Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
Worry drug switch can spark reccurence of my lymphoma!
May 3, 2003
Ten years ago I had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). My CD4 count was in the 800's. Treated with CHOP chemotherapy and radiation and returned to work 8/93.
In the Spring of 1995 I became very fatigued, CD4 cells remained high & viral load was over 9 million.
Crixivan, Zerit, and 3TC came along to save me soon after
Neuropathy and lipodystrophy were constant companions as well as fatique. My CD4 cells have remained in the 600-800 range all these years and my viral load was all over the place; 400 in the beginning, 13K and 20K for a few years, 80K a few times, then only 4500 right before I switched earlier this year.
I switched to Sustiva, Ziagen and Viread and kept the 3TC. Having problems with Sustiva so starting Nivirapine today to replace it in 2 weeks.
I just freaked out reading your column. Do you think its possible that the PI class (perhaps Crixivan) conveyed some sort of protection from NHL - possibly making the virus less fit - less able to cause a NHL again (my doc and I have mused about this over the years). I am surprised to read about people with VL of 70 and T cells of 400 getting NHL.
Also I volunteer for an AIDS hotline in NYC and have heard stories of people who switched from mid-90's combinations, achieved viral suppression and yet got NHL again. I'm getting scared. It took me 5 years to recover the first time! Any thoughts - even random ones appreciated?
Thank you - this is such valuable work.
Frank
Advertisement
Response from Dr. Dezube
Dear Frank, Your original lymphoma was 10 years ago. It would be most unusual, though not impossible, for this lymphoma to recur so late. I obviously can not give you any guarantee. You are concerned that switching classes of HIV drugs can spark recurrence of your lymphoma. I am not aware of any data which would suggest that this could or might occur. I personally have switched most of my lymphoma patients to the newer regimens given their improved tolerability and ease of administration. So, in short, if your health provider feels that a class switch is in your best interest, I would go for it. Even if, heaven forbid, that your lymphoma were to recur, I would find it hard to believe that it is related to the class switch.
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
E-Mail
Glossary
Share
Response from Dr. Dezube
