Drug Resistance Question

[Maestro]

As some of you have read in the other forums, I am taking care of my HIV + Uncle.  I am new to all of this, so I am loaded with questions.

After almost 7 years of taking Viread, he has had 2 recent episodes of near fatal kidney failure.  The doctor just took him off Viread and instead he is taking Invirase in addition to Kaletra and Ziagen.  His CD4 is in the 140 range, and usually has a low to undetectable viral load (though we are waiting for the latest results).

Should I expect the invirase to work better, the same, or worse? Or is it just a waiting game? 

However, my main question is what I have been reading about Drug Resistance.  Does everyone develop drug resistance at some point?  Is it a majority of those infected?  Or is it just hit and miss? 

If he becomes resistant, are the doctors out of options?

He knows suprisingly little about HIV.  I know that if I was +, I would be right here with you discussing everything and learning as much as possible.  He, on the other hand, doesn't seem interested at all and just trusts whatever the doctor says (which so far has been just fine).

Thanks in Advance

M

[newt]

Low viral load is not quite good enough, it needs to be consistently undetectable.

Kaletra/Invirase/Ziagen is a strong combination, and since this contains PIs, his CD4 should rise particularly well.

On resistance, provided he is able to keep his viral load under 50, there's no special reasons why he should get resistance and therefore why he can't use this, or a similar combo, for many, many years. However, if  resistance was there in the first place, or has developed while on his old combo, this needs taking into account

Even if he does get/have resistance there are new resistance-beating drugs, plus perhaps the possibility of using older ones, which should still provide effective treatment long-term.

In terms of preventing resistance, taking the drugs reasonably on time and certainly every time is important here.

Hope this helps

- matt

[Maestro]

Thanks for the info.

According to my Uncle his cd4 has not risen above 140 for the 7 years he has been positive.  Would a switch to Invirase suddently cause an increase?

Thanks
M

[newt]

It may

[kentb]

Dear M,

your Uncle is very luck to have you to help care for him.  In case noone has taken the time to tell you lately it is a very unselfish thing you are doing.  For your Uncle I would like to say thank you!

Kent

[Maestro]

Thanks Kent!