Gettin’ On
POZitive living with HIV
Just 20 short years ago, if you were HIV-positive, you were probably living with a death sentence. Things have certainly changed.
Living with HIV is no cakewalk, but it is manageable. And, to a large degree, your quality of life depends on how well you manage your health and your life. After all, those are YOUR responsibilities.
The stats
Infection rates among men who have sex with men have risen back to previous high levels — almost 80 percent of new infections in males. Seventeen percent of new infections are in people over 50. In less than two years from now, more than 50 percent of people who are positive will be over 50. Among transgender communities, the rate of infection far surpasses that in other populations.
On the neg side
If you are a gambler, the numbers are against you if you don’t practice safer sex. But you know that. The newer news is that PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) and PREP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) do work. This one-pill therapy has at least one small problem — cost. For now, that’s an issue you need to figure out.
On the poz side
If you are poz and think that poz people don’t have to worry about getting infected, learn about Hep C and remember syph, clap and all of the other sexually transmitted infections. A 2011 report from the Health Protection Agency revealed that over a fifth of gay men (21 percent) diagnosed with HIV were simultaneously diagnosed with an acute STI.
If you are poz, you know the routine: office visits; blood tests; pills; facial wasting; humps (on your back); painful, enlarged breasts; big waistlines; skinny arms and legs; diarrhea; drug interactions; and the risk of depression and isolation.
And now, premature aging!
Healthy aging is a great experience. Aging with HIV/AIDS, however, adds special challenges. Aging with HIV/AIDS means possible early onset of the diseases of aging: heart disease, diabetes, cancers and bone loss, to name a few.
These too can be managed
Remember the good old days when docs and scientists didn’t know all that much about what was happening science-wise? Remember, they didn’t know what caused those lesions or the pneumonia. They didn’t know how HIV was transmitted. Well, now they know all about that stuff, and they are learning about what happens 10, 20 or 30 years down the road.
But many questions still exist. They include: • What are the long-term side effects of having HIV for decades? • What are the long-term side effects of the meds? • What is the impact of HIV on life span?
It seems that with every passing day, you have more answers, more options and more control with regard to living POZitively. That’s why they now call it a “chronic, manageable illness.” But you have to take responsibility and manage it. It can get complicated, but there are many resources available to help you.
Time to start planning for what may be a long haul. Long-term anything was not in the picture decades ago when you were first diagnosed. Today, you may have 20, 30 or more years to enjoy.
This is an opportunity to think and make some long-term plans. Talk to your doc, your case manager, your therapist, your family, your friends. Take advantage of the knowledge that the members of your support network can offer.
Management involves not just your HIV meds, but the possible, early onset of the diseases of aging and the meds that go with them: beta blockers, insulin, anti-depressants, Cialis! How do all of these meds work together with your HIV meds — or not?
Planning and management includes insurance. Does your Medicare policy cover these meds? Are your meds available on your Part D formulary? If not, consider switching plans during the Medicare open-enrollment period, which ends Dec. 7. How about the new plan that you will get under Obamacare?
If you have not completed your legal documents, or are having problems with your insurance company, contact the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania. They offer free legal services for people living with HIV/AIDS and can be reached at 215-587-9377.
And there are more resources available.
You can get more information about what we know medically. The LGBT Elder Initiative will present “HIV + Aging: What’s New II” Dec. 11 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. The program will discuss the latest medical issues, new meds that are available, emotional issues, nutrition and more. For more information about the program, call 267-546-3448 or email [email protected].
Ed Bomba is communications chair of the LGBT Elder Initiative. The LGBTEI, headquartered in Philadelphia, fosters and advocates for services, resources and institutions that are competent, culturally sensitive, inclusive and responsive to the needs of LGBT elders in the Delaware Valley and beyond. To comment on this article, suggest topics for future articles or for more information, visit www.lgbtei.org or call the LGBTEI at 267-546-3448 and watch for “Gettin’ On” each month in PGN.