I had been infected with the HIV virus I guess about 20 years ago?the last time I injected myself with heroin. For 16 years I was nonsystematic until I developed dementia and was hospitalized. My T-cell count was 135 and my virile load was 36,000(0)? I have been under the care of a wonderful, caring and informed doctor for the past 3 years. With a drug regiment of 500 mgs Viracept and 250 mg of Combivir twice a day, his expertise, my unconditional commitment to my health care. We were able to increase my T-cell count to 499 and my virile load is now undetectable. Managing the side effects of the meds, I was able to return to a fairly normal life.

Last month I was diagnosed with diabetes. My doctor stopped the Viracept and switched to Sustiva. (With a whole different set of side effects I need to learn to manage), my questions is with the switch of meds will my blood sugar levels return to normal or is my diabetes here to stay?

Dealing with what every comes my way.

Good question. Often switching off a PI to a NNRTI will result in some improvement though many patients were destined to develop diabetes (which is increasing in the general population) regardless of an effect of a particular HIV drug. Diet, exercise, genetics-all can play a very important role. To try and answer your question-perhaps about 50% of my patients seem to have some improvement in their diabetes when the PI is replaced by a NNRTI. KH