Hiv/AIDS medications have changed tremendously since the late 1980's when I tested Hiv+. They're improving the average Hiv'ers quality of life as well as allowing most of us to live longer and fuller lives. This is beyond wonderful; however, there may be times when a person simply has adverse side effects caused by their meds which doesn't allow him/her to eat due to nautiousness and in some cases, tossing your cookies. We all know that when a person doesn't feel good, they just don't eat. It is normal for this disease (and so many others), it can be expected and you need to avoid all the psychological self-drilling that sometimes presents itself when this part of the disease manifests itself - if that happens to you, ignore it with all your might cause my friends, it's not you, it's not anything you are or aren't doing, it's the disease and/or meds thats doing it to us.
Naturally, the best place to go for nutritional do's and don'ts and the general guidelines when living with Hiv is your medical team. They should be able to guide you safely in this area. But, there is something that I need to share with you all that I have learned in the last 21 years - unless you need to avoid certain foods/nutritional supplements because of their possibe negative interaction with your Hiv meds, when you are feeling that sick, anything is worth trying at least once. We're talking about sustaining your body during what may be some of the most intense medical battles its ever encountered - wouldnt you agree that it's best to build up your inner armies and keep them as strong as possible?
For those times - and I pray they are as few as possible for each and every one of you - when you simply can't eat and you're losing a bit too much weight a bit too fast, there are a couple of things that I have personally used in the past, even during my chemo periods, that worked for me, that really helped me. There is no guarantee that they will work for you but if you feel you've tried every resort and dont know what else to try, perhaps these suggestions may be worth checking out.
Apricot Nectar. Some people are grossed out by it's thick, pulpy, overly-sweet flavor but if you even remotely like apricots and want to attempt to fill your stomach with something that is somewhere between a thick juice and solid food, this is the route to go. Drink it whichever way you feel comfortable. Myself, I like it best with no ice cubes or water in it and chilled extremely cold. To achieve this, simply put it into a freezer-safe container and let it set for about 20 to 30 minutes. Try to drink at least 2 to 3 small juice-glasses of it per day. Even on the days you feel it's simply impossible to eat, try to drink as much of it as you can. Remember, in addition to wanting to sustain your body's strength you also want to keep yourself hydrated as much as possible.
Ovaltine. Yes, a good, old-fashioned piece of American ingenuity that has been around since the early 1930's - and it still tastes and works just as well as it did back then. Take a look at the vitamin and mineral content in it - it will blow your mind how good it is for you. You would not believe how many international marathon runners pump themselves with this stuff at least 2 to 3 days before a major run. Drink it whichever way you feel comfortable, whether in a glass of cold milk or warm/hot like you would a mug of hot chocolate. Try to drink at least 1 to 2 glasses of it per day; but, here's the trick - in order for it to make a difference inside your stomach, such as coating the inner lining, as well as for stabalizing the stomach and possibly helping to add calories to your weight, you need to drink it with the highest milk-fat content possible. Take me as an example - I can't drink milk unless it has a bit of cream in it so I drink 2% milk; but, in the past when I've been really sick, I try to go with Whole Milk, again, just 1 to 2 glasses a day but more if you can handle it.
I won't lie to you, alot of your friends, and maybe even one or two members of you medical care team will tell you to stay on skimmed milk only but I ask you this - who the fuck is fighting to stabalize your stomach and make your body a bit stronger? That's right, you are. If you want to go the healthier/vegetarian route and use Soymilk or Ricemilk, go for it - it's whatever you feel comfortable with. But if you do choose either of those, at least promise yourself that you will try to drink as much of it as you can, okay? I'm not saying to drown yourself in it to the point where Ovaltine comes flying outta every opening of your body every time you fart, but try to drink at least 2 glasses of it each day if you possibly can.
Ovaltine Flavors. Naturally, that choice too is totally up to you as well. Here in the States, last month when I bought some, I noticed 3 flavors that all seem similliar but they are not: Classic, which is the original, is great but be careful because the malt ingredient in it is so high that it could upset your stomach even more. Sample a small glass and see what happens; Chocolate Malt, which is identical to the previous flavor only their is more of a chocolate base and not as much malt ingredient; finally, Rich Chocolate which more or less is a lighter version of the aforementioned two and made to rival, at least in consistency and flavor, other Ovaltine knock-offs such as Nestle Quick. Personally, I like the latter 2 flavors best, but the choice is yours.
Carnation Instant Breakfast drink is also a good substitute for real food when you can't eat, plus it comes in a variety of flavors. I won't lie to you, it doesnt taste as good as Ovaltine (in my opinion!) but it's lighter in tecture and hey, if you wanna try it and it works for you, all the more power to you.
Just one more word of caution on all of this - if you have a few health-nut friends in your life such as I do, they may suggest to you to put this-or-that powdered or liquid health supplement into the above suggestions - please do not do so until you have checked with a member of your health team first. You'd be extremely surprised how some of that alleged healthnut crap can knock your electrolyte armies into a bizarre tailspin and trust me, that is the last thing you need when you are fighting for control of your body.
And please, I implore of you, if you have any hesitations whatsoever on trying out my suggestions, please consult your medical care team FIRST. I mean it. I'm sharing these tips with you guys because I don't want you to be sick, I don't want you to go through any of the ups-n-downs that veteran Hiv'ers like myself have gone through - my main wish/goal for you is to keep your body and your health as stable as is possible for as long as you possibly can. When it really boils down to it, I think that's what we all want. Hope these suggestions work for you and as always, thank you for reading.
Posted via email from HivSpice
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