CD4 count at the time was 12. I started Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) last September and after a month my viral load dropped from 91,000 to 93, though my CD4 count was 17 (still no illness). As of last week my viral load is undetectable, but my CD4 count is only 14! My white blood cell count is also low. Is my doctor missing something? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumHIV HEPATITIS C TRANSMISSION Is There Research on How Much Virus Is Needed to Transmit HIV?Has anyone studied how much HIV (in terms of viral load) needs to be present in bodily fluid in order for HIV transmission to occur? What about the length of time the virus can live outside a human body? Is it really just a split second? B. Hightow-Weidman, M.D., M.P.H., responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forum Should Hepatitis C "Magnetic Couples" Use Condoms? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not recommended condom use for hepatitis C-serodiscordant monogamous heterosexual couples. Is it risky for these couples to have unprotected sex? What do you tell couples you see in your practice?Barbara McGovern, M.D., responds in the "Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesRemedy Health Media, LLC250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 Sign On! Endorse Recommendations to President Obama on AIDS 2012 and the National AIDS Strategy Young AIDS Activists! Apply for C2EA's 2012 Youth Action Institute -- June 10 - 16, 2012 Ohioans Living With HIV/AIDS Need Our Help! Activists Launch New Survey to Help Speed HIV Cure Research Demand Hershey Reverse Decision on HIV+ Student and Dismiss School Officials Count HIV+ Women In! PWN Launches National Campaign on World AIDS Day African American HIV University Community Mobilization College: Apply Today!

February 28, 2012

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 28 Feb 2012 16:53:13 -0500<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlFebruary 28, 2012Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSNutrition, Exercise HIV/AIDSWorkplace, Insurance Legal ConcernsHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSHIV Hepatitis TestingLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS Is HIV Affecting My Son's Intelligence?My son is HIV positive and not doing very well at school. Is there a relationship between my son's intelligence and his HIV status? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum How Can I Cope When I've Been Hurt in So Many Ways?I was just diagnosed with HIV last June and haven't been dealing well with it. I was molested for years as a kid by my stepfather. I went to counseling for the sexual abuse but I still dealt with unsafe behavior patterns. I feel like I'm being punished in some way. I'm so ashamed of being HIV positive that I won't go to any support groups. I feel so cheap and ugly; I want to be loved but I just can't love myself. What can I do?Rev. Todd A. Brown responds in the "Spiritual Support and HIV" forumNUTRITION, EXERCISE HIV/AIDS Which Supplements Should I Avoid?I recently started taking HIV meds. I've also been taking astragalus and sea buckthorn oil, and I'm thinking of starting omega-3 fish oil and lecithin supplements. Do you have any information about which supplements I should take, and which ones I should stay away from? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumMore Questions About Nutrition, Exercise HIV/AIDS:Can I Drink a Little Wine With Dinner Before Taking HIV Meds?Can Zumba Help Me Tone and Sculpt My Body?WORKPLACE, INSURANCE LEGAL CONCERNS Can Social Services Share My HIV Status With My Employer?I was required by ADAP to contact social services. Today I received an email from my former employer; attached was a letter from social services addressed to my former supervisor. The letter had an HIV questionnaire attached. I'd planned on returning to work after recovering from surgery. When I left my former employer I was given a letter stating that I would be rehired. I'd never disclosed my HIV status to my employer, though, and now I fear I won't be rehired. I thought that privacy laws prohibited this type of conduct. Am I mistaken?Christa Douaihy, Esq., responds in the "Legal Issues and HIV" forum Will ObamaCare Cause Employers to Dump Their Health Programs?Do you think that companies will start getting rid of their employee health insurance programs when "ObamaCare" goes into effect? What's going to happen to people living with HIV in this scenario?Jacques Chambers, C.L.U., responds in the "Workplace and Insurance Issues" forumWe're pleased to announce that this month, two long-dormant "Ask the Experts" forums were given new life!Brand-new expert Rev. Todd A. Brown is now on hand to answer questions about matters of spirituality and HIV/AIDS. Rev. Brown brings to TheBody.com extensive experience working with interfaith groups and HIV service organizations, as well as churches striving to build sound HIV/AIDS ministries. Learn more about Rev. Brown, and ask a question on the Spiritual Support and HIV forum!In addition, longtime expert Vergel will be extending his reach to answer your questions in a second forum: Aging With HIV.HIV/AIDS TREATMENT Are There Any Interactions Between Club Drugs and My HIV Meds?I was diagnosed with HIV last year and am about to start HIV treatment. I take recreational drugs occasionally, namely ketamine, ecstasy (MDMA) and GHB, but not in excessive amounts. Are there any interactions between HIV meds and recreational drugs? If so, what do I need to watch out for? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Substance Use and HIV" forum Thinking About Switching Meds: What Should I Consider?I've been taking HIV meds for years off and on. There are some medications I can't take anymore. I've been on Combivir (AZT/3TC), Norvir (ritonavir) and Reyataz (atazanavir) for the last five years. I feel great, my viral load is undetectable and my CD4 count is 600. I started seeing a new doctor who suggested I switch out Combivir in favor of Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). This makes me nervous. Any suggestions? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumOTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS What Can a Poz Prostate Cancer Survivor Do About Wasting and Libido Loss?I'm a "young" 72 year old; I started taking HIV meds 20 years ago. My CD4 count is 620 and my viral load is undetectable. I was treated for prostate cancer with radioactive pellets three years ago. Now I'm experiencing rapid body wasting and loss of my libido. My oncologist suggests raising my testosterone level, but my primary care physician says absolutely not. What are my options? Vergel responds in the "Aging With HIV" forum Extremely Painful Gas: Should I Be Concerned?For several days I've had what I hope is just a gas bubble in my stomach, but it won't go away. When I gently push on my stomach it feels like I'm being punched. It hurts when I bend over, twist, or try to turn in bed. I haven't slept much for two nights because the pain keeps me awake. I'm on Norvir (ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). Is this issue normal? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumReactions to HIV: Things That Make You Go "Hmm"(A recent post from the " Living With HIV " board)You tell someone that you have cancer, heart disease, etc., and they are all "I am so sorry." And yet you tell them you have HIV and suddenly it's, "How did you get it? What kind of sex did you have? Are you gay?" Interesting. Has anyone else noticed this? -- CruhavenClick here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!HIV HEPATITIS TESTING Will Hepatitis C Mess With My HIV Test Results?I had a PCR test for HIV at six weeks post exposure, an antibody test at 15 weeks post exposure and an oral antibody test at 22 weeks post exposure. All my test results were negative for HIV. I am hepatitis C positive, though. Does having hepatitis affect HIV test results? R. Southall responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesRemedy Health Media, LLC250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 Young AIDS Activists! Apply for C2EA's 2012 Youth Action Institute -- June 10 - 16, 2012 Ohioans Living With HIV/AIDS Need Our Help! Activists Launch New Survey to Help Speed HIV Cure Research Demand Hershey Reverse Decision on HIV+ Student and Dismiss School Officials Count HIV+ Women In! PWN Launches National Campaign on World AIDS Day African American HIV University Community Mobilization College: Apply Today!

