There must be some out there. If so it would be interesting to know what treatment they recieve from the ID's that treat them? Do they get long term IV etc?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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I wondered this, too, as most doctors who treat HIV are a cut above the rest and very interested in learning.
Most HIV patients are on combined oral treatment, a "cocktail" of anti-viral treatments and immune support. Many also incorporate nutritional supplements.
You might check out an HIV site. You might also ask at one of your local HIV support groups - the leaders of those groups might be able to suggest a particular doctor if they know of a client who is being treated for both.
It is likely, though, that an HIV doctor would not be able to treat patients who did not have HIV as either primary or secondary dx. You'd have to ask about that.
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Posted by ldfighter (Member # 9405) on :
Interesting question. Also there's talk of the relationship between syphilis and AIDS, I wonder how that's treated too.
I have worried about this issue, since the last thing HIV patients need is another immune-compromised illness.
I think it would be a good idea to check with your local AIDS organizations and let them know about Lyme/co's.
One thing, tho - it took a while for the AIDS movement to get meds and now I think they have them. So that should give us hope that we too are going to be able to get stopgap combos in the future.
Posted by Starfall1969 (Member # 17353) on :
This is an interesting question.
I've also wondered about any correlation or misdiagnosis between the two, because some people have suggested I get tested for HIV.
I have refused that because I have never been in any of the risk groups--only 1 sexual partner, no IV drugs, no blood transfusions.
But I can imagine if someone did have both, they'd likely be quite a bit more vulnerable to infection and likely sicker than most.
Posted by JKMMC09 (Member # 15795) on :
I've found AIDS docs. are very open to the idea of Lyme. The Immmunologist I take my daughter too is an AIDS researcher. He said he believes in the chronicity of Lyme disease.
I know I've read reports of AIDS patients with Babesiosis, so they must have had Lyme too, right? In the article I know if, only the babesiosis treatment is talked about though.
Posted by yanivnaced (Member # 13212) on :
I read somewhere that those who convert to full blown AIDS and deteriorate are those that are coinfected with the Treponema Pallidum spirochete (Syphilis). Just like Bb, the Syphilis bacterium produces false negatives on Western Blots, and is a relapsing illness.
Just like with Lyme there is a misconception that Syphilis can be cured with a short course of Penicillin.
Now, if somebody with Lyme were to contract the HIV, then it's game over. Bb is several times more evolved and virulent than its cousin Syphilis.
Posted by yanivnaced (Member # 13212) on :
From my above post you can postulate that those Lyme patients who are really sick and can't seem to get better are actually coinfected with some virus that is acting in synergy with Bb. Maybe not HIV but something similar.
I wonder how many Lyme patients are taking anti-viral medications in addition to ABX. Might be interesting to see how people respond.
It might be worthwhile to try some available anti-HIV herbs: Arctium lappa L., Viola yedoensis, Andrographis paniculata, Lithospermum erythrorhizon, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Epimedium grandiflorum, Lonicera japonica, Woodwardia unigemmata, Senecio scandens, Coptis chinensis, Prunella vulgaris.