Please Help!

An HIV patient who has gone blind because of CMV is needing financial support. His medicines cost P4,000 per day so I am asking everyone who is reading my blog to support the The Love Fund. Any amount will do.

Please help out. If you are going to RITM-ARG, please look for Ms. Maram Bartolome or Ellen Domingo and you can directly donate any amount for The Love Fund.

Thank you so much!

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Boost Your Own Immune System!

People have been asking me what I’ve been doing to help boost my immune system. Yesterday my CD4 count shot up to 487 from 70 in 8 months. Even my 4 other doctors were shocked when they heard about it. They said that when the CD4 is so low, the CD4 can’t get up that fast like mine. I’ve read that too before but being an optimistic person, I really don’t care about counts because what is important for me is that I don’t ever get sick at all!

So looking back, and to answer questions of my fellow pozzies, I want to give a recap of what I have been doing.

1. Strong Faith.

a. Believe in your doctors. Report everything to them, even minor symptoms. We can’t be “quack doctors” like before. Ask them about supplements you heard or read before taking them.

b. Believe in your medicines. Treat them with respect.

c. Believe in yourself. You alone can strengthen your immune system. Believe that you can get better soon. Be patient. You will get better but it will take time. Be optimistic. Your CD4 will increase too. Be positive and have a good disposition in life. Love others.

2. ARV Adherence. 

a. This is the most important.

b. Be strict with time. Take your ARV’s at the same time everyday or every night.

c. Don’t be late in taking your ARV’s. Have the habit of taking it at the exact time. I take all my ARV’s at exactly 10pm. I set my phone alarm to 9:58pm to give me time to run to my pill box. I always wait for the exact time. I don’t take them in advance at all.

d. Don’t miss any of your intakes. This is important.

e. Set all alarms at home to the time you need to take your meds. Get a pillbox. There are daily, weekly and monthly pillboxes. Choose one that suits you. This would help you prepare in advance your ARV’s once your alarm is on.

f. Bring all ARV’s when travelling. I always bring 3 sets in all my luggages when I am travelling. In case I lose one luggage, I still have two pillboxes.

g. When going out make sure you have one daily pillbox ready in your pocket. Make sure to buy a bottled water and make sure that it is ready when your time of intake is near.

3. Don’t Get sick!

a. Always remember that HIV replicates faster when we get sick!

b. Be vigilant. Stay away from people who are sick especially when your CD4 is still low.

c. Disinfect everything.

d. Use hand sanitizers or wash your hands frequently with soap.

e. Don’t eat uncooked food. Avoid eating in “turo-turo” for the meantime.

f. Wear masks when going to hospitals especially when your CD4 is low.

g. Avoid crowded places. If you're taking public transportation, avoid rush hours when it gets too crowded.

h. Wear shoes or flip flops every time. Don’t go barefooted on dirty floors or dirt or soil.

i. If possible, avoid having cats as pets. Keep your dogs well trimmed and clean areas where they poop. Use gloves whenever handling feces and urine of pets.

j. Wear a condom when you have sexual intercourse. We can have a superinfection which is another strain of HIV aside from the one you have that is resistant to our ARV’s. Know the person you are going to have sex first. Try to be monogamous or only if possible, abstain from sex

k. Have good oral hygiene. Brush regularly. Gargle with listerine or any mouthwash.

l. Shower when you come home from outside or from work.

4. Eat healthy foods.

a. Have a balanced diet.

b. Keep a regular supply of natural probiotics in your diet but ask your doctor first. I am still on yogurt and Yakult everyday.

c. Drink at least 8 glasses of water everyday

d. You can try supplements like multivitamins, vitamin C, grape seed, vitamin E, selenium and other antioxidants. Make sure to ask your doctor first before taking anything! Always remember your body is already bombarded with lots of medicines so be careful in taking anything. Believe in your doctors not in what other pozzies will tell you to take. You don’t want to complicate your condition. Remember too that what works with one person might not work for you so just ask your doctor first!

5. Exercise.

a. Try to add cardio workouts like walking, running, biking or swimming on a weekly basis. I do 2-3x a week aerobic exercises every week.

b. Do resistance training or functional training at least 3x a week. I do 5x a week of strength training up to now.

c. Be active. Do something everyday to increase your metabolism.

d. If you have pre-existing conditions with HIV, ask your doctor first for clearance for any exercise!

6. Remove all vices.

a. Avoid cigarette smoking

b. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages

c. Don’t do drugs

d. Don't use recreational substances during sex, like poppers or ecstasy, etc.

