My boyfriend is in hospital but should be OK

At the beginning of the year my boyfriend was put onto the relatively new "One size fits all" generic anti-viral. It's made in Thailand and is a combination of three anti-virals in one pill.

I had my reservations when I heard about it although my boyfriend was delighted as it meant fewer pills to take and it saved me money. I was assured though that he would be carefully monitored.

I'd read some worrying reports that the pill encourages the development of resistant strains of HIV. I was also worried about side effects as when my boyfriend first started on anti-virals it took some time to get the doses right and to find a combination of three anti-virals that he could tolerate. Obviously you can't fine tune the combination when it's one pill.

However things are going very well so far so I hope my initial reservations will turn out not to have been justified.

After a very long period of low and even declining CD4 counts things began to improve slowly. Then a month ago his CD4 count showed it's highest increase ever. So much so that even the doctor was surprised. The doctor also commented how much better my boyfriend was looking and as I saw for myself his weight continues to rise and he's much fuller in the face now. The hollow cheeks, sunken eyes and prominent ribs are long gone and he actually weighs more now than he ever has before.

However there is one problem that has got worse. He has cataracts in both eyes which were being treated with eye drops as he was terrified of the idea of an operation. He saw the specialist at the beginning of the week and one eye had got so much worse that he could hardly see and it was "weeping" all the time. The specialist told him that there was a danger that he could loose the sight altogether without surgery. So he had an operation on Thursday and is in hospital at the moment. I spoke to him earlier today and he's sounding upbeat. I was surprised that he will be in hospital for a week but he did have a full anaesthetic. He complained about the food "Mai aroi!!!" so his appetite is fine. Hopefully this latest problem will soon be behind him. His determination to overcome every setback remains as great as ever.

On a less serious note he informed me that he's going to send me a 600 Bhat "Cure for baldness" though I think it's probably a bit too late for me. He's always had a weakness for quack cures and is very gullible. I've done my best over the last two years to keep him away from some very dubious "cures" for HIV. He heard a rumour at one point that a very prominent member of Thai Society was HIV+ and was being treated with "Dried Royal Crocodile blood". Available, apparently, in Chiang Mai. I never heard anymore about that one.

As for the cure for baldness I suspect it's not a local or herbal remedy but one of the drugs that are also available in the West (Minoxidil?). If it does arrive I won't be trying it.

Due to licensing agreements there are not allowed to export. But there will – or is already cheap medication available from India since India does not honour patents on drugs.

One good Thai friend of mine did listen do his doctor’s good advice. He quit smoking and heavy drinking, is eating a lot of traditional Thai food and plenty of fresh fruits, dinks a lot of water or tea and takes his medication seriously on time.

He is doing pretty well now. Before he could not work as civil servant anymore but now he is back at his regular job.

I’ve linked him with another good friend of mine who is since 1999 or 2000 living as monk He also have had a hard time with imported medicine but is now receiving a similar medical treatment and is also doing well. Both became good friends and do advise other HIV-victims.

People living with HIV cannot be cured yet but can live a few years longer a hassle free and good life.

I do wish your the strenght to handle all it and all the very best for your friend.

but can live a few years longer

This is an understatement ttom. I have a friend here in London who 3 years ago "celebrated" 10 years of managing his positive status. He is now in full time employment.

in fact, some of my friends have been HIV+ for 20 years. When they make the bloodtest, no infection can be seen.

all in all - it sounds better Jon - i pray he keeps improving.

but can live a few years longer

This is an understatement ttom. I have a friend here in London who 3 years ago "celebrated" 10 years of managing his positive status. He is now in full time employment.

Good for your friend - and you.

The costs for HIV treatment in Thailand used to be between 30 000 and 50 000 TBT monthly which are usually not covert by a health insurance. And 30 000 TBT in Thailand is an annual income for many.

Please be aware of the differences.

An average HIV+ person survives much longer now in Thailand thanks to progresses in medicines and violation of patents on drugs.

>To what; the god of ciggies and alcohol?<

You really are a fatuous prat.