Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 19, 2024, 05:17:10 am

Login with username, password and session length


Members
Stats
  • Total Posts: 772785
  • Total Topics: 66296
  • Online Today: 290
  • Online Ever: 5484
  • (June 18, 2021, 11:15:29 pm)
Users Online
Users: 0
Guests: 230
Total: 230

Welcome


Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS.  Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning:  Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.

  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

  • Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators of these forums. Click here for “Do I Have HIV?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

  • We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are true and correct to their knowledge.

  • Product advertisement—including links; banners; editorial content; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from POZ.

To change forums navigation language settings, click here (members only), Register now

Para cambiar sus preferencias de los foros en español, haz clic aquí (sólo miembros), Regístrate ahora

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: Mass of HIV cells in brain?  (Read 12689 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline wtfimpoz

  • Member
  • Posts: 418
  • Let's make biscuits!
Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« on: October 29, 2010, 03:16:14 am »
A few members have made mention of this in the mental health forum.  Do we know what this is?
09/01/2009-neg
mid april, 2010, "flu like illness".
06/01/2010-weakly reactive ELISA, indeterminant WB
06/06/2010-reactive ELISA, confirmed positive.

DATE       CD4     %     VL
07/15/10  423     33    88k
08/28/10  489     19    189k
09/06/10-Started ATRIPLA
09/15/10  420     38    1400
11/21/10  517     25    51

Offline Hellraiser

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,155
  • Semi-misanthropic
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2010, 03:22:07 am »



While looking for something that references what you're talking about I found this wonderful article that I know we've talked about in these forums before.  If you think it detracts from your original topic too much I will gladly create a new thread for this.

http://www.aidsbeacon.com/news/2010/08/31/long-term-effects-of-hiv-brain-impairment-and-dementia-aids-2010/

Offline wtfimpoz

  • Member
  • Posts: 418
  • Let's make biscuits!
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2010, 03:42:02 am »
Well there's not enough ambien left to put me to sleep after reading *that* article.
09/01/2009-neg
mid april, 2010, "flu like illness".
06/01/2010-weakly reactive ELISA, indeterminant WB
06/06/2010-reactive ELISA, confirmed positive.

DATE       CD4     %     VL
07/15/10  423     33    88k
08/28/10  489     19    189k
09/06/10-Started ATRIPLA
09/15/10  420     38    1400
11/21/10  517     25    51

Offline red_Dragon888

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,845
  • Love and Be Love in Return
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2010, 07:53:26 am »
Long-Term Effects Of HIV: Brain Impairment And Dementia (AIDS 2010)
No Comment By Abby Horstmann and Caitlin McHugh
Published: Aug 31, 2010 9:00 am
 
Mild brain impairment caused by HIV has become “a silent epidemic” that needs better screening tools and more research to effectively address it, said Dr. Victor Valcour, who presented on HIV and brain injury at a session on long-term complications of HIV and antiretroviral therapy at the 2010 International AIDS Conference.

“The rate of [brain] impairment in patients with HIV is much, much higher” than in the general population, said Dr. Valcour, a physician at the Memory and Aging Center at the University of California in San Francisco, where he is also an Associate Professor in geriatric medicine and neurology.

“About half of patients who have HIV will have abnormal [brain] testing,” he said.

HIV is known to cause damage to the brain that can lead to impairment or, in severe cases, dementia. Brain impairment can involve loss of memory, motor skills, and concentration abilities, as well as behavioral changes and general mental slowness.

Before the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), HIV-associated dementia – the most severe form of HIV-related brain impairment – was fairly common, affecting up to half of people who died of AIDS.

Today, according to Dr. Valcour, “HIV-associated dementia is now quite rare.” However, rates of milder forms of brain impairment have not decreased with HAART and still affect around half of people with HIV.

In many cases, patients may not even realize their brains have been affected, since symptoms may be unnoticeable without specialized testing.

Although the cause of HIV-related brain impairment is not yet known, Dr. Valcour argued that it is an active disease process that continues even when patients are on HAART. This is in contrast to the theory that the impairment is a delayed consequence of damage from earlier in the infection, before treatment begins.

More specifically, Dr. Valcour believes the problem has to do with latent HIV – HIV that remains hidden within the body and is not eliminated by antiretrovirals. Patients who get dementia appear to have higher levels of this latent HIV in their system, even after years of HAART.

The high levels of latent HIV mean that some cells, including immune cells that cross into the brain, still have HIV in them, which may be causing some of the damage to brain cells.

“I think our work is cut out for us to try to figure out ways in which we can attack these [latent HIV] reservoirs and try to clear them, perhaps causing some benefit for [brain] impairment,” said Dr. Valcour.

“We are inadequately treating [brain impairment] with the existing regimens that we have,” he added.

He pointed out that not all antiretroviral drugs are equally effective at reaching HIV in the brain.

“The higher the brain penetration effectiveness of your overall antiretroviral regimen, the more likely you are to have undetectable virus in your CSF [cerebrospinal fluid],” he said. CSF is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

Dr. Valcour finished his talk by stating that work still needs to be done to improve screening and identification of patients affected by brain impairment.

The current specialized tests for determining brain impairment are too complicated and time-consuming to do for everyone, he said, so better screening tools are needed to effectively diagnose minor brain impairment in people with HIV. Ideally, everyone with HIV would then get tested for brain problems.

“If 50 percent of patients who came into your clinic could have a disease, wouldn’t you want to screen everyone? It is a feasibility issue. I think we need to figure out a way to make this work,” he said.