February 28, 2012

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 28 Feb 2012 16:53:13 -0500<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlFebruary 28, 2012Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSNutrition, Exercise HIV/AIDSWorkplace, Insurance Legal ConcernsHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSHIV Hepatitis TestingLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS Is HIV Affecting My Son's Intelligence?My son is HIV positive and not doing very well at school. Is there a relationship between my son's intelligence and his HIV status? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum How Can I Cope When I've Been Hurt in So Many Ways?I was just diagnosed with HIV last June and haven't been dealing well with it. I was molested for years as a kid by my stepfather. I went to counseling for the sexual abuse but I still dealt with unsafe behavior patterns. I feel like I'm being punished in some way. I'm so ashamed of being HIV positive that I won't go to any support groups. I feel so cheap and ugly; I want to be loved but I just can't love myself. What can I do?Rev. Todd A. Brown responds in the "Spiritual Support and HIV" forumNUTRITION, EXERCISE HIV/AIDS Which Supplements Should I Avoid?I recently started taking HIV meds. I've also been taking astragalus and sea buckthorn oil, and I'm thinking of starting omega-3 fish oil and lecithin supplements. Do you have any information about which supplements I should take, and which ones I should stay away from? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumMore Questions About Nutrition, Exercise HIV/AIDS:Can I Drink a Little Wine With Dinner Before Taking HIV Meds?Can Zumba Help Me Tone and Sculpt My Body?WORKPLACE, INSURANCE LEGAL CONCERNS Can Social Services Share My HIV Status With My Employer?I was required by ADAP to contact social services. Today I received an email from my former employer; attached was a letter from social services addressed to my former supervisor. The letter had an HIV questionnaire attached. I'd planned on returning to work after recovering from surgery. When I left my former employer I was given a letter stating that I would be rehired. I'd never disclosed my HIV status to my employer, though, and now I fear I won't be rehired. I thought that privacy laws prohibited this type of conduct. Am I mistaken?Christa Douaihy, Esq., responds in the "Legal Issues and HIV" forum Will ObamaCare Cause Employers to Dump Their Health Programs?Do you think that companies will start getting rid of their employee health insurance programs when "ObamaCare" goes into effect? What's going to happen to people living with HIV in this scenario?Jacques Chambers, C.L.U., responds in the "Workplace and Insurance Issues" forumWe're pleased to announce that this month, two long-dormant "Ask the Experts" forums were given new life!Brand-new expert Rev. Todd A. Brown is now on hand to answer questions about matters of spirituality and HIV/AIDS. Rev. Brown brings to TheBody.com extensive experience working with interfaith groups and HIV service organizations, as well as churches striving to build sound HIV/AIDS ministries. Learn more about Rev. Brown, and ask a question on the Spiritual Support and HIV forum!In addition, longtime expert Vergel will be extending his reach to answer your questions in a second forum: Aging With HIV.HIV/AIDS TREATMENT Are There Any Interactions Between Club Drugs and My HIV Meds?I was diagnosed with HIV last year and am about to start HIV treatment. I take recreational drugs occasionally, namely ketamine, ecstasy (MDMA) and GHB, but not in excessive amounts. Are there any interactions between HIV meds and recreational drugs? If so, what do I need to watch out for? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Substance Use and HIV" forum Thinking About Switching Meds: What Should I Consider?I've been taking HIV meds for years off and on. There are some medications I can't take anymore. I've been on Combivir (AZT/3TC), Norvir (ritonavir) and Reyataz (atazanavir) for the last five years. I feel great, my viral load is undetectable and my CD4 count is 600. I started seeing a new doctor who suggested I switch out Combivir in favor of Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). This makes me nervous. Any suggestions? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumOTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS What Can a Poz Prostate Cancer Survivor Do About Wasting and Libido Loss?I'm a "young" 72 year old; I started taking HIV meds 20 years ago. My CD4 count is 620 and my viral load is undetectable. I was treated for prostate cancer with radioactive pellets three years ago. Now I'm experiencing rapid body wasting and loss of my libido. My oncologist suggests raising my testosterone level, but my primary care physician says absolutely not. What are my options? Vergel responds in the "Aging With HIV" forum Extremely Painful Gas: Should I Be Concerned?For several days I've had what I hope is just a gas bubble in my stomach, but it won't go away. When I gently push on my stomach it feels like I'm being punched. It hurts when I bend over, twist, or try to turn in bed. I haven't slept much for two nights because the pain keeps me awake. I'm on Norvir (ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). Is this issue normal? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumReactions to HIV: Things That Make You Go "Hmm"(A recent post from the " Living With HIV " board)You tell someone that you have cancer, heart disease, etc., and they are all "I am so sorry." And yet you tell them you have HIV and suddenly it's, "How did you get it? What kind of sex did you have? Are you gay?" Interesting. Has anyone else noticed this? -- CruhavenClick here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!HIV HEPATITIS TESTING Will Hepatitis C Mess With My HIV Test Results?I had a PCR test for HIV at six weeks post exposure, an antibody test at 15 weeks post exposure and an oral antibody test at 22 weeks post exposure. All my test results were negative for HIV. I am hepatitis C positive, though. Does having hepatitis affect HIV test results? R. Southall responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesRemedy Health Media, LLC250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 Young AIDS Activists! Apply for C2EA's 2012 Youth Action Institute -- June 10 - 16, 2012 Ohioans Living With HIV/AIDS Need Our Help! Activists Launch New Survey to Help Speed HIV Cure Research Demand Hershey Reverse Decision on HIV+ Student and Dismiss School Officials Count HIV+ Women In! PWN Launches National Campaign on World AIDS Day African American HIV University Community Mobilization College: Apply Today!

