In Open Letter, Charlie Sheen Says He's in Remission From HIV +

New Delhi: In an extraordinary open letter addressing his HIV + diagnosis, actor Charlie Sheen says he's a reformed man. Once one of Hollywood's hardest partying stars, the 50-year-old Anger Management actor writes, "My partying days are behind me. My philanthropic days are ahead of me." He also claims that his disease is in remission.

In a widely watched interview on Tuesday, Mr Sheen revealed to Matt Lauer on Today that he was discovered to be HIV + four years ago. In the letter, published by Today, Mr Sheen writes that the diagnosis was a "mule kick" to his soul. A downward spiral followed swiftly. He writes: "The personal disbelief, karmic confusion, shame and anger lead to a temporary yet abysmal descent into profound substance abuse and fathomless drinking. It was a suicide run. Problem was, I'd forgotten that I'm too tough for such a cowardly departure. Yet, despite this loathsome and horrific odyssey, I was vigilant with my anti-viral program." (Also Read: Charlie Sheen's Diagnosis Is Nothing to be Ashamed of. Our Reaction is)

In 2011, the year that Mr Sheen found out he had the virus, he was fired from hit TV show Two And A Half Men after bitterly and publicly tangling with creator Chuck Lorre and producers Warner Bros. Mr Sheen has not revealed if this coincided with or was a fallout from his struggle with the disease.

Despite doing his worst, Charlie Sheen claims he was beating HIV. He writes: "My medical team could only shake their heads as each and every blood test returned levels revealing a state of remission. Even though I might have been trying to kill myself, one thing was radically evident; the disease was not."

The claim is bolstered by a statement from his doctor Robert Huizenga who reveals that the actor's treatment required him to have four pills a day: "He was immediately placed on four antiretroviral drugs and his HIV viral blood levels thankfully dropped to undetectable. He has tolerated his antiretroviral cocktail and by faithfully complying with the daily pills, his viral HIV load has remained consistently undetectable." (Also Read: Charlie Sheen's Porn Star Ex is Furious: 'He Never Said Anything to Me')

The HIV will "only minimally - if at all - affect his predicted life expectancy," according to Dr Huizenga.

That's the good news. The bad news is that Charlie Sheen, once TV's highest paid actor as per Forbes, has paid millions in hush money. He writes: "In and around this perplexing and difficult time, I dazedly chose (or hired) the companionship of unsavory and insipid types. Regardless of their salt-less reputations, I always lead with condoms and honesty when it came to my condition. Sadly, my truth soon became their treason, as a deluge of blackmail and extortion took center stage in this circus of deceit. To date, I have paid out countless millions to these desperate charlatans." (Also Read: Saying He Hopes to End Extortion, Sheen Reveals He is HIV-Positive)

"I'm claiming back my freedom," Mr Sheen concludes, writing that he intends to use his condition both to "better" himself as well as to help others.

Charlie Sheen is the son of actor Martin Sheen, who has been involved with HIV/AIDS activism for the last 30 years. Charlie Sheen, real name Carlos Estevez, is one of Martin Sheen's four actor children. Apart from his TV credits, he is best known for his work in films like Platoon, Wall Street, Major League, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and the Hots Shots! films.