Dr. Valcour also stressed the importance of remaining fit and healthy.

“Things that you as patients can do and you as doctors can recommend: stop smoking, get exercise, treat diseases when they present, [and] be very aggressive about treating depression and psychiatric illness,” he said.

“Patients should remain physically and cognitively stimulated. Physical exercise I think cannot be overstated,” added Dr. Valcour.

For more information, please see the AIDS 2010 webpage on the Kaiser Family Foundation website.

Photo by dierk schaefer on Flickr - some rights reserved.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=I3ba3lnFHik

Off Crystal Meth since May 13, 2013.  In recovery with 20 months clean time.

Offline red_Dragon888

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,845
  • Love and Be Love in Return
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2010, 08:13:25 am »
Sorry to preempt but I thought it would be best to put it up for those who like to read it immediately.

Off topic a bit but I felt that HIV may have invaded my brain around 1998, but I did an heavy H2O2 enema and it went away. (note: I am not recommended this for it can be dangerous)  I am not saying that was the cure but in my mind it was helpful for I had not that memory issue since.  At the time, I had lost short-term memory and I had panic for I did not  know what was happening.  Then I remembered, with my bf at the time, that some obscured doctor recommended H2O2 or oxygen the blood a.k.a Ozone cure to stop the HIV or slow it down.  I am not sure it actually cured HIV or killed it but I decided to put a table spoon hydrogen peroxide of it in a enema solution and of course it did not cure me, but I felt that it held it at bay for some time.  I had remembered feeling a fuzzing in my head as if the H2O2 in the brain barrier was burning off the infection.  Again, the doc was ostracised and belittled for his cure-all but I felt that having it in my system helped in the body's defence of the infection.  You can do a search for it under "Ozone Cure."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=I3ba3lnFHik

Off Crystal Meth since May 13, 2013.  In recovery with 20 months clean time.

Offline wtfimpoz

  • Member
  • Posts: 418
  • Let's make biscuits!
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2010, 12:34:57 pm »
Interesting.  And also terrifying.  I wonder how the doc from the article listed would explain the fact that researchers more consistently find a correllation between cognitive issues and nadir cd4 than viral load. 

My understanding is that CSF viral load is poorly correllated with cognitive issues, and is most pronounced in people who are not completely undetectable.  Does anyone else have any other input on the "mass of HIV cells" in the brain?  Do they mean "mass of white blood cells" which are latently infected with HIV?  Does anyone have any more input?
09/01/2009-neg
mid april, 2010, "flu like illness".
06/01/2010-weakly reactive ELISA, indeterminant WB
06/06/2010-reactive ELISA, confirmed positive.

DATE       CD4     %     VL
07/15/10  423     33    88k
08/28/10  489     19    189k
09/06/10-Started ATRIPLA
09/15/10  420     38    1400
11/21/10  517     25    51

Offline wolfter

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,470
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2010, 02:21:26 pm »
I'm currently dealing with this issue.  I have a mass that my doctors feel is a pocket of dead cells that attached and wasn't able to eradicate from my body.  I have surgery Dec 7th and hope I can provide more info.  I'm starting to wonder if this is more common than previously thought.  Mine was found because of routine testing following a bout with Cryptococcal Meningitis.  I was almost completely blind before being diagnosed and treated.  I continued to have vision issues and headaches so my doctor was actually looking for damage caused by this fungus when they discovered this mass.
« Last Edit: October 29, 2010, 07:51:31 pm by wolfter »
Being honest is not wronging others, continuing the dishonesty is.

Offline wtfimpoz

  • Member
  • Posts: 418
  • Let's make biscuits!
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2010, 02:30:29 pm »
Good luck and please keep us updated on both your health and what this "mass" turns out to be.
09/01/2009-neg
mid april, 2010, "flu like illness".
06/01/2010-weakly reactive ELISA, indeterminant WB
06/06/2010-reactive ELISA, confirmed positive.

DATE       CD4     %     VL
07/15/10  423     33    88k
08/28/10  489     19    189k
09/06/10-Started ATRIPLA
09/15/10  420     38    1400
11/21/10  517     25    51

Offline peteb

  • Member
  • Posts: 203
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2010, 05:52:41 pm »
I have HIV enchepilitis frontal part of brain

Offline Robert

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,658
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2010, 11:22:43 pm »
My Dr and I have been working on this same problem.  When I started meds I was on Truvada, Reyataz and Norvir and it's a great combo fighting the virus and upping my tcells. But as the aritcle points out...

Quote
... Although the cause of HIV-related brain impairment is not yet known, Dr. Valcour argued that it is an active disease process that continues even when patients are on HAART.

The high levels of latent HIV mean that some cells, including immune cells that cross into the brain, still have HIV in them, which may be causing some of the damage to brain cells....

..."We are inadequately treating [brain impairment] with the existing regimens that we have,"” he added.

He pointed out that not all antiretroviral drugs are equally effective at reaching HIV in the brain.

“The higher the brain penetration effectiveness of your overall antiretroviral regimen, the more likely you are to have undetectable virus in your CSF [cerebrospinal fluid],” he said. CSF is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.


Like I said, my Dr and I have been discussing this exact thing for the last 9 months. She's been doing her homework and the other day she sent me an email asking me to drop my current HAART and start up with Prezista, Norvir and Trizivir.  Our object is to cross over that brain barrier.  As our game plan proceeds I'll be certain to keep you all in the loop.

robert
..........

