Friday February 6, 1998 Part 2 15 Messages ====================================== From: AskforArt@aol.com Date sent: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 13:14:00 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: New HIV drug combo Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hello, everyone--The following article was published in the Sacramento Bee today(Feb. 6) Drug shows promise against aids Cheap medication could be boon for many,doctors say Los Angeles Times Chicago-Researchers in Los Angeles and Washington have identified what may be the first inexpensive AIDS drug, a finding that could have major importance for the 50 percent of HIV-positive Americans not receiving treatment because of its cost. They also say that the drug, used in conjunction with two other AIDS drugs, has induced what may be a permanent remission in three HIV-positive patients who have now gone for more than a year without treatment. Although experts are skeptical about remission claims, many are impressed by reported successes with the drug, hydroxyurea, and are incorporating it into their own treatment regimens. "It seems to make other drugs work better," said Dr. Paul Volberding of the University of California, San Francisco. Researchers think the drug works so well because HIV cannot develop resistance to it. They also believe it lessens chances of HIV resistance to other AIDS drugs. Hydroxyurea has been used for more than two decades in the treatment of leukemia. It was approved recently for the treatment of sickle cell disease. Researchers first noticed its beneficial effects while treating leukemia patients who were HIV-positive, according to Dr. Jeffrey E. Galpin of the Sherman Oaks Hospital Research Institute in Los Angeles. Dr. Franco Lori studied hydroxyurea in the laboratory at the National Insitiutes of Health and concluded it seemed to enhance the effects of the AIDS drug ddI *( that's suppossed to be a capital "i")*, also known as didanosine. Didaosine is one of a class of drugs called reverse transcriptase inhibitors, which block an enzyme that HIV uses to reproduce its genetic material in a host cell. The drugs tend to lose their effectiveness within a few months, however, because HIV mutates rapidly and develops resistance to them. Hydroxyurea acts on the same cells to supress the formation of the chemical building blocks that reverse transcriptase uses. The virus suffers a double whammy--its key reproductive enzyme is blocked directly and indirectly. Galpin reported here at the fifth Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunitic Infections that a combination of hydoxyurea, ddI and another reverse transcriptase inhibitor called d4T reduced that level of HIV in the blood of 42 patients below dectable levels. Freed from the impact of the viruses, the patients' immune systems began to recuperate. Lori presented similar results Thursday in 42 HIV-posistive patients treated with the three-drug combination. He also found successful suppression of the virus in 24 newly-infected patients who were treated with hydroxyurea, ddI and indinavir. And because hydroyurea affects cells rather than the virus, HIV cannot develop resistance to its effects, he said. The drug is inexpensive--no more than $30 per month, Galpin said, compared to the $1300 monthly cost of the combination of protease inhibitors and reverse transcriptase inhibitorss that are currently the gold standard for therapy. It is not yet clear whether hydroxyurea could replace protease inhibitors in long-term therapy, or whether they would have to be used in combination. ******************************************************************** ************ I live 35 miles from University of California at Davis, where they have a Veterinary Teaching facility-- they also do research and clinical trials. I'm only 85 miles from UCSF, where Dr. Volberding did his research. If any of you have any ideas on how we could put together a clinical trial of these drug combos for Felv, please pass on any ideas or comments to me. I think this sounds promising, and would like to try, with your help, to get some kind of study done. Linda P in Sacramento P.S. A candle has been lit for Benny, and my husband and I are praying for his recovery. -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 06 Feb 1998 13:22:25 -0500 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: "Michele R. Smeal" Subject: Re: Please read!!-BENNY Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nancy: You ar a specail lady and you could be so right, maybe my boy Ben just needs this other transfusion to get him system going. Thank you so much. I love him. Michele& Benny -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 12:38:09 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Your home page Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Barb, I finally accessed your home page. It is WONDERFUL! I just love it. Is Merlin all black or is he the one with a belly of a little white and his chest too? My Jake is small too, although not quite as small as Merlin and he's all black. I have 7 cats--2 tabbies, 3 black cats, 1 black and whiTe Tuxedo cat named Precious and One beautiful tiny little black, white, gray mix named Little Bit. Anyways, I just had to share my appreciation of your page--the denial of having so many is so true--I just roared! I am going to print out your pages. They are great!!!!! Nancy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 06 Feb 1998 14:58:53 -0500 From: albobo To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Dana Crow Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dana, Will you please email me privately - I have tried to send you a post and it keeps coming back to me. Thanks. Email is albobo@worldnet.att.net Kathy G and the 3 Furries in Daytona Beach =^.^= - Rusty =^.^= - Smokey =^.^= - Money See us at: http://cgi.gambitsys.com/homey/webdoc5.htm The Cat: Mother Nature's Masterpiece! -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 06 Feb 1998 16:08:38 -0500 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: "Michele R. Smeal" Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net This may help some of you . http://www.catdoc.com/cornell.html Or go to Netscape and type under search engine Yahoo and type in sick cat I will keep you ALL posted early am, remember to pray for him. I wish this transfusion would work, I would do anything to just have my kitty back and get healthy. Michele & Benny Michele R. Smeal mrb2@psu.edu 107 Ritenour Bldg. University Health Services Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA 16802 (814) 865-6557 Have you hugged your pet today?????!!!!!! Love an animal today....they depend on you.... unconditional love guaranteed.............. -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 06 Feb 1998 16:09:28 -0500 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: "Michele R. Smeal" Subject: Re: New HIV drug combo Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Thanks for the lit candle...you guys are the best. I know I'm going to start crying. Michele -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 06 Feb 1998 16:14:06 -0500 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: "Michele R. Smeal" Subject: Re: Please read!!