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

Dealing with difficulties, finances & benefits 

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• 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 31-35 >> Interview 26 >> She is scared and feels trapped without work or benefits while her immigration matters are sorted out. (Read by an actor.)

Her medication (lamivudine, efavirenz and ddI) brought her viral load down to undetectable, but she has had some side effects like loss of memory, tiredness and nightmares. She does get depressed at times, but has a faith that God is helping her. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 12 >> Felt he was badly advised and so missed out on medical retirement in 1990.

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 28 >> It may be worth appealing if you are turned down for benefits because appeals can succeed.

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 41-45 >> Interview 41 >> African men can find it particularly difficult when they cannot 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 36-40 >> Interview 20 >> He loves his work but thinks that some people with a HIV diagnosis opt out of work or become angry. (Read by an actor.)

He started treatment soon after diagnosis (efavirenz and Combavir) and his viral load quickly became undetectable and he had few side effects. He resists blaming his life problems on HIV. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 03 >> Work stress coincided with his illnesses and he decided to retrain for work that interested him.

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.