tHurs.day - aP.ril 8th, 2004 Watch out for the energy drain that may slow you down. Before you know it, your day could start feeling like a week. As long as you don't push yourself too hard, you might even enjoy the slower pace. Instead of raging against the machine itself, meditate on its inner workings. Maybe you'll become one with it, or maybe you'll just figure out a way to take the whole thing apart when the time is right. In general, it's better to accept your natural rhythms than it is to fight against them. You can't always be in hyper drive. reX, I've been a long time watcher, and just found out yesterday that I'm HIV+, well, the initial test anyway. I'll get the Western Blot results next week. Wanted to find out what sort of regimen/supplements you are taking because it seems to be working. Thanks in advance! so much is probably goin' on in your head with the results.. i know when i became positive in 2001 it wHas overwhelming.. so much to consider.. since then i have learned quite a bit about being positive and about my body.. alot of information that i thought wHas so helpful can be found at AIDsmed.com, they have articles and tutorials about HIV and the most recent studies that are out there.. wHat i have learned is that there is no ONE approach to treatment.. there are many wHays to approach one's needs depending on the individual and their lifestyle.. first, overall you should get your bloodwork and determine with your doc wither or not anti-HIV meds are right for you.. There are a couple branches of thought on this based on the combination of viral load and t-cell count.. AIDsmed.com can help you understand this if you are vague about the theory's.. they explain about your bloodwork and how viral load and t-cells can effect you and your health.. i have been very fortunate so far in the last three years,i haven't needed anti-HIV meds.. based on my viral load and t-cell-counts.. i get my bloodwork done about every 4 months to make sure that everything is in check with my viral load and t-cells.. and as long as i can keep them to a safe level i can avoid the anti-HIV meds.. or put them off as long as i can.. the thing is that you don't want your HIV viral load to go too high and your t-cells going too low.. depending on your bloodwork results and talking with your doc.. you can determine wither you need to start anti-HIV meds or not.. but anti-HIV meds are not the only thing out there that helps with having HIV.. because i dont take the meds.. i have been proactive with my approach with homeopathic methods.. which i feel wither you are taking anti-HIV meds or not are helpful.. even if you dont have HIV .. they are helpful.. First and foremost.. You have to look at the stress in your life.. And reduce it.. wither through your lifestyle or what have you.. You can't be stressed all the time.. look at wHays to reduce stress.. meditation has helped me quite a bit.. i started meditating while in the bath.. taking a little time each day to relax my body and mind and focus on my breathing.. now i use this meditation everyday.. in different situations.. that help me relax.. other wHays are taking walks.. running .. swimming.. exercise is key.. i have been getting into yoga which for me.. is a "work-in" .. instead of "work-out" .. because you start tuning into your body.. start feeling what's going on from the inside with your organs.. with yoga you can work those organs and make them healthier... whatever workout scheme works for you.. do it.. it will help reduce stress.. being compassionate to yourself and your situation also helps.. dont beat yourself up.. dont' be hard on yourself.. BE KIND TO YOURSELF! ... OK.. as for vitamins and other supplements that i take.. i do it to keep my immune system healthy.. (The t-cells) my goal is to have them build up as HIV will attack those cells and makes us vulnerable when we get sick. So the immune system is key my bud.. i take my vitamins along with food so that they work more effectively... here's my vitamin routine: - vit-min (multi-vitamin) - vit C (1000mg) - vit E (200mg) - garlic - vit D if you are taking anti-HIV meds .. it's important to supplement yourself with vit D ... as some anti-HiV meds will effect your bones over time.. And you want to keep them strong and producing ... anti-oxydents will help protect your t-cells and keep them healthy.. sometimes i take HGH (a natural human hormone) to help with energy and strength and building my body up.. this is something that you should talk to your doc about taking before you try .. there are different thoughts about how this really effects people and with each person being an individual and having different reactions.. There are different results.. all suppliments should really be discussed with your doc.. nutrition is key ... i am learning now how to balance my meals more.. it's a hard thing for me..cause i have certain eating habits that arent healthy.. But i look at food as being my main medication and the most effective supplement.. i have created a food menu that breaks things down into: protein, carbs and fats.. And try and get a good mix of these each day.. i have been seeing a nutritionist to help me do this.. i also have dived into alternative treatments: - massage (lymph node detoxification) - acupuncture - acupressure - reiki I have found these help quite a bit.. And helps me be proactive with my treatment.. i hope to get to a Chinese herbalist at some point to get an evaluation and find out what they would suggest i use.. ok.. i have written quite a bit and hope this helps.. everyone with a health condition can write a book about thier experiences.. But the thing is to work with a doc that you feel comfortable with and set up a regimen that will work for you.. research.. learn for yourself what works.. And again.. be compassionate with yourself.. i am sending you healthy and energizing energies my bud.. please let me know how things go for you.. And let me know if you have other questions.. Or things you find out yourself.. sharing information and knowing that you aren't alone with this condition is important.. we are all in this together.. And we know now that we can live long healthy lives with HIV... it has impacted me in positive ways that actually make me feel more healthy.. positively ... positive.. :) xx reX.

...baCk...