Re: Memory Loss

[Guest guest]

I am only 32 and have the same problem with memory loss which started when I was 29 and has continued to get worse. Being pos since I was 16 and my foot in deaths door when I was 26 ( I had started the cocktail at that time ), I now am living a normal life with the only noticeable problems being the lipo. I started school and was on a role but after a few semesters I had to stop because I can't remember or comprehend things very well. My family says "you should be happy you are alive" which is true, but I want a normal life, or something that resembles a normal life. My doc says to enjoy life and don't worry about this. At some point, I want to finish school and get to work. I have no advice, but I have the same problem. I doubt that my problem is age related.

Connie

Memory Loss

I fear that I may be losing my memory. I frequently, but temporarily forget common things, like people's names, etc. I'm not sure if it's "normal" due to my age, information overload, distractions, etc. or if it's something more serious. It happens often enough that my co-workers and I publicly joke about it, but privately I am becoming increasingly worried about it.I'm 52 yrs old, HIV+ for 14 yrs, on medications for the entire 14 yrs., have had no serious complictions other than several of the "lipo" disorders, otherwise relatively healthy. And I live a relatively normal but mildly stressful life - work, exercise, family.I've casually mentioned this to my doctor, whom I have a lot of respect for, he didn't seem to think it was anything serious. However, I'm reminded of 1995 when I noticed that I'd lost my buttocks, and my legs became very veinial(sp), the doctors I was seeing at the time dismissed my questions as nothing to worry about. Years later I learn about lipodystrophy, which has become increasingly worse over the years - facial wasting, buffalo hump, thick torso, insulin resistance.I do plan to bring the subject up again during my next visit with my doctor. Any advice?

[Guest guest]

I have had to let me Real Estate License expire because I wasn't sharp enough to study the classes and take the long exam because of my memory/concentration loss. Other than my Lipo and chronic fatigue I have no other problems. Maybe its a combination of stress/medication/getting older?

Memory Loss

I fear that I may be losing my memory. I frequently, but temporarily forget common things, like people's names, etc. I'm not sure if it's "normal" due to my age, information overload, distractions, etc. or if it's something more serious. It happens often enough that my co-workers and I publicly joke about it, but privately I am becoming increasingly worried about it.I'm 52 yrs old, HIV+ for 14 yrs, on medications for the entire 14 yrs., have had no serious complictions other than several of the "lipo" disorders, otherwise relatively healthy. And I live a relatively normal but mildly stressful life - work, exercise, family.I've casually mentioned this to my doctor, whom I have a lot of respect for, he didn't seem to think it was anything serious. However, I'm reminded of 1995 when I noticed that I'd lost my buttocks, and my legs became very veinial(sp), the doctors I was seeing at the time dismissed my questions as nothing to worry about. Years later I learn about lipodystrophy, which has become increasingly worse over the years - facial wasting, buffalo hump, thick torso, insulin resistance.I do plan to bring the subject up again during my next visit with my doctor. Any advice?

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Boston Buyers Club has a drug called Memantine that was being used for Memory Loss in HIV patients.

You need to get some sort of form for compassionate use, I beleive, as it is not as yet FDA approved.

However, this drug has been used in Europe for years, and is supposedly quite successful in treating some cases of Alzheimer's etc.

( Some recent information on this drug has been hitting the news as of late)

I was planning to use it for my Mom who suffers from Alzheimer's. I have a months supply and plan to start testing it on her in the next month or so.

Memory Loss

I did share my concerns with my physician, he explained that for people are HIV+ and on medications for a long period (14 yrs), strange things happen to their brain synapses. He gave me a sample kit of ARICEPT (Donepezil HCl) - a alzheimer's drug. I will take a small dose (5 mg) for a month and check back in with him. I have now been on this drug for a week and have not noticed any differences or improvements in my memory. I've expereinced two short term lapses in the last week, about the same as I've been experiencing earlier. I will keep you posted.Thanks for all the compassionate advice from this group.