Justin B. Terry-Smith has been involved in LGBTQ and HIV Activism since 1999. He is an Air Force 9/11 Disabled Vet. Raised in Silver Spring, MD, he now lives in Albuequerque, New Meixco with his husband Phil. He writes an HIV/STI Advice Column for A&U Magazine, is a Contributing writer for thebody.com, a Life Coach and an Adjunct Professor. He has earned his Doctorate in Public Health with a concentration in Infectious Disease and his Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Hey, everyone, I hope all is well. Fall is here and the
first holiday that comes to mind is Labor Day. Does anyone know what this
holiday is about? And, no, it isn’t about pregnant women going into labor.
Labor Day is more about the labor movement and the contributions that workers
have made to the strength, prosperity, laws, and well-being of the country.
This month, I’d like to shine a spotlight on those who work with us to keep us
healthy. I know there are a lot of us that absolutely hate having to deal with
doctors or any public health professional, but maybe knowing more about what
public health professionals do and why they can be an important part of our HIV
journey might take the sting out.
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This is hilarious. I made a video and didnt even remember making it. This was too funny. I think with all the excitement of the holidays and my birthday I forgot all about it. Plus my life has been busy one, thing after another. I dont know why Im publishing this video I was thinking that I should have thrown it away. But then I saw how happy I was to be with my husband and thinking of what good friends and family I have I had to publish it.
Today November 18, 2009, I had an appointment with my Doctor. It didn’t go as well as I wanted. There were a few issues that I’m having with my body. 1 my T-Cell count went down and is now at 300.
I don’t know what could have happened. Right now I’m on Rayetez, Novir and Truvada. My doctor has decided that we might try a different regimen. He wants to start me on Prezista (2 pills), Truvada (1 Pill) and Norvir (1Pill) so that 4 pills vs. the three pills a day I am taking now.
It’s a little disturbing and scary to change meds because of the Side Effects and more changes. But that’s all it is and that is all I will look at it as, a change. All I know is that I remain strong.
Weight Loss I lost 6 lbs I’m 5’6 and a half and I now weigh 136lbs. I used to weight 142 lbs that to me is scary. I’ve never lost weight before at least not like that. But I was sick with the flu a couple of weeks ago but I have my vaccine so it wasn’t that bad. We shall see if I have any more changes in my weight
Bone Density Scan I had my first Bone Density Scan at the doctor’s appt Here is why my doctor recommends it. Individuals infected with HIV have been observed to have bone densities that are lower than expected based on age. Some studies suggest BMD loss may be more common for patients on ART, while other studies find equal rates of BMD loss for HIV+ persons with no treatment experience. However, the causes and significance of lower bone mineral density (BMD) in the setting of HIV remain unclear. Fortunately, despite the data demonstrating lower bone densities in HIV-infected persons, severe osteoporosis and non-traumatic bone fractures in this population are rare. Confounding any attempts to identify causative factors of bone loss are the presence of other risk factors for low bone density among many HIV-infected persons including corticosteroid use, low testosterone levels, alcohol abuse, weight loss and lack of exercise, among others. (The science of bone density has its own lingo. Those who think a t-score has something to do with sports should check out a nice website created by Susan Ott, MD at http://uwcme.org/courses/bonephys/index.html.)
"Osteopenia & HIV", written for NATAP by Andrew Carr, MD: www.natap.org/2000/lipo/osteopenia011501.htm
Prezista Side Effects: An Introduction
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Prezista™ (darunavir ethanolate); however, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Prezista. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Prezista side effects with you.)
Common Prezista Side Effects Clinical studies have not evaluated Prezista alone for the treatment of HIV, since it is meant to be used along with other HIV medications. In fact, the available information on side effects involves studies that used Prezista plus one or two other HIV medications. Therefore, it is difficult to determine whether these side effects are caused by Prezista or the other HIV medications.
