Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I have a friend who has been HIV+ for quite a number of years. He does not take any HIV medication. His most recent T4 numbers were 34% with a 780 count and a viral load of 2,400. His viral load has declined each year over the past five years. This is a long-term non-progressor. People who call themselves "long-term non-progressors" with T4 counts consistently below 500 or with a T4 percentage consistently below 22% are not in touch with reality. They are merely experiencing the normal progression of HIV disease. Its interesting to note that the person who infected my non-progressor friend was infected himself only a year prior, based on previous negative HIV tests. He began HIV drugs once his T4 numbers were 350 and 18% with a viral load of 180,000. Even though they are both Swedes, either their genetics are very dissimilar, or their virus has become very dissimilar. Viral phenotyping tests seem to indicate that their two viral types have become quite dissimilar. This fits well with my long held belief that the HIV virus quickly mutates within your body, into that particular virus which is best suited to your host environment. Introducing or withdrawing drugs changes this environment, producing new viral variants with each change. >> This is so tragic. One of my chronic beefs with POZ and other glossy > AIDS mags is that in the name of "balance," they often fail to > confront suicidal decision making.> > The death of a 36 year old man is a tragedy, his decision to refrain > from life a suicide.> > I may have mentioned here before a friend who's medical course seemed > similar. "," as I will call him, ticked along for years with > stable t cells and a reasonable viral load without treatment. He > credited his good fortune with lifestyle choices, abstention from > caffeine and alcohol, and in no small measure, a strong constitution.> > Over a one year, though, his fortunes changed, and he entered the > realm where not only is treatment usually considered necessary, but > descended to where he was at risk for O.I.s, and suffering from > undiagnosed fevers, diarrhea, and a low quality of life. He was > ready to make the same decision as Mr Whitfield.> > I was able to make a deal with him, to try medications for three > months, and if he didn't feel better, I would never bring up the > subject again.> > As with so many patients, within three weeks, he was feeling 100% > again. Fevers cleared, and depression lifted. He was glad to be > alive, and now has gone on for a few more. We have never needed to > have a second conversation about HAART.> > When someone is sick with AIDS or any terminal illness, they may not > be able to see clearly, as disease creates depression, just as our > mental state may affect our health.> > > Barrow> pozbod@...> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I have a friend who has been HIV+ for quite a number of years. He does not take any HIV medication. His most recent T4 numbers were 34% with a 780 count and a viral load of 2,400. His viral load has declined each year over the past five years. This is a long-term non-progressor. People who call themselves "long-term non-progressors" with T4 counts consistently below 500 or with a T4 percentage consistently below 22% are not in touch with reality. They are merely experiencing the normal progression of HIV disease. Its interesting to note that the person who infected my non-progressor friend was infected himself only a year prior, based on previous negative HIV tests. He began HIV drugs once his T4 numbers were 350 and 18% with a viral load of 180,000. Even though they are both Swedes, either their genetics are very dissimilar, or their virus has become very dissimilar. Viral phenotyping tests seem to indicate that their two viral types have become quite dissimilar. This fits well with my long held belief that the HIV virus quickly mutates within your body, into that particular virus which is best suited to your host environment. Introducing or withdrawing drugs changes this environment, producing new viral variants with each change. >> This is so tragic. One of my chronic beefs with POZ and other glossy > AIDS mags is that in the name of "balance," they often fail to > confront suicidal decision making.> > The death of a 36 year old man is a tragedy, his decision to refrain > from life a suicide.> > I may have mentioned here before a friend who's medical course seemed > similar. "," as I will call him, ticked along for years with > stable t cells and a reasonable viral load without treatment. He > credited his good fortune with lifestyle choices, abstention from > caffeine and alcohol, and in no small measure, a strong constitution.> > Over a one year, though, his fortunes changed, and he entered the > realm where not only is treatment usually considered necessary, but > descended to where he was at risk for O.I.s, and suffering from > undiagnosed fevers, diarrhea, and a low quality of life. He was > ready to make the same decision as Mr Whitfield.> > I was able to make a deal with him, to try medications for three > months, and if he didn't feel better, I would never bring up the > subject again.> > As with so many patients, within three weeks, he was feeling 100% > again. Fevers cleared, and depression lifted. He was glad to be > alive, and now has gone on for a few more. We have never needed to > have a second conversation about HAART.> > When someone is sick with AIDS or any terminal illness, they may not > be able to see clearly, as disease creates depression, just as our > mental state may affect our health.> > > Barrow> pozbod@...> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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