My story or life is a miracle. As you see, I had full-blown AIDS with many of the accompanying sicknesses. At one point I took the anti-viral medications but do not any longer.

My story goes back to 2002 when I started having memory problems and would develop welts every time that I was bitten by mosquitoes. In the summer of 2003, I had an ear infection and was placed on the antibiotic Cipro which I had a reaction too.

During this time, I was progressively getting tired and went to the doctor. Numerous blood tests were ran over time and to make a long story short, I was diagnosed with the Epstein Barr Virus. I continued to go down hill meaning extreme exhaustion, uncontrolled diarrhea, vomiting and unsteady gait. More lab tests were performed and due to the nature of these results, it was recommended that I see an oncologist as soon as possible.

I ended up with two, very painful bone biopsies which were negative for cancer but were abnormal. At this time I had thrush and was placed on anti-fungal medication. I came up positive on a HIV test. I was sent back home and waited 2 months for an Infectious Disease Appointment.

In the interim I saw an alternative doctor who gave me supplements and 8 each chelation treatments of various types. These treatments helped me tremendously as on the chelation therapy days, I could at least get up off the couch but could not function very well.

I had heavy weazing and difficulty breathing too for months. At one point I ended up at the emergency room due to this.

By the time I was the Infectious Disease Doctors, I was at death’s door. My CD4’s were at 78. I was immediately placed on the anti-virals and the antibiotic Dapsone. I had either PML or encephalitis, which was causing my memory problems. I could remember something 20 years ago but not 2 weeks ago.

Over the next year I started reading and learning about AIDS. I could never get the mainstream view to add up. So I stopped my medications for 6 weeks. Due to pressure from my mate and doctors, I reluctantly went back on them. I must tell you that while on the HAART there were side effects such as abnormal lab reports, elevated liver enzymes, anemia, uncontrolled diarrhea, and some turned me green.

After starting the HAART the second time, I kept on reading and learning and finally decided that this was my life and that I was not going to take the medications, regardless of who supported me or not.

As of this writing I have been off the medicines this time going on 9 months and feel great. I do take only one drug, which is Low Dose Naltrexone, which was prescribed by my environmental doctors. This is a wonderful drug, which was pioneered for the use of AIDS patients and is helping so many.

I always tell every one to do one’s homework so to speak and to make up one’s own mind in regards to whether to take or not to take the HAART, because after all, it’s your life. Realize too, that there are many others who are going through what you are and that you are not alone.

Noreen M.

You can send me an email.

You can visit me at NoreensHeatlhDiner.