HIV Drugs Make You Sick and Can Kill You

by Liam Scheff

In 1998, Edmond McNack, a Missouri Sheriff’s Deputy, was bitten by a prisoner he was transporting. Both he and the prisoner were given HIV tests; both tested negative. It was determined that for safety’s sake, Edmond should take a “prophylactic” course of AIDS drugs (AZT plus 3TC). He did so, and lost 40 pounds in eight weeks. A nurse intervened and told him that he had to quit the drugs to save his life. Listen to his testimony on the Robert Scott Bell show.


He quit the drugs and his healthy improved, though he has suffered debilitating effects, including sarcoidosis, ever since. He had to quit his job and survive on disability. He has been on predisone to suppress the sarcoidosis; he has had two hip replacements. Prior to taking AIDS drugs, Edmond was an athlete and body-builder.

Edmond sought financial remuneration for the damage done to him by AIDS drugs. An AIDS expert in Colorado, Dr. Yasmine Wasfi (an instructor with National Jewish Hospital in Denver), was called upon to judge the merit of his claim. She decided that he couldn’t have been made sick by the drugs, because he was not HIV positive, thus there are no studies of the effects of these drugs in HIV negative people which could corroborate Edmond’s claim.

Final Award Denying Compensation:

“Dr. Friedlander admitted that the etiology of sarcoidosis is unknown; the manner of contraction of sarcoidosis is unknown; the causes of flare-ups of sarcoidosis are unknown; the HAART-sarcoidosis causal link is a gray area; and there are no known cases of HAART-induced sarcoidosis in an HIV-negative individual. When viewed in light of his testimony as a whole, Dr. Friedlander’s opinion that the HAART medications are the probable cause of the development of employee’s sarcoidosis symptoms is based upon speculation, guesswork, and surmise.” [LINK] [emphasis added]

One of three presiding judges dissented from the ruling:

Commissioner Hickey strongly dissented in Edmond McNack v. Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Inj. No.98-034419, in which the Commission affirmed Administrative Law Judge McKeon’s award and provided a supplemental opinion to express its rationale. In this case, the employee was bit by a prisoner, requiring him to undergo HIV prophylaxis. He subsequently developed sarcoidosis, the compensability of which was at issue here. The Commission weighed the testimony of two medical experts and found that the most credible and convincing evidence showed that there is not support for the proposition that the administration of HAART medications leads to the development of sarcoidosis in HIV-negative individuals. Commissioner Hickey’s dissent found that the testimony of the medical experts combined with other corroborating evidence made it reasonably probable that the employee’s sarcoidosis was caused by HAART medications. [LINK] [emphasis added]

Listen to his testimony on the Robert Scott Bell show. Click to Listen.

16 thoughts on “HIV Drugs Make You Sick and Can Kill You

  1. I would like to know why a case of this magnitude would be heard in front of the very people that he was seeking relief from.I do not know work comp law but this case sounds like a losing case from the start. First off the ALJ may be a liberal judge, but this sounds like she was not willing to make a ruling in the claimants favor simply because she places her very position in jepordy as being a judge who rules in the employee favor.

    When in fact this case appears to speak for itself #1 just because there were no case studies out on the affect of HARRT on HIV negative people but there were case studies done on HIV positive people that developed sarcoidosis after taking HARRT does not mean it could not happen in this individual.There is always a first. I do not believe all of the fault in this guys case falls completely on the medical community, yes the medical community did make a mistake by giving him the medication but the legal system should have made the right decision in compensating this police office for the damage that was done.

    I believe the ALJ was covering her (butt) because of the polictical atmosphere at the time which the republicains ruled. I believe that this case would have more than likely paid in the upper 6 figures if not a millon dollar case, so what reason would the ALJ have to rule in the claimaints favor when she works for the same entity and could have very well been protecting her position. It is unfortunate for this guy and his attorney that there is no one to look into the judges.Even though this Dr.Wasfi character did not have the gutts to come out and say that this guys sarcoidosis happened this way she basically covered her butt as well(and she got paid by who) exactly.

    Even though the burden of proof is placed on the claimant and his attorney you would have to have Judges who are going to take a serious look at cases such as this one and if a judge feels that he or she is not certain or sure enough in thier own ability to make the right decision maybe we the public should be allowed to hear such cases and make the final decesions(what a thought). My final thought is that this guy was royally screwed by the very system that he worked for and the very people that he put his life on the line to protect. Thank God I dont work for Jackson County Mo.

