36 Wonderful Years
In May 1984 little was known about HIV/AIDS. I cashed in points from a hotel chain and headed to Acapulco, México for a week. On Tuesday of that week at three in the morning in the El Presidente swimming pool, I met a very nice guy from LA. Late that month the flu struck hard, which was probably the time of seroconversion. On September 13th I tested positive.
Starting HIV treatment
I was in excellent health and was recruited for various research projects, including white cell donation. At that time no one knew exactly when to start medications. My primary care doctor and I decided when my CD4 count dropped below 300 we would begin medications. It was 6 years after being infected with HIV. Fortunately, I never had to take AZT. That doesn't mean the medications available did not have side effects. I remember years of nausea, diarrhea, and lack of appetite. I dropped down to 140 pounds. Not pretty on someone who is 6'4".
A lasting side effect
I never had any symptoms of AIDS, only side effects from the drugs. The only lasting side effect is neuropathy in the feet. I have no sensation in the feet, which makes balance difficult. I am unable to test the temperature of the water in a hot tub.
With the new drug combinations, I expect to live a long life as my father and uncles have lived, and probably die of diseases they died of - prostate cancer. They all live to be 95 to 103 years old.
- David in the Low Desert of California.
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