• Clip
• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 20-30 >> Interview 32 >> Argues that some people in religions can be extreme and might try to convince you to stop HIV medication. (Read by an actor.)

He presented with significant loss of weight and a chest infection in 1998, and he was diagnosed with HIV. He has been on antiviral medication for a number of years. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Topic
• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Making decisions about treatment >> Making decisions about treatment

Making decisions about treatment 

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 16 >> Believes that being optimistic can help people to cope with health problems if they arise.

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 41-45 >> Interview 02 >> Because the medication works he can get on with life and not think so much about HIV.

Now on efavirenz and Combivir, his viral load is undetectable. He has suffered few side-effects. He had counseling to help him cope, and looks forward to getting back to work.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 17 >> Talking freely in counselling can lead to changes, such as taking control of decisions.

He took time to work out who to disclose to and to make treatment decisions (he currently takes Combivir and efavirenz). He initially suffered mental health side-effects (e.g. trouble sleeping, irratibility) but now has few problems with medication.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 28 >> Explains some potential problems with HIV treatments that make it well worth HIV negative people avoiding infection with HIV.

He currently has an undetectable viral load and about 900 CD4 cells. He did not respond well to earlier regimes, but is now doing well on 'salvage therapy,' although his medication has numerous side-effects.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 17 >> Incorrect information is available on the Internet.

He took time to work out who to disclose to and to make treatment decisions (he currently takes Combivir and efavirenz). He initially suffered mental health side-effects (e.g. trouble sleeping, irratibility) but now has few problems with medication.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 17 >> He is grateful his doctor allowed him the time to find out for himself - and decide about - his antiviral treatments.

He took time to work out who to disclose to and to make treatment decisions (he currently takes Combivir and efavirenz). He initially suffered mental health side-effects (e.g. trouble sleeping, irratibility) but now has few problems with medication.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 41-45 >> Interview 02 >> Explains why he has decided to stick to his current combination of HIV medication.

Now on efavirenz and Combivir, his viral load is undetectable. He has suffered few side-effects. He had counseling to help him cope, and looks forward to getting back to work.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 41-45 >> Interview 30 >> After attending an HIV conference he negotiated with his doctor to change his medication. (Read by an actor.)

He was admitted to hospital with a high temperature and headaches where he was diagnosed with HIV. He negotiated his current treatment regime with his doctor (Kaletra and efavirenz), (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 41-45 >> Interview 08 >> Her doctors were good at communicating with her so she was happy to go along with their decision about starting HIV medication. (Read by an actor.)

Now on anti-retroviral treatment (3TC, lopinavir, ddI), she is feeling much better and has returned to work. Her current CD4 cells are 400. Religion is important to her positive attitude. (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.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 05 >> Believes there is too much complacency that anti-HIV drugs will always work and death can be avoided. (Read by an actor.)

His current T cells are 600 and he is not on anti-HIV medication. He is happy to be alive now, does voluntary work (non-HIV) and training courses. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 11 >> Explains how you could deal with being preached at: You can always change your doctor if you are unhappy with him or her.

He has never needed medication for HIV. Even though he did not think he would live past his 20s, he is now facing middle age.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 28 >> Explains some potential problems with HIV treatments that make it well worth HIV negative people avoiding infection with HIV.

He currently has an undetectable viral load and about 900 CD4 cells. He did not respond well to earlier regimes, but is now doing well on 'salvage therapy,' although his medication has numerous side-effects.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 17 >> Explains that you can take responsibility for treatment decisions using the advice of trusted health professionals to understand complex issues.

He took time to work out who to disclose to and to make treatment decisions (he currently takes Combivir and efavirenz). He initially suffered mental health side-effects (e.g. trouble sleeping, irratibility) but now has few problems with medication.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 03 >> Compares negotiating with doctors in the earlier days of HIV to what it is like for him now.

Has slowly built up his strength since his illness, becoming highly expert in HIV. He did extensive self-development work on himself. He has 870 CD4 cells and currently takes nevirapine, abacavir, and lamivudine with minimal side effects.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 56-65 >> Interview 29 >> Talks about how he discovered that the new treatments work.

He currently takes Kaletra, tenofovir, 3TC and has an undetectable viral load. He has suffered from painful peripheral neuropathy and uses visualisation and meditation to control the pain.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 12 >> Compares an encounter about treatment with a HIV consultant and a counsellor.

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 36-40 >> Interview 17 >> Taking your time and developing a relationship with your doctor is important.

He took time to work out who to disclose to and to make treatment decisions (he currently takes Combivir and efavirenz). He initially suffered mental health side-effects (e.g. trouble sleeping, irratibility) but now has few problems with medication.