Outsmarting HIV: A Survivor's Perspective

Outsmarting HIV: A Survivor's Perspective http://www.thebody.com/content/art60473.html A blog by Nelson Vergel at TheBody.com. http://img.thebody.com/images/mugs/nelson_blogbox.gif Nelson Vergel http://www.thebody.com/content/art60473.html 115 145 Please Help Lark Lands, an Old Friend of the HIV Community, Now Battling Cancer http://www.thebody.com/content/80338/please-help-lark-lands-an-old-friend-of-the-hiv-co.html I remember clearly when I met Lark Lands, Ph.D., for the first time in 1994. I saw her coming into a room full of activists in Los Angeles to speak about options to live healthy and survive HIV. This was a time of despair for many of us, as our health was declining and our friends were dying. With her long black hair and great smile, she spoke with urgency, wit and authority about several nutritional and lifestyle choices that could help us improve HIV-related health issues that were robbing us of our lives. Her message was full of hope as she infused her survival skills and resilience into the room. I became a great fan, and we started collaborating while I was lecturing along with Michael Mooney on the use of hormones to reverse wasting syndrome.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/80338/please-help-lark-lands-an-old-friend-of-the-hiv-co.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Wed, 23 Aug 2017 15:21:00 GMT Be a Hero -- Send Your Unused Medications to Venezuelans in Crisis http://www.thebody.com/content/78348/be-a-hero--send-your-unused-medications-to-venezue.html Cristobal Plaza, director of ActionforSolidarity.org, talks about the medication shortages in Venezuela and how you can help while the situation is resolved one day.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/78348/be-a-hero--send-your-unused-medications-to-venezue.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Tue, 13 Sep 2016 17:36:00 GMT Everything You Need to Know About Anal Cancer Prevention and Treatment (Video) http://www.thebody.com/content/76944/everything-you-need-to-know-about-hpv-related-canc.html In the United States, the rate for anal cancer in the general population is 1 case per 100,000 people; among HIV-negative men who have sex with men the rate increases to 35 cases per 100,000 people.

For HIV-positive gay and bisexual men, the rate is estimated to be between 75 to 115 cases per 100,000 people. It seems to affect those of us who have lived longer with HIV, have had detectable HIV viral load for a few years, have had anal warts (debatable) and/or had lower CD4 cells in our HIV infection.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/76944/everything-you-need-to-know-about-hpv-related-canc.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Fri, 8 Jan 2016 10:41:00 GMT Beyond the Berlin Patient: How Researchers Are Now Trying to Cure More HIV-Positive People (Video) http://www.thebody.com/content/76934/beyond-the-berlin-patient-how-researchers-are-now-.html We are constantly reading headlines about the latest HIV cure. After years of being exposed to these inflamed news reports, we may get desensitized to the fact that there is actually progress being made in that field. Ever since Timothy Brown was proven to be cured, the search for a cure for HIV that is accessible worldwide has intensified. There is more funding now as different research groups compete to get there first. But we have had set backs that have taught us important lessons.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/76934/beyond-the-berlin-patient-how-researchers-are-now-.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Wed, 6 Jan 2016 03:16:00 GMT Two New HIV Studies Give Access to Research Medications to People With Multi-Drug Resistance http://www.thebody.com/content/76401/two-new-hiv-studies-give-access-to-research-medica.html No one can deny that many patients can now suppress their HIV with effective antiretrovirals (ARVs) that cause fewer side effects. However, a vulnerable and often forgotten minority of people are still struggling with multi-drug resistant HIV (MDR-HIV) while they anxiously wait for access to lifesaving ARVs that would finally control their viral replication. Although some of these patients may have developed resistant HIV due to lack of adherence or other issues, many of them have been strictly following their doctors' orders for years.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/76401/two-new-hiv-studies-give-access-to-research-medica.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Thu, 10 Sep 2015 16:35:00 GMT Nelson Vergel Asks for Your Help to Save HIV+ Venezuelans' Lives http://www.thebody.com/content/74516/nelson-vergels-asks-for-your-help-to-save-hiv-vene.html "Nelson, I have read your expert column in Spanish at TheBody.com. I am desperate since we are running out of HIV medications in Venezuela. Can you help us?" This was the first email I received 4 months ago before many others starting arriving in my mailbox.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/74516/nelson-vergels-asks-for-your-help-to-save-hiv-vene.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Thu, 22 May 2014 17:08:00 GMT Can Bugs Increase CD4 Cells? http://www.thebody.com/content/72044/can-bugs-increase-cd4-cells.html Question:

Hello, some studies show that probiotic yogurt can increase CD4 counts, but others show risks to those with compromised immune systems taking probiotics. What are your thoughts? I have been on HIV therapy for nearly 3 years and have not yet achieved a consistent CD4 count over 200. My % is 14. I started very low, under 20. Do you know of any progress on immune therapies to raise the counts? I have been following Cytheris and IL-7 therapy but the trials are taking a very long time. Thanks for your help.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/72044/can-bugs-increase-cd4-cells.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Wed, 3 Jul 2013 20:16:00 GMT HIV Cure Research and Advocacy: What Is the Community's Role? (Videos) http://www.thebody.com/content/71735/hiv-cure-research-and-advocacy-what-is-the-communi.html Research activists and investigators from around the world met in Atlanta on March 2, before the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), to review the current status of HIV cure research and the role of the community in accelerating and facilitating progress in this important field.

Read more ...

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/71735/hiv-cure-research-and-advocacy-what-is-the-communi.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Thu, 6 Jun 2013 23:57:00 GMT Making Sense of Supplements (Video) http://www.thebody.com/content/70098/making-sense-of-supplements-video.html The world of nutritional supplements is a confusing one, with thousands of claims that are not supported with clinical studies, or are based on research done in rats. There is no FDA oversight of these claims, and quality control audits of this industry are infrequent. However, the FDA is known for sending warnings about supplements that have been reported to cause health concerns, or with unapproved ingredients found in random testing.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/70098/making-sense-of-supplements-video.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:55:00 GMT Nelson Vergel's Time-Saving Tips to Maximize the Benefits of Exercise (Video) http://www.thebody.com/content/69564/nelson-vergels-time-saving-tips-to-maximize-the-be.html As a nutrition and exercise expert, in this video I share what I've learned in the past 27 years of exercising to combat HIV-related body changes, fatigue, and mental outlook with great exercise tips that will save everyone time and costly mistakes.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/69564/nelson-vergels-time-saving-tips-to-maximize-the-be.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:33:00 GMT Nelson Vergel's Tips on Healthy Eating (Video) http://www.thebody.com/content/69427/nelson-vergels-tips-on-healthy-eating.html Picking the right foods to eat can be confusing with so much contradictory and misleading information out there.

In this 19-minute video, Nelson reviews foods that he uses and buys at the grocery store to stay healthy.

Read more ...

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/69427/nelson-vergels-tips-on-healthy-eating.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Tue, 16 Oct 2012 08:50:00 GMT Empezando Tu Camino Como VIH Positivo http://www.thebody.com/content/68649/empezando-tu-camino-como-vih-positivo.html El descubrir que uno es VIH + es una experiencia abrumadora y atemorizante. A menos que uno conozca a personas VIH + que podrían ayudarle a navegar los pasos a seguir para obtener el control del VIH, la búsqueda de información en el Internet y grupos de apoyo puede ser una experiencia llena de confusión. Y la mayoría de clínicas de atención primaria de pacientes VIH+ están tan agobiadas con tantos pacientes que tienen tiempo limitado para educar a alguien acerca de cómo mantenerse saludable con el VIH.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/68649/empezando-tu-camino-como-vih-positivo.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Fri, 10 Aug 2012 15:24:00 GMT What You Need to Know About HIV Cure Activism http://www.thebody.com/content/68582/what-you-need-to-know-about-hiv-cure-activism.html Much like it happened during the 1980s and '90s, a new kind of activism is emerging in the fight against HIV. As newer HIV antiretrovirals have helped many regain their health, several activists are not relaxing about their work.