March 6, 2012

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 06 Mar 2012 15:17:15 -0500<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlMarch 6, 2012Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSMixed-Status CouplesInsurance, Workplace Legal ConcernsHIV/AIDS Hepatitis C TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSHIV Hepatitis TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS Are You Giving Up on the Cure?I was reading your last response about a functional HIV cure in which you claimed that it would most likely take more than 10 years to develop a cure. Reading your previous responses on the issue you seemed much more optimistic. What happened? Vergel responds in the "Aging With HIV" forumMIXED-STATUS COUPLES How Much of a Risk Are We Taking With Unprotected Oral Sex?I'm an HIV-negative man and my girlfriend is HIV positive with a viral load of 200,000 and a CD4 count of 750. Oral sex is very important to both of us. I've performed unprotected oral sex on her multiple times, and vice versa, and we're careful about sores and cuts; we always use condoms for intercourse. I've read literature that says anything from there's no HIV risk with unprotected oral sex to I'm most likely already infected. What do you think? Do you know of any documented cases of someone contracting HIV from oral sex on a female? R. Southall responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumINSURANCE, WORKPLACE LEGAL CONCERNS How Can I Get Health Coverage Back for My Registered Domestic Partner?I'm a retiree in California and have health coverage through my (former) employer, a large California-based aerospace company. My registered domestic partner has had health coverage for the past five years as my dependent. For 2012 my employer is denying coverage for domestic partners. Any idea why they can now refuse coverage, and what we can do about it?Jacques Chambers, C.L.U., responds in the "Workplace and Insurance Issues" forum Two Chiropractors Refused to Treat Me: What Can I Do?Two different chiropractors have refused to treat me due to my HIV status, directly stating that they didn't have the proper gloves or facilities to treat "people like me." Are there grounds to sue based on this type of discrimination? What actions can I take?Christa Douaihy, Esq., responds in the "Legal Issues and HIV" forumWhat's coming down the pipeline in HIV treatment, prevention and care? CROI is the largest annual science meeting in HIV, where researchers and clinicians go to learn the most important lessons and developments in the field. The gathering began this weekend, and TheBodyPRO.com -- TheBody.com's sister site for health professionals -- will be on hand to bring you wide-ranging coverage. Visit our CROI 2012 home page frequently this week for key study summaries and a discussion of conference highlights! HIV/AIDS HEPATITIS C TREATMENT What's New With Ibalizumab?I've had very good luck with ibalizumab, the drug in development (TNX-355, formerly known as Tanox). Can you give me an update on what's going on with this drug in 2012? Are there any new developments we should know about? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Do Calcium and Magnesium Have a Negative Effect on Isentress?I switched to a regimen of Isentress (raltegravir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) recently and am doing very well on it so far. Every morning I usually drink a glass of milk after taking Isentress. I also take vitamin D and calcium supplements. I heard somewhere that calcium and magnesium can affect the effectiveness of Isentress. Is it true? Should I stop drinking milk when I take Isentress as well? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Another Time Around With Hepatitis C Meds: For How Long Will I Be Treated?I'm a 55-year-old man with hepatitis C genotype 1B (my initial viral load was 3.8 million) and in otherwise good health. I'm currently 20 weeks into triple therapy with Incivek (telaprevir), peginterferon and ribavirin, and my hepatitis C viral load was undetectable at four, eight and 12 weeks. I've been unsuccessful on dual therapy before. What does this mean for the length of my treatment course now? Barbara McGovern, M.D., responds in the "Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection" forumOTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS Positive Anal Pap Smear but Negative HRA: What's Going On?I've been HIV positive for four years, with a CD4 count of 330 and an undetectable viral load for the past three and a half years. Recently I had a high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) and the examination didn't show any abnormalities, so I was relieved at that. However, my anal Pap smear result showed anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN 2). Should I be worried about precancerous changes in my anal canal? How do you interpret these results? If I have HPV (human papillomavirus), how long would it take an HIV-positive person like me to get rid of it? Vergel responds in the "Aging With HIV" forum How Do I Know if I'm Depressed?I take Isentress (raltegravir), Selzentry (maraviroc, Celsentri) and Viramune (nevirapine). I've been HIV positive for 22 years and I'm doing well. However, lately I've been losing my drive to exercise and eat well, as I have for the past several decades. I still go dancing every weekend and have a great group of friends, but being single and keeping healthy just for myself is getting hard at age 63. Is this the state of mind the younger generation calls depression? Could it be a side effect of HIV meds? Do you think I'd take better care of myself if I were in a relationship? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumPen Pal for a Poz Friend in Prison?(A recent post from the " Living With HIV " board)A friend of mine is HIV positive and has been in prison for the past 27 years for a crime he didn't commit. Recently the Innocence Project has taken his case and they have hopes of having my friend released. He became HIV positive while being held in protective custody in 1985. I am hoping to connect him with someone who would like to be a pen pal / friend to him and answer some of his questions about living with HIV. Would anyone out there be interested in contacting him? -- DawnWClick here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!HIV HEPATITIS TRANSMISSION Can a Person With Hepatitis C Donate Organs?Could someone living with hepatitis C (hep C) donate their organs (besides their liver) to others in general? Could they give organs to other people living with hep C? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Why Was I Tested for HIV?I just officially found out I'm pregnant. I already took a preliminary, preconception HIV test six months ago and it came back negative, but I was sent out for another test today. Why would they do this, since my husband and I are completely monogamous with each other and have participated in no other risky behavior since my last test? Is it possible that the first test was a false negative or was not done correctly? Do I need to be concerned? R. Southall responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesRemedy Health Media, LLC250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 Tell Gilead to Reduce the Cost of HIV Medications Now! Under Attack: Your Health Care Rights Ohioans Living With HIV/AIDS Need Our Help! Activists Launch New Survey to Help Speed HIV Cure Research Demand Hershey Reverse Decision on HIV+ Student and Dismiss School Officials Count HIV+ Women In! PWN Launches National Campaign on World AIDS Day

