SULFASALAZINE (Arthritis/Colotis drug) 3 DIGIT CD4 INCREASES!?

[LikeaRock]

Hey everyone, I'm always experiementing with different drugs to increase CD4- outside of my Atripla. So far- NAC has proven VERY noteworthy (anyone wants the specific kind I use, I'll post it)

So, I'm reading today and come aross this study on Sulfasalazine- I was quite impressed. Now, it isn't a supplement, it's an Rx- which I'm a little shaky about, but I'm leaning towards trying this stuff! Btw, when i was diagnosed I had two digit CD4's so I'm always trying to break the stigma of "once you fall below a certain number, studies show you hover around 300-400 CD4 for the rest of your life) yes I know- not everyone but still. My CD4 has gone from below 20 to 185 in just a few months. I'm still waiting for another CD4 since this will show if my NAC is aiding the Atripla even more.

Anyways, anyone here of this drug? I know it's a sulfa drug, and I currently take Bactrim to for my prophalxis (had PCP when I was diagnosed)

Here's the thread if anyone wants to read! I'd be very curious to find out the results of this study- but maybe I'll jusy conduct one on myself- hehe http://www.aids.org/atn/a-218-04.html

Btw, I picked up a Rx guide- the only interaction this drug has is with Zidovuidine (AZT) but I'm hoping no one is on that nasty toxin anymore.

[Inchlingblue]

Based on the link you provided it sounds very promising but one has to proceed with caution. If I had low CD4s that weren't budging I would definitely consider it. You'd have to convince your doctor to give you a Rx and you might want to start with a lower dose, as it suggests in the article.

If this drug does suppress inflammatory responses of the immune system it could potentially be an important adjunct to treating HIV but it needs to be further studied, who knows what other effects it could possibly have.

Of course in your case, it hasn't been that long since you started meds and your CD4s could show a big improvement in the near future without adding Sulfasalazine.

On wikipedia it says one of the side effects could be hypospermia, in laymen's terms: cumming only a few drops. A more serious possible side effect is agranulosis, "an acute condition involving a severe and dangerous leukopenia (lowered white blood cell count), most commonly of neutrophils, causing a neutropenia in the circulating blood."

[Assurbanipal]

Steve

If I read your prior posts correctly, you got out of the hospital last fall and started Atripla.  You've been on Atripla about 4 months and have gotten one CD4 count that went up to 185 from 22 and are about to get the next one.  Is that right?  (I had a little trouble following your posts because you intertwined it with somebody else's).

If the above is right, why would you add unregulated drugs (e.g. supplements) or other prescription drugs right now?  It sounds like you are doing really well at 4 months out.  Wouldn't it make more sense to see how Atripla does first?

How's was your viral load by the way?  Can't expect a lot of tcells until the virus stops chowing down on them, after all...

It's tough trying to balance being proactive with your health against giving medicine a reasonable amount of time to work.  But as time passes and we learn more and more about how HAART works and how well it works, why not give tested techniques a chance first?

[LikeaRock]

Sometimes, we need to branch out from the norms. Thats why "studies" were created. To determine if something can be ruled effective or not. I appreciate your concern, but if I wanted a lecture on drug experimentation, I would have asked my Mother.

My VL has been undetectable since Jan. I have used Serostim as well as the use of anabolics (off use labels) with awesome results. I'm a HUGE supporter of Nelson Vergel, and I have done my research. This post was to ask if anyone had experiences with it, or knew of it. I haven't stated I'm doing anything yet. But agian... thanks for your concerns.

[LikeaRock]

Inchlingblue, great info! Thanks.