A shift in paradigm occurred when the research world accepted the fact that the "Berlin Patient" was cured of HIV. This shift has also fueled a resurgence of activism that very few people living with HIV are aware of.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/68582/what-you-need-to-know-about-hiv-cure-activism.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Wed, 8 Aug 2012 10:24:00 GMT Starting Your Journey With HIV http://www.thebody.com/content/68406/starting-your-journey-with-hiv.html Finding out that one is HIV positive is an overwhelming and scary experience. Unless you know empowered HIV-positive people who can help you navigate the next steps to gain control of HIV, searching for information on the Internet and at support groups can be a daunting experience. And most HIV primary care clinics are so burdened that they have limited time to educate someone about how to stay healthy with HIV.

Read more ...

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/68406/starting-your-journey-with-hiv.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Tue, 31 Jul 2012 14:35:00 GMT Ten News Items That Have Made Me Happy During the Past Month http://www.thebody.com/content/67329/ten-news-items-that-have-made-me-happy-during-the-.html These past several weeks have been great on many fronts. While taking a shower this morning, I counted a few of the great pieces of news that have come our way amidst all the negative news that the media dwells on to increase ratings.

Read more ...

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/67329/ten-news-items-that-have-made-me-happy-during-the-.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Thu, 31 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT Nelson's Tips for Finding Your Valentine http://www.thebody.com/content/65657/nelsons-tips-for-finding-your-valentine.html Being HIV positive complicates the dating game. Disclosing your status can be stressful since there is always a good possibility that you can get rejected. I think taking medications daily is not as big of an issue as is dating while being HIV positive. That is what I tell HIV-negative young people who think that HIV is a chronic manageable disease and do not see what the big deal is about wearing condoms. I tell them that taking pills is the easiest thing, but dating can be terribly complicated and stressful after you find out you are HIV positive.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/65657/nelsons-tips-for-finding-your-valentine.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:40:00 GMT Bonnie http://www.thebody.com/content/65495/bonnie.html I know I should have written this before. But I was dealing with my mixed emotions about Bonnie's death and wanted to let them settle first. When I found out she had died, my heart sank. But it did not sink like it had in the past when most of my friends died of AIDS after a long battle for which I was present. This time it was different. Here is a woman that I thought I knew well and that I was kind of pissed at for the last year or so. She had not returned my calls or emails wanting to chat like we used to when she used to be with TheBody.com. But it never crossed my mind that she was struggling with a health issue.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/65495/bonnie.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:26:00 GMT Video: What Can We Do Now to Speed Up HIV Cure Research? http://www.thebody.com/content/64089/video-what-can-we-do-now-to-speed-up-hiv-cure-rese.html After attending a meeting sponsored by several organizations (TAG, amfAR, Project Inform, the AIDS Policy Project) in Baltimore on April 20-21 this year, I came to the realization that we needed a video that would wake people up to the challenges ahead of us to get to a cure for HIV that is accessible and practical.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/64089/video-what-can-we-do-now-to-speed-up-hiv-cure-rese.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:20:00 GMT Timothy Brown: The Other Side of the Cure http://www.thebody.com/content/62952/timothy-brown-the-other-side-of-the-cure.html By now, we have all read several stories about Timothy Brown and watched his interviews on TV. For the few who have been living in a cocoon in the last few weeks and have not watched the news, I remind them that Tim, once known as the "Berlin patient," is the man who was cured of HIV through a long and risky procedure of chemotherapy, radiation and a CCR5-negative stem cell transplant.