Offline tednlou2

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,730
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #10 on: October 29, 2010, 11:51:23 pm »
For docs and others who wonder why people with HIV are having so much anxiety and a hard time coming to terms with having the virus, this is another example. 

Offline aztecan

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #11 on: October 30, 2010, 01:15:30 am »
I need to do more research, but I believe AZT was one of the drugs that did cross the blood/brain barrier effectively.

If it became necessary to switch back to Combivir, or to start Trizivir, to better preserve my mental functioning, I would then be risking additional lipohypertrophy.

Hmmm, beauty or brains, what a choice. Oh, wait, I forgot, I'm more than 50, so I'm already dead by gay standards anyway.

I guess I would choose brains.

Something to think about.

HUGS,

Mark
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline wtfimpoz

  • Member
  • Posts: 418
  • Let's make biscuits!
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #12 on: October 30, 2010, 02:07:27 am »
I need to do more research, but I believe AZT was one of the drugs that did cross the blood/brain barrier effectively.

If it became necessary to switch back to Combivir, or to start Trizivir, to better preserve my mental functioning, I would then be risking additional lipohypertrophy.

Hmmm, beauty or brains, what a choice. Oh, wait, I forgot, I'm more than 50, so I'm already dead by gay standards anyway.

I guess I would choose brains.

Something to think about.

HUGS,

Mark


Cripes, wasn't AZT originally manufactured for cancer research, like, 60 years ago or something?  Does it say something about HIV pharmaceutical research, that every time we make an advance, we resurrect  this compound that was designed for something completely different?

And Robert, please do keep us updated on your progress!  Are you currently experiencing cognitive issues that are related to HIV?   Did your doc check your viral load in your spinal fluid?

http://www.hopkins-hivguide.org//q_a/patient/complications_of_hiv_infection/neurologic_complications/haart_cns_penetration.html?contentInstanceId=496211&siteId=7151
« Last Edit: October 30, 2010, 02:25:19 am by wtfimpoz »
09/01/2009-neg
mid april, 2010, "flu like illness".
06/01/2010-weakly reactive ELISA, indeterminant WB
06/06/2010-reactive ELISA, confirmed positive.

DATE       CD4     %     VL
07/15/10  423     33    88k
08/28/10  489     19    189k
09/06/10-Started ATRIPLA
09/15/10  420     38    1400
11/21/10  517     25    51

Offline Hellraiser

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,155
  • Semi-misanthropic
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #13 on: October 30, 2010, 11:10:06 am »
AZT is still a brutally effective anti-HIV agent, the problem is it is also extremely toxic.  Although in all fairness when it is not described as monotherapy and in massive doses the effects are much more tolerable.

Offline Robert

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,658
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #14 on: October 30, 2010, 12:34:28 pm »
...Are you currently experiencing cognitive issues that are related to HIV?   Did your doc check your viral load in your spinal fluid?

Oh I've been complaining about my memory lapses for the last 7 years.  It's only gotten worse.  Day and night.  Night and day.  It doesn't matter. Night is the worst. I wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning and I have absolutely no idea where I am.  Believe me, it's not a good feeling.

I'm sure the Dr has checked my spinal fluid.  She's done evereything else under the sun.  I just don't remember.  ;)

I'm a few years older than Mark (like 10) and  though I'm still concerned about my physical appearance. I'd give anything to get a better grasp on simple memory (short and longterm).  Anything else, like cognitive reasoning, would be a bonus.

robert
..........

Offline eric48

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 1,361
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #15 on: October 30, 2010, 04:54:16 pm »
this link here below shows common compounds are crossing the Blood/brain barrier.

http://www.thebody.com/content/content/art54535.html?getPage=4

Article does not include latest info on Raltegravir which (because of its molecular size) may penetrate less but could be penetrating enough (there was one recent study on this)

Whether good penetration itself is protective or not is still being debated;

There are other threads where people discuss which meds they choose and why.

Blood/brain barrier penetration was top on my list. Right or wrong, only the future will tell.

By the way, I DO feel that I have  lot of medication in the brain... Protective or not, here again, only the future will tell.

On the good news, most article state brain disorder that the patient hardly notice themselves.

So what ?

I guess we have to leave with that and get prepared

Cheers Eric
NVP/ABC/3TC/... UD ; CD4 > 900; CD4/CD8 ~ 1.5   stock : 6 months (2013: FOTO= 5d. ON 2d. OFF ; 2014: Clin. Trial NCT02157311 = 4days ON, 3days OFF ; 2015: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02157311 ; 2016: use of granted patent US9101633, 3 days ON, 4days OFF; 2017: added TDF, so NVP/TDF/ABC/3TC, once weekly

Offline wtfimpoz

  • Member
  • Posts: 418
  • Let's make biscuits!
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #16 on: October 30, 2010, 09:04:41 pm »
What about studies that indicate high blood/brain barrier penetration induce neurological complciations and sometimes make cognitive decline worse?  EVERYONE seems to be jumping on penetrating the blood/brain barrier, but can anyone name any solid evidence in favor of this?
09/01/2009-neg
mid april, 2010, "flu like illness".
06/01/2010-weakly reactive ELISA, indeterminant WB
06/06/2010-reactive ELISA, confirmed positive.