March 20, 2012

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 20 Mar 2012 17:25:42 -0400<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlMarch 20, 2012Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSMixed-Status CouplesInsurance, Workplace & Legal ConcernsBody Shape Changes HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHIV TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS How Can I Balance Science and Reason With Religious Faith?I'm a 39-year-old man with an AIDS diagnosis. I was brought up Catholic and am at a point in my life where I feel somewhat resentful that I've built up knowledge that keeps me from believing in God. Such belief isn't consistent with science. However, on the other hand, I yearn for that relationship I remember as a child with a God who heard my prayers and always watched out for me. How can I regain the security that a theistic God represents while maintaining logic and reason? Rev. Todd A. Brown responds in the "Spiritual Support and HIV" forum What Are the Benefits of Taking DHEA?I take DHEA (dihydroepiandrosterone) every day. I'm told that it helps stimulate testosterone production as I age. I saw an allergist recently, though, and he said I shouldn't be taking it as it can have long-term side effects. Is this true? What are the potential benefits of DHEA, and what should I be aware of when taking it? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumMIXED-STATUS COUPLES How Safe Are Our Drug Injection Habits?My husband is HIV positive and I recently had an injection shot of cocaine and heroin (speedballs) by him. I used a new needle to take the injection, and the water and surface where I mixed the cocaine/heroin with water were clean also. Unfortunately, I don't know for sure if the cocaine/heroin substance was contaminated with small bits of dried blood from him. I've heard that HIV dies quickly outside the human body; but if this is true, why does it still survive in syringes and needles? What are my chances are of getting HIV from this encounter? Should I be tested? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Substance Use and HIV" forumINSURANCE, WORKPLACE LEGAL CONCERNS Is This Boss's Behavior Legal?My son was recently diagnosed with HIV. He's a manager for a popular fast food chain. Out of loyalty he informed his boss of his diagnosis. The boss then put him on hold to "check" with his legal department as to whether my son can remain employed. There's absolutely no risk of his infecting anyone at work -- he's a paper-pusher and isn't even around knives of any kind. Can his boss or his company do this? Christa Douaihy, Esq., responds in the "Legal Issues and HIV" forum Health Savings Account or Copay Plan: Which Is Better for HIVers?I've been insured with an individual policy for over three years now. I'm switching health insurance policies and I don't really fully understand health savings account (HSA) plans. Would an HSA plan be beneficial to someone with HIV, or would a traditional copay plan be better for accessing HIV treatment? Jacques Chambers, C.L.U., responds in the "Workplace and Insurance Issues" forumDetail from:"Post Metropolis," 1983Tim JocelynVisit the March 2012 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, " From Arches to Earrings, " is curated by Glynnis McDaris and Trotta.BODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS Should I Try Fat Grafting or Bio-Alcamid for Facial Wasting?I've experienced facial lipoatrophy for a number of years now, and treated it with Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite, Radiance), Restylane (hyaluronic acid, Restylane SubQ, Perlane, Hylaform) and Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid, New-Fill). However, the costs are becoming prohibitive. My local hospital (in Spain) runs a free program for people living with HIV, but the only options to choose from with this program are Bio-Alcamid (poly-Alkyl-Imide) or autologous fat transfer. I don't want to have a treatment just because it's free if the results aren't going to be good. Which of the two would you recommend? Gerald Pierone, M.D., responds in the "Facial Wasting" forumHIV/AIDS TREATMENT What Can I Do if I'm Resistant to Most Drugs?My virus is resistant to most HIV drugs. I currently take Norvir (ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC), but my CD4 count is still only 5. I'm losing hope. Is there anything else I can do? Who should I be talking to? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Can I Take a Steroid to Relieve a Skin Reaction to Atripla?I broke out in a fast-spreading rash after my ninth dose of Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC). By about the 13th dose, it began to itch so intensely that I accidentally overdosed on over-the-counter antihistamines. The emergency room doc wrote me prescriptions for Atarax (hydroxyzine) and Medrol (methylprednisolone). My overdose experience has made me hesitant to take the Atarax right now, and a steroid shot helped when I had one in the hospital, so I was thinking I'd wait a little while and take the Medrol in the meantime. Will Medrol interact with any of the components of Atripla? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumMore Questions About HIV/AIDS Treatment:Can I Take Just 1 or 2 HIV Meds?How Might Caffeine and Alcohol Interfere With My HIV Meds?Feeling Lost, Alone and Numb: It Gets Better, Right?(A recent post from the " I Just Tested Positive " board)I was diagnosed a month ago. I had my first infectious disease doctor appointment last week. I am so numb I can't remember much of what he told me. I have a partner of 5 years, but since the day I found out I feel alone. He says we will get through this together, but actions say otherwise. I haven't felt his touch, his kiss, or his embrace since that day. He smiles, he is nice to me, but he tested negative the same day and for him his life hasn't changed. He won't talk about it. He has never asked how I am doing. I feel like I am in my own silent hell. I have told no one, I am scared, I am scared to tell anyone, I cry every day when I am alone. I put up a front like nothing is wrong. I am just so lost and my one support system I thought was definite I feel is starting to shun me. Am I supposed to feel dirty all the time? Please tell me it gets better. ... When will I think I am myself, and not "I am HIV+"? -- jtpaClick here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!OTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS Could My Hair Loss Be HIV Related?I became HIV positive at almost 50 years of age. I had a severe acute infection, with a viral load over 750,000. I took Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) for the first five months, then switched to Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC), which I've taken ever since. My viral load has been undetectable for over a year and my CD4 count has gone from 500 to 870. However, ever since acute infection I've had considerable hair loss. I've had hair transplants over the past 10-15 years, yet the transplanted hair is now receding as well. Is there any chance that HIV meds are causing the hair loss? What other medications or conditions could be the culprits? Vergel responds in the "Aging With HIV" forum What Could Be Causing My Fatigue and Joint Pain?I've been HIV positive since 1990, I'm 57 years old and I've always been overweight. I'd never experienced any known effects of HIV until a year ago. Since then I've been tired all day and have a kind of arthritis-like discomfort. My CD4 count also dropped to 150, and my doctor just put me on Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). Could my only two symptoms be coming from some other illness, or do you think they're HIV related?ph P. McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumUNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS Am I a "Fast Progressor"?I'm a 25-year-old gay man living in the European Union with access to free high-level health care. I was diagnosed with HIV in January but I was infected in mid-to-late 2011. My viral load is 147,000 and my CD4 count is 472. I have no other health problems, I'm in good shape and I don't use drugs, though I do smoke. Does my relatively high viral load approximately six months after infection mean that I'm a "fast progressor," or that my strain of the virus is more aggressive than usual? What does this mean for my life expectancy? Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHIV TRANSMISSION Did I Mess Up My PEP Regimen?I performed unprotected oral sex on a male partner of unknown HIV status. I was prescribed Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and began taking it within 48 hours of possible exposure. The next day I began to develop painless red bumps on the back of my tongue. I went to the ER and they said the bumps could be an allergic reaction to the Truvada, so they switched me to Combivir (AZT/3TC). The Combivir didn't arrive in time and I ended up missing a full day of PEP meds. Is this enough time for the virus to develop resistance if it's in my system? Should my doctor have prescribed another drug alongside Combivir? How effective would it be to start another drug once other PEP meds have already been started? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesRemedy Health Media, LLC250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 Say NO to Novartis! National Day of Action Planned for Access to Clean Syringes Tell Gilead to Reduce the Cost of HIV Medications Now! Under Attack: Your Health Care Rights Ohioans Living With HIV/AIDS Need Our Help! Activists Launch New Survey to Help Speed HIV Cure Research Demand Hershey Reverse Decision on HIV+ Student and Dismiss School Officials Count HIV+ Women In! PWN Launches National Campaign on World AIDS Day

