Ask Dr. Kaiser

Question:

I have been HIV+ since 1991. I've had no symptoms & have not had
any therapy. My t-cell count is at 328 and VL @ 35,000+. I am hesitating in taking any drugs due to the side effects and horror stories that some can cause the disease to progress. (I'm from L.A., and I have seen many of my friends deteriorate and eventually die after starting on meds). I am a 35 yr old white female and my husband and I want to have a child together. This is another reason why I am reluctant in starting medical treatment. I know I am on the borderline state as far as my T cell count and viral load is concerned. My last count was a month ago and prior to that in 2002. T Cells have remained the same with the exception of my VL doubling. Should I be concerned? I take real good care of myself, I juice daily, drink lots of botanical juices, carrots, eat garlic etc. I take care of GI tract and exercise and get plenty of rest. I also believe that ones state of mind and peace within is a vital component of ones health. My husband has some concern with my VL, therefore suggests treatment, but everything inside me tells me to avoid drug therapy all together.

There is much word also about Oxygen blood wash (Ozone) treatment, and Hydrogine Peroxide treatment, (which consists of taking a bath early during the day in 1 pint 3% hydrogine peroxide, or drinking it by diluting it with water.

I'm a bit overwhelmed with making a final decision, should I or should I not start on the meds?

Dr. Kaiser replies:

I sympathize with your dilemma. Since your CD4 count is
in the low 300 range, you are on the borderline as far as looking to start antiviral medication. Your viral load of 35,000 is not as large a concern as you think. Many of my patients have remained stable for years with viral loads in that range.

The most important component to this decision is your desire to get
pregnant. If you would like your future child to avoid becoming HIV(+), the evidence is overwhelming that you would need to take antiviral medication throughout your pregnancy, at least after the first trimester.

That issue aside, I support many of the things you are currently doing. You didn't mention what your vitamin program is, however. If you go to the vitamin section of my website (www.K-PAX.com), you can view the exact formula that I am currently recommending and have had excellent success with. My recent placebo-controlled research study showed that this formula provided the study patients with an average 26% rise in their CD4 counts over just 12 weeks.

My experience with intravenous ozone therapy is that it can cause more harm than good and therefore I recommend that you steer clear of it. 3% hydrogen peroxide as an external bath (diluted) can't cause any harm but taking it internally, in my opinion, is not a good idea.

Good luck with your program. I also hope that you realize that with all of the antiviral treatment options available, using these medications for a few years at a time can provide your CD4 count with a big boost without significant side effects or toxicity. Good luck!

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