DATE       CD4     %     VL
07/15/10  423     33    88k
08/28/10  489     19    189k
09/06/10-Started ATRIPLA
09/15/10  420     38    1400
11/21/10  517     25    51

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #17 on: October 30, 2010, 09:08:58 pm »
I had a high viral load for 18 years yet haven't had any cognitive decline to speak of.  Clearly I am an exceptional being.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline phildinftlaudy

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,985
  • sweet Ann what you think babe...
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #18 on: October 30, 2010, 09:11:57 pm »
Clearly I am an exceptional being.
dayumm it Ms. P -- you just made me laugh so hard that I spilled my beer....  ;D
September 13, 2008 - diagnosed +
Labs:
Date    CD4    %   VL     Date  CD4  %   VL
10/08  636    35  510   9/09 473  38 2900  12/4/09 Atripla
12/09  540    30    60   
12/10  740    41  <48   
8/11    667    36  <20  
03/12  1,041  42  <20
05/12  1,241  47  <20
08/12   780    37  <20
11/12   549    35  <20
02/12  1,102  42  <20
11/12   549    35  <20

Offline skeebo1969

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,931
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #19 on: October 30, 2010, 09:16:06 pm »
  Clearly I am an exceptional being.

You too, huh?  It's an amazing feeling, ain't it Miss P.?

I despise the song Love is in the Air, you should too.

Offline phildinftlaudy

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,985
  • sweet Ann what you think babe...
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #20 on: October 30, 2010, 09:18:00 pm »
You too, huh?  It's an amazing feeling, ain't it Miss P.?


Dayuuummm it Skeebs - now you just made me spill it again.... :o
September 13, 2008 - diagnosed +
Labs:
Date    CD4    %   VL     Date  CD4  %   VL
10/08  636    35  510   9/09 473  38 2900  12/4/09 Atripla
12/09  540    30    60   
12/10  740    41  <48   
8/11    667    36  <20  
03/12  1,041  42  <20
05/12  1,241  47  <20
08/12   780    37  <20
11/12   549    35  <20
02/12  1,102  42  <20
11/12   549    35  <20

Offline wtfimpoz

  • Member
  • Posts: 418
  • Let's make biscuits!
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #21 on: October 30, 2010, 09:27:36 pm »
I've read studies indicating that viral load has no relationship with cognitive decline.  From everything I've read, the most common relationship that is found is with nadir cd4, although this isn't an outstanding correllation.  

One of the things I've personally noted in favor of "blood-brain barrier" penetration is that a lot of long termers who were on monotherapy seem to hold up better mentally than the rest of us.  Whether this is because of the drugs that were used, or because you've all got a degree of natural immunity, is probably going to be difficult to discern.  I can think of half a dozen reasons why the current fad for a Blood Brain penetrating combo might not be the ideal in treating neurocognitive issues.  

Philly, my understanding is that you battled both high viral load and low cd4 for a long time before combo therapy.  Is this correct?  If so, you're quite reassuring to me.  It seems like so many of the people with a place at the table in HIV issues are controllers, nonprogressors or slow-progressors.  It makes it difficult to find reassurance.  
09/01/2009-neg
mid april, 2010, "flu like illness".
06/01/2010-weakly reactive ELISA, indeterminant WB
06/06/2010-reactive ELISA, confirmed positive.

DATE       CD4     %     VL
07/15/10  423     33    88k
08/28/10  489     19    189k
09/06/10-Started ATRIPLA
09/15/10  420     38    1400
11/21/10  517     25    51

Offline mecch

  • Member
  • Posts: 13,455
  • red pill? or blue pill?
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #22 on: October 30, 2010, 11:01:48 pm »
 It seems like so many of the people with a place at the table in HIV issues are controllers, nonprogressors or slow-progressors.  It makes it difficult to find reassurance.  

What table is that?

And huh?
“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

Offline Hellraiser

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,155
  • Semi-misanthropic
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #23 on: October 31, 2010, 02:07:43 am »
Honestly I think a lot of HIV just boils down to genetics.  Some people weather the storm better than others and the meds help with that battle.  You've just rolled the dice and only time will tell how it turns out, although cognitive decline and eventual death awaits us all in the end.  Sorry to be morbid.

Offline peteb

  • Member
  • Posts: 203
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #24 on: October 31, 2010, 11:46:06 am »
Honestly I think a lot of HIV just boils down to genetics.  Some people weather the storm better than others and the meds help with that battle.  You've just rolled the dice and only time will tell how it turns out, although cognitive decline and eventual death awaits us all in the end.  Sorry to be morbid.

so True

Offline eric48

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 1,361
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #25 on: October 31, 2010, 07:04:36 pm »
I've read studies indicating that viral load has no relationship with cognitive decline. ...
....  I can think of half a dozen reasons why the current fad for a Blood Brain penetrating combo might not be the ideal in treating neurocognitive issues. 
...

There are a lot of on going debates...

1 - the neurocognitive 'decline' is something that not all researchers agree upon.
2 - economical impact: some people do need to get on disability: it is harder is some countries than others (therefore alarming reports may help HIVers in some countries)
3 - relationship between penetration/ CNS VL / risk for disorders, etc...
4 - the meds themselves can affect the brains

I, personally, am a bit biased towards a choice for higher brain penetrating meds.

The rational being that, if, as established by Dr Siliciano, there is NO viral replication in the peripheral blood for people who are UDs for a while and under efficient medication,
there is no evidence that viral replication does not occur elsewhere...

The 'last reservoir concept' (remember the Alamo) is still being investigated.

I would 'think' that the brains or guts would be an ideal place for viral replication.

In other words, your blood and all other organs could very well be under potent tri-therapy, while the brains , because isolated, could be under a de-facto monotherapy.

which is why, (and this is merely an opinion, I do not have much to back this up), I am a bit in favor of brains penetrating meds.

