10 Year Study Suggests Earlier Treatment is Better
Sunday October 26, 2008
A nationwide study headed by HIV researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle now suggests that earlier HIV treatment equates to a better prognosis in the long term. Experts have gone back and forth for years trying to decide if earlier treatment is better than waiting. Currently, the guidelines state that medications should be started with the CD4 count falls below 350. Actually in the past that value was as low as 300 and in some cases physicians waited until the CD4 reached 250. The concern was the long term toxic effects of HIV medications. But the study out of Seattle is suggesting earlier treatment is the answer. In fact many researchers at the University of Washington feel the new guidelines may suggest treatment for any CD4 count less than 500. Raising the guidelines for HIV treatment would be good news for HIV drug manufacturers because it would mean more people would be on therapy. Read more in this article from Bloomberg.com.
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This study seems accurate. Sure the drug manufacturers do win. These drugs are incredibly expensive! However, with more people getting treatment the possibility of collective negotiations become better. I recommend any decision to start on meds be informed and well thought out. Once started, this will be a lifetime of strict compliance and adherence to your daily dose. If you can’t commit to this because of addiction issues or other lifestyle constraints then discuss your options with a health care professional that is knowledgeable and specializes in HIV treatment.
Bruce…happy you are healthy without meds but remember everyone is different. As much as you want to deny it, some people need HIV medications to remain healthy. Don’t believe me…ask the countless number of people who are feeling alive and well because of their HIV meds.
Excuse me, I meant THYMUS gland above, not “thalmus”.
Many papers now prove the link between stress, the thymus, low t-cells, and immune suppression:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/p128113328223086/
“The thymus gland, in response to acute stress can shrivel to half its size in twenty-four hours. See: http://www.becomehealthynow.com/article/bodyimmune/961/
And much much more. Simply google “stress” and “thymus”
I was diagnosed at a time when there was no CD4 count facilities where I was leaving and was put on medication immediately. The experience of early medication has been nothing but positive, at the moment my viral load is almost non existent and my CD4 count is consistently over 1300.
Retreats and travel restrictions for HIV+
http://plwha.com
Retreats and travel restrictions for HIV+
http://www.plwha.com
You may be interested to know that E. Michael Molnar MD, one of world’s leading authorities on progenitor stem cell transplantation, was asked to treat six severely advanced AIDS patients in Nigeria earlier this year at the request of its Minister of Health.
All six patients were given progenitor stem cells via subaponeurotic implantation. Five weeks later all six patients were fully ambulatory; but still retaining the virus. Its been close to a year and all six patients are still fully recovered, but require periodic testing to ensure an optimum immune system.
Good luck.
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