HIV Support Group

I'm not sure if you would know anything about this, but...

If someone has Lupus and then contracts HIV.. because both have almost opposite effects, could the HIV help control the Lupus?

Medications for Lupus such as hydrocortisone and some immunosuppresants would be bad for HIV because the HIV will also be suppressing the immune system. So would a Lupus sufferer see a reduction in Lupus related symproms such as arthritis as their CD4 count is reduced?

Wow great question. It's a little out of my field but this is what I know.

With lupus, the immune system can’t tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then makes antibodies directed against itself. These antibodies cause inflammation, pain and damage in various parts of the body. Therefore they prescribe corticosteroids like hydrocortisone for its anti-inflammatory properties.

The problem with corticosteroids is that as you mentioned, it may lower your resistance to infections. The other issue we have with corticosteroids is that some of the side effects mimic the “tell your doctor immediately” side effects of some HIV meds, ex. Combivir has a potential to cause bone marrow problems and you should notify your doctor if you experience unusual fatigue, pale skin, sore throat, fever, or chills all common side effects of cortico’s.

You seem so well schooled on this issue and I apologize if I gave you a very elementary answer, but having these 2 states concurrently is a balancing act.

ive been saying for a long time, that for all the money they make on these drugs, there is no reason that a prescription cant come with a FULL HISTORY OF EVERYTHING from the design, research, problems, side effects, the whole nine yards, but more importantly,

WRITTEN SO A THIRD GRADER CAN UNDERSTAND EVERY SINGLE BIT OF IT...

it's not rocket science to explain to someone what a dna chain terminator is...

and how lethal they are. how irresponsibly they are being used in hiv care.

if they can spend 2 cents to make a bottle of xanax, five cents to make a bottle of prozac, and then charge someone 250 DOLLARS FOR IT,... there is no reason they cant foot the bill for a tell-ALL booklet, pictures included...

this isnt rocket science. it's crime.

I had unprotected sex with my HIV + wife for more than 5 years before we found out she was positive. I am negative and question is this:
Is there something unique about my DNA, blood or my immune system that prevented me from getting it OR was I just lucky?

What do you think?

What gets me is why they sell the SAME drug (brand name) in other countries for one tenth the price. I have a patient that flies to INDIA to get 6 months worth of meds. He says it is cheaper to fly there, stay several nights and fly back then it is to buy his meds here (go figa).

dwh
I am not an expert at all in that field. It is my humble opinion that you were just lucky. As you know the potential for a male to female transmission is higher than female to male. I have not studied or heard about DNA or an immune system that that is not vulnerable. Again, it is my humble opinion that you were lucky but I urge you to be safe.

I think it's really great that you've come here to offer any help you might be able to. I can totally see how people would be too embarrassed to ask any questions, and I think that having an anonymous forum like this would make it easier to get the information they need. Thanks for your offer of assistance. :o)

Thanks for your question, I'll bear in mind what you've said!

I've taken hydrocortisone for my joints in the past, when they get bad, (I have arthritis, especially in my jaw and knees) my HIV nurse said I should perhaps not take it again, just in case, but I should ask my doctor about the risks. Which I haven't done, because I'm too afraid to tell her I'm HIV positive.

It's great that people like you offer advice, like Momma2Girls said, anonymous help is always much easier. :)

Hi Tobias20:
1) Taking steroids for autoimmune disease may make HIV patients more susceptible to infection
2) The answer to your second great question is NO. Lupus patients (and other autoimmune disease) are not any better of when they have HIV as well...the inflammatory cytokines that cause the effects of autoimmune disease (sore joints, etc) are a result of cytokines released by B cells in addition to T cells, macrophages, etc. In fact the treatments we use now for lupus, RA, etc are antibodies against B cells...
hope that wasnt too detailed
3) To dwh the odds are actually for you NOT getting HIV from a partner. These is a study from UCSF in the 90's which showed transmission rates for married couples where one had HIV was actually quite low...less than 10%. Of course Id never advise not to be safe about it...
Dr O.

dwh - In my reading and meeting people on the internet, it seems that your story is more the rule than the exception. There are of course plenty of couples where both end up infected, but it seems very, very common for only one partner to be infected, even with unprotected sex for years.

I'm not an expert at all, this is just what I've observed over the past several months. I was so certain once we found out I was positive that my husband would be too - but he's not.

Fascinating, isn't it?