Keywords: Therastim,
abrasion, laceration, PRN, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, Candida esophagitis,
AZT+ddI/placebo, Bactrim, Clarithromycin/placebo, rifabutin/placebo, fatigue, nausea,
anorexia, tachycardia, Mycobacterium avium, Cytomegalovirus,
"T'-cell, toxicities.
Carol A. Mesard, RN.
2810 Utica street
Denver, CO 85212
303-455-8338
March 23, 1995
To Whom it May Concern:
I am writing on behalf of PhysioDynamics to suggest that Therastim is an important new
treatment modality deserving of funding and research.
As a Research Associate with a community-based Clinical Research Program, I have been
involved in clinical drug trials for AIDS patients in. the Denver Metro area for the past
five years.
The patient population with CD4 cell counts under 200 present challenges to the
clinicians. Much of the care is dictated by actual "T'-cell count; antiretroviral
therapy is initiated along with Pneumocystis prevention treatment at 2 00 CD4/cmm.
When T-cells drop under 100, we begin considering prevention therapy for Mycobacterium
avium: complex and Cytomegalovirus. Other manifestations that signal devastating
opportunistic infections and malignancies loom large anti make clinicians feel as if we
lie in wait to add yet another handful of pills to the regime. This approach is western
medicine's often successful answer to disease control. Along with this approach and added
medications are the considerations of drug interactions and toxicities.
I, for one, find this approach frustrating and exclusionary. As a participant of a
national Alternative Treatment Caucus for the past. 3 years, my philosophy and approach to
health is a more expansive one trat takes into consideration quality of life, disease
prevention, wellness maintenance, and the utilization of western pharmacology complimented
by alternative treatments.
In the usual two to three year course of a clinical study, we watch our patients
dwindle, maintain, rally sometimes, than begin an irreversible decline with eventual
death. Last year, however, there was an exception to this unfortunate scenario. A cheerful
young man of 34 years old, named Lee. He had been a multiple study participant since 1992,
soon after becoming aware of his HIV status. At that time his T-cell count was 54, his
history included two AIDS defining illnesses; Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and Candida
esophagitis. His physician had described him as "cachectic appearing". The
course of sturdy medications include AZT+ddI/placebo, Bactrim, Clarithromycin/placebo+
rifabutin/placebo. Lee suffered with fatigue, nausea, anorexia, tachycardia, and appeared
to lye declining before our eyes. In April of 94, Lee became a patient at PhysioDynamics.
Gary 'Thomas and Carl Weseman administered Therastim treatments thrice weekly until
August, then twice weekly until December and currently Lee receives PRN treatments to
maintain his level of wellness.
I have been truly amazed and heartened by the positive change I have seen in Lee over
the past year. His overall vitality of life has been enhanced and this is documented by
his 5 pound weight gain, his voracious appetite, and his energy level which rivals that of
any non HIV infected person. He hasn't experienced any opportunistic infections in the
past year and remarks to me that if he gets a cold, an abrasion or laceration they heal
quickly.
Now, having seen the remarkable effects of Therastim, I frequently refer patients (with
the consent of their physicians) to Gary Thomas and Carl Weseman. These two gentlemen are
professionals who have such faith and commitment in their treatment modality, I have found
it inspiring as well as exciting to collaborate with them. They are always interested in
the new clients I refer to them and appreciate the particular individual challenge that
each patient represents.
As we all know, anecdotal evidence can be impressive but, one patient responding well
does not necessarily mean that efficacy is generalizable. I am suggesting it is important
to investigate this treatment in a controlled research study.
Sincerely,
Carol Mesard, R.N.
Phone: 436-7192
Pager: 8559-9089
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