HIV on the playa

[jenkaybird]

Wondering if anyone out there has any helpful information on dealing with HIV on the playa. We are taking an HIV positive first timer that has not been in the best of health lately. He is very excited about going, but usually pushes himself too far. I dont want to be too concerned, but do want to keep a watchful eye out for him. I do not have a lot of experience with the disease and any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

[madmatt]

I'm no expert on HIV, but I would recommend emailing BMORG in advance and making contact with whoever runs the medical team. I'll bet my shorts they'd have helpful info, would note who the person is, where he/she is camped, tell you what radio frequency you could call them up on.

Also, there's internet access on the playa, so you could arrange to have someone back home monitoring their email or set up a phone alert page. You can also arrange to send emails direct to someone's phone. That person could be a connection to the girl or guy's physician, or whoever might know what his her special needs are.

Setting that stuff up might all be totally unnecessary because there's medical teams and evacuation at BM, but it might lower the anxiety.

Have a great trip!!

[AntiM]

There's a good discussion about dealing with chronic conditions on the playa, do a search for lyme disease and find the lyme disease and coping thread. Sorry I don't know how to shorten the url to make it fit!

I myself am approaching the playa a month out of surgery for breast cancer, plus a new, shorter radiation therapy, so I'll be facing fatigue, physical limitation, and depression issues. Second major surgery in one year, my reserves are depleted, without excellent family and friends I could not go.

Hydration, relaxation, caring friends and family, and go home early (wah, as if)

best wishes, this can be done

[PurpleKoosh]

DOG TAGS.

Go to your local surplus store and find out how quickly you can get a set for your +burner. You can get med-specific ones in bright red, too. Real-world and playa names (if zie has both), playa address, any allergies ESD or REMSA will want to know if zie winds up in their care and is nonresponsive. Back at camp in an immediately accessible (and preferably obvious) area, you'll want a full contact card with zir address back in Reality Camp, zir doctor's name and office number, and (forgive me) next-of-kin or holder of zir Power of Attorney if zie winds up in a real bind.

[KellY]

Also, there's internet access on the playa, so you could arrange to have someone back home monitoring their email or set up a phone alert page. You can also arrange to send emails direct to someone's phone. That person could be a connection to the girl or guy's physician, or whoever might know what his her special needs are.

WHOA THERE!!!

Gross Exaggeration! Things can be accessed on the internet for emergency situations or event-necessary situations, but do NOT assume you can just send out regular emails or anything!

Yes, it may be wise to let the medical team know of your friend's medical status ahead of time, but the whole idea is RADICAL SELF-RELIANCE. The best advice you guys can get is that your friend needs to know his limits and act accordingly. The playa is an incredibly harsh environment and very stressful situations can occur on a regular basis. Assuming that you can push yoursef as hard as you want because there's a medical team that can catch you if you fall is the worst mindset possible. He needs to take responsibility for his own well being at Black Rock City just like he would anywhere else, except more so.

After taking responsibility for yourself, your next priority should be your campmates. I suggest you educate yourself as much as you can about his conditon, his needs, etc- there are many better places to get that information than here. You are the ones who should be there to pick him up if he stumbles, not the med team or anyone else. And he should be prepared to do the same for you.

[Stormy]

That's a tough situation. I've gotten sick from heat due to previous meds and I know it can be a drag to be sick while everyone else is having fun. As long as he's prepared to entertain himself if he needs more down time than the rest of his friends it shouldn't be too bad. Some possible things to do are bring some great reading material or perhaps some crafts to work on. I kind of like the idea if someone has to be sitting out for awhile, one can work on making playa gifts that can be handed out as soon as one is up and running again.

[jenkaybird]

We have no inentions on relying on the med staff, that is why Im seeking anyone with experience in this. Our friend pushes themselves way too hard and (not to sound selfish) I dont want to ruin my time because he was a jackass and ignored common medical fact of his condition. Im a little anxious about the entire situation and he is pretty beligerent about 'taking it easy'. He tries to downplay how sick he is and I know being out there means the world to him this year. The dog tags, great idea, but kind of hard to do when the subject does not acknowledge the need. It is frustrating all the way around.

[unjonharley]

I have a health problem that needs dayly care(MS). My camp mate is in his 80s with a blood suger that reads like a roll a coaster. I have a # to call if he crokes. So they can haul the carcuss off. Other from that he can eat all the suger he want to lie about and run his ass off. I'm taken care of me.

[jenkaybird]

maybe thats it, just get an emergency # out of him and keep offering water and shade...

[madmatt]

Gross Exaggeration! Things can be accessed on the internet for emergency situations

Um, isn't that what they're talking about here? Instead of running in there one afternoon, you let the people know you might need it. I thought I was advising good preparedness.

...there are many better places to get that information than here. You are the ones who should be there to pick him up if he stumbles, not the med team or anyone else. And he should be prepared to do the same for you.

You're coming across pretty insensitively, to put it in friendly non-flame terms.

[jenkaybird]

we have every intention of 'being there to pick him up' but the fact is, we can not watch someone 24hrs a day..i really was just hoping someone might know some tricks on maintaining someone's strength in that environment while they are battling this illness. certain drink mixes? vitamins?

