People With Kaiser Update

People With Kaiser Update

Being Alive; August 1996
Greg Blakeney

Yes, PWK is still here! Though we haven't made a contribution to this newsletter for a while, we plan on printing updates more regularly from now on.

This summer's Quarterly Forum was held on July 15. The theme was "What is the new standard of care?" According to Dr. Paul Turner, new standards will be created shortly and will be distributed regionwide. Though Kaiser attempts to keep a standard of care in place, research and treatments are changing so fast that it is practically impossible to keep it up-to-date. Dr. Turner did suggest members should have viral load tests done every 8-10 weeks. He also said that an antiviral regimen should bring the viral load count to an "undetectable" level or at minimum reduce the baseline value by .5 log (or 3-fold) to be considered successful.

Dr. Turner also presented several new items of interest to Kaiser members. Internal Medicine is trying to add a position for a Case Manager who can ensure treatment efforts are coordinated between the HIV clinic and speciality departments. Nevirapine (the first non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor) will be available to Kaiser members sometime in late August. Kaiser now offers ganciclovir implants and cidofovir (Vistide) as treatments for CMV. And a new clinical study for KS using a topical gel has begun at Kaiser, although entry requirements are fairly restrictive.

At the July task force meeting, it was suggested that all members planning to apply for SSDI immediately begin keeping a daily journal of symptoms. It is best if this journal is witnessed by someone close to further verify its validity. Social Security has been very strict allowing benefits to people with AIDS. People With Kaiser meets monthly on the third Saturday at Being Alive in Silverlake. The next PWK meeting is scheduled for Saturday, August 17, from 2 to 4 pm.

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This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1996. AEGIS.