Living with HIV/AIDS

I’m writing this story as a means of therapy for myself since I can’t seem to find anyone who is experiencing my current situation. I am caring for a childhood friend who was diagnosed with AIDS, AIDS related dementia and now most recently seizures

After being put on an Antiretroviral combo that works better than previous cocktails, all was going rather well for over a year (8/2005) and then by 12/2006 my friend had his first seizure. It was an incredibly frightening experience. At first I thought he was having a stroke but after calling the paramedics I was told he was suffering a seizure

From that moment until now, he’s had more of them–some mini and a few rather intense ones–even after being prescribed Dilantin, and then changing to Keppra w/an added dose of Lamictal. The month of October saw him have 4 seizures all together. It has been tremendously painful to see my friend suffer so much.

Although his viral load is at a level of being “undetectable”, he must still deal with his mental issues of confusion and also seizures. My frustation has been with the healthcare providers who aren’t able to tell me WHY, after a little more than a year of antiretroviral meds, he’s having seizures.

I’m equally frustrated with myself for not knowing what questions to ask. Anyhow, it has been three weeks since my friend’s last seizure and I’m praying he’ll have a “free” month. Thanks for letting me vent a little.