March 20, 2012

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 20 Mar 2012 17:25:42 -0400<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlMarch 20, 2012Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSMixed-Status CouplesInsurance, Workplace & Legal ConcernsBody Shape Changes HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHIV TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS How Can I Balance Science and Reason With Religious Faith?I'm a 39-year-old man with an AIDS diagnosis. I was brought up Catholic and am at a point in my life where I feel somewhat resentful that I've built up knowledge that keeps me from believing in God. Such belief isn't consistent with science. However, on the other hand, I yearn for that relationship I remember as a child with a God who heard my prayers and always watched out for me. How can I regain the security that a theistic God represents while maintaining logic and reason? Rev. Todd A. Brown responds in the "Spiritual Support and HIV" forum What Are the Benefits of Taking DHEA?I take DHEA (dihydroepiandrosterone) every day. I'm told that it helps stimulate testosterone production as I age. I saw an allergist recently, though, and he said I shouldn't be taking it as it can have long-term side effects. Is this true? What are the potential benefits of DHEA, and what should I be aware of when taking it? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumMIXED-STATUS COUPLES How Safe Are Our Drug Injection Habits?My husband is HIV positive and I recently had an injection shot of cocaine and heroin (speedballs) by him. I used a new needle to take the injection, and the water and surface where I mixed the cocaine/heroin with water were clean also. Unfortunately, I don't know for sure if the cocaine/heroin substance was contaminated with small bits of dried blood from him. I've heard that HIV dies quickly outside the human body; but if this is true, why does it still survive in syringes and needles? What are my chances are of getting HIV from this encounter? Should I be tested? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Substance Use and HIV" forumINSURANCE, WORKPLACE LEGAL CONCERNS Is This Boss's Behavior Legal?My son was recently diagnosed with HIV. He's a manager for a popular fast food chain. Out of loyalty he informed his boss of his diagnosis. The boss then put him on hold to "check" with his legal department as to whether my son can remain employed. There's absolutely no risk of his infecting anyone at work -- he's a paper-pusher and isn't even around knives of any kind. Can his boss or his company do this? Christa Douaihy, Esq., responds in the "Legal Issues and HIV" forum Health Savings Account or Copay Plan: Which Is Better for HIVers?I've been insured with an individual policy for over three years now. I'm switching health insurance policies and I don't really fully understand health savings account (HSA) plans. Would an HSA plan be beneficial to someone with HIV, or would a traditional copay plan be better for accessing HIV treatment? Jacques Chambers, C.L.U., responds in the "Workplace and Insurance Issues" forumDetail from:"Post Metropolis," 1983Tim JocelynVisit the March 2012 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, " From Arches to Earrings, " is curated by Glynnis McDaris and Trotta.BODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS Should I Try Fat Grafting or Bio-Alcamid for Facial Wasting?I've experienced facial lipoatrophy for a number of years now, and treated it with Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite, Radiance), Restylane (hyaluronic acid, Restylane SubQ, Perlane, Hylaform) and Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid, New-Fill). However, the costs are becoming prohibitive. My local hospital (in Spain) runs a free program for people living with HIV, but the only options to choose from with this program are Bio-Alcamid (poly-Alkyl-Imide) or autologous fat transfer. I don't want to have a treatment just because it's free if the results aren't going to be good. Which of the two would you recommend? Gerald Pierone, M.D., responds in the "Facial Wasting" forumHIV/AIDS TREATMENT What Can I Do if I'm Resistant to Most Drugs?My virus is resistant to most HIV drugs. I currently take Norvir (ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC), but my CD4 count is still only 5. I'm losing hope. Is there anything else I can do? Who should I be talking to? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Can I Take a Steroid to Relieve a Skin Reaction to Atripla?I broke out in a fast-spreading rash after my ninth dose of Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC). By about the 13th dose, it began to itch so intensely that I accidentally overdosed on over-the-counter antihistamines. The emergency room doc wrote me prescriptions for Atarax (hydroxyzine) and Medrol (methylprednisolone). My overdose experience has made me hesitant to take the Atarax right now, and a steroid shot helped when I had one in the hospital, so I was thinking I'd wait a little while and take the Medrol in the meantime. Will Medrol interact with any of the components of Atripla? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumMore Questions About HIV/AIDS Treatment:Can I Take Just 1 or 2 HIV Meds?How Might Caffeine and Alcohol Interfere With My HIV Meds?Feeling Lost, Alone and Numb: It Gets Better, Right?(A recent post from the " I Just Tested Positive " board)I was diagnosed a month ago. I had my first infectious disease doctor appointment last week. I am so numb I can't remember much of what he told me. I have a partner of 5 years, but since the day I found out I feel alone. He says we will get through this together, but actions say otherwise. I haven't felt his touch, his kiss, or his embrace since that day. He smiles, he is nice to me, but he tested negative the same day and for him his life hasn't changed. He won't talk about it. He has never asked how I am doing. I feel like I am in my own silent hell. I have told no one, I am scared, I am scared to tell anyone, I cry every day when I am alone. I put up a front like nothing is wrong. I am just so lost and my one support system I thought was definite I feel is starting to shun me. Am I supposed to feel dirty all the time? Please tell me it gets better. ... When will I think I am myself, and not "I am HIV+"? -- jtpaClick here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!OTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS Could My Hair Loss Be HIV Related?I became HIV positive at almost 50 years of age. I had a severe acute infection, with a viral load over 750,000. I took Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) for the first five months, then switched to Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC), which I've taken ever since. My viral load has been undetectable for over a year and my CD4 count has gone from 500 to 870. However, ever since acute infection I've had considerable hair loss. I've had hair transplants over the past 10-15 years, yet the transplanted hair is now receding as well. Is there any chance that HIV meds are causing the hair loss? What other medications or conditions could be the culprits? Vergel responds in the "Aging With HIV" forum What Could Be Causing My Fatigue and Joint Pain?I've been HIV positive since 1990, I'm 57 years old and I've always been overweight. I'd never experienced any known effects of HIV until a year ago. Since then I've been tired all day and have a kind of arthritis-like discomfort. My CD4 count also dropped to 150, and my doctor just put me on Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). Could my only two symptoms be coming from some other illness, or do you think they're HIV related?ph P. McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumUNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS Am I a "Fast Progressor"?I'm a 25-year-old gay man living in the European Union with access to free high-level health care. I was diagnosed with HIV in January but I was infected in mid-to-late 2011. My viral load is 147,000 and my CD4 count is 472. I have no other health problems, I'm in good shape and I don't use drugs, though I do smoke. Does my relatively high viral load approximately six months after infection mean that I'm a "fast progressor," or that my strain of the virus is more aggressive than usual? What does this mean for my life expectancy? Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHIV TRANSMISSION Did I Mess Up My PEP Regimen?I performed unprotected oral sex on a male partner of unknown HIV status. I was prescribed Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and began taking it within 48 hours of possible exposure. The next day I began to develop painless red bumps on the back of my tongue. I went to the ER and they said the bumps could be an allergic reaction to the Truvada, so they switched me to Combivir (AZT/3TC). The Combivir didn't arrive in time and I ended up missing a full day of PEP meds. Is this enough time for the virus to develop resistance if it's in my system? Should my doctor have prescribed another drug alongside Combivir? How effective would it be to start another drug once other PEP meds have already been started? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesRemedy Health Media, LLC250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 Say NO to Novartis! National Day of Action Planned for Access to Clean Syringes Tell Gilead to Reduce the Cost of HIV Medications Now! Under Attack: Your Health Care Rights Ohioans Living With HIV/AIDS Need Our Help! Activists Launch New Survey to Help Speed HIV Cure Research Demand Hershey Reverse Decision on HIV+ Student and Dismiss School Officials Count HIV+ Women In! PWN Launches National Campaign on World AIDS Day

