Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
|
|
 |
 |
Who Do I Tell?
Apr 29, 2008
Hello, and thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I was diagnosed with AIDS in 2004. I'm currently on meds and have an undetectable VL and a CD4 of 600. All other general labs have been normal as well (cbc, liver functions, kidney functions, etc). My problem is I work in the construction/landscaping field and fatigue seems to finally be taking it's toll on me. I eat and drink plenty, take vitamin supplements, but am so tired and achy by the end of the day and by the end of the week that I have no energy to complete normal tasks at home. I eat Ibuprofen like candy. Basically I have the energy to work, but any of my own time is pretty much spent sleeping to catch up for the next day or week. And it's 100 times worse in the summer when the sweat really starts to flow! My question is: Do I go to my doctor first about this, or do I approach my employer? I wasn't sure if there was something I could be lacking and should pursue a few tests first. Or if you think my job is the source of the fatigue and chronic pain. And I need to put up with it or find another line of work. Thanks for your advice!
|
 |
|
 |
|
Response from Dr. Frascino
Hi,
I'd suggest you discuss this with your HIV specialist first. He should evaluate you for all the underlying causes of HIV-associated fatigue, including anemia, hormonal imbalances (low thyroid hormone, hypogonadism, adrenal insufficiency), medication toxicities/side effects, occult infections, psychological issues (depression, anxiety, stress), etc., etc., etc. You can read more about these common as well as many not-so-common causes of HIV-associated fatigue in the archives of this forum. Once these have been evaluated and attended to, if your job is still too physically demanding, your HIV specialist can put you on work restriction so that you can keep your job and benefits, but also attend to your health issues.
Good luck.
Dr. Bob
|
|
|
 Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
Copyright notice.
|
|
|
|
