Dear Nelson, I've been HIV positive for around 7 years, with no medication at all as I've been under a strict diet and exercise (I'm diabetic too since 5 years ago). I started weight-lifting since around 8 months and since I noticed first results I decided to go for more increasing intensity and weight but I feel I've gone too far. Beacuse of this, in last sessions I've finished totally exhausted and fatigued. I heard that you should not push yourself too much or your immune system could severely decrease since ours (HIVers) is very sensitive to this. Not sure if it is a coincidence, but after these hard sessions I started with herpes, which I hadn't had since long time ago when my CD4 count was very low.

Is this true? should a diet/supplements or even anabolycs help?

Thanks for your help!

Gerry

Yes, it seems that you are overtraining. If you are exhausted instead of "energized" after a work out (or the day after), you may want to lower your intensity or frequency. Overtraining can tax the immune system by increasing the levels of cortisol. Cortisol is an anti inflammatory hormone that can also destroy muscle mass and lower immune function. I find that creatine supplementation increases my strength and tolerance to exercise. Also, make sure that your testosterone and thyroid hormones are within normal range.

Nelson