March 27, 2012

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 27 Mar 2012 17:31:54 -0400<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlMarch 27, 2012Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSMixed-Status CouplesInsurance, Workplace & Legal ConcernsHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHIV STD TestingLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS How Can I Keep On Living With HIV and Its Effects?I'm in my early 60s and I've been poz and on meds for 18 years. While my labs are good, I've been experiencing many troubling side effects. I've seen various doctors and take Oxycontin (oxycodone) for pain and Viagra (sildenafil) for sexual dysfunction, both of which work marginally. I'm not able to enjoy the activities I used to. I'm really weighing the value of just being alive, as opposed to truly living. Do you have any suggestions for how to cope? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum What Do You Know About Religious Fasting and HIV?Is it dangerous for an HIV-positive person who hasn't started meds to live only on water and juice for 12 days as part of a religious fast? If so, what are the potential risks? Do the circumstances change if the person is taking HIV meds? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forumMIXED-STATUS COUPLES Will My Husband Eventually Test HIV Positive?I've been with my husband since 2002. Since then we've been trying for a baby. The doctors found out my tubes are blocked in 2005, but we continued having unprotected sex. In May 2010 I tested HIV positive. My viral load was over 100,000 copies and my CD4 count was 90. My husband tested HIV negative. We've been using protection since my diagnosis and every three months he gets tested; he's still negative. I'm on medication now and my viral load is undetectable. Is it normal for my husband to have stayed HIV negative? Should I be worried that one day he'll test positive? Cordova responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumINSURANCE, WORKPLACE LEGAL CONCERNS Is a Change in Work Schedule a "Reasonable Accommodation"?I'm considering asking my employer for a reasonable accommodation that will allow me to work a day-shift schedule. Currently I work 12-hour rotating shifts, four days on, four days off. I also take Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC) at bedtime, but since my bedtime changes every four days I'm constantly adjusting when I take my meds. I'm sleepy all the time on my off days. Is this request "reasonable" by Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) standards? What do I need to consider before asking my employer for this accommodation? Jacques Chambers, C.L.U., responds in the "Workplace and Insurance Issues" forum Can a Poz Person Relocate to the U.S. to Live and Work?I was diagnosed HIV positive in 2008 and am currently taking Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC). I want to move to New York City from the United Kingdom to pursue a new career. Can I apply for citizenship as an HIV-positive person? If so, will meds be available to me? Christa Douaihy, Esq., responds in the "Legal Issues and HIV" forumDetail from:"Pair of Parallelogram Chairs," 1987 BurtonVisit the March 2012 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, " From Arches to Earrings, " is curated by Glynnis McDaris and Trotta.HIV/AIDS TREATMENT Should I Be Worried About Kidney Damage on Truvada?I've been HIV positive for around 25 years. I've been on Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir), Rescriptor (delavirdine) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) for many years with great success, but I'm concerned about kidney damage from Truvada. What are your thoughts? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum Will Viagra Interact With My HIV Meds?I'm 44 years old and I'd like to start using Viagra (sildenafil) for erectile dysfunction. I've been taking Norvir (ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) since last January. Will taking Viagra impact my HIV med regimen at all? How should I proceed? Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum Will Switching Meds Make My Rash Go Away?I've been on my first HIV med regimen, Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC), for 10 months. My viral load just dropped to undetectable in the last two months, and my CD4 count is now 400, though it's gone as low as 55 while I was being treated for tuberculosis last year. I have a rash on my face that won't go away. Could it be from the Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) in Atripla? Should I switch to Isentress (raltegravir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC)? And is it true that my prior low CD4 count puts me at risk for more health problems in the future? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumOTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS How Can I Manage Living With Many Different Conditions?I've been HIV positive for seven years and a type 1 diabetic for 26 years. I have polycystic kidney disease, high blood pressure, polyneuropathy, and now I've been diagnosed with lupus. How am I supposed to handle all these health issues at once? Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forum Does Hepatitis B Vaccination Increase HIV Viral Load?I started HIV meds in July 2010 and my viral load was undetectable by November. My CD4 count increased from 198 to 400. I tested negative for hepatitis B and my doctor suggested I get vaccinated against it. I did as recommended and got my results today. My CD4 count has increased to 542, but my viral load has spiked to 46,000. Could this be a result of the hepatitis B vaccination? Barbara McGovern, M.D., responds in the "Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection" forum Is My Friend Putting His Heart Health in Danger by Using Crack?I have a close 65-year-old friend who is HIV positive and had a heart attack about eight years ago. Although he eats a healthy diet, he doesn't exercise and says it's because of his heart condition. I'm also concerned about his frequent binge drinking and use of crack cocaine. Could this have an effect on his heart health as well? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Substance Use and HIV" forumAnyone Got Some Encouraging Words?(A recent post from the " Women " board)I am newly diagnosed. I was told I was HIV+ when I was in the hospital for C. diff that I contracted the week before while in the hospital for high fevers, migraines and a tender lymph system. According to the doctor I was infected 6 to 8 weeks prior which means I contracted HIV this January. Now I am home gaining strength from my bout with C. diff and learning to live with this new diagnosis as well as starting my new treatment. Does anyone out there have any words of encouragement? What helped you when you were first diagnosed? -- genuineredClick here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS CD4 Dip and Detectable Viral Load: Is One of My Nightmares Coming True?I tested HIV positive in January 2011. My CD4 count was about 400 my viral load was about 60,000. Genotype testing revealed no existing drug resistance. I began taking Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) in March. My CD4 count went up to the 900s and my viral load became undetectable. Everything was fine until a few weeks ago when I started to feel fatigued all the time. My Feb. 9 lab tests showed my CD4 count had dipped to 670 and my viral load was barely detectable, at 107. I'm religious about taking my meds and have never missed one dose. I'm really worried that something is wrong. Is it possible to develop resistance in only one year, even though I'm so careful? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumHIV STD TESTING Why Did I Test Positive for Syphilis Again?I was treated for syphilis five years ago and have no other infections, but part of my syphilis test result reads "reactive." What does this mean? Can you interpret it for me?Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forum When Should a Person Be Tested for HIV After Taking PEP?I read in an old, archived post on TheBody.com that antibody production is not affected by post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) meds. Everything else I've read indicates that a six-week antibody test (two weeks after finishing PEP) is fairly irrelevant, because PEP meds keep viral levels low enough to prevent antibody production. Isn't this why testing at three months (two months after finishing PEP) and six months (five months after finishing PEP) is recommended? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesRemedy Health Media, LLC250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 Stop Arizona Bill 2625 Applications to Volunteer at AIDS 2012 Available April 1st Say NO to Novartis! National Day of Action Planned for Access to Clean Syringes Tell Gilead to Reduce the Cost of HIV Medications Now! Under Attack: Your Health Care Rights Ohioans Living With HIV/AIDS Need Our Help! Activists Launch New Survey to Help Speed HIV Cure Research Demand Hershey Reverse Decision on HIV+ Student and Dismiss School Officials Count HIV+ Women In! PWN Launches National Campaign on World AIDS Day

