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.
|
|
 |
 |
Parasites and HIV Infection
May 3, 2003
I live part of the year in Mexico. Here, North Americans sometimes get amoebas regardless of trying to eat safely, as we're more susceptible to it than the locals. I have been here on and off for 5 years and never had a problem...until I was tested positive last September when I was admitted to the hospital with huge stomach cramps and pain. I couldn't have a bowel movement but felt like I'd explode. I was told I had amoebas and it was treated, but I was tested for HIV and found positive. Since then I've taken anti-parasite meds 3x in 1.5 years - once with my doctor, once preventative after 6 months, and just now because I am having symptoms again (gassy, uneven bowel movements, pain after eating).
So now here's my question. Does anyone know if being HIV positive makes you more susceptible to these critters? I've got viral load of 20,000 and CD4 of 700, and not on meds yet, and my doctor says my body should be responding normally, but why does this keep bothering me now? Final question: after the first treatments I became lactose intolerant and still am. Will this ever change or I'm stuck with it? And the problems aren't due to this since I avoid milk unless it's delactose.
Thanks for any help on this. My doctor doesn't know about Mexico and my Mexican doctors aren't AIDS specialists!
Thanks.
|
 |
|
 |
|
Response from Mr. Vergel
It seems that having HIV and lower T cells may make you more suceptible to parasites. Amaebas can be very destructive, so you'd better be very careful. The use of Flagyl has been very effective in treating them. Try to avoid regular water, ice and even vegetables while in Mexico, if you can.
Lactose intolerance is common in people with HIV and seems to be something we need to live with. Lactaid supplements help some (I have tried it with no luck). Avoid milk, creams, and some white cheeses (the aged cheeses seem not to have as much lactose due to the fermentation of lactose by bacteria). Take calcium carbonate supplements to get your calcium intake up (it also helps with diarrhea and to increase bone density).
I hope you can find a good HIV doctor in Mexico to talk to him/her about these issues.
Hasta la vista!
nelson
|
|
|
 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.
|
|
|
|
