•  HIV TREATMENT

In HIV Lingo, When Does "Treatment Naive" Become "Treatment Experienced"?
I've been taking HIV meds for two years now, but I'm still on the same regimen I started with. Does that make me "treatment naive" or "treatment experienced"? What does it actually mean to become treatment experienced -- if I am, do I need to change my regimen or my medication doses?


The New Drug Pipeline and Drug Resistance
I keep hearing that there are many HIV drugs in development, yet only one has been approved this year. What's going on? Will any of these new drugs work against people with drug-resistant HIV?


When an Old HIV Treatment Regimen Starts to Fail
I've been taking the same regimen -- 3TC (lamivudine, Epivir) + d4T (stavudine, Zerit) + saquinavir (Invirase) -- since 1997. It worked well until a couple of years ago, when my CD4 count began to drop and my viral load began to rise. Still, other than some facial wasting, I'm doing pretty well. Should I consider changing or stopping treatment?


Going From Four HIV Meds to Three
Would it be dangerous for me to change from a four-drug HIV treatment regimen to a three-drug regimen? My health insurance coverage has changed its drug payment plan, and I can no longer afford all four of my meds. My viral load is undetectable and my CD4 count is over 800. If it is safe to cut one of my meds, how do I decide which should go?


Kaletra + Truvada: A Good Regimen?
Can Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) + Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) be prescribed as a first-line treatment regimen? I noticed it wasn't a preferred regimen in the U.S. health department's treatment guidelines; does that mean I can't use it?

•  FAT LOSS & WASTING

Special notice: Want a rundown of the latest advice and research on lipoatrophy (fat loss)? Click here to read all of the questions and answers from The Body's live chat on lipoatrophy with prominent HIV specialist Dr. Joel Gallant, which took place on Nov. 1!


Recovering Fat After Stopping d4T
I switched off of d4T (stavudine, Zerit) four months ago, and I've already seen some of my fat loss reverse itself -- particularly in my hands, legs and butt. What are the chances that I could completely return to my pre-d4T appearance?


One Person's Story: Silicone Injections as an Alternative to Sculptra
Although my dermatologist offers Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid, New-Fill) as a facial wasting treatment, I went with a cheaper alternative: micro droplet silicone injections. My experience went extremely well, so I wanted to share it with anyone who might be interested.


Treatment for Wasting Syndrome: Serostim, Testosterone and T-20
My doctor has diagnosed me with AIDS-related wasting; I've lost 120 pounds over the past eight months, have a high viral load and a low CD4 count. I'm already taking testosterone, but my doctor wants to add Serostim (somatropin) injections. Is it OK to take both at the same time? Can you tell me what I can expect in terms of side effects? Lastly, I also take T-20 (enfuvirtide, Fuzeon); do I need to be cautious about injecting Serostim and T-20 in the same area?

•  MENTAL HEALTH & HIV

Can HIV Damage the Brain, Regardless of Treatment?
I just read about a study that found HIV could attack the brain even if a person is taking HIV meds. How true is this?


The HIV/Dementia Link
How does HIV actually cause dementia?

•  OTHER HIV-RELATED HEALTH ISSUES

Are HIV Meds Worsening My High Blood Pressure?
I've suffered from high blood pressure since I was a teenager; when I reached my 30s, I started taking medications to lower it. At 37, I was diagnosed with HIV, and 10 years later I began taking HIV medications. Since then, my blood pressure has climbed significantly and has been hard to keep under control. What can I do?


Treatment for Low Hemoglobin: Which Comes First, an Iron-Rich Diet or Procrit?
My husband's hemoglobin count has dropped sharply since he started taking hepatitis C treatment half a year ago. He can't do anything involving motion for more than five minutes without running out of breath and having heart palpitations. He has a stressful job that involves a lot of travel, and I'm afraid he's going to collapse anytime now! A nurse has recommended we try to correct this with an iron-rich diet, and then consider starting Procrit (epoetin alfa) if the diet doesn't work. What do you think?

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