I haven't started meds yet. I work at night. I'm getting night sweats. What can help with it?
New diagnosed : I haven't started meds... - Living Well with HIV
New diagnosed
It should go away after 25 or so days. In 2011, when I tested positive I would have to change my shirt 4-5 times a night, I lost nearly 30 lbs (water weight) and I was afraid to go to sleep because that's when the sweating would start, almost the minute I closed my eyes.
I had a best friend (I was 41 at the time) that I'd known since 7th grade and she would come over every night and sleep in a chair in my bedroom and then she'd go to work.
Don't take a shower after you change, instead towel dry so you won't catch a cold or pneumonia. Keep clean shirts handy to change into and work to become resilient.
Then find an ID (Infectious Disease) doctor you like and see about getting meds to stop your immune system from having to battle the infection/disease.
Then don't do anything foolish like blame yourself or give in to the "stigma" of HIV. You can be HIV+ and NOT have AIDS. That's the goal, to know your status, treat it, deal with it and the kick the shit out of it and anyone or anything that makes you feel "less than."
I hope your journey is paved with victories you never imagined.
Oh, wow. There ain't much you can do. What you need to do is to start your meds as soon as possible. Sadly, working at night doesn't help either. Let me know what's going on. I know is hard to adjust. My thoughts and prayers to you...
Everyone is different. I had night sweats for months, even after I started the meds. Over time, they did taper off. You might want to try an over-the-counter fever reducer like Tylenol to see if that helps. I'm not sure if you're getting your night sweats while you're at work. If so, can you bring a change of clothes? Terrycloth towels became my best friend. I'd get my night sweats when I was in bed, and I kept a bath towel next to the bed. When the soaked sheets woke me up, I'd lay the towel on the wet spot and go back to sleep. For me, the night sweats were a short thing, not continuing all night. If you can take time to towel off and change into something dry, that should help.
Hello. I waited 1yr before I started my meds after finding out. After research and dr it the best for your health The team at the clinic I went super There are programs that help with cost. First move is for u to go. It hard but they walk u thru everything. I'm on now a one pill daily and great with no side effects Good luck and keep me posted