POZ Community Forums

Main Forums => Pre-HAART Long-Term Survivors => Topic started by: JR Gabbard on October 30, 2008, 06:32:19 pm

Title: Stuck in the 60's
Post by: JR Gabbard on October 30, 2008, 06:32:19 pm

   Hi all!

   I just got labs back, and I have 67 CD4's.  That is up from 63 in June.  VL undetectable, as usual.

   So, I am stuck in the 60's, but not the decade, unfortunately.  And I think its time to move into the 21st century.  I want a normal life.  OK, not normal, but less restricted.

   Does anyone know of any medical intervention that will increase a low CD4 count?  I think I've heard something about people's numbers going up dramatically with anabolic steroids (might have been something else).

   I figure I should be OK to work if I can get my count up to around 200.  I'm open to any (safe) suggestions.

   I really want to go back to work.  It is ridiculous that I should be retired at 45.  It is time to figure out what I can do to change that.

   Peace and Love,     JR

Title: Re: Stuck in the 60's
Post by: aztecan on October 30, 2008, 09:14:44 pm

Hey JR,

There is an ongoing study now taking place on Paliferman, but I don't think they are taking any additional people into the study.

I know that back pre-cocktail, my doctor had me taking selenium to help boost my CD4 count. My counts have always been sorta OK, so maybe it helped? I can't say with any certainty, though.

How long have you been on meds? Also, are you co-infected with Hep C or chronic Hep B? Those all could affect the CD4 counts.

I wish I had something more concrete to add.

HUGS,

Mark

Title: Re: Stuck in the 60's
Post by: Jacques on October 31, 2008, 01:28:32 am

Hi Jr,

I doubt that anabolic steroids could have any boosting effect  on Cd4s. In fact , literature shows that it could rather weaken the immune system.

This said, I know that in Europe (especially in France) Hiv specialists are exploring IL2 (interleukin 2) to boost Cd4s from patients whose Cd4s refuse to climb despite a successfull viral load suppression on Haart.  It seems that great success is being obtained with this immune modulator.
You should discuss this opportunity  with your Hiv specialist.

here is a link to learn more about IL 2

http://www.aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view/482 (http://www.aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view/482)

Jacques