A question for Dr Hunter only

[samus88]

Hello doctor,
This is one of the conversations we had

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/hiv-question/show/1505063#post_6837642

I am an ocd patient,diagnosed also with hypochondria recently...
I am doing very well now,my medicines have been changed which i have been taking since the age of 15,im 23 now...
i am meditating aswell,doing yoga...and i quit smoking since last year,haven't been drinking for months too,overall im feeling healthy and mentally strong...my last protected sexual encounter was in late may 2011 i think, i havent had any sexual activity since then either and i am okay with that... after that i tested at the 4 week,78th day and  83rd day mark. The method was CMIA ,machine was: Architect-State of the Art Machine ,Company:Abbot
The lab website says they have many abbot machines and i think it is: Architect i 2000sr,not sure but it is Architect.
The results were non reactive,the counts did increase from 0.17 , 0.26 to 0.28 though.

I am fighting OCD every day,but their is a thought that is disturbing me and since i trust you and your experience and knowledge i thought i should get your opinion on this...

The medications i earlier used since the age of 15 every day were :

Zyprexa(Olanzapine) 5 to 10 mg Paxil, (Paroxetine) 10 to 20 mg, Kempro(Procyclidine HCL) 5 mg, Ativan(Lorazepam), 1 mg Zyrtec(Cetirizine) and GNC mega men multivitamin.

Now since 6 months i have stopped using these medicines, i feel fresh,healthy,physically and mentally strong aswell,and most importantly i haven't gotten sick since 6 months too, no throat infections or flu or fever... earlier with my old medications it was a routine to get sick every month since years...one more thing is that its been an year my weight has fallen from 73,75 kgs to 67,68,69 kgs no matter how much  eat...however it doesnot drop further below 67 kg since an year now,which is also reassuring for me as in a serious disease weight continues to fall and doesnot just stop at one time.

[samus88]

Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

1.  Correct, there are no data to suggest that the drugs you list would, in any way, suppress your immune system or modify your test results.  this statement includes your current drugs.  

2.  See above.  Again, these drugs would not effect your immune system or test results.

3.  Same answer. these antibiotics would not effect your immune response to HIV, nor your test results.  Late seroconversion is an internet myth. It does not exist to any meaningful degree.

EWH

[samus88]

Alright thankyou for your prompt reply and i am sorry if i offended you in any way...
1)So the idea in my head that these meds weakened my immune system is totally absurd ,right?  

2)also i know i shouldn't be asking but i can't help but asking that do you know about each of the six medicines i mentioned above and that individually or combined together they are in no way related to weakening immune system or late development of antibodies or need to test beyond 6 months?
Then why was i getting sick for years so much an year and since the change of meds not even once in 6 months?

3)Finally one more thing i thought i should ask you since i have a chance is that i used azithromycin and Levofloxacin(both antibiotics) a couple of times during the 3 month period of exposure and testing...these meds individually or in combination with the medicines above are not related to late seroconversion?

Finally just thought i should inform that my new meds are

flupentixol,clomipramine and clobazam

Kindly answer 1,2 and 3

Thanks,Regards

Take Care

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I am sorry, you do not get to choose who answers your questions.  As you know, Dr. Handsfield and I share the forum.  You got me.  FYI, the reason we share the forum is because we have worked together for nearly 30 years and while our verbiage styles vary, we have never disagreed on management strategies or advice to clients.

Further, as you point out, you have not followed the rules for the Forum which are rules you are aware of.  Rather than make you re-state your question however, I will address it.  The bottom line is that the results from your 84 day test are definitive and should be believed. The Abbott Architect system is a state of the art, 4th generation combination HIV p24.HIV antibody testing system which provides reliable test results at 4 weeks following an exposure.  Your results are definitive and your concerns about a possible weakened immune system in no way change this.  Believe the test results.

Finally, with respect to your weight loss, there is no reason to attribute this to HIV - your anxiety/OCD could contribute, so could any number of other medical problems., In contrast, in the first few years after infection, HIV is NOT associated with weight loss. You should not worry that your weight loss is a reflection of HIV.

I hope this comment is helpful Take care. EWH

[samus88]

this not getting sick and no more weight dropping is a good thing for me,
however the thought i am getting is that the combination of these earlier meds over all these years made my immune system very weak over the years and since i stopped these meds i am not getting sick, so with a weakened immune system maybe antibodies may have appeared a bit late and i need to test again beyond the 84 day mark,maybe beyond the 6 month mark ... what do you have to say about that, kindly take a look at each of the meds i wrote above ,the combination and give your opinion on my doubt/question...
And sorry for the excess length,i know you are very particular about length of posts so i apologize,but i trust you completely and your knowledge hence i wanted to say everything.
Thanks and best Regards