Hi, I am 57 yr old male. I was diagnosed h.i.v. + 5 yrs ago. I spent a week in the hospital very ill and nearly at kidney failure. I recovered and began treatment for h.i.v. Before my diagnosis I managed an oilfield inspection co. Made a 6 figure salary and was a single dad. I worked out 6 days a week. At 6 4 235 I was in great condition. I have not been able to live anywhere near the life I had. Immediately my entire body felt signifigant pain. Like I had full body arthritus. I look and feel exhausted. Every interaction begins with me being told how absolutely tired I look. I changed hiv meds 4 different times with 0 real change. I have nightmares if and when I sleep at night. Its restless, and between terrible migraines and severe nausea, I dont sleep well. In the a.m I begin taking my meds and begin to get around slowly. By 8 or 9 a.m I can finally rest and take a nap till noon. Between people finding out my diagnosis and my complete decline physically My company lost 5 shops we had been in for over a decade. I have been mostly unable to do anything since. I can t even walk my dog without having to sit for awhile. 1 or 2 laps at a store and I come home exhausted. I feel like Im 100 yrs old. No one comes around and I live from bed to couch. My dr. Tells me my counts are solid around 600 and Im undetectable. Thats great, but Ive been deabilitated almost from the beginnibg of this. He acts like Im speaking a foriegn language when I tell him. My quality of life is awful. I feel so fatigued all the time. Ive gained over a hundred pounds and feel even worse. I just cant move around so Im always sitting or laying down. My research shows some do struggle with chronic severe fatigue and joint and muscle pain. My dr thinks if my counts are good I should be fine. I am nowhere near fine. Have you heard of what Im experiencing? I know depression is a concern as well. I would have to say ive lost everything I liked about myself and my career, health, appearance and reputation do cause me low points. But if I could get up and be even 75 %of my old self I would be happy. Its not from depression. It is from a life of pain and severe fatigue. Is it my body fighting the virus at all times and a bad reaction to the meds. Im on biktarvry, it was better for a week or so then back to wiped out. Im so tired of all this and my dr. Just looks at me like im on my own. So I feel I have no hope here. Do you have any knowledge on this and any suggetions? Thanks
posted on
Tue, 1 Aug 2023