  2. Why would his case be put before the very people he worked for or was bringing a claim against.I would think by looking at the numbers that were on the work comp claim that the outcome would have been in the high six figures or a million dollar case and why would the County side with the claimant when they would have to pay such a large amount of money on this claim.The work comp Judge did make an error in judgement on this public servants case but was it on purpose was her position somehow placed in jepordy or was it because he is black.I have done some checking around and found that the appellant judges 2 republicans who ruled against the claimant and 1 democrat who just happen to be the dissenting Judge and the only one who makes the most sense to me.WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON IN THIS CASE IS IT RACIAL,POLITICAL OR BOTH.

  3. I am a lay person just reading this information and it is very clear to me that the Workers Compensation judge was totally not willing to make the right decision and she actually gave a reason which she layed on the doctor from The National Jewish Center in Denver Colorado.I would say that the work comp judge has no gutts and the appellant judges that ruled against this guy has no gutts as well.I asked around and found that it is the claimants responsibility to prove his case.

    I believe that the ALJ used the confusing statements that were made by this incompatent Dr.Wasfi who just made a pay day and never stated the facts one way or the other.This Dr. Wasfi is a doctor who studies sarcoidosis not the effects of HAART medications on hiv negative or hiv positive people (easy payday for her) and how come the courts dont have resources that can help them (judges)find out more information in regards to certain illnessesthat are uncommon.

    This case is not all that difficult when you read the facts.I believe this Police Officer was railroaded by the court system.I believe the appellant courts are trying to up hold the rulings of the work comp judges so the appellant courts dont have to hear cases such as these.It would be easy for the appellant judges to come up with any old reason as they did in this Police Officers case to go along with the work comp judge.I would like to shake the dissenting judges hand for having the guts to stand on what is right.Im wondering like the other people that have commented on this case if it was racial or political.Unfortunately we will never know but this man has to suffer because of incompetent Judges and Doctors.Im like the other person that commented “Glad I Dont Work for this Jackson County Mo.”

  4. This is just the reality of the Justice System when you are BLACK in America.Im not saying all black people are innocent victims but what in the WORLD is going on with this mans case.Here is a black Deputy Sheriff who does his job and gets injured in the line of duty and expects the department that he works for to back him up.It looks like from the article that they paid for most of his treatment but what about life after the treatment this guy had both his hips replaced and nearly died. I dont think you could compensate him enough.I will bet you he never thought putting his life on the line everyday he went to work would have cost him his everything.I would like to know how he is doing today.These are my thoughts

    You have the Workers Compensation Judge who is clearly not understanding this Dr. Wasfi who does not make herself clear at all.This Dr.Wasfi goes around in circles with her statements and through her own confusion,confuses the Judge who then makes a error in judgement on this guys case.Then you have the two Appellant Judges who clearly are not interested in this guys case because had they been they would have made the correct decision.I think they wanted to uphold the lower courts decision to make a statement to others that the appellant courts are not going to overturn the lower courts decisions right or wrong and that keeps people from appealling the lower courts decisions.The dissenting Judge had to be a democrat as well as a God fearing man who stepped out on his faith and made a decision to STAND on what was the right thing to do,I give him all the props that one can give a man.

    This Judge has a true set and I myself could stand behind this guy in any political race that he runs.I like they way he told the Workers Comp Judge that she made a serious error in this guys case.As I listen to Edmonds testimony on the podcast he seems to be very humble when I would infact be ferious with the courts that railed me.Im Native American and I wonder had this guy been white would the outcome had been different.Im going to end my comment with this, Living as a minority in America regardless of your position.

    1. Vincent, A.Hankins,

      I agree with you entirely. I hope you’ll talk about this case and what it means:

      1. AIDS drugs can kill you;

      2. Edmond McNack had his livelihood, and much of his life stolen from him by the AIDS industry, in the guise of hack, financially-motivated judges, and a deeply confused and corrupted ‘expert’ in Colorado, whose statement that these drugs ‘only can hurt AIDS patients’ is so ludicrous that it fails every test of logic and ethics.

      But you’ve got to spread the word, or Edmond’s story doesn’t get heard.

  5. That is outrageous. It makes me sick.

    I’ve only recently started reading (and writing), about some of these issues, (ie. Big Pharma lying to us, killing people for profits, or for their own depopulation agenda….whatever the reason, it’s completely abhorrent).

    Please. Keep up the good work.

    I have come to the conclusion, that “they” are, in fact, afraid of “us”. Why else would they go to such lengths to silence, and completely discredit us. There are a lot more of “us”, then there are “them”. If there were enough of us working together, we could really cause a lot of trouble for them (not to mention, threaten their vast profits, which must be protected at all costs…). This is precisely what they are trying to avoid, by painting us as “crazy” people, or Denialists, as you point out.

