Moving Forward by Bradford McIntyre

For years I chose not to go on HIV/AIDS medications. In 1991, after six years of physicians telling me I would progress to disease and die if I did not take the medications, I finally agreed to taking AZT. Unfortunately after 8 months on the AZT, I could not tolerate AZT and developed and suffered from life threatening side effects. Among them neuropathy, a deterioration of the nervous system in my legs. I stopped taking the medications!

Early on treatment consisted primarily of AZT, every four hours in high dosages. Today the dosages have been reduced considerably and AZT is still used in combination therapy. Also, AZT has been used successfully to prevent the transfer of HIV infection from mother to child, at child birth. Unfortunately many died due to HIV illness and the toxicity of AZT. However, many more benefited, many lives saved. Many people lived on until a time when newer more effective drugs became available, who are living healthy, productive lives today.

Although given the latest drug treatments and decline in deaths, still physicians convey a dialogue with patients that promotes fear. Patients are not recommended to take HIV drug treatments, but patients are told to take the drugs or they will progress to disease and die. Physicians should be giving test results and recommendations for possible intervention and treatments without this negative dialogue and giving support and hope to patients. Many may give up and not pursue healthy initiatives given the situation was conveyed with less than a hopeful dialogue. Unfortunately this is not just occurring with HIV but with many physicians treating all types of illness and disease. Many lives have been seriously impacted emotionally by this negative dialogue.

Individuals involved in First AID, paramedic's, doctors and nurses in emergency rooms and hospitals, they all know first hand the importance to be calm and give patients confidence, avoiding panic and fear! This is equally as important in a physicians office, and what physicians have been taught and trained to do! It is extremely important for physicians to convey test results and possible treatments accurately and without personal opinions, sarcasm, ridicule and fear tactic's. Conveying all available treatments and means, to provide help in a supportive and positive way.

When relaying information, doctor's must presume that the patient does not have any previous knowledge of their problem. Imagine relaying information to a patient as if they know nothing, ensuring they understand as much as possible! NOT placing limitations on a patient's life!. One such purpose of the physician, is to help HIV/AIDS patients learn what they need to know to fight for their recovery as partners with their physicians. Making individuals aware of how much control they have over their lives.

Two and half million Canadians suffer from depression and many individuals infected with the HIV virus are on anti anxiety or anti depression medications. Consider, to what extent information may undermine health and lack of purpose, as well as affecting or undermining other areas of a person's life. It is important that we teach people not to be victims. Many health professionals do nothing to elevate stress and contribute to that stress in avoidable ways.

Just because someone tests HIV positive, this does not automatically mean they will get sick and die. There are people who have been infected since the very beginning of HIV/AIDS, happy, healthy and alive, who are not on any HIV/AIDS medications. In fact, there are some individuals infected with the HIV virus, who have never had any immune suppression or virus replicated in their bodies. For years people have been put on HIV/AIDS medications just because they tested positive. This was known as " Hit them hard. Hit them early ". Others and myself, have written to government and the media speaking out against this practice. Finally about three years ago this practice was halted. I celebrated that! Unfortunately this depends on where you live and who your doctor is. There are still physicians putting people on HIV/AIDS medications just because they test HIV positive!

When told I had six months to live, I could never imagined anything worse. But as time past I would find myself faced with one health crisis after another. I knew I could not cope with whatever came next, unless, I seriously took responsibility for my life and found the emotional support and strength needed.

Recognizing the ability of the body to heal has promoted many to choose to combat HIV in a non medical direction. Often, people were effective in preventing illness and disease for years before drug intervention was ever necessary. Others have gone on living, never having any sign of HIV/AIDS related opportunistic infections, illness or disease. For some who have tested positive, there has never been any virus replicated in their body. Equally so, many people who are on drug treatments have learned to address the importance of diet, exercise, alternative therapies and supplements, mind, body, and spirit.