I just saw this and thought I would add my two cents worth. July 15th marked my 39th anniversary of being told I was "virally enhanced."
I took several of the first-line HIV meds in my first "cocktail" in the 90s, and suffered many of the side effects. Today's meds are a breeze, even if my regimen is now considered older.
I share many of the same experiences others have mentioned. But I never really felt I was "older" until the past few years.
I will be 67 in a few days, and have already had cataract surgery, been put on a CPAP, and had my insurance deny a medication because I was too old.
I recently saw a foot and ankle doctor for the first time. After he reviewed my X-rays, he came into the room, shook my hand and said it was nice to meet me, and said, "Your ankle is toast." Among the options mentioned were ankle replacement surgery. I didn't even know they did ankle replacements.
These were all in addition to the usual problems such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, the latter of which seems endemic in the HIV community.
Would these things have happened if I were HIV negative? I'll never know.
I don't think enough research has been done on what living long-term with HIV does, let alone how the early meds may have added fuel to the aging fire. There has been discussion about the early onset of aging issues, but even that has been hit and miss from what I've seen.
But, all my griping aside, I guess the bottom line is I have lived almost two-thirds of my life with HIV, and even if more research is done into HIV and aging, it is still up to me to keep on moving forward and living each day as fully as I can.
I owe that to the many I've known who never had the chance to find out what living as a long-term survivor is like.

Your question simply took my breath away. I’ve never been asked a question like that before, I have lived almost half my life with HIV. The diagnosis came as a complete shock as I remember the labs being re-run 5 times. I was always tested regularly and I was always negative. I was healthy and life was busy, so I guess my coping mechanism was to bury it in the back of my mind and not dwell on it. I did not choose to go on medication right away as the side effects were so chronic in those days. I did go on Bactrim as a prophylactic to guard against PCP.
I waited until my numbers dipped and then I had no other choice, but during that time, something miraculous happened in spite of being labeled with a moniker that I simply detest albeit + or HIV/AIDS, I found love and love found me. A relationship that would span decades started a magical journey, new homes, travel, family, crazy happy careers and getting married all with an overwhelming sense of joy. But one day that all changed. I always thought that I would be the one, but when cancer knocked at the front door it didn’t ask for me it asked for my negative partner. So began a marathon that rarely gave pause with the exception of an occasional movie to distract us from reality. Our big careers got rather small…what was complex became simple…but what grew out of all that pain was a love I’d never known. 18 months later I put him to sleep. Shock and sadness greeted me daily like an old familiar coat. What ensued was a family silence that spoke volumes…really never wanting to admit what it really said. The wonderful memories of friendships evaporated into thin air. Never to be found again. The bandaid that once helped me feel safe was ripped away. There are at times thoughts of conversations to be had, or hugs to be given…but they are just that thoughts. I have my dog and he has me, he is my shadow and I his. Every morning we have a meet and greet..I ask him how he slept, if he would give me a hug or if he’d like a kiss. I find great joy in our friendship. And I still love…in my own special way. You don’t have to look very far to see that monikers are left to one’s interpretation, gay, straight, trans, + or - and while the may have been intended to help they most times they hurt. I keep my status to myself. You could call me a liar if was was to try and fool you into thinking I am not lonely. I am young at heart and old in spirit. I’m med compliant. I remain undetectable. Not to be confused with bulletproof but wisely remind myself that things haven’t changed all that much.

@A myHIVteam Member 25, I'm 69, became HIV in 2000, and only in the past 2 years has the HIV become a serious problem for me, despite the ART and being undetectable. Insomnia began in 2007 and continues. A more recent and additional problem for me is peripheral neuropathy - prickling at nerve endings all over the surface of my body. I'm trying all sorts of things to get rid of it.

I've discovered that lots of survivors my age have the same HIV-associated health problems as me.

Healthwise it seems you are fortunate. Long may that be the case for you! I hope you will improve your social situation while your health remains good.

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A myHIVte...

@A myHIVteam Member. My partner has psoriatic arthritis. He has had joint replacements of Right shoulder, hip & knee. His left ankle is mis aligned, possibly due to shattering his left femur in a fall from a ladder. Due to his age, the orthopedist didn't want to do ankle surgery. It means 3 months of no weight on the ankle. You use a scooter with one knee bent while walking with the other foot. In his late 80s, the doctor was especially worried about my partner falling. The scooter requires good balance. Anyway, he has had an ankle brace these last 5 years, and it has worked out fine. Just an option.

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A myHIVte...

66yrs I am not gay I’m a straight woman I want the same a partner forever lasting got to be on there toes
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