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life expectancy
Jul 14, 2004
Hi
I have been pos for 6 yrs. My cd4's are 375 and my vl is currently 25000. I want to start meds soon and was wondering how long they last. When your first regimen falls how many more options should you have? Why are people still dying of aids today? Is it ignorance or the problems i read about resistance and running out of treatment options. My husband is negative and i really want to grow old with him, not 80 but 60 would be fine with me, i am 24 now. Do you think with medical advancements i have a chance? Will the new meds coming out extend life expectancy? Sorry for the abundance of questions i just think i am confused about how to look at my future.
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Response from Dr. Lee
Talk to your doc. THese are questions you may have better answered depending on treatment options you choose, etc. The meds may last for a very long time (for example, I have a patient who is still on the exact first regimen she began in 1992). How long they last depends upon how "adherent" (ie how careful) you are about taking them as directed, how well you absorb the medicines, etc. Also it may depend in part on how frequently you are checked. (More frequent testing of viral levels means you "catch" a breakdown of treatment sooner and the next regimen is more likely to be effective.) There are multiple options, sometimes only three or four are really effective, but sometimes you may luck into having more regimens that work.
People die of AIDS primarily due to ignorance and lack of early and effective (& careful) treatment. Many do not discover they are infected until they are very ill. Others do not "get it" concerning the need for strict adherence to the regimens and "blow through" multiple regimens, ending up without any remaining options for treatment.
New meds are coming along. They will probably continue to extend life expectancy. I would advise you to plan for a long and careful future with your hubby.
BE well.
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