7. Sleep.

a. Sleep or rest for a good 8 hours every night.

b. Take naps whenever necessary.

8. Vaccinations

a. Get the once a year flu shot: ask your doctor first!

b. Finish your Hepa B immunizations. Ask your doctor first. Better to have your hepa B vaccinations in the hubs because they do double dose injections all the time for HIV patients.

c. Meningococcemia vaccination. Ask your doctor first!

d. HPV vaccination. Ask your doctor first!

9. Avoid Stress

a. Avoid any kind of stress. Stress from work, stress from relationships, emotional stress, etc.

b. Learn how to relax. Do mind-body exercises like yoga, tai-chi, etc. During my 1st month of taking ARV's, I practiced relaxation through tai-chi. 

c. Get a relaxing massage.

c. Relax by having leisure and recreational times, like watching a movie, going on trips, etc.

d. Learn how to meditate for total relaxation. My brother from the US taught me some meditation techniques used by monks.

e. Get a hobby. Photography, reading books, etc.

f. Get into sports. Play basketball, swimming, tennis, golf, etc.

g. Don't procrastinate. 

h. Take a day at a time.

10. Stay Happy

a. Don't be serious all the time. Have fun time with friends.

b. Enjoy life. Enjoy families and loved ones

c. Enjoy the beauty of nature

d. Love each day.

e. Stop being critical of others. Be a friendly. Be loving.

f. Be positive in your outlook. Look at the bright side of things.

g. Have peace of mind. Do things the right way so you'll have peace of mind.

h. Live your life like it's your last day!

10. Help Others!

a. It comes back to you 10 fold.

b. If you want to help others, let me know. Donate to our Love Fund. Volunteer in hubs. Be a certified counselor. Teach and educate others.

c. Trust me this works!

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits:

Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Up By 696%

Yesterday, I went to RITM-ARG for my 2nd CD4 count test. I missed it two months ago because of procrastination but then last Saturday, I decided to go there. It has been 8 months since I got my initial CD4 count of 70. I told myself that no matter what the result is, I will still stay strong. There is an avid follower of my blog who I have been texting for quite sometime who will be going there too, so I told him to meet me there. I texted Ranz that in case I will be late, to please assist him. I told the new poz that everything is free (lab tests and CD4 test) since he is a first timer.

Tag drove me to Alabang and I came to RITM-ARG at around 8:45am. Good thing there were just a few patients there. Ranz saw me fast and led me to Ate Ellen. Wow. She wasn't busy at all. She told me that I am so muscular now. Well, thanks to my workouts in the gym, I said. Ate Ellen then just asked for my age and my ARV's and stamped "OHAT Package" on 3 pink slips. She told me to go to the Clinical Laboratory to get my blood drawn. Maram said hi to me but it seems like she was busy with work in the computer.Then I saw the new poz. He just got two vials of the Hepa B vaccine from the pharmacy which is free in RITM too. Wow that was fast. They got blood drawn from him already! He seemed happy to see me. I told him that all the staff there are friendly. Then left him to get my blood test done.

In the Laboratory, I waited for a minute because there was a patient inside. Then it was my turn. While sitting on the chair, I saw 3 other pozzies waiting outside.The nurse wasn't that great as I really felt the needle going in and he kept on moving it, maybe serving for my vessel. I got worried that I might get a bruise but oh well, it was free there. Then after 5 minutes, it was over. I went back to ARG. Letlet talked to me and we talked about another patient who is already blind from CMV and is needing financial support. She said that the patient can't afford the P4,000 a day of treatment. They are preparing all the required documents so we can assist them through PCSO. She told me that she will call me as soon as everything is ok. I then talked to the new poz who decided to stay til afternoon for all his lab tests. He seemed happy that everybody was friendly there. I told him to make sure to give his PhilHealth papers to Ranz. I then said goodbye to him and went inside to say goodbye to Ate Ellen and Ranz hugged me and thanked me for helping patients in RITM.

I left the clinic with a smile and headed to the lobby of the hospital and waited for Tag.

I went back to work and forgot about everything. I received a text from the new poz who was waiting in RITM and he said that there are already like 45 new patients there. Whoa! That many now!!!

Around 3:30 in the afternoon I received a text from one of the staff (well, actually it is not allowed for them to tell anybody the result of a CD4 test over text, but I somehow forced the person) in ARG and asked for my code. Then came the shock of all time. The staff texted back that its 487!!!! I was stunned. I asked him again to confirm if that is the result for my code and the staff said YES! I almost screamed at work, almost jumped for joy! I told the staff that my previous was just 70 and now it is 487!!! I was so happy that I told my coworker fast my result and she was happy too. Then, when I came home, I told Tag about it and we celebrated it with a good dinner in a restaurant.

