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Ask the Expert Hot Topics
May 13, 2003

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Issues for Treatment-Experienced HIVers I began treatment right after I was infected, and then started a treatment interruption a little more than a year ago. Lately my CD4 has begun to drop rapidly -- from 531 six months ago to 369 in April, which is lower than it was even before I started treatment. My doctor wants me back on meds permanently; is that the best choice for me? I've been on 3TC (Epivir) and d4T (Zerit) for seven years. They've worked very well, but now I'm starting to show signs of facial wasting. Should I change my regimen or stay the course? I'm 47, weigh 229 pounds and have high cholesterol. I've been on Combivir and Sustiva for more than three years, with an undetectable viral load and a CD4 as high as 1,200. My doc, though, is worried I'll begin developing metabolic problems (especially lipodystrophy) and wants me to stop treatment. Should I, or will it give the virus a chance to bounce back? Since switching my meds, my hair has grown back! HIV-Related Complications and Coinfections Can I use Aldara (imiquimod) as preventive medicine against anal warts? My HIV-positive brother has a high red blood cell count and extremely high blood pressure. His hemotologist said he's at high risk for stroke, and should have some of his blood removed. Can you explain this for me? Complementary Therapies for HIV What do you know about the supplement Viusid? Can it, or similar supplements, help people with HIV? If I stop eating carbohydrates, will that help with my insulin resistance? Forum on Starting Treatment I was recently diagnosed with HIV and immediately put on Epivir, Viread, and Sustiva because of my low CD4 count (26) and high viral load (750,000). Although I've only been on these meds for three weeks, I've already broken out with pimples on my back and my face. Is this typical? Why is my new HAART regimen not completely suppressing my viral load? Should I ask my doctor to switch my treatment? What new treatments in the pipeline look more potent than the current batch of HIV drugs, offer a lower chance of developing resistance and have fewer side effects? I'm a well-educated guy, but sometimes it seems like doctors speak in code. Could you translate some recent research on treatment in newly infected people?		Questions About HIV & HIV Testing Is there a difference between HIV in the U.S. and HIV in the United Kingdom? I'm in the process of getting my hepatitis A and B vaccines. Could they cause a false positive or false negative result on an HIV test? Forum on HIV & Insurance Coverage I was required to disclose my HIV status in an application for supplemental insurance, and I was then denied coverage. Was this legal? What would've happened if I'd said I didn't have HIV? I'm HIV positive and want to get life insurance. Is there an insurance company somewhere that will allow me to purchase a policy? Forum on Fatigue & Anemia Can fatigue be a "symptom" of just having HIV? My husband was recently diagnosed, and isn't on meds; his viral load is 650,000 and his CD4 is 659. I'm taking Androgel for depression, fatigue and low libido. My dose was recently increased from 5 mg/day to 10 mg/day, but within a couple weeks all the symptoms came back. What now? Off the Beaten Trail If someone with HIV spits on the ground and I breathe in while I'm walking past it, could I get HIV too? Terrorists gave me an HIV-like disease, but I'm feeling much better now that I'm taking HAART.
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