Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. Hello. I'm a 33 year old healthy HIV+ male. I recently went through Shingles and Ramsey-Hunt Syndrome 6 months ago. I am still feeling the effects of the Ramsey-Hunt Syndrome to this day, but, luckily can feel the symptons subsiding.
My question: When I developed Shingles, I was let go by my employer at the time. I now have no insurance and live in the Virgin Islands (US). I wish to try homeopathic medicine and herbs to help my HIV. Even through the shingles, my CD4 count stayed at about 450. My viral load remained undetectable. I have 3 weeks left of medicine. Please send me some info regarding herbal treatments and homeopathic medicine with respect to HIV. I will lean on this until my insurance kicks in. The Virgin Islands are not as progressive as the U.S. and it is even hard to find a doctor, that is why I think this may be the best idea.
Thank you
Ross Slotten, M.D.
Klein and Slotten Medical Associates
Private Practice in Family Medicine
With a special interest in HIV disease
Sorry to hear that your insurance will lapse soon and that you'll be living in a place that doesn't provide access to HIV meds. I wish I could put in a plug for herbal therapies, but I'm not aware of any that have been proven to be beneficial in the treatment of HIV disease. In the era before the development of potent meds, people often sought alternative therapies, with disappointing results. Since the advent of potent anti-HIV therapies, herbal medicines are far less popular, at least for the treatment of HIV disease. In my opinion, it would be better to take nothing than to spend what money you have on ineffective therapies. Another option would be to remain in the United States, where you could continue to get your medications through ADAP, the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which was designed for people like you in mind. Moreover, many states, especially those with large urban centers, have government funded clinics that can also provide primary health care to the indigent or uninsured. I would seriously reconsider going to the Carribbean at this time...
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