-BENNY Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Thank you Nancy...I will run that by Bob or the Dr. who is on tonight. Michele -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator@aol.com Date sent: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 17:34:20 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Barb Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Michele, There is no good answer on how to deal with this stress and pain. All we can do is pray and keep you and Benny in our thoughts. Sometimes, we just have to admit to ourselves that we have done what we can do. It is hard, I know, I have been there twice with my cats and over the last 6 years have lost 5 dogs. The dogs were old, the cats were not. I now have my last Standard Poodle, Abby, who is going to be 14 in April. I used to raise and show them and had 6 at one time. Whether they were old or young, the pain is still there. Slightly easier to deal with when they are 16, but not much. Hold him, love him and if the time comes, be with him. Don't be afraid to cry, it helps. I wish I could say something more, but nothing will help really. Know that you have done and are doing all that can be done. As humans, there is nothing more we can do than that. Barb -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 06 Feb 1998 14:44:57 -0800 From: Dana Crow Organization: Magical Moments Preschool To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Please read!!-BENNY Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hang in there Michelle, I am sure this is so difficult for you & for Benny. But, you need to keep yourself healthy as well to be able to handle what ever comes your way. You are your cat's voice & only you will be able to know how far to go. I really believe that if you "listen" to Benny he will let you know what is best for him. He is so luckky to have such a great Mom!! My fingers are crossed for you both & I hope & pray that maybe theu all our info, that other people won't have to go thru what you are right now. Who knows, Maybe Benny will be a huge factor in the cure for this ##*&#*#*awful disease. Thinking of you, Dana -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator@aol.com Date sent: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 17:52:29 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Your home page Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nancy, Thanks for the kind words about my page. The black with the white bib is Ariel, who, by the way, is also felv positive, as is the tabby and the black and white one on the recliner, on his back. Merlin is the little guy at the end. A very baby picture of him, I have taken some more recent ones but don't have them developed yet. I have quite an assortment. two short hair tabby, 3 torties, a calico, 5 black, (one is long hair) 2 long haired tabby, one is polydactel, a tuxedo cat, two siamese, one blue and one seal and a black and white. whew. barb -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 06 Feb 1998 18:28:10 -0500 From: Brad To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Benny Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Michele, With a tear in my eye, I will keep Benny in my prayers, esp. tonight. Be strong and Keep your chin up. Kelly, 'Storm' 'Beast' & 'Wuzzy' -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 06 Feb 1998 18:33:41 -0500 From: Brad To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Benny Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Michele, Just read another e from you. Should something happen to Benny remember 2 things...he is in a happy place and he will always be with you even in spirit. My 'Satch' was killed in October and I still find myself talking to him as if he is still here. Call me crazy...but I know I sometimes feel him jump on the bed at night; because when I look there isn't any cat there. But we will all keep you and Benny in our prayers tonight (and always). I don't think I ever pray as hard as I do when one of my 'babies' is sick. Again, be strong and keep your chin up...Kelly -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 06 Feb 1998 19:02:56 -0500 From: Brad To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: DMG Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dr. Myers and all, My 2 little ones 'Beast' & 'Storm' are on the DMG tabs (50 mg/daily). They are both FeLV + & asymptomatic FIP. Should I be giving my 5 yr old healthy cat the same supplements. Currently I am. But it occurred to me tonight I might be doing more harm than good. Also, is Pedialyte good for kittens/cats? Since 'Beast' was dehydrated last week, I am frantic about it happening agian, so I thought adding electrolytes to his water might be good. Any thoughts? Thanks, Kelly -------------------------------------- From: "Cheri Gardiner" To: Subject: Re: Barb Date sent: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 18:14:11 -0600 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Michele, Am so sorry to hear about Benny. Please know we are all praying for you and Benny. Cheri, Miss Kitty & Chaz -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 06 Feb 1998 16:41:52 -0800 From: Dana Crow Organization: Magical Moments Preschool To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Spreading the word Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Just got back from the vet's office. They are very interested in this mailing list & had no idea it existed. Of course we can not expect all vets to spend as much time & effort into our cause as Dr. Meyers but it would be great if we could get a few more here on line. At least they maybe able to find a few mins every few days to hear about some of the methods of treatments being used & how. They have such busy practices & only so much time to keep abreast of new research . I hope we can in time see more DMV imput. Dana p.S. Thinking of you constantly, Michelle & sweet little Benny!! -------------------------------------- END OF PART 2: See Part 3 at: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/9802063.txt