I admit it is kind of a bet, here.

I should thank wtfimpoz for bringing this subject up. Patient experience is so important in these matters...

Cheers! Eric
NVP/ABC/3TC/... UD ; CD4 > 900; CD4/CD8 ~ 1.5   stock : 6 months (2013: FOTO= 5d. ON 2d. OFF ; 2014: Clin. Trial NCT02157311 = 4days ON, 3days OFF ; 2015: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02157311 ; 2016: use of granted patent US9101633, 3 days ON, 4days OFF; 2017: added TDF, so NVP/TDF/ABC/3TC, once weekly

Offline red_Dragon888

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,845
  • Love and Be Love in Return
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #26 on: November 01, 2010, 11:55:51 am »
I'm currently dealing with this issue.  I have a mass that my doctors feel is a pocket of dead cells that attached and wasn't able to eradicate from my body.  I have surgery Dec 7th and hope I can provide more info.  I'm starting to wonder if this is more common than previously thought.  Mine was found because of routine testing following a bout with Cryptococcal Meningitis.  I was almost completely blind before being diagnosed and treated.  I continued to have vision issues and headaches so my doctor was actually looking for damage caused by this fungus when they discovered this mass.
I wish you luck in the surgury and God Bless. (sorry for being religious but I was rasied that way)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=I3ba3lnFHik

Off Crystal Meth since May 13, 2013.  In recovery with 20 months clean time.

Offline red_Dragon888

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,845
  • Love and Be Love in Return
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #27 on: November 01, 2010, 11:58:50 am »
Oh I've been complaining about my memory lapses for the last 7 years.  It's only gotten worse.  Day and night.  Night and day.  It doesn't matter. Night is the worst. I wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning and I have absolutely no idea where I am.  Believe me, it's not a good feeling.

I'm sure the Dr has checked my spinal fluid.  She's done evereything else under the sun.  I just don't remember.  ;)

robert
I remember a time that when I would just wake up I would immediately remember things but now it takes time for me to remember my name .  I do beleive it is more than old age and that HIV is involved.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=I3ba3lnFHik

Off Crystal Meth since May 13, 2013.  In recovery with 20 months clean time.

Offline red_Dragon888

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,845
  • Love and Be Love in Return
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #28 on: November 01, 2010, 12:02:24 pm »
I had a high viral load for 18 years yet haven't had any cognitive decline to speak of.  Clearly I am an exceptional being.
I was going to say something coy but maybe you have something that protects you from this condition.  As we know, not everyone can fight HIV effectively and now apparently some of us survivors, like yourself, may have super protection.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=I3ba3lnFHik

Off Crystal Meth since May 13, 2013.  In recovery with 20 months clean time.

Offline wtfimpoz

  • Member
  • Posts: 418
  • Let's make biscuits!
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #29 on: November 01, 2010, 12:38:56 pm »
Eric,

Unedetectable doesn't mean the virus has been eradicated from the blood, it just means that conventional tests don't pick it up.  Usually, it can be found in small quantities with more sensitive tests.  My understanding is that the brain is SUSPECTED as a hiding place, though not proven.  From what I have read, "The Berlin Patient" has not been shown to have ANY detectable virus in either his blood or CSF despite use of the most sensitive tests.  To me, this indicates that "the resevoir" is in fact blood based.  Does anyone have any response to this? 
09/01/2009-neg
mid april, 2010, "flu like illness".
06/01/2010-weakly reactive ELISA, indeterminant WB
06/06/2010-reactive ELISA, confirmed positive.

DATE       CD4     %     VL
07/15/10  423     33    88k
08/28/10  489     19    189k
09/06/10-Started ATRIPLA
09/15/10  420     38    1400
11/21/10  517     25    51

Offline wolfter

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,470
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #30 on: November 01, 2010, 01:04:53 pm »
My understanding is that my current meds cross the brain border, but sometimes the dead cells are unable to cross back over.  Maybe this is over-simplified, but I like it that way to help me understand. 

My current combo is; Intelence, Truvada and Isentress.

I'll try to remember to have this discussion for my ID doctor and let everybody know what he says. 

Being honest is not wronging others, continuing the dishonesty is.

Offline Chris81

  • Member
  • Posts: 6
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #31 on: November 01, 2010, 02:00:27 pm »
no, AZT comes from Prague, Czechoslovakia mid 80's.

http://www.uochb.cz/web/structure/550.html

So far, having latest information from IOCB AS, CR, scientist are reworking Viread to its second generation, to be less toxic and more flexible, integrating last antibodies from LTS. Trial is to be launched for testing in few years via the funding company - Viread license holder.

Offline wtfimpoz

  • Member
  • Posts: 418
  • Let's make biscuits!
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #32 on: November 01, 2010, 02:07:12 pm »
no, AZT comes from Prague, Czechoslovakia mid 80's.

http://www.uochb.cz/web/structure/550.html

So far, having latest information from IOCB AS, CR, scientist are reworking Viread to its second generation, to be less toxic and more flexible, integrating last antibodies from LTS. Trial is to be launched for testing in few years via the funding company - Viread license holder.

Wikipedia claims it was synthesized in 1964. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AZT
09/01/2009-neg
mid april, 2010, "flu like illness".
06/01/2010-weakly reactive ELISA, indeterminant WB
06/06/2010-reactive ELISA, confirmed positive.

