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LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS
 How Can I Deal With All the Issues Surrounding Living With HIV?
I'm a 41-year-old man and I've been HIV positive for about 11 years. My HIV meds are Isentress (raltegravir) and Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). I also take Lyrica (pregabalin) and methadone because I suffer from pretty bad neuropathy, but these medications are no longer effective. My prescription copays have all gone up -- now I can't afford meds, and I make too much money to be eligible for any type of assistance. I'm just so tired of all these hurdles; I'm tempted to just let the virus run its course. I can't go to therapy, but I do take a small dose of Prozac (fluoxetine) which helps a little. What else do you suggest to help me keep on living?
David Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum
First Time With Benefits: What Should I Know About Health Insurance Eligibility?
I was diagnosed HIV positive a year ago. During that time I've been outside the U.S., but I just accepted a university teaching position in the States and will be heading back. This will be the first time I've ever had medical insurance through a job. I know I don't need to disclose my HIV status to the insurance company or the job, and they can't deny me coverage, but what should I know about pre-existing condition clauses and such? And can administrators disclose my status to my employer? Basically, what are the rules?
Lynn Franzoi responds in the "Workplace and Insurance Issues" forum
MIXED-STATUS COUPLES
I Want to Marry My Poz Partner: How Do I Convince My Family It's a Good Idea?
I'm a 27-year-old male medical doctor currently in a relationship with an HIV-positive nurse. We've been together for more than a year and are really in love. We've had amazing protected sex for that period and are both comfortable with it. I want to be with this person for the rest of my life, but how do I convince my parents and relatives that my partner is the one for me?
Robert J. Frascino, M.D., responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forum
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HIV/AIDS TREATMENT
Which HIV Drug Regimens Are Most Commonly Recommended for People Starting Treatment?
I was diagnosed HIV positive two months ago. Apparently I was infected about three or four years ago. Which are the best medications to treat this frightening disease?
Nelson Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum
Will Sustiva Side Effects Eventually Subside?
I've been on Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) for a month and I work mostly at night. Will my side effects -- including nightmares and not being able to think straight -- ever stop?
David Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum
Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Experimental HIV Meds?
I'm a moderate drinker (one or two drinks per day, with dinner or out with friends) and I just started on a regimen of Epzicom (abacavir/3TC, Kivexa) and GSK-572, an experimental integrase inhibitor. I've read about interactions between alcohol and some drugs. Do you think I should completely cut drinking out of my life while I'm part of this clinical trial?
Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C., responds in the "Understanding Your Labs" forum
OTHER HEALTH ISSUES & HIV/AIDS
What Could Be Causing My Chronic Pain?
I've known I'm HIV positive since 1990 though I believe I became positive in the early '80s. I've always been very athletic, and it's always been hard for me to gain or maintain weight. I've tried testosterone and steroid injections, patches and pills, and I'm now trying to get hold of the growth hormone Serostim. I've run into a wall with my workouts recently because I'm always in pain. Just stretching can make me sore for days, and the recuperation time is much longer than it's ever been. What could be causing this condition?
Nelson Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum
Can People Living With HIV Take Diet Pills?
What are the risks involved with HIV-positive people taking pills to lose weight? What are some other ways to control our weight?
David Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., responds in the "Mental Health and HIV" forum
 Recently Diagnosed With HIV: What Now?
(A recent post from the "Gay Men" board)
Just diagnosed three and a half weeks ago and I am not quite sure how to move forward. I am feeling well at the moment and have a CD4 count near 500 so my ID doc wants to wait a bit before starting treatment. My issue is how this illness is consuming my life. I am having trouble sleeping, concentrating at work, and am avoiding any social interaction ... My partner and I were diagnosed at the same time and his health is not quite as strong as mine. … My entire existence seems to revolve around seeing to his needs and worrying about his levels and general health, all to my detriment. ... I have told one friend who has been incredibly supportive but also admonished me to not be too selfish when thinking about my condition as it affects millions of people ... I know he is right but at this moment all I want to do is cry. ... Does this sound familiar to anyone? -- Zach
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UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS LABS
Is It Possible to Have a Low CD4 Count and an Undetectable Viral Load?
I started taking HIV meds in September 2010 with a CD4 count of 3. After six months on treatment my viral load was undetectable but my CD4 count was only 92. Is this normal?
Nelson Vergel responds in the "Nutrition and Exercise" forum
HIV TRANSMISSION
Confused Dosage of PEP: Is the Treatment Now Worthless?
A condom was left inside me after my HIV-positive partner came. He retrieved it quite easily, and after eight hours I started PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) medication: one blue Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) tablet in the evening and two yellow Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) tablets twice a day. However, in my panic I got the dosing wrong and took only one Kaletra tablet instead of two in the morning and evening for the first five days. Other than that I've religiously taken the doses correctly, and I finish in three days. Will the treatment not work because of my error?
Robert J. Frascino, M.D., responds in the "Safe Sex and HIV Prevention" forum
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