Linda's Intro

Submitted on Apr 20, 2010 by linda1st

Hello, I am a 50 year old woman from the Midwest & HIV positive. I am not sure how long...several doctors did not check me because I did not know "how to ask". I was sexually active and showed precursors to testing...but because of the additional paperwork and because I 'looked healthy', as one said, I was never tested. I thought I HAD been tested!

More importantly...I am healthy! I am not on meds yet, and my body is fighting it. Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition!

Why is there so little said on nutrition? My doctor is only good for monitoring my levels. I have read about the body and immune system and increased my healthy practices on my own!

Linda on why she wants to be a part of A Girl Like Me: We get so little, if any!...nutritional information. My viral load hit 20,000 after a severe wasp attack. My body brought it back down. My doctor has no input. My Wellness staff...no input. I am not depressed. I'd like a lover, but that's what got me in this 'pickle'. I even forget I am Positive and have to remind myself. I think more of us could have a better quality of life, if we used nutrition to maintain our health. I heard a speaker from Africa say the very same thing in a radio address. He spoke of needing food not medicine, to make the people stronger. I am a long-term non-progressor, so I am sensitive to that. However, I am curious, if people get better nutrition....will their CD4 keep increasing and need less meds? Especially with newly diagnosed? Nutrition is key, for all health....not just HIV. BUT, especially for HIV.

Comments

15 comments

Submitted by REFILOE • 14 years ago

wish you all the best hiv is no longer a death sentence enjoy your life dont allow stress to put you down find support and take good care of yourself

love you
refiloe

Submitted by REFILOE • 14 years ago

Linda 1st. You are truely an inspiration. I want to thank you for your honesty, postive nature and willingness to share. Nutrition is indeed very important but I have never incorporated this into my teachings and learnings about HIV/AIDS. Thank you for adding this level to my life.

Love.

Submitted by linda1st • 14 years ago

Thanks for all the comments and posts....I hope all are doing well. Are you eating healthier? I have continued my quest to spread the word.....it's an up hill battle. I won't give up. Please post your successes, and keep me informed of your findings. Is nutrition helping you? It's more than just an apple a day mind set....It's eating foods raw and full of life. I am exploring essential oils in healing. Everything is a learning journey, and we are all on the same boat. Lets make it a safe and pleasurable Journey! Love and Peace where ever you may be in the World, Linda

Submitted by linda1st • 14 years ago

It's very scary at first, I curled up into a ball and cried the first day...but because It was my own mis-doings, I had no one to blame but myself. I knew I couldn't wallow in my own misery, so I set out to LEARN about it. I am still a big secret, but I did tell my kids when they were practicing bad behavior sexually. When you start to learn about it....you will see it's not so bad. Many other diseases are a death sentence! But HIV is not, not anymore....Take good care of yourself. Sleep when you need it. Eat GOOD foods. Monitor your Viral load, and CD4 counts. Keep stress and unhappiness at a minimum (try to) and don't be so hard on yourself. I believe with good Nutrition (no smoking & no alcohol), you will keep your immune system strong, and healthy.....Lots of raw foods, lots of spices, lots of garlic.....and laugh when ever possible. You are going to be OK. PEACE and GOOD Health be YOURS! Love, Linda Read everything you can find about it, and make your own decisions....let me know how things go....I'd love to get you through this. Be Well!

Submitted by REFILOE • 14 years ago

Linda
I am in a very very terrrible situation for the last 3 weeks. I have just being diagonised as hiv+. I live in a community where this desease is a shame especially to a woman of 54. I am married with children, i cannot even tell my children. I am pitying myself and my children. I am very very depressed and i do not know what to do. I am going for my first CD4 count in 2 days time. Please tell me how i can cope this first stage, what should i do?
Ghaji

Submitted by REFILOE • 14 years ago

Hi there,

It is actually so true, if you eat a balanced meal and exercise you will be ok, my doctor last year wanted me tp take meds but i delayed as i was a bit sacred, after 6 months i went for my check up and since he had written me a prescription he told; he thought i was maybe taking the meds. All he said to me was keep on taking the meds you have improved so much. If you dont take your meds you will detorirate and i asked what meds? I am still not taking meds. I have always been a vegetarian and it works guys, but take your multivatimins, foloic acid, as well as increase the intake of black crude molasses.

Believe you me you wont regret it. I have even pick up weight, i am actually a size 36 from 32. So girls; eat healthy increase the intake of fruit and veggies, Those different colours work. Drink pleanty of water, try to stay away from meat protein as far as possible, remeber HIV loves protein.

Ciao!