  6. I agree with Mr.Wesleys comment when he says that the appeallant court is upholding the lower courts ruling just to send a message to others that the appeallant courts are not going to listen to you if a ruling has already been made wither it is right or wrong.Has anyone checked to see if this Judge McKeon has made huge errors in the past or present as I believe she did in this case.

    Unfortunately you have people in positions that they have no business being in, such as this expert Dr.Wasfi who clearly is not wanting to put her neck on the line for this guy but then too she is not being paid by this guy.Dr.Wasfi should take a class in ethics because she clearly has none.If a dollar makes her who she is and how she practice medicine people stay the hell away from Denver(Dr.Wasfi)!!!I too would like to shake Judge Hickeys hand for having a set.

    You have to be able to withstand the pressure from others regardless of your position and if you stand on what you believe and know that you are doing the right thing God will take care of you.It is so unfortunate when you read about something like this and to know that the employer is worthless.

    Who doesnt know that the Jackson County Sheriff Dept. is made up of the good old boys and guys like Edmond are more than likely (tokens)lets keep this conversation 100 if you know what I mean.It is clear that Judge McKeon along with Dr.Wasfi made a VERY BAD DECISION and should be reprimanded themselves and just think how many other people have been royally screwed over by these two so called professionals.

    Is there anything that this man can do or is it totally over for him,what about a lawsuit against the doctor who gave him the medicine or the people who make the drugs. Thank you for allowing me to comment I wish I could do something to help this guy.My prayers are with him and his family.

  7. I listen to Edmonds testimony and he does seem to be very humble and I truly would like to know why he is not mad as HELL with this Judge McKeon and this Dr.Wasfi who needs to learn a little bit more about ethics.

    I think he and or his attorney should be trying to get more exposure on this case.I do recall someone in the podcast stating that he can only help other people and that thier case was lost,did I hear that correctly? If so why isnt he trying to bring a lawsuit against the people who gave him the medication because I checked with the CDC and a human bite is not a reason to give HAART medications and they BOTH TESTED NEGATIVE so what in the HELL is going on with the doctor who prescribed the medication and under what protocal was he or she prescribing this medication.

    It seems pretty obvious to me that the Judge was looking for a reason to deny this man benefits even if she was going to receive a little negative attention but it saves the state alot of money.I can agree with the dissenting Judge(Hickey)but someone help me understand this.If the Judge made a error and really misconstrude what the Dr. from Denver was saying why wasnt she(McKeon) willing to correct the error that she made?

    If the Judge lied by saying the doctor said something and it was not true why wasnt the Judge dealt with appropriately.The dissenting Judge(Hickey) stated that Dr.Wasfi did not and underlined did not state that this Dr.Wasfi did not say that Edmond did not contract sarcoidosis from taking the medicine but stated that it was possible that the medications may have caused the sarcoidosis but she could not say to a reasonable degree of medical certainty if this is the case Edmonds doctor said that it did happen from taking the medicine and she (Dr.Wasfi) said it was a possibility then why didnt the Judge accept what the doctors said and rule in Mr.McNacks favor? If all he had to do was prove his case as it was stated in the information that you all provided on the site.He and his lawyer WON thier case.

    This is what makes me believe that the Judge(McKeon)was not going to rule in Mr.McNacks favor regardless of what the doctor said.I think the Judge is a pretty foul person and she used the confusing statments from Dr.Wasfi to justify her reasons for dening Mr.McNack his judgement.Is anyone looking into Corrupt JUDGES? This Dr.Wasfi should be ashamed of herself allowing a buck to make her come up with the confusing TRASH STATEMENTS that she made(SHAME ON YOU DR.WASFI)and SHAME ON YOU JUDGE MCKEON for not standing on the oath that you took when you accepted the position(IN GOD WE TRUST).

  8. I feel it is very unfortunate that you are enduring this debilitating illness and excruciating pain. Doctors need to understand the magnitude of their power when people trust their judgement and put their faith in their decision. I pray that you are healed and find peace and eventually justice.

  9. This is a very unfortunate situation for this man.I am a nurse and a law student and as I read this story I feel that anyone with a heart has to feel compasion for Edmond.These are the type of people (Dr.Wasfi/Judge McKeon)that we rely on when we are sick and when we believe that justice must be served, but there can be no justice for this man when you have doctors who are willing to jump at a dollar and judges who are simply protecting her position and the states bank account.I listened to another interview that Edmond and his Attorney did with a David Crowe and Celia Farber and his attorney answered alot of questions as a matter of law and things are much clearer to me.Edmond was so calm in the interview I was totally amazed.I think Edmond should let go of the anger that he must be feeling so that people can really know what he feels.I will keep him and his family in our prayers.This I say to you Edmond LET GO and LET GOD.