Based on these studies, the most common side effects of Prezista (plus one or two other HIV medications) included:
• High triglycerides -- in up to 25.4 percent of people • High cholesterol -- up to 9.2 percent • Headaches -- up to 3.8 percent • Diarrhea -- up to 2.8 percent • Vomiting -- up to 2.4 percent • Abdominal pain (stomach pain) -- up to 2.3 percent • Constipation -- up to 2.3 percent. There are a number of side effects with Prezista that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider. These include but are not limited to:
• Signs of liver damage, such as:
o Fatigue or a general ill feeling (malaise) o Loss of appetite o Nausea o Yellow eyes or skin (jaundice) o Tenderness near the liver (the upper-right abdomen) o Pale stools
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) • Any unusual or unexplained bleeding • Changes in the distribution of fat on your body (such as a "buffalo hump") • Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
o Rash o Hives o Itching o Swelling of the mouth or throat o Wheezing o Difficulty breathing.
Less Common Prezista Side Effects Rare Prezista side effects occur in less than 2 percent of people taking the drug. Because these side effects are so uncommon, it is difficult to determine whether they are actually caused by Prezista or something else.
These less common side effects include but are not limited to:
• Fever • Fatigue • Water retention in the calves, ankles, or feet • High blood pressure (hypertension) • Gas • Dry mouth • Indigestion or heartburn • Nausea • Osteoporosis • Drowsiness • Unusual sensations (like burning, tingling, or numbness) in the hands or feet • Eczema • Increased sweating • A spinning sensation (vertigo).
• Final Thoughts on Prezista Side Effects • You may experience some or none of the Prezista side effects listed in this article. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to tell whether any particular side effect (such as nausea) is actually caused by Prezista or other factors. Therefore, make sure to let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects while taking the drug or if something "just does not seem right." While it may not be a side effect of Prezista, your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose and treat the problem.
Having HIV is hard enough but when you have to watch out for other diseases as well it make life all the more harder. I’m sure all of you have been bombarded with the media’s warning and coverage of the H1N1 virus, but the information needs to be widely distributed. Again I’m not a doctor and I got my information from the CDC website which I have sited. Please protect yourself. I’m also doing this for the people that are infected with diseases that compromise their immune systems. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), several studies have reported higher hospitalization rates, prolonged illness and increased mortality, especially among persons with AIDS. Remember AIDS is when your CD4 count is 200 or lower.
Also other diseases that compromise the immune systems, and especially persons with low CD4 cell counts or AIDS can experience more severe complications of seasonal influenza and it is possible that HIV-infected adults and adolescents are also at higher risk for novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection complications. Some of there complications are opportunistic infections
There are certain things that you can do to that might prevent you from spreading or becoming infected with the H1N1 virus. Please frequently wash your hands, cover you mouth when you cough, and have ill people stay home to seek medical care. Also, you might want to minimize contact with others in the household who may be ill with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus.
Additional measures that can limit transmission of a new influenza strain include reduction of unnecessary social contacts, and avoidance whenever possible of crowded settings in communities where novel influenza A (H1N1) is circulating. If used correctly, facemasks and respirators may help reduce the risk of getting influenza, but they should be used along with other preventive measures, such as avoiding close contact with ill persons and maintaining good hand hygiene.
How do I know if I have the flu?
You may have the flu if you have some or all of these symptoms: • fever * • cough • sore throat • runny or stuffy nose • body aches • headache • chills • fatigue • sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
Most people with 2009 H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs and the same is true of seasonal flu. BUT people that have diseases that effect their immune systems are at higher risk and will need medical care if infected with the H1N1 virus.
• Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old • People 65 and older • Pregnant women • People who have: o Cancer o Blood disorders (including sickle cell disease) o Chronic lung disease [including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)] o Diabetes o Heart disease o Kidney disorders o Liver disorders o Neurological disorders (including nervous system, brain or spinal cord) o Neuromuscular disorders (including muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis) o Weakened immune systems (including people with AIDS)
What are the emergency warning signs?
In children • Fast breathing or trouble breathing • Bluish skin color • Not drinking enough fluids • Not waking up or not interacting • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough • Fever with a rash
In adults • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen • Sudden dizziness • Confusion • Severe or persistent vomiting
The H1N1 virus is like HIV in a way; it doesn’t matter where you live, what color you are, what your age is, or your creed it can infect you if you do not take the proper precautions to protect yourself and others. P.S GO GET YOUR SEASONAL FLU AND H1N1 SHOT
This Positive Life: An Interview With Justin B. Smith
Hello and welcome. This is Bonnie Goldman, Editorial Director of TheBody.com. Welcome to This Positive Life. I'm here today with Justin B. Smith. Today I'll be talking with Justin about what it's like to live with HIV. Welcome, Justin.