April 10, 2012

From: "News at The Body" <update@...>Date: 10 Apr 2012 17:37:16 -0400<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "News at The Body" <update@...>Subject: Hot Topics at The Body's "Ask the Experts" ForumsIf you have trouble reading this e-mail, you can see the online version at: www.thebody.com/topics.htmlApril 10, 2012Visit the Forums"Hot Topics" LibraryChange/Update SubscriptionLiving With HIV/AIDSMixed-Status CouplesInsurance, Workplace & Legal ConcernsBody Shape Changes & HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS TreatmentOther Health Issues HIV/AIDSUnderstanding HIV/AIDS LabsHIV/STD Testing & TransmissionLIVING WITH HIV/AIDS How Can I Stay Motivated to Enjoy Life?I've been living with HIV for far too long. My numbers are all fine but the side effects of the HIV meds, along with the drugs to curb the side effects, are taking their toll. I quit working a couple years ago after a successful, multifaceted career. Most of my close friends are long gone; social engagements are dwindling, and I was the life of the party back in the day! I've been taking meds for depression for years as well. How does a 60-year-old guy go about getting some excitement from today and the near future? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forumMIXED-STATUS COUPLES What Are the Odds My Partner Has Stayed HIV Negative?I recently found out I'm HIV positive. I have a steady partner with whom I've been very sexually active, and we had unprotected sex a few times before I knew my status. My current viral load is around 16,000. Is that considered high enough to transmit HIV? My partner is freaked out and refuses to get tested. How high are the odds that I've transmitted HIV to my partner? R. Southall responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forumINSURANCE, WORKPLACE LEGAL CONCERNS Could My Medical Records Come Out in My Girlfriend's Custody Case?I was just diagnosed HIV positive; my girlfriend is HIV negative. She's going through a divorce and custody battle. Could my HIV status be discovered and used negatively by the opposing side in her court case, or are my medical records private? Christa Douaihy, Esq., responds in the "Legal Issues and HIV" forum Can I Qualify for SSI Benefits?I've been HIV positive since early 1990 (was also treated for hepatitis C in the '90s), and I started taking HIV meds in 2004. At the time my CD4 count was 12 and my viral load was 40,000. In the past two years my body has not been what it used to be. I tire easily and am having a tough time getting along with people, so I don't want to work. I applied for benefits through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and am waiting to see if I qualify. On what factors are decisions about eligibility based? Jacques Chambers, C.L.U., responds in the "Workplace and Insurance Issues" forumBODY SHAPE CHANGES HIV/AIDS How Can I Avoid Body Shape Changes?I take my country's equivalent of Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) and Viramune (nevirapine). I'm worried I may be experiencing body shape changes as a result of HIV or my meds: My upper body is getting bigger, and my legs have protruding veins and are getting skinnier. What can I do to slow or stop these changes from happening? Vergel responds in the "Aging With HIV" forumDetail from:"Untitled (House/Churches 5-8)," 1996 CullumVisit the April 2012 Visual AIDS Web Gallery to view our latest collection of art by HIV-positive artists! This month's gallery, " Borders/Crossings, " is curated by Liz Barr.HIV/AIDS TREATMENT When Will I See the Results of HIV Treatment?I was just diagnosed with HIV. My CD4 count is 250 and my viral load is 100,000. It seems I've been infected for a while without knowing, and I might even have been reinfected. I started taking HIV meds a week ago. How long before I'll see positive results? Will my viral load ever reach undetectable? How high might my CD4 count be able to go? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum What Do You Know About the New Quad Pill?My doctor gave me the option of joining a clinical trial for the new, not-yet-approved Quad pill. I'm happy with my current meds, which I also take once a day: Norvir (ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). My CD4 count is 720 and my viral load is undetectable. Would there be short- or long-term benefits to switching to the new pill? ph P. McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forumMore Questions About HIV/AIDS Treatment:Changing Time Zones Frequently: When Should I Take My Bedtime Meds?Can I Take Tuberculosis Drugs While on Atripla?OTHER HEALTH ISSUES HIV/AIDS Is It Common for HIVers to Have Protein in Their Urine?I am HIV positive and have been on the same meds for about six years. A recent test detected protein in my urine. Is this common? Is it a problem? If