[unjonharley]

There are lots and lots of sick people/adults that come to the BM every year. If I'm smart enough to live from day to day. I should be smart enough to plan a week in the desert. Every one needs some salt,water,food,play and lots of rest. I carry extra water to soak my feet this way keeping my core cool. In the middle of the day stay still and keep a damp towel draped on you again: soak the feet. But this is what all smart burner will do to stay cool. It's up to your friend to stay in camp if he/she is not feeling good. Thats what I do if I'm not having a good day. That way I don't fall down as much.

[Badger]

Yes, it may be wise to let the medical team know of your friend's medical status ahead of time, but the whole idea is RADICAL SELF-RELIANCE. The best advice you guys can get is that your friend needs to know his limits and act accordingly. The playa is an incredibly harsh environment and very stressful situations can occur on a regular basis. Assuming that you can push yoursef as hard as you want because there's a medical team that can catch you if you fall is the worst mindset possible. He needs to take responsibility for his own well being at Black Rock City just like he would anywhere else, except more so.

After taking responsibility for yourself, your next priority should be your campmates. I suggest you educate yourself as much as you can about his conditon, his needs, etc- there are many better places to get that information than here. You are the ones who should be there to pick him up if he stumbles, not the med team or anyone else. And he should be prepared to do the same for you.

Word!

Our friend pushes themselves way too hard and (not to sound selfish) I dont want to ruin my time because he was a jackass and ignored common medical fact of his condition. Im a little anxious about the entire situation and he is pretty beligerent about 'taking it easy'. He tries to downplay how sick he is and I know being out there means the world to him this year. The dog tags, great idea, but kind of hard to do when the subject does not acknowledge the need. It is frustrating all the way around.

Is sounds like you owe it to yourself and your other campmates to let your firend know that this a concern. I can understand your trepidation about his/her health issues around HIV and it IS a good thing to prepare for potential problems and the contingencies. Most of the preparations should be laid at this person's feet and responsibility for preparedness should be stressed. It's there issue to work with - not yours. I've known LOTS of folks who go up to the playa who happen to be living with HIV/AIDS. All of them know what they need to do to take care of themselves. Problems have been minimal but I believe that its because they took ttheir medical situation seriously and made big efforts to pack for almost every contingency. As a campmate I think its appropriate to ask this person if s/he has consulted a doctor? Are there extra meds, supplements, vitamins that they need to take along? Are they on a relatively new regimen of protease inhibitors? Special diet needs? This may sound intrusive but if you point out that any problems this person may experience has the potential to mar the event for you - especially if involves having to take the person to Reno or back home for medical attention. Keep in mind that the REMSA (the medical folks) are set up to treat trauma and stabilize people for a slew of accident conditions as well as some other problems but it ain't a field hospital. Emergency situations will probably result in stabilizing and evacuating the person if the situation warrants it. Don't set yourself up for frustration. You need to talk to him/her and let them know what's going on with your concerns.

Just my .02.

[jenkaybird]

thank you - that was the direction i was looking for, i appreciate the voice of experience with this - i dont want to seem like a nag or extremely intrusive, but it often seems people that have never been in the environment, dont seem to take it as seriously as they should....combining these maverick assumptions with a serious medical condition can be frustrating for campmates - i appreciate the supportive ear - thanks

[theCryptofishist]

The medical staff email is [email protected]
You might want to get in touch with them to clarify and to find out what they know. (They are busy these days, so don't expect an answer right away.)
Playa time is weird and if your friend is on protease inhibitors or other anti-HIV drugs that are taken on a clock he should have an alarm clock and a back up alarm clock to remember to take them. And maybe you should check in with him, if you can without nagging and peeving him off. Missed meds do create on-playa medical emergencies.
I am concerned by his reported Lah-di-dah attitude. I'm all for "persons with disabilities" and illness on the playa, but they should be prepared for the heat, the altitude and the shear inconvienience of life there. They should also be prepared to leave if they have too. (Note: if it's a temporary medical thing and they only need to go to Reno and can come back, they can get a pass from REMSA and not pay the $25.) A helicoptor evacuation can cost over $10,000. Can he afford this? You might want to mention that as another reason to stay healthy while he's there. If being out there "means the world to him" he should take the care to make sure he stays there and enjoys the entire burn--not just see the city for a couple of days. The Emergency Services Department also includes what were last year called a "Crisis Intervention Team" of mental health professionals. They may be able to help talk to him--or to you if you need the opportunity to let off steam. They are good people. Preparing to deal with problems yourself is a good thing, but knowing that help's there can make a difference.
Try to find him a place, such as the cafe, where he can sit and still be part of the action. Does your camp have radios to keep in touch? Will he have mobility issues? If I think of more, I'll let you know.[/code]

[jenkaybird]

thanks everyone for all the great advice - the event went pretty smoothly - we ended up getting dogtags for our whole camp, and it worked out nicely...our friend overdid it a bit the first day, but rested and stayed pretty cautious of his exhaustion level...now if he had just stayed away with the guy with the methadone....aaahh..first timers..