Hello.
Getting Tested for HIV
Let's start at the very beginning. Can you start by describing how you found out you were HIV positive?
I kind of had an idea that something was wrong with me anyway. I was sweating in bed and I didn't understand why I was sweating so hard. "Why am I sweating? I have satin sheets. This doesn't make any sense."
Then I woke up and as soon as I sat up, I threw up twice on the side of my bed. I ran to the bathroom and I threw up on the side of my toilet and I finally got the last one inside the toilet. [laughs]
I knew something was wrong. I decided to go to the clinic -- to Us Helping Us, People Into Living, Incorporated, in [Washington] D.C., which specializes in LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender] testing, awareness and education targeting African Americans.
Do they have free HIV testing?
Yes, it's free testing.
How long ago was this?
I went to them in 2006. I used to work there back in 2004. I went there to work as their administrative assistant. I knew I could trust them. I had friends there that were still working there. I went there and I called my friend Brian. He was off. I went in, got the test. It was a 20-minute OraSure test.
It was a swab test where they swab inside of your mouth and then they test it.
So this is a rapid test and you could immediately find out if you're HIV positive?
Yes, in twenty minutes.
What was your expectation while you waited for the results?
"Going home with somebody when you're high or drunk, you really don't think about a lot of the things that you should be thinking about, like condom use."
A million things were running through my mind. "I'm 26 years old. You know, there's no reason why..." Ignorantly, of course, I had thought I couldn't be positive, "My name is Justin B. Smith. How could I be positive? Dada dada dada. I'm Justin B. Smith. How could I be positive? I'm an example."
I thought about my past behavior. [laughs] "I went out and I drank a lot and I used to do drugs -- cocaine being my drug of choice. I used to lead a very dangerous life, I guess.
When I found out I was HIV positive I felt that I would never be wanted physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually. 3 years ago I met a man the way that a lot of you have met men, at a bar. I noticed his smile, his swagger, and his sexiness. I didn’t know what to do with myself, except I knew I had to be honest with him about a part of me that I knew I couldn’t keep secret, my HIV status.
Being HIV positive a lot of us have low self esteem about if we will ever be wanted. I’m here to tell you that there is light at the end of the tunnel. There WILL BE someone for you, even if you aren’t HIV positive.
I have truly found someone that loves my unconditionally. Through all my trial and tribulations he has been there to help me through the rough waters we call life. Philip asked me to marry him on Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend of 2009. When he asked I didn’t know what to say, so I looked inside my heart and open my mouth and joyously said, “Yes”.
Ever since then we’ve had disagreements like most couples but it never took away from the love that I have and will always have for him. This man has breathed life into me, my heart, my soul and my mind. When I didn’t want to be loved; he opened my heart, when I didn’t want to have a spiritual awakening; he opened my soul and when I didn’t want to go to school; he opened my mind, when I didn’t want to love.
I can honestly say that all I want is for him to be happy and that makes me happy to be with him. Being HIV positive has nothing to do with who you love. It might change how you love but love will always be there and will be there much longer than you and I. Love conquers all, even HIV.
I love you Philip, thank you for doing me the honor of asking me to marry you. For eternity and the life after I am forever yours.
Love Always, Justin B Smith AKA Mr. Silly Butt
P.S. to all those reading this sorry about the noisy background it was very windy at the beach in Provincetown that day
Hey, everyone, I hope all is well. Fall is here and the
first holiday that comes to mind is Labor Day. Does anyone know what this
holiday is about? And, no, it isn’t about pregnant women going into labor.
Labor Day is more about the labor movement and the contributions that workers
have made to the strength, prosperity, laws, and well-being of the country.
This month, I’d like to shine a spotlight on those who work with us to keep us
healthy. I know there are a lot of us that absolutely hate having to deal with
doctors or any public health professional, but maybe knowing more about what
public health professionals do and why they can be an important part of our HIV
journey might take the sting out.