Submitted by linda1st • 14 years ago

It's so good to here I am not a special case! Love the Molasses addition. I am so glad we can share all our successes!

I use lots of garlic, curry and turmeric are said to be beneficial. And difficult to incorporate into a daily diet...but try. Cauliflower is good with curry. Coconut oil is very good ...my brothers Parkinsons disease has improved with coconut oil everyday....and it adds healthy fat.

My doctor doesn't remember I am not on meds either....it just goes against the grain/brain, that this could work.

I love the comments, the sharing, the will to be healthy...and I hope we keep it going.

Eat your Parsley! Drink Carrot juice! Heal the immune system...read books about how it works and what cleans it out.

I am struggling with water (I hate it) and I love those rich coffee creamers (full of bad stuff), so we all have things to work on. Start small and add an improvement every week or so.....and tell me how it goes. Love Linda

Submitted by REFILOE • 14 years ago

I am a true believer on healthy foods and they do work for many other diseases like cancer, and diabetes, so it does not surprise me to hear about veggies controling the HIV replication. I am very happy to hear of actual cases that diet and exercise is playing a big role in their lives. Many Doctors resolve everything with meds, and maybe because that's what the community wants to hear. I would still keep a close watch to your monthly checkups just to make sure everything keep going how it is suppose to. Good luck and Congratulations...

Submitted by linda1st • 14 years ago

Thank you, I do closely monitor it. I am my own 'lab rat', but I feel it important to share the results....including when it goes the other way. I stopped smoking 'herb', and it went even lower. Not a popular theory, but still...that's what happened. Linda

Submitted by tatty2gud • 14 years ago

Welcome Linda. You are right, Nutrition is key but there are other factors as well like support, love, acceptance etc. coz you can eat all the heathy food in the world, if you loath and blame yourself for being infected you are as good as malnurished. I'm speaking from experience.
so i will conclude by saying heart, mind, body and soul nutrition should all be in sync.

Submitted by linda1st • 14 years ago

Yes, I agree. Attitude is very important. As with everything...mood and positive attitude are a key factor. I just lost one of my best friends, and I am sure the stress will imapact my VL...I will be crying my eyes out later tonight when I see her in a casket. Cervical Cancer took her.

So, thats a reminder to take care of all the other dieases Humans encounter. Hiv is just 1 of the many!

Thanks for the input, dance and laugh every chance you get!

Submitted by REFILOE • 14 years ago

Linda 1st
May i know what you call a 'good diet' ie, what do you eat and drink on an average day?
Ghaji

Submitted by linda1st • 14 years ago

I am a coffee drinker, so unfortunately...coffee is my start. I cut out the coffee creamer and switched to almond milk or cream with no chemicals added. I am a vegetarian, the rest of my day is salad with lemon and olive or garapeseed oil. I eat alot of fruit, black berries, strawberries, and cherries....usually fresh or frozen. I like noodles...usually with several cloves of garlic. I fry onions and eat them, I pop popcorn in coconut oil, I eat hot peppers,in sandwiches. No sugar, no white bread, no white flour. I snack on triscuits. I eat alot of tabouli and hommus.....almost no fried foods. alot of homemade soups. Potato soup, cabage soup,onion soup. I read labels and cut out anything with unidentify-able chemicals and ingredients. I use red onions, tons of garlic, lots of salad (dark green), broccoli, carrot juice, lemon water....honey.....bulgur wheat.....and lots of spices. Curry, cumin, peppers, turmeric, fennel, licorice.

ask me anything.....Linda

Submitted by REFILOE • 13 years ago

Its been three years now and I still havent told the rest of my family. I am having a hystorectomy done and hope that all goes well. I cant come to terms with my status and so I guess that Iwill die a coward. Eating healthy is very expensive but I try here and there love this blog and has never felt so much love from the outside world. God Bless

Submitted by linda1st • 13 years ago

Please don't be scarred. Eating good is expensive, but just eat as much fruits and vegetables as you can. Processed foods are out, microwaved stuff is no good. Try not to smoke, drink alcohol or do drugs. Read about how the immune system works and what makes it strong and healthy. HIV is a virus, and your body will fight it if you keep strong and happy. My herniated discs in my neck are more bothersome than my virus. I know, I was scarred too.....but your not as alone as you think.....many people are infected and don't know it yet! Your lucky, because now you can live stronger and healthier. It's just another disease, but it responds well to healthier lifestyle, and happiness! Love yourself....your going to be fine.....but do the reading please, so you can learn how to stay strong as you can! Healthy Self by Paul Chhabra is a good book, and Medical books about the immune system or Lymphatic system will make you empowered! love Linda

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