Maurice's Health Devoted readers will be pleased to know that I am doing well on the new combination of Combivir (AZT + 3TC) and Nevirapine (Viramune) The only problem is that with no food restrictions, remembering to take them on time is proving tricky. Also, I need to be aware that it will be some time before the side effects of Nevirapine will become clear. Already, a statement has been issued by the EMEA (European Agency for the Evaluation of Medical Products) regarding the risks of taking the drug. Fortunately, I have passed the critical first 8 weeks without any problems. Holiday When I last wrote I was looking forward to a winter break. Now, sunny Spain seems like a distant dream. I stayed at an hotel called “Los Patos,” (The ducks) very appropriate for someone coming from the Potteries. Sited on the beautiful Benalmádana hillside, Los Patos is comfortable modern hotel with a good range of indoor and outdoor activities excellent food and friendly efficient service. My intention of taking a rest was happily fulfilled, with the bonus of glorious sun every day. I managed to take a couple of day excursions by coach. The first, to Ronda up in the mountains, included a visit to the bullring - no bulls, but we spotted a pair of royal eagles soaring in the blue sky above. The second was a memorable trip to Gibraltar. Looking to across the pillars of Hercules to Africa was an incredible experience. Both visits left me with a desire to return for longer. However, If I ever go to Gibraltar again I’ll be sure to take more care of my nuts! ..Ignoring the guide’s warnings I dished out peanuts from a bag. Not content with single portions one greedy ape bit me in an attempt to grab the whole lot. Surrounded by lots of British tourists, I didn’t speak as much Spanish as I would have liked. Nonetheless, I was able to listen to Spanish Radio and read Málaga newspapers every day. Next time I am determined to go ‘native’. Body Positive Staffordshire I left for Spain shortly after the last meeting which had given me a big uplift. Although basically well, I had flu symptoms and was feeling a bit down. The comfort I got from sharing common problems, and experiencing genuine concern, boosted my morale and made me feel proud to be associated with the group. For those of you who don’t know, BP Staffs is a self-help group of people living with HIV/AIDS and provides peer support in a safe space (just HIV+ people) Maybe group meetings don’t appeal to you, but all I can say is that the chance to share experiences, exchange information and enjoy peer support within a framework of mutual aid is something well worth a try. It is definitely a good way of countering the feeling of isolation HIV+ people often experience especially if you live out in a lonely rural area. Another way of overcoming the feeling of isolation is by phone or email and the Internet. Internet The growth and usage of the Internet by the World and his/her partner is beyond belief. Almost every newspaper, magazine and TV programme and advert you look at carries a web site address. I even found website addresses stamped on the letters coming through my letterbox. Perhaps the most important thing on the Internet for me is email. Email offers instant contact with people of similar interests through newsgroups, bulletin boards and private messages. This is good news for people living with HIV because it is possible to exchange up to date information about treatment issues as well as finding almost immediate support and advice from other positive people worldwide. If you are a user of Staffordshire Buddies services, you don’t need to have your own computer, Because you can have Internet access and your own private email address at the Hanley Centre. Media My mega reading of HIV/AIDS news on paper and screen enable me to tell you that the 7th annual conference on Retroviruses in San Francisco occupies major space everywhere. Both paper and electronic publications carry news of tomorrow’s treatments today. Immune restoration is the current ’Holy Grail’ and I’m all for it. STI {Structured Interrupted Therapy – ‘drug holidays’) and resistance testing are two hot topics. I particularly liked Gus Cairn’s observation in the April edition of ‘Positive Lives’ He reports that the conference was dominated by a feeling that the first wave of HIV therapy is ebbing, that what we need now are less toxic treatments that can be tolerated in the long term. I’ll say ‘amen’ to that! Phone calls & email It is good to know that people feel they are able to call me. I hope that, in the true self-help spirit of Body Positive Staffordshire, I will always be able to respond with a listening ear. I have to point out, however, that I am not a doctor nor a qualified counsellor so what you can expect to get is peer support not advice. If you want to call please phone before 9.30pm and avoid weekends. Please don’t be put off if you hear the answer phone. It’s normally switched on, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m not at home. So do leave a message then I’ll know it wasn’t just another telephone sales call for double glazing. Of course you can email me anytime day or night: mozg@madasafish.com In memory Before I finish I invite you to take a moment to remember or say a prayer for those who lost their lives or were injured in the Soho bombings last April. Please also remember Helen who tragically died in a road accident recently as well as her family and friends who mourn for her. Helen was a shining example of a dedicated Staffordshire Buddies volunteer and will be sadly missed by us all. Lots more so say, but that’s all for now. Take good care of yourselves, Maurice PS I had a fabulous afternoon at a very useful workshop on resistance testing in Manchester. I met some wonderful people. But would you believe it? One of the speakers took me to be an HIV doctor. Of course I soon put him right!