487! I tweeted it fast. I texted all my other 4 doctors who belong to my team aside from Dr. Ditangco and everybody said it was such a great news. My twitter friends all said that it was a 696% increase from my previous count and almost all asked for tips on how I did it. I was so happy. I have angels all around me!

Life has been good to me. HIV is a challenge but for me the greatest challenge is proving to yourself that you can beat all the challenges that HIV has brought to you. It is a matter of choice, to fight back by restoring back your health and your life or give up. It really is all up to you!


                                                                   

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How to go to RITM-ARG?

I've been receiving a lot of emails on how to go to RITM-ARG. Most of them are first timers and some just want to switch hubs.

So I am making one entry just for this. I hope this could be of help to all who are interested.

Here are the maps of RITM-ARG

Private car: 

When coming from QC, Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong and Pasay take the South Expressway-Skyway and exit Alabang, then turn left on Filinvest Avenue. If coming from Cavite or Paranaque, take the Zapote Road, then turn right on Filinvest Ave, before Alabang. If coming from the south, Bicol, Quezon, Batangas, Laguna, take the SLEX or the National Road and once in Alabang, exit at Filinvest. Follow the map and you will see RITM on top of a hill. It is a white building on the right side.

Public Transportation:

Get a bus going to Alabang if you're coming from Q.C., Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, and Pasay (via EDSA-South Expressway). Take either the bus or jeepney if you're coming from Cavite, Sucat, Paranaque (via Alabang Zapote Road). Take the bus if coming from Bicol, Quezon and Batangas. Take either a bus or jeepney if coming from Muntinlupa or Laguna. Get off at Alabang. Ask how to get to a jeepney or FX and ask the driver to drop you off at RITM.

Once you are in RITM, just ask the guard where ARG is. Once you are there, look for Maram Bartolome, Ellen Domingo or Let for assistance. Tell them I referred you there.

                                                                        

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This is for YOU!

It is your first time to take your ARV's. Your journey will just commence. Your life will change for the better.

Scared? Don't be! Always remember that your ARV's are the way for your immune system to rebound back to almost normal levels. Be glad then!

Here are some tips that might be useful for you:

1. Believe in the ARV's. Believe in your heart that your immune system will be stronger when you take them.

2. Proper scheduling is important. Try not to miss or skip an intake whether you are at home or somewhere else.

3. Have an alarm system to remind you of your scheduled intake. Use your phone alarm, your night stand alarm, and your watch alarm so you will always be reminded of the time.

4. Prepare your cocktail of ARV's in a pillbox for the entire week or for a month so you are not rushed in getting them from their separate bottles. Have a small pill container whenever you are going to be out for a movie, party, a trip, etc.

5. Think of your meds as vitamins so you won't be scared.

6. Always be watchful for side effects. The initial one month is crucial.

7. Have a logbook or a small notebook so you can write on it about what you are feeling or what you are noticing during the day. This is so important so it is easy to report all the signs and symptoms and the dates they occur during your consultation with your doctor.

8. Follow what your doctor tells you. Before changing schedules, ask your doctor's permission first.

9. Take them with a glass full of water.

10. Clarify to your doctor when to actually take them: should they be taken with or without food, etc.

11. When travelling make sure to put your ARV's in separate luggages in case you lose one luggage. Bring one batch on your carry on luggage.

Good luck. I know you can do it! Your new life is about to start!




Credits:

www.freedigitalphotos.net
                                                             

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Free for First Timers!

I recently assisted a new poz, "Believer" to get all his lab tests and CD4 done in RITM-ARG. At first, I thought that he had to pay for everything. I asked Ms. Maram how much money he should bring for all the tests and she said around P8,000 is enough for all the tests, except for the viral load. Well, I told Believer to bring P10,000 just in case.

We were communicating that day he went there. I made him look for Ms. Maram or Ate Ellen or Ranz. Maram was out so Ranz assisted him. Believer said that Ranz even looked for him. Around lunch time, he was done and he went back to Quezon City for a meeting. Believer said that he didn't pay anything because he was first time patient in the hub. Wow! He also said that he would get his CD4 result at 2pm that day. Another wow!