Ever since I saw the first poster presentation at the 2007 CROI conference that mentioned his case, I have been wondering what it would feel like to be cured. Until that moment, that thought had never crossed my mind. What would it be like not to have to take pills every day, not to have to worry about side effects, not to have to go see a doctor so frequently, not to have to be afraid of rejection, not to have to spend so much time reading medical information, not to be worried about drug resistance and death, not to feel different from others?

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/62952/timothy-brown-the-other-side-of-the-cure.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Fri, 15 Jul 2011 07:19:00 GMT Nelson's Top 10 Tricks for Fat Loss http://www.thebody.com/content/62738/nelsons-top-10-tricks-for-fat-loss.html

Get real. Ask yourself: What is getting in the way of my health? What excuses am I using to not start giving a damn? There is no perfect time to start. Do it now, even if it means one change per week in your lifestyle choices. You deserve to feel and look the best you can!

You cannot change what you do not measure!

Download a step counter (pedometer) app to your phone or buy one to carry with you all day. Research has shown that 10,000 steps a day keep people from gaining weight and may help those wanting to lose weight. It approximately equates to 3 miles. If by 6 pm you have not reached that goal, you can make up for the difference on a treadmill, walking the dog, walking to the store, etc. Read more on this.
Weigh yourself 3 times a week in the morning while on an empty stomach.
Get yourself a ring to wear on one of your fingers, or use the one you are wearing now; it's the best way to find out if you are inflamed or holding too much water. When tighter, you need to exercise to decrease inflammation and water retention.
If you have a progressive doctor who can refer you for a full DEXA body scan, good for you. This is the best way to know your body composition in every part of your body.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/62738/nelsons-top-10-tricks-for-fat-loss.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:05:00 GMT AIDS Activist Allen Huff Dies of an HIV Drug Side Effect http://www.thebody.com/content/62537/aids-activist-allen-huff-dies-of-a-hiv-drug-side-e.html My friend, Allen Huff, died on Friday. He battled portal hypertension caused by Videx (DDI) and was not a candidate for surgery to repair the damage caused by that drug (read the FDA report that mentions the label change for the drug just last year: FDA report on the side effect and label change for DDI )

It was very hard for me to see Allen die of wasting in front of my eyes since wasting syndrome has been my main area of activism in the past. The blood flow to his liver was restricted, so he was not able to absorb nutrients even though he ate constantly. His viral load was undetectable for many years and he was highly adherent and educated about treatment. He was so angry that it took so many years for this side effect to be mentioned. He had contacted BMS several times and they denied any indication that their drug could be involved in this problem.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/62537/aids-activist-allen-huff-dies-of-a-hiv-drug-side-e.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:20:00 GMT Will You Be a Hero for the Cure? http://www.thebody.com/content/art61881.html I recently returned from a wonderful meeting in Baltimore sponsored by Project Inform, Treatment Action Group (TAG), the AIDS Policy Project and amfAR that gathered top researchers in immune-based approaches that may lead to a cure for HIV. It was certainly an eye-opener for me to foresee the emerging challenges in this important research. One of these challenges will be how future studies will be enrolled.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art61881.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Tue, 10 May 2011 17:51:00 GMT Facial Lipoatrophy Treatments: Help Us Remove Barriers to Access http://www.thebody.com/content/art61515.html Sign a petition to improve access to facial lipoatrophy treatments through Medicare -- and read on for more information.

The road to regaining a healthy look for people affected by HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy has been a long one. Improvements have come, but challenges are still here. Most people in the United States still do not have access, 7 years after the approval of the first product for this disfiguring problem.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art61515.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Fri, 15 Apr 2011 10:55:00 GMT The Long-Term Survivor Dilemma http://www.thebody.com/content/art60472.html "Nelson, what am I going to do?"

This sentence is part of a conversation that I seem to be having everywhere I go with my seminars -- one that manifests from a communal concern that many of us are sharing as we age as HIV long-term survivors.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art60472.html nelsonvergel@yahoo.com (Nelson Vergel) Mon, 14 Feb 2011 22:49:00 GMT