• Topic
• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Dealing with difficulties, finances and benefits >> Dealing with difficulties, finances and benefits

Dealing with difficulties, finances & benefits 

• Clip
• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 16 >> Retirement has meant keeping busy while surviving on less money.

He was taking a combination of anti-virals (zidovudine, nevirapine and abacavir) with no side effects. He has less energy than he once did, but is not sure if this is due to HIV or getting older.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 01 >> He cannot feel good about himself when he faces so many problems.

A long term survivor who has done a considerable amount of voluntary work in Aids, uses complementary health approaches, and is concerned about HIV discrimination and stigma.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 42 >> Lack of money can contribute to desperate situations.

She became sick in the UK while visiting some of her children who live here, and she feels she is now 'stuck here.' The uncertainty over her immigration status is very stressful and does get her down. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 06 >> It is not easy applying for - or existing on - benefits.

He is currently receiving psychotherapy, mainly for his HIV diagnosis and sexual assault. On benefits, he keeps himself busy, and is positive about life and returning to work.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 13 >> Talks about how he has had to struggle and fight in life.

He currently takes 4 antivirals (AZT, atazanavir, ritonavir, tenofovir) after suffering severe side effects from other combinations. His viral load was low and he attributes his good health to taking responsibility for his own wellbeing.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 12 >> Was facing multiple problems and was very angry.

He suffered from severe diarrhoea and peripheral neuropathy while taking an earlier combination of anti-HIV drugs, but he currently takes nelfinavir, 3TC and abacavir with few side effects. He has had to cope with HIV-related illness, depression and mania at various times in his life.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 41-45 >> Interview 41 >> As a professional woman it is humiliating for her to be forced to live off little and not work. (Read by an actor.)

Although she was monogamous, her partner was not, and she believes she picked up HIV from him. She has found support groups to be vital in her emotional wellbeing. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 09 >> Did not have enough food to eat with her medication. (Read by an actor.)

Now on anti-retroviral treatment (nevirapine, tenofovir, 3TC), she has overcome her isolation mainly through support groups and her Christian church which is accepting of HIV. She still suffers from health problems. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 12 >> Believes that the high level of service he gets from the NHS will not last.

He suffered from severe diarrhoea and peripheral neuropathy while taking an earlier combination of anti-HIV drugs, but he currently takes nelfinavir, 3TC and abacavir with few side effects. He has had to cope with HIV-related illness, depression and mania at various times in his life.

• Condition
• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> HIV

Publication date: November 2006          Last updated: September 2010

Review date: September 2012

 

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection attacks the body's immune system. We interviewed 50 people about their experiences of HIV infection. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.