Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ucla-cs!news From: marco@ozdaltx.UUCP (Steve Giammarco) Newsgroups: sci.med.aids Subject: Re: T4 counts and trials Message-ID: <1991Feb13.235338.16363@cs.ucla.edu> Date: 13 Feb 91 18:43:16 GMT References: <1991Feb12.164134.3900@cs.ucla.edu> Sender: news@cs.ucla.edu (Shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU News Account) Organization: AIDS INFO EXCG/OZ BBS - Dallas, TX Lines: 42 Approved: phil@wubios.wustl.edu Note: non-commercial reproduction. Nntp-Posting-Host: squid.cs.ucla.edu Archive-Number: 3018 In article <1991Feb12.164134.3900@cs.ucla.edu>, The.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org (The "Bird") writes: > I have been wanting to ask this question for many months. Many studies require > t4 counts above 400 or a similar number. My blood reports from National Health > Labs indicates a NORMAL t4 count range to be 400-1500. > > Since I got AIDS (PCP) my t4 count has never been higher than 97 and is > probably non-existant by now. Can someone please explain to me what the hell > good are trials for people who DO NOT HAVE AIDS since their t4 counts preclude > that diagnosis? Have we who are t4 celless just been written off? A couple of things popped into mind here. Caution sez I should remind everyone that the next few statements are regarding the activity known as SCIENCE and has nothing to do with my opinions about compassionate use of *any* drug. (1) It's kinda hard to tell if one's T-cells (T4 or CD4) are improving while using a particular drug with an absolute count of less than 400. MD's tell me that such counts can vary as much as 200 points over a period of several hours, *especially* in someone fighting a viral infection. Higher T-cell populations can show up or downward trends if you "smooth" the math of daily variations. (2) Lots of today's drugs have unknown side effects. If someone who is constitutionally and clinically ill is given such a drug, the result may be to further destabilize an already touchy situation. Drug side effects can be an unwanted stressor on immune and other body systems. Scientists are starting to rethink the model that says "Let's give 'em the biggest dose we can until they get sick." Use of Alpha Interferon was one of those drugs that shed some light on this mode of thinking. NOTE: I believe that *anyone* can be given *any* drug as long as they are informed of the consequences if side effects are known, and if unknown, informed of the consequences that drugs of this class usually are. If you are big enough to choose the drug, then you must be big enough to accept the consequences, good or bad. This is where the *cure* can be worse than the *disease*. -- Steve Giammarco 5330 Peterson Ln #1211 Dallas TX 75240 214.788.0976 AIDS Resource Center 4012 Cedar Springs Rd Dallas TX 75219 214.521.5124 X.400(C:USA A:Western Union N:Steve Giammarco D:ELN-62847823) Easylink:62847823 {mic,void,egsner}!ozdaltx!marco || {uunet,smu,ames}!sulaco!ozdaltx!marco