What Young Gay Men Don't Know About Aids

[Milneman]

This one really poked me. I know it's a day late, but...eh...

Close friend is now going into dementia, I believe in part, because of the drug cocktail. Another friend, and ex boyfriend in fact, lives out west and instead of the cocktail is taking medicinal marijuana. I haven't lost anyone who's died from complications as a result of the disease, but I know a lot of people who've already died inside because of it.

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/comment/2013/11/what-gay-men-have-forgotten-about-aids.html

It's good to remember where we come from, and reflect on where we're going.

[AutumnW]

Hi Milneman:wave:

When I first heard about the 'wonder drug' cocktail for AIDS, I figured that a lot of people would start having unprotected sex because they figured they could rely on these drugs as a kind of 'cure'. I am not surprised there is a resurgence of the disease, as a consequence.

Could you expand more on the side-effects of the drug cocktail and particularly on what the link to dementia might be?

Oh, by the way...Regina, the city that rhymes with fun! I have always called it the dirty limerick city. "There was an old girl from Regina," .... that's really all people have to hear!

[Milneman]

Hey Autumn!

I'm not completely sure, but I've noticed a lot of dementia lately both with people who are taking medications like ... do I say it in chat and get sued by a drug company lol...meds for heart condition, and with my friends who have HIV/AIDS and are taking the drug cocktails. The dementia is "purportedly" caused by the HIV infection itself, but to be honest I'm not completely sure that's the case. Again, I don't have statistics to back it up so I can't really state as fact this is what's going on. However, I have noticed that people who actively challenge their minds stay alert and active longer.

Here's a link to web MD with a list of the side effects. I knew there was a lot of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, FUN fun stuff. http://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/aids-hiv-medication-side-effects

I know a guy, Mike, who was diagnosed positive 15-20 years ago. He started going to the gym and worked at building his muscle mass....interestingly enough, he appears to have little to no symptoms. Don't know if he's taking the drugs or not, suspect not just because he's a health nut.

There is one study out there now, if I remember correctly I first heard it on CBC1? Maybe "As It Happens", can't be sure, about how an infant who was born with HIV had a massive exposure to treatment drugs for a short period of time and is now HIV free....this is exciting stuff!

FOUND IT!

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/267892.php