This is what I like about RITM-ARG. They know that the CD4 count is important that they have to rush it. Imagine, you can get the result on the same day! Other hubs don't do that. Instead, you have to wait for weeks! They also know that the initial lab tests are necessary so everything is done fast and for free for the first timers in the hub. This is so good especially for all the new pozzies who have just been shocked about their status and who are financially incapable to pay for all the lab tests.

Kudos to Dra.Ditangco and her staff. Dealing wit HIV/AIDS gets better and easier when people with gold hearts surround you!

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Seborrheic Dermatitis

Well, I thought it was dandruff even though I frequently take a shower. But this has been happening to my scalp since last year. I really thought it was dandruff and I enjoy removing the scales with my fingers. Then this year I had small patches of dried skin beside my nostrils and sometime on the bridge of my nose in between my eyebrows. Good thing I have several tinactin and trosyd at home so I just liberally apply them when they appear. They subside but if I stop using them, the scaling recurs. Frequent washing of the face also helps to remove the sweat from my face.

I read about it and found out that it is HIV related. Well, good thing I have this ointments because in some persons living with HIV, the skin disease becomes extreme.

I found this from the web:

One of the most common skin diseases experienced by HIV-infected individuals is seborrheic dermatitis.

Causes

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common disease that affects 2%-4% of the general population. However, up to 85% of HIV-infected people experience seborrheic dermatitis at some time after they acquire the infection. The cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, but many investigators believe the yeast, Pityrosporum ovale, plays a role in the disease. It is further postulated that the alteration of the immune system in HIV-AIDS changes the way the skin responds to this yeast leading to the higher rate of infection.

Appearance

Seborrheic dermatitis causes redness of the skin, which produces a yellow, waxy scale or flake. In people without HIV-AIDS, the rash of seborrheic dermatitis occurs mainly on the scalp, and around the eyebrows, ears, and mustache. In HIV-infected individuals, the rash also appears on the chest, back, armpits, and groin.

Treatment

Seborrheic dermatitis is treated with antifungal shampoos and topical corticosteroids. These treatments are also used for HIV-infected individuals who need to use them frequently. People with HIV-AIDS who are being treated with antiviral therapy have fewer outbreaks of seborrheic dermatitis. In many cases, the severity of the rash corresponds with the degree of clinical deterioration.

Seeing a Doctor

A health care provider should evaluate cases of seborrheic dermatitis that do not respond to typical over-the-counter treatments. However, this does not necessarily imply that a person is HIV-positive. Someone with HIV-AIDS should notify their physician if they have a red, flaking rash that is getting worse so they can get appropriate treatment.

In my case, I reported it to my doctor and she said to continue what procedures I am doing. So now, I wash my hair as frequent as possible to remove the sweat. I wash my face too whenever it is sweaty. At night, I apply my tinactin ointment over the affected ares on my face. Well, everything works.

We should always take of our body. We have a responsibility to check all signs and symptoms and report them to our doctors. Our doctors know best!

                                                                     


Credits:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0501/p2703.html
http://www.aidsetc.org/aidsetc?page=cg-627_seborrheic_dermatitis
http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/InSite?page=kb-04-01-01
http://dermatology.about.com/cs/seborrhea/a/seb_aids.htm

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Email 17

I received another email yesterday.

"Hi Pozzie,

How are you? i happen to read your blog and decided that i would send you a message and inquiry.

I would like to know if it's free to have a cd4 test at viral load at RITM? I paid 2k for cd4 and 6k for viral load at SLH. 

I want to have a 2nd opinion at RITM have HIV test redone again...are the other test like tuberculosis, cd4 etc. are for free? how can i avail the free? or just for the first time clients at RITM. 

Where will i go if i am in RITM and who will i look for...

Hope you can help me out.

Thank u

K"

Pozziepinoy's Reply:

"Hi K.

Thank you for your email. First of all, I wish that you are in good health. I am doing great, thank you. I feel blessed for my good health, for my loving support system, for my partner Tag, for my friends, and for my job that I enjoy.

Regarding your question, I asked the staff of RITM-ARG if you qualify for a free retesting again. Ranz, the certified counselor said that they give free testing including CD4 and lab tests only to new patients but not to transferees. However, they would welcome you if you would opt to transfer but all the lab results and findings in SLH will remain.

If you want to go to RITM-ARG, look for Ranz, Ms. Maram or Ate Ellen and tell them I referred you. My name is XXX by the way. You can tell them that I referred you to them.

If you feel that you need a counselor who can talk to you, just let me know. 

Hope this clarified some of your questions. Feel free to email me again if you have other doubts.

Thank you, Pozziepinoy"

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