DATE       CD4     %     VL
07/15/10  423     33    88k
08/28/10  489     19    189k
09/06/10-Started ATRIPLA
09/15/10  420     38    1400
11/21/10  517     25    51

Offline David Evans

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 97
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #33 on: November 01, 2010, 02:17:28 pm »
Chris,

The "Living With..." forum is restricted to people living with HIV, or to people who have immediate friends or family members who are HIV-positive. Even for folks with HIV-positive friends or family, we generally prefer their posts be kept only to those issues that are currently and specifically affecting their friend or family member. Here are the guidelines. Please read and follow them:

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=277.0

Offline eric48

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 1,361
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #34 on: November 01, 2010, 04:59:31 pm »
Eric,

Undetectable doesn't mean the virus has been eradicated from the blood,
...
From what I have read, "The Berlin Patient" has not been shown to have ANY detectable virus in either his blood or CSF despite use of the most sensitive tests.  To me, this indicates that "the reservoir" is in fact blood based.  Does anyone have any response to this?  

Hi,

I did not say that there is no remaining virus, I said , that , under the conditions described here:


http://www.iasusa.org/pub/topics/2010/issue3/104.pdf


by Dr Siliciano, that there is no replication in the blood (or if so, too little to create mutations and be, per se , the cause for blips)

No replication is not exactly equivalent to no VL, it means that if some virus gets released by some dying infected 'memory' cell, the amount of virus released and the potency of melds do not allow the virus to infect a new cell (under the condition that this cell has a proper shield : read : load of potent AR Vs)

Concerning the Berlin patient, i did read "The Berlin Patient" has not been shown to have ANY detectable virus in his BLOOD.
I do not recall reading that he has none in the brains.

I state this from memory, which, as this is the subject of your thread, could be impaired ;-)

Also, I would be cautious about the difference between virus load in plasma (released from cells) as opposed to viral load within living cells

We read many things... But upon reading what I read at the time, it strikes me that they were reporting about is VL and CD4 in peripheral blood.

In my understanding, they have made it possible to put some chewing gum in the lock by which the virus enters CD4s

That is because all of his CD4s are all new and have a jammed lock. But what about the cells that have not been rejuvenated.

The search for the reservoirs is on going research, and I could be out dated.

Some cells in the brains (neurons) (as well as adipocyte's - belly fat cells) have a very low (if not nihil) rotation rate

pretty much like the latent, dormant CD4s...

But some cells in the brains (astrocytes) do have a rotation rate

Being quite new to such a complex science, my opinions may be false and please excuse me in advance if this is the case.

The Berlin patient as well as those adherent to successful meds are safe from Immune Deficiency (I have skipped the A and the S on purpose)

This does not mean that they are safe from other nasties caused by the remaining latent virus. Nor do we know exactly the extent of the 'nasties'

HIV is not the only virus that (most of us) we carry. And for some of these, the nasties are so minor that we even do not notice.

With regards to brains cells (and semen) what seems important to me is not the plasma viral load, but the intra cellular viral load.

(as a proof, while it may be considered safe to have unprotected sex among 2 UD partners, (who will not reinfect each other) it is still not possible to conceive a child (by the natural means) without the risk of virus transmition to the egg.

This is an interesting thread, but I doubt that we can get to the bottom of it.

Cheers

Eric  





 
« Last Edit: November 01, 2010, 05:01:56 pm by eric48 »
NVP/ABC/3TC/... UD ; CD4 > 900; CD4/CD8 ~ 1.5   stock : 6 months (2013: FOTO= 5d. ON 2d. OFF ; 2014: Clin. Trial NCT02157311 = 4days ON, 3days OFF ; 2015: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02157311 ; 2016: use of granted patent US9101633, 3 days ON, 4days OFF; 2017: added TDF, so NVP/TDF/ABC/3TC, once weekly

Offline Nevergivingup

  • Member
  • Posts: 12
  • Loving life and living it positive
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #35 on: November 01, 2010, 06:53:15 pm »
I posted on a post on the mental health regarding something similar to this.

Two years ago I had brain surgery, before surgery they thought I had a tumor so they did surgery on me which was hell, the mass they removed had attached itself to my skull and grown in my brian. They took out a part of my skull and went into the brain and removed the whole mass. The Neuro. surgeion replaced the part of skull he removed with wiremesh.

After about two weeks they got the results back and it wasnt cancer. The whole mass was HIV cells, the cells were not dead but very active. So as a result of this I am now on a study program. For the next 6 months after surgery they kept the mass and studied it and what ever else they did with it. The ID Doc and Neuro. surgeon worked very closely together and still do with me.

After 6 months of studing thhe mass. The HIV cells had no signs of any attack form my meds. It seems these cells were unface by any meds. I am still going thur the study and gert MRI of the brain every 6 months. The last MRI scan showed other growing mass, but I am not going to go thur the surgery again it was to much and I almost didnt make it.

My ID doctor is very interested in these cells that are invading my brain and he thinks after consulting with other ID doctors in other parts of the world that HIV cells my be invading various organs in the body and the current HIV meds are not affecting these cells. As I go thourgh this and get to know more I will let you know.

Offline tednlou2

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,730
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #36 on: November 02, 2010, 12:40:52 am »
I posted on a post on the mental health regarding something similar to this.

Two years ago I had brain surgery, before surgery they thought I had a tumor so they did surgery on me which was hell, the mass they removed had attached itself to my skull and grown in my brian. They took out a part of my skull and went into the brain and removed the whole mass. The Neuro. surgeion replaced the part of skull he removed with wiremesh.

After about two weeks they got the results back and it wasnt cancer. The whole mass was HIV cells, the cells were not dead but very active. So as a result of this I am now on a study program. For the next 6 months after surgery they kept the mass and studied it and what ever else they did with it. The ID Doc and Neuro. surgeon worked very closely together and still do with me.

After 6 months of studing thhe mass. The HIV cells had no signs of any attack form my meds. It seems these cells were unface by any meds. I am still going thur the study and gert MRI of the brain every 6 months. The last MRI scan showed other growing mass, but I am not going to go thur the surgery again it was to much and I almost didnt make it.

My ID doctor is very interested in these cells that are invading my brain and he thinks after consulting with other ID doctors in other parts of the world that HIV cells my be invading various organs in the body and the current HIV meds are not affecting these cells. As I go thourgh this and get to know more I will let you know.

Do you mind discussing what issues you were having that caused you to seek treatment and get a brain scan?  Did they want to remove it only because it could be cancer?  If you knew it wasn't cancer, what is the benefit of removing the mass of cells?  Did removing them correct cognitive or other issues?

Offline Nevergivingup

  • Member
  • Posts: 12
  • Loving life and living it positive
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #37 on: November 02, 2010, 05:00:05 pm »
I was having very bad headaches and severe depression the worst the docs said they have ever seen. So they did the MRI. They did blood test and after everything they thought it was a tumor that could be cancer.

I had no choice it had to come out. The headaches went from every day to non stop. The white of my eyes turned red from the trama of the headaches being so severe. I was eating pain meds like they were sweet tarts. I had no choice but to have it taken out.  Once the surgery was done the doctor came out and told my family and friends that he was  almost postive it wasnt cancer, which he thought it was before surgery.  He stated he has never seen anything like it. It was not a tumor it, so he sent it off and contacted my ID doc.

When the results came back and the mass compose of HIV cells my ID doc was sorta dumb founded (he is a very good doctor) so he contacted all kinds of other specialist and also alot of other ID doctors both in this country and others.

He ask if I would go into a study, which I am still in, He stated that they needed to know more about this. So has of today, I have 5 ID doctors I see and I have to keep journeys and all kinds of stuff. While the headaches are 100% better, the depression is the same. I am dealing with one doctor from germany that is very confident that this is awhole another side of HIV which he says seems to be popping up quite a bit in other people that have HIV and most doctors are not familar with this. He also says that these conditions  seems to only be taking place in patients that cd4 was under 100 and then the cd4 count went really high over a very short period of time. I was at 55 and went up to 1000 in about 2 months. The head aches did not start until I was healty (so I thought), High cd4,undectable and thought wow I have made it.

The doctors have dectected HIV cells in my liver,brain,kidneys. I am on a boat load of meds. other meds then just HIV meds. From the way I know right now my ID docs seem concern that the HIV meds are not effecting the cells once they have invaded a organ. HIV meds work great on the cells in the blood but in the organs it does not phase them. One of the ID docs think that the possiblity of the cells in the organs actually taking over while the meds knock out the cells in the blood. As of right now no medications show signs of affecting the HIV cells in the organs. But I am going on some new kind of med all the time. I go to one of my ID docs next week.

Now after all of that being said, I feel as well as one can. I just have to watch myself and not let myself get run down and take care, no drinking,smoking,or drugs. Right now while my head hurts from time to time and I forget stuff just like everyone else my problem seems to be my liver. It isnt working right and my ammionia levels build up and I get very sick. They want to know why my liver is damaged, I wasnt a drinker before nor after,I dont have any of the various heps A>B>C, nor ever been exposed to them the test all came back negitive for those. So now my question is, have the HIV invaded my liver and damaged it like my brain.

Offline eric48

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 1,361
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #38 on: November 02, 2010, 05:18:59 pm »
Awesome ! (so to speak)

This IS an interesting thread... I hope you are doing fine and that it does not hurt you(r feelings) to write this...  Wishing you well . Keep us posted! Eric
NVP/ABC/3TC/... UD ; CD4 > 900; CD4/CD8 ~ 1.5   stock : 6 months (2013: FOTO= 5d. ON 2d. OFF ; 2014: Clin. Trial NCT02157311 = 4days ON, 3days OFF ; 2015: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02157311 ; 2016: use of granted patent US9101633, 3 days ON, 4days OFF; 2017: added TDF, so NVP/TDF/ABC/3TC, once weekly

Offline roy100

  • Member
  • Posts: 124
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #39 on: November 02, 2010, 08:15:26 pm »
This reply by Nevergivingup  left me speechless.
I am so sorry of all the things going on with you.

But what you are saying is so serious , it has a lot of implications for all of us.


 Nevergivingup  what do you mean by HIV Cells, HIV is a virus, what are you talking about HIV cells in your brain or liver? Is it some kind of tumor with HIV virus attached to it?
How can they say it is HIV cells, if the HIV virus can only be seen with very advance electron microscope ?, did they use this microscope to watch some type of cell of a tumor and found HIV virus attached to it ?

I am just trying to make sense of the explanation you gave, and is very strange.
In my case my CD went to 48 , before I started treatment, and I am not getting them backs as fast as you did , as it is also very out of the normal response.
 Depression is an issue with me, and I think its HIV related sometimes. My PS Dr. tells me is part both inherited, and my lifestyle.

Wish you well , and I don't doubt you at all, just wanting to make some sense out of your very unusual case.


Diagnosed 18Th March 2010
March 30Th VL +100,000 CD4 46
CD8T  575 CD8 %60.6
On Truvada and Kaletra. . Remeron 15mg  and150 mg  wellbutrin xl for depression. Clonazepan 2 mg to sleep. Omeprazole 20  once a day.
July 17 2010 Vl 362 CD4 155, 6.4 %
CD8T suppressors 1482 CD8% 61.1
 Nov 16 2010: V l 937 CD4 188,10%
CD8T Suppresors 997 CD8%55.8
August 15th 2011 Vl UD, less than 40.
CD4:543(26.7%) CD8:887 (43.6 %) Ratio .61
Jan 14th,2012 ,less than 40.
CD4:478 (24.4%) CD8: 962 (49.1%) Ratio.50
June 2012 CD4 599, CD8 856 UD
Oct 2013 CD 702, CD 843 UD Ratio:.87

Offline Nevergivingup

  • Member
  • Posts: 12
  • Loving life and living it positive
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #40 on: November 02, 2010, 09:50:11 pm »
The mass was removed out of my head so I am sure that they did everything possible to determine what it was. They studied the mass for 6 months. And determine that it was made up of hiv cells.

My liver they took a Biopsy to see why it is damaged. I havent gotten any results back yet from that. I am just wondering if its not the same thing that was going on in my head. There is a article that I was given from my ID doc and I will try to find it. But it is a study of HIV cells invading various organs in the body. I dont drink and never have I was always a preppy boy-lol, no drugs not even pot,they thought at first I had hep but all the hep a,b,c test all came back clean so now we are moving on to the next steps. Something is making my liver not work probably and as also damaged it to the point where my ammonia levels build up and I have to be admitted to the hospital because I become very sick but it becomes very dangerous.

As of right now everything is being study so I have no diffent answers to anything. I just know I told my ID doctor that I feel like a rat under the microscope.

Offline tednlou2

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,730
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #41 on: November 03, 2010, 01:26:25 am »
The mass was removed out of my head so I am sure that they did everything possible to determine what it was. They studied the mass for 6 months. And determine that it was made up of hiv cells.

My liver they took a Biopsy to see why it is damaged. I havent gotten any results back yet from that. I am just wondering if its not the same thing that was going on in my head. There is a article that I was given from my ID doc and I will try to find it. But it is a study of HIV cells invading various organs in the body. I dont drink and never have I was always a preppy boy-lol, no drugs not even pot,they thought at first I had hep but all the hep a,b,c test all came back clean so now we are moving on to the next steps. Something is making my liver not work probably and as also damaged it to the point where my ammonia levels build up and I have to be admitted to the hospital because I become very sick but it becomes very dangerous.

As of right now everything is being study so I have no diffent answers to anything. I just know I told my ID doctor that I feel like a rat under the microscope.


Thank you for the detailed info.  Man, you've been through a lot.  I've read things about whether starting meds early would prevent damage to the brain and other organs.  I've also read that the damage is probably done soon after infection.  So, it does leave me wondering whether starting meds sooner would prevent damage to organs.  Does anyone have any better info on whether starting meds sooner may prevent stuff like this?  Or, whether the damage (if there is damage) is already done soon after infection?

Offline Lucky2behere

  • Member
  • Posts: 74
  • Kick'n a bugs butt
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #42 on: November 10, 2010, 10:01:04 pm »
Hey Wolfter and Nevergivingup,
Thanks for sharing with us. You have both been threw alot. At the same time, you both sound very positive and strong and hopeful. I'm honored to be in the same support group with you guys. I feel like I am a part of something great!
March 2010 tested HIV Pos
probably infected 2.5 years
Sept.  2010 CD4 520 %24 vl 18,000
Nov.   2010 CD4 560    ?   vl  1,400
Dec. 5 2010 Started Truvada Isentress
Jan.  5 2011 CD4 380   ?    vl      63

Offline OneTampa

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,021
  • "Butterflies are free."
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #43 on: November 11, 2010, 08:37:43 pm »
Nevergivingup and Wolfter,

I can not thank you enough for your posts and the details you provided.

I wish you both the absolute best and continued improvement in your health.

Take care.
« Last Edit: November 11, 2010, 08:39:50 pm by OneTampa »
"He is my oldest child. The shy and retiring one over there with the Haitian headdress serving pescaíto frito."

Offline numbers

  • Member
  • Posts: 41
Re: Mass of HIV cells in brain?
« Reply #44 on: November 12, 2010, 06:56:51 am »
This is a very interesting thread because I have been worried about neurocognitive issues since I had several periods of motor control problems with my hand, once about 8 months before being diagnosed and once about 5 months after starting ART (Truvada, Prezista, Norvir). 

I was wondering if Nevergivingup or the other posters here experienced motor issues as part of their symptoms?  Things seem fine for me now, the hand problem seems to have gone away and otherwise I don't think I have experienced confusion or headaches or the other symptoms that have been discussed.  I mentioned my hand control problem to my doctor and she didn't seem to be concerned but I am worried it is something that should be checked into further although if it was part of the neurocognitive issue I am not sure what they could do about it, just hoping the problem doesn't come back!

Tested positive Feb. 2010 VL 181K CD4 161
Started Truvada, Prezista, and Norvir
Sept 2010 VL UD CD4 380
Jan 2011 VL UD CD4 450 I can sleep now thanks to Cipralex!
March 2011 VL UD CD4 490
September 2011 VL UD CD4 500

 


Terms of Membership for these forums
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.