Sunday, October 22, 2006

Supression of AIDS Cure

I came across an interesting forum post, last night. This is neither the treatment I am on, nor is this the doctor with whom I am working, but Dr. Davis' experience underscores the lengths to which big pharma will go in order to keep HIV patients beholden to a lifetime of toxic drug regimens.

Supression of AIDS Cure

British Documentary on Dr. Davis

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Saturday, October 21, 2006

Cantaloupes and Oranges

This past Thursday and Friday, I received another mini-loading dose of AIM. The formulation of this batch was tuned to my specific variant strain of the HIV virus. Yup, I have the local variety.

On Thursday, I received the first half-dose in my right butt cheek. Within a couple of hours, the injection site had swollen to the diameter of a cantaloupe. After awhile, it became uncomfortable to sit, and I even had to remove my belt as the swelling radiated above my waistline and into my oblique area. When I got home, that night, I iced the sore area, but I continued to experience a raw ache for most of the night. I typically sleep on my right side, but that proved to be rather futile, making it hard for me to fall asleep. Fortunately, I finally zonked out, and when I awoke, the pain had greatly subsided -- but not the swelling.

On Friday, I mentioned the severity of my reaction to Dr. T. As has so often been the case, what is a pain in my ass (literally) is actually the sign of a good thing: In this case, a strong immune response. The doctor told me that severely immune compromised patients frequently have no reaction, whatsoever. Thankfully, the doctor told me that I will gradually become more accustomed to the AIM proteins, and the reactions will become less pronounced. Phew! So, on Friday, I received the other half dose in my left butt cheek. Wow! If I thought the right side had become inflamed, the left side looked as if a mutant alien life form had taken up residence. In addition, the inflamed area above my waistline became red and bruised. Ouch!

It's now late on Saturday evening, and the pain is all but gone, but the swelling and hardness persist. The left side feels kind of hot, but not as hot as in the past. I was pretty worn out, today, but true to my usual form, I am wide-awake and full of energy as the new day prepares to dawn.

Otherwise, life goes on and I continue to notice gradual improvements in my overall constitution and health. Meridian couldn't stop raving about how radiant my skin looked, so I guess those rejuvenation properties are kicking in, too! I gotta admit, I don't look half bad for a 41-year old old fart! So even though I have increased two pant sizes in so many days, I am very thankful that I, out of the billions of people on this planet, and of the millions infected with HIV, to have found AIM.

Until next time, I invite you to share in my pain. :P

Nice butt! (OK, not.) Here's the reaction from my AIM injection around the first of October.

And here you can see the alien life form taking shape in my left oblique. Pretty, huh?

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Thursday, October 05, 2006

Demented and sad

Why on earth am I just now finding out about HIV dementia, otherwise known as "neuroAIDS." For the last two years, or so, I have seen numerous neurological specialists for what I now believe are/were neuroAIDS symptoms. My symptoms include: Memory lapses, slurred speech, "brain farts" -- especially when speaking to others -- along with periods of confusion and disorientation. For the most part, I attributed my symptoms to the chronic fatigue I have endured for the last few years. Of course, these symptoms aren't a constant problem, or I wouldn't be writing this post, now. However, after three MRIs and myriad neurological consultations, no one ever even remotely suggested an HIV relationship to my symptoms. What utter idiots doctors can be! And yes, all of the physicians involved were well aware of my diagnosis.

Anyway, I have encountered some uncanny deja vu moments along my path to HIV "enlightenment." Interestingly enough, while talking with the folks at Meridian's, yesterday, the doctor and his assistant immediately recognized my symptoms as HIV dementia. Then, today, I find this story in my inbox:

October 4, 2006
Remember HIV Dementia?

I had no idea there were such potentially dire neurological consequences for 20% of HIV patients. My grandmother suffered from Alzheimers, and I seriously thought I was beginning to experience early-onset Alzheimers. In a way, I guess I was right.

Thank God that I found AIM!

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It's only a flesh wound

Yesterday, I received my first follow-up treatment. Again, now that the loading phase is complete, I will now receive a single treatment, each month, through August, 2007.
For whatever reason, my butt is on fire after yesterday's treatment! I received a half-dose in each butt cheek, and initially, had very little reaction. However, by the end of the day, the injection sites had become painful, hot and swollen. This reaction also occurred during the loading phase, but not as severe. I know this is an expected reaction, so I am not at all concerned. Last time, the discomfort gradually abated over about a week.

While I was sitting in Meridian's waiting room, I had a really interesting conversation with the folks at Meridian's house. I was amazed to hear one prevailing theory about HIV's origins. I was told that, although the jury is still out, many believe that HIV was engineered by the Germans during World War II. As the story goes, the well-known Nazi genocide programs were becoming costly and difficult to manage. HIV presented the supremicists with a stealth means to wipe out the "undesirables" without direct blame. I have no independent verification about this claim, but I do love hearing conspiracy theories.

The other interesting thing that I heard, yesterday, is that the AIM treatment protocol, in third-world countries, is far less intensive. That's because the various AIDS cocktails and HIV meds have, over time, caused the HIV virus to adapt and become much more resilient. US strains, in particular, are much more difficult to treat than those in less developed countries. As they described it, HIV meds only mask the virus, forcing it into retreat. Like an earthen dam during a heavy downpour, eventually the virus breaches the artificial pharmacological "defenses," and when that happens, the patient's health degrades very rapidly. Just one more reason for me to forestall pharmaceutical treatment.

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