Living with HIV: My Weighing Journey

Navigating Weight Gain from HIV Treatment My Personal Journey

HIV Treatment Weight Gain My Experience

By Olga Irwin, as told to Kara Mayer Robinson

I don’t remember the exact date of the life-altering news. Well, let’s just say it’s a distant memory now. But I do recall that first conversation with my doctor vividly. He dropped the bombshell – I had AIDS and my T-cell count was as low as your chances of winning the lottery. He also casually mentioned that my lifespan was down to three measly months. This revelation happened back in 1999, a year that started on a sour note.

Now, let me fast forward to the present, where miracles do exist. Back then, a long life seemed like an elusive dream, but today, I’m strutting my stuff at 54. That’s right, folks. I made it.

In the year 2000, I began an endless game of medication hopscotch. Multiple regimens became my middle name. But guess what? I now have an undetectable viral load, like a secret agent that can’t be detected on a mission. I’m practically invisible to the virus.

Weight has always been a sensitive topic for me, and HIV didn’t make it any easier. When life dropped this bomb on me, I also dropped a few pounds. Picture this: from my healthy, curvaceous self at around 190-200 pounds, I plummeted to a meager 160 pounds. Twiggy would’ve mistaken me for her long-lost sibling.

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Ah, but behold the power of medicine! A mere six months into treatment, I gained 40 glorious pounds and returned to my normal weight. It was like watching a magic trick unfold before my eyes. But alas, different medications meant different results.

Once again, the weight pendulum swung in my life’s not-so-amusing amusement park. I ballooned up to a whopping 230 pounds, providing ample cushioning for a cloud to lounge on. Shopping became a frustrating mix and match routine. Shirts, two sizes bigger than my bottoms? It’s like having a business party from the waist up and a beach shindig from the waist down. And don’t get me started on the cost of tailoring every outfit like I’m a Hollywood starlet.

My doctor, the one who works miracles, offered a simple solution to my growing dilemma: “Change the way you eat and exercise more.” Well, thanks, doc. I somehow missed that groundbreaking advice. But what if I told you I have other health conditions that make this weight gain a tightrope act without a net?

In a desperate pursuit of weight loss, I once ventured into the treacherous territory of no-carb diets. I managed to shed 50 pounds, but the outcome was more shocking than a surprise cameo in a horror movie. My stomach stuck out further, making me look like I had a secret bun in the oven. How’s that for a magic trick?

Fad diets, my dear readers, are nothing short of a cruel prank. Just when you think you’ve outsmarted them, they come back full force, bringing reinforcements. The weight not only returns, but it brings reinforcements along, just to stick it to you.

But finally, amidst this weighty rollercoaster ride, I’ve found a glimmer of hope. Small changes in diet and exercising like a mermaid (well, in water, that is) have made a difference. Yes, you heard me right – swimming has become my saving grace. Picture this: me, gracefully gliding through the water like a swan navigating a crystal-clear lake. Okay, maybe there’s a little exaggeration, but let’s go with it, shall we?

It hasn’t led to significant weight loss, which my scale tauntingly reminds me of, but my limbs have found new definition. People even ask me if I’ve lost weight, and I can’t help but grin and respond, “Shh, it’s a secret between me and my scale.” Cue the mystery music.

Weight gain isn’t just a physical battle; it takes an emotional toll as well. My self-esteem suffers from the sight of my protruding stomach. Let’s just say I don’t feel like strutting like a peacock when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

But here’s the silver lining: new studies are on the horizon, diving into the issue of weight gain from HIV medication. It’s a comfort to know that this extra baggage isn’t entirely my fault. My meds have a hand in this weighty affair.

To all those fellow weight warriors out there, my advice is simple: seek support. Don’t wage this battle alone. Talk to your doctors, lean on your friends, and tap into all the knowledge and medical advances available. We’re all in this fight together.

So, let’s keep our hopes high and embrace the possibility of new medications that won’t add to our weighty struggles. Perhaps, one day, we’ll find a way to maintain or shed those extra pounds more easily. Until then, let’s splash into the unknown and conquer the waves, one lap at a time.

Did you enjoy reading Olga’s journey? Have you faced similar challenges? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below. Remember, we’re in this together, and support can make all the difference.