it's not, what might help correct it before it becomes a problem? Vergel responds in the "Aging With HIV" forum What Should I Do About My High Cholesterol?I've been taking Isentress (raltegravir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) for three years. My viral load has been undetectable since I started the meds, and I've been completely adherent. My CD4 count is constantly above 800. My cholesterol counts, however, have been less than stellar. My doctor has prescribed Lipitor (atorvastatin) but I'm hesitant to take it. Is it possible that my high cholesterol is caused by my HIV meds? If so, would you suggest a different regimen? What else could be going on, and what should I do? Henry, M.D., responds in the "Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment" forumI've Reassured My Loved Ones; Now I Need Some Comfort, Too(A recent post from the " I Just Tested Positive " board)I was diagnosed 3/27/2012 with HIV. I've been so busy trying to reassure my loved ones that I will be OK that I've ignored my own need to be reassured. I'm hoping the interactions I make on here will help get me to that goal. I initially tested positive on 3/12/2012 on a trip to the clinic to see if I had an STD. Well I did it seems, HIV and syphilis. This diagnosis has put my life into crisis mode. ...I feel angry because I've been deceived by several people ... and also betrayed by myself. I believe a series of bad choices, bad luck, and maybe even fate has brought me to this point. ...If anyone is interested in sharing anything about how my situation might relate to theirs, I'd be more than happy to talk/listen. -- nwkmateoClick here to join this discussion, or to start your own!To do this, you'll need to register with TheBody.com's bulletin boards if you're a new user. Registration is quick and anonymous (all you need is an e-mail address) -- click here to get started!UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS What's My High CD4 Percentage Doing to My CD8 Count?When I was diagnosed poz six years ago, I had a CD4 count of 250 and a CD4 percentage of 32. Since then, I've had great results on my HIV meds and my CD4 count has peaked at 790. However, my CD4 percentage keeps climbing. Would a high CD4 percentage be indicative of a low CD8 count? Should I be worried about that? Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forumHIV/STD TESTING TRANSMISSION When Should I Be Tested for Syphilis After I've Been Treated?I was recently treated for syphilis, though I have undergone syphilis treatment several times over the past 15 years. How often after a person has been treated should they be retested for syphilis antibodies, and for how many months after treatment should they take the test? Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds in the "Choosing Your Meds" forum HIV on a Heroin Cooking Spoon: Am I At Risk?I've been to rehab and been sober for two years, and I am in a state of panic. I recently read an article that said HIV can be transmitted through the blood vessels in the nose. I never injected heroin but I used to snort it by mixing it with water. On one occasion I'd found a spoon that someone had used to cook and inject heroin. It had dried-up heroin in it. I was in withdrawal and made an idiotic decision to add water to it and snort it. Could there have been HIV in the dried contents of the spoon? I just took an HIV test although I won't get the results back for a couple of weeks. Am I doomed? Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Substance Use and HIV" forumWorried Your Spam Filter Might Trash Our Mailings?The Body's e-mail updates are especially prone to being caught up in spam filters, since our newsletters tend to refer frequently to sex, drugs, the human anatomy and so forth.To make sure you never miss one of our mailings because anti-spam software labeled it as junk mail, add update@... to your address book, talk to the person who manages your e-mail security or check your anti-spam program's instructions for more information.About This E-mailThis e-mail update has been sent to nelsonvergel@....Want to change your subscription? Click here or send us a message at updates@....Missed an update? Our archive of past updates will keep you in the loop.Have any other questions or comments, and don't want to send an e-mail? Feel free to snail-mail us at:The Body's E-Mail UpdatesRemedy Health Media, LLC250 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10107 Stop Arizona Bill 2625 Applications to Volunteer at AIDS 2012 Available April 1st Under Attack: Your Health Care Rights Activists Launch New Survey to Help Speed HIV Cure Research Demand Hershey Reverse Decision on HIV+ Student and Dismiss School Officials Count HIV+ Women In! PWN Launches National Campaign on World AIDS Day

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