Like I have always stated, manufacturers of aeroplanes, soccer balls etc are not the ace pilots or soccer stars respectively.
Similarly Doctors, pharmacists and other medical personnel are in most cases not the consumers of ARVs and other medicines that they manufacture or prescribe to us patients.
Those of us living with HIV and are on ART know a lot about ARVs because we are the consumers of the same.
From the medical experts’ view we are just patients or clients but truth is we know a lot about these ARVs than is assumed.
Some of us have even changed timetables instructed by medical personnel to suit our individual life styles and occupations among other reasons.
I have during my long life with HIV learnt a lot about the good and side effects of wrong use of ARVs some of which I shall highlight in this article. The way one responds to one’s HIV result will determine whether one will respond positively or negatively to ART. I am talking not as an medical expert but just as someone who knows what it feels like to be HIV and know how ARVs taste. Therefore my observations should not be judged as those from a medical expert.
The mind is the most important part of the body that’s why pre and post counseling sessions are very important to prepare one for either a positive or negative HIV test result. In the early years of HIV some people would just collapse and die after testing HIV positive. The reason being that HIV was regarded as a death sentence and some people were not prepared for the long and shameful slow AIDS death awaiting most of those living with HIV then. Things have now changed and more people living with HIV are now living very healthy, productive and enjoyable lives with HIV.
A happy mind heals the body so says The Holy Bible. All people living with HIV should avoid feeling shameful but should maintain their dignity and never blame themselves for whatever reason made them be HIV positive. Everyone should focus on being healthy enough to do all that God created them to do in their lives .A damaged heart and mind destroys the body so says the Bible in Proverbs .
Among the reasons that make people fail to take their ART correctly are the following. Failure to adhere to regular time tables due to drunkness or not taking one’s tablets with them wherever they go. Fear of being seen taking ART in public and the shame of being discriminated among other reasons. Defaulting after regaining one’s good health hence thinking that ARVs are no longer necessary. Stopping taking ART after getting into marriage or a long term relationship for fear of rejection.
Some people living with HIV have become deaf or blind due to poor ART uptake especially during the early stages of ART initiation. Others have lost their senses and gone mad. These side effects can be temporary or long term depending on how the patient and those around him/her handle the situation as it unfolds. In some cases one can develop a black shiny skin colour with lips turning pinkish .In some cases a goitre like swelling develops on the neck side but this quickly heals if proper ART administration is followed. I developed this goitre like swelling while I was suffering from TB but it vanished as soon as I began TB treatment. There are other side effects such as skin rushes, painful joints ,the usual thrushes and feeling disoriented and weak.
My advice therefore is all of us living with HIV must adhere to ART as our whole lives depend on it. Let’s avoid feeling useless, shameful, undignified as we go on with our lives. A happy mind makes it easier for the body to respond to medication and heal. Always avoid negative feelings and pay more attention to positive living. As I write this week’s article we are busy and very happy preparing for my wife Mai Simba’s birthday 🎉 🎂 on 15 July and she’s never been in hospital due to any illness ever during the 32 or so years she’s been living with HIV. Those wishing to congratulate her you are welcome on her number+263771136646 and I know she’ll be very happy indeed . Meanwhile all those on ART take your tablets regularly and keep your body in trim shape by avoiding negative thoughts as you persue your dreams.
Piason Maringwa
+263774322043