  10. I am a Nurse and a student studying Criminal Justice and when I read a story such as this, it gets under my skin and gives me that much more energy to finish the task at hand so that I can become a part of the highly educated and highly motivated individuals that it will take to bring down corrupt Pharmaceutical companies,Judges,and Doctors.How in the world do we allow this to happen to a public servant or anyone.Is the true issue at hand Racism or some freaking Political agenda.It’s bad enough that the ALJ(McKeon)was not fair nor did she follow the guidelines of the Law.If she (McKeon) believes that she did God Help us or anyone who has to go before her courtroom.It’s clear that McKeon was searching for a way to deny McNack his judgement and she found it in a MONEY HUNGRY(Dr.Wasfi)who does’nt even study the effects of HAART on Hiv positive or Hiv negative people.Wasfi saw a opportunity to put her two cents in,because the Police Officer was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis which is Wasfi’s specialty and she should have stuck to that subject ONLY.Dr.Wasfi got a easy payday with some confusing statements and that’s just what the Judge (McKeon)needed to deny McNack and his Attorney thier judgment.#2 The two Appellant Judges who ruled against McNack are as corrupt as corrupt can be.I’m speaking directly to them “the two of you are a disgrace to the court system itself and you both should step aside and allow your positions to be filled with highly educated and motivated individuals who are going to listen and make every attempt to understand cases such as this one”.”Your positions are paychecks only for the two of you”.I don’t know this McNack person just as the two of you probably don’t either, but I’m sure he never thought that he would be TOTALLY SCREWED by the very people that he put himself on the line to protect.As long as there’s people like myself coming into Medicine and Law the entire corrupt business that you two have placed yourself in will change for the BETTER side of Medicine and Law.The ALJ,Chairman,and Member who ruled against McNack are trying to send a message to others who appeal thier decesions that corruption will stick together.When I listen to the podcast it’s as though McNack does’nt want to accept that he was SCREWED.I’m here to tell you McNack you were Royally SCREWED with no vaseline and I’m sorry for the unkind few words but this P%*@%& me off.Your dissenting Judge can put another star on his shoulder because he earned it.I want to be like him if not better.I will tell all my friends and associates about this story.God Bless

  11. I posted a comment on the Robert Scott Bell Site saying that this case is not hard to believe.It’s a very unfortunate situation that no one should have to endure.I believe based on the information on the site that #1 Edmond should have never been given the HAART medication based on the CDC guide lines.A human bite is not a indication to give HAART and what makes this case that much more insane is both Edmond and the person that bit him tested HIV-NEGATIVE.What in the hell was this hospital and the staff that gave Edmond the HAART medication thinking.I’m sure the ER doctor scared the pee out of Edmond having him believe that he could be infected with some horrible disease;and what does Edmond do,he follows the advice of the ER doctor who he(Edmond)placed his trust in to treat him.I beleive when this case was heard at the ALJ level the Judge(McKeon)had no intentions on awarding this man a judgement, infact I believe McKeon discussed this case with the upper heads of the courts and was advised not to rule in this guys favor.Here’s why; if all this guy and his attorney had to do was prove thier case based on the work comp laws Edmond and his Attorney WON thier case.This is how the corrupt court worked this case.The Judge(McKeon)regardless of how liberal she is knew the dollar amount would be a million dollar case and why in the hell would the courts want to pay this black man that kind of money,leaving the door open for possible other law suits in the future.#2 Judge McKeon was not trying to be transfered to some traffic court in (bum jack China),so she needed a way out and found it in this Dr.Wasfi who has no expertise in HAART medications and it’s effects on HIV-POSITIVE or HIV-NEGATIVE people she is a instructor at the National Jewish Center in Denver Co. and yes this hospital is rank one of the best in the world in respiratory disorders (EASY PAYDAY for WASFI).Why send Edmond there,because he was diagnosed with sarcoid of the lungs a respiratory disorder.Now you have Judge(McKeon)who is using the conflicting statements from a doctor at one of the worlds leading hospitals who does’nt make any sense at all.Remember she (Wasfi)is being payed by the county not Edmond or his attorney.What better reason to deny this man his judgement;because the dam judge can make no sense out of what this doctor is saying so it must not have happened the way Edmond or his attorney says it did.#3 Now you have the Appellant Court Judges who totally are not interested in this case because they are making an example out of this African American public servant by saying to others that the appellant courts are not going to overturn the lower courts rulings.Do you see how crap rolls down hill??? The two Appellant Court Judges that ruled against Edmond are as corrupt as the big pharmacuetical companies that pad the JUDGES and the Doctors pockets and kill people everyday.Keep up the good work Hