Sinus Infection, now doc says pneumonia..needs to stop!

[jm1953]

Hey Members,

Kind of a whine here I guess.  Just tired of being sick.  Started a topic a while back about getting sicker with high CD 4 counts and no viral load.  Seems like this year has been the worst.  CD4's in the high 800's, percentage 32, no viral load.

Now being treated for what my doctor says is a mild case of pneumonia.  Strong antibiotics, prednisone, nose sprays, all added to the ever increasing arsenal of meds I take daily.  Guess anyone can get these things with AIDS or not, but for me it seems there is no correlation between having good numbers and good health.

Asked my doctor why all of a sudden I'm having chronic skin problems, chronic kidney disease, eye issues, blood issues, lipo, and catching every bug coming down the pike.  All this occurring mostly the last two years all the time with good numbers.  I'm adhering to my meds, taking supplements, eating a very healthy diet, exercise as I can.  Don't get it.

He really didn't have an answer except that it could be having the virus for nearly 24 years, taking meds since 1996, getting older, or everything combined.  Know one thing...he is talking about taking me off my current regimen and starting something else after my labs are drawn in two weeks.  Hopefully a combo with Isentress. 

I know a few of you who have posted being sicker with higher numbers in both Long Term Survivors, and Living with HIV.

Wondering what's the deal, if any?

Best to you all,

Jeff

[OneTampa]

JM,

Sorry to hear about the illnesses you are experiencing.  I can only imagine that the whole thing is getting on your last nerve. I have been HIV positive for 25 years and will soon go into my 26th year.  My numbers range around the same as yours although slightly lower sometimes. I have not experienced many of the illnesses as you have and what you are going through may indeed be caused by the reasons the doctor states.  As you know, each of us respond differently to HIV and medications.

I do, however, have experience with taking prednisone before my HIV positive diagnosis.  I took it in the late 1970s as an anti-inflammatory steroid when I had bells palsy and it worked for me.  I also gained about 20 pounds--I was thin anyway.

Here is a note though.  I am sure your doctor informed you, prednisone is an immunosuppresent and can aggravate certain infections even though it is prescribed to combat them as well.  The doctor should closely monitor you while on prednisone with the proper dosage to make sure that it does not further compromise your immune system. If he has not explained this to you, please bring it up when you next see him so you  feel comfortable and fully understand the treatment you are receiving.

Here is a link to further information on Prednisone:    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000091

Here is hoping you get better soon.

[Jeffreyj]

Jeff, sorry to hear of this recent illness. Maybe a change in meds will be a good thing. hang in there buddy. I know it's hard, but we must fight and fight and fight.

I hope you get well soon!

[jm1953]

JM,

Sorry to hear about the illnesses you are experiencing.  I can only imagine that the whole thing is getting on your last nerve. I have been HIV positive for 25 years and will soon go into my 26th year.  My numbers range around the same as yours although slightly lower sometimes. I have not experienced many of the illnesses as you have and what you are going through may indeed be caused by the reasons the doctor states.  As you know, each of us respond differently to HIV and medications.

I do, however, have experience with taking prednisone before my HIV positive diagnosis.  I took it in the late 1970s as an anti-inflammatory steroid when I had bells palsy and it worked for me.  I also gained about 20 pounds--I was thin anyway.

Here is a note though.  I am sure your doctor informed you, prednisone is an immunosuppresent and can aggravate certain infections even though it is prescribed to combat them as well.  The doctor should closely monitor you while on prednisone with the proper dosage to make sure that it does not further compromise your immune system. If he has not explained this to you, please bring it up when you next see him so you  feel comfortable and fully understand the treatment you are receiving.

Here is a link to further information on Prednisone:    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000091

Here is hoping you get better soon.

Thanks OneTampa for your concern, and giving me a heads up on prednisone.  My doctor is pretty cautious when he does need to prescribe prednisone, as he treats my HIV too.  Fortunately, this is a 4mg tablet in a pack starting with six the first day, and graduating from that.  I really don't like taking prednisone for the reasons you describe, but it does clear up my inflammation which is a bit out of control.  Unfortunately there is a rebound effect for me, where my skin generally breaks out a week later, so honestly if there is any other route I'd take it.

Thanks again for your post, and the link.  And you are so right that this is such an individual illness. 

Best,
Jeff

[leatherman]

CD4's in the high 800's, percentage 32, no viral load.
...
Know one thing...he is talking about taking me off my current regimen and starting something else after my labs are drawn in two weeks.  Hopefully a combo with Isentress. 

what's the reasoning for changing meds if the ones you're taking are working? I tend to fall on the side of if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Especially when changing to another regimen could bring about side effects or not work at all. (if you've been undetectable then you haven't had a genotype done and you could run the risk of switching to something that wouldn't work.)