On atripla (totally adherent)...vl:undetectable, for last 2 yrs. after Dx, new internist (who's ID bd certified and deals w/ AIDS patients exclusively recentle prescribed isentress w/ atripla. My HIV specialist says "NO" just take atripla, we'll use Isentress later if at all. I had aids-related CNS lymphoma back in 3/2007, achieved remission w/ CHOP chemotherapy +rituxan mono-clonal antibodies. My cd4 was 196 at Dx, now its 81 ... but I'm also in 31st wk of PegInterferon/ribavirin therapy (for HepC)which always decrease cd4 counts... possibly 5 more wks to go. internist knows all the above, says my cd4 counts will rise w/ addition of Isentress. I don't know what to do HIV specialist and hepatolgist say "don't worry about cd4 ct now ... they'll go up my %flucuates between 20 and 25%. Also have HepB undetectable. Does the pegINF/ribavirin have any effect on HIV? Can I get a resistence to Isentress? Does Atripla or Isentress have any effect on HepC? thank you!

Thanks for your question.

Things can get confusing since you are dealing with 3 infections: HIV, hep B and Hep C. THe Atripla has been suppressing the HIV and Hep B so they are under control, and now you are going after the Hep C. Since you have been on the treatment for 31 weeks that likely means that the Hep C is also suppressed and you may be on track for a sustained response ( we will keep our fingers crossed).

It is very tru that the CD4 count will go down during treatment with Interferon, and will generally increase in the few weeks after it is completed. Inteferon can stimulate the immune system and may, very rarely, cause a blip in the viral load, but this has not happened in your case, which is great.

There is no need to add an additional medication to Atripla in this case if it is working to suppress the HIV. There would be very littel chance of your virus getting resistant to Isentress if your viral load remains undetectable. Has the ID doc given you his/her rationale for adding the Isentress? If not your should ask.

Joe