A Light Bulb Went Off Above My Head...Maybe...

[Maestro]

I was thinking about why my Uncle my have never seen the dramatic rise in CD4 I see with the people on these forums after being on HAART for so long.  I just read in a post about the effects doing drugs could have on CD4 count...

SO...I am wondering if 7 years of oxycontin can have an effect on CD4.  This could be countering all the efforts of his HAART meds.  I'd love to find some more info on this.  The only thing he is more scared of than losing his opiates is dying...Maybe that can open his eyes...

M

[Miss Philicia]

Well, it's an opiate but as a prescription it wasn't cut with nasty stuff like street heroin is -- so in that manner it's safer.  But the body effects of slowing down metabolism, etc. I don't know what that would do.  I can't see it affecting adversely the absorption of his HIV medication, AS LONG AS HE ADHERED to his schedule while in a drug stupor.  That's the biggest danger of drug use, skipping doses of medication.  That and partying in clubs and dancing can dehydrate you if you are not careful.

Generally the more dangerous drugs for HIV progression are amphetamines from what I've read, not the downers like what he is taking.

[jkinatl2]

Oddly, I have not found any correlation with depressants and HIV progression, with the notable exception of chronic alcohol damage to the liver.

[Ann]

Hi M,

Just wondering, did you see the responses to your other thread on this subject? Moffie has given you some valuable advice.

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=9416.0

I use codeine on a daily basis for several different reasons. (diarrhea control as well as pain control) I do not consider myself an addict - my use is strictly controlled (by me). My CD4s only suffer when I am forced to do without the codeine due to the knee-jerk response from some doctors.

I have also not been able to find ANY correlation between opiate use and hiv progression or negative effects on CD4 counts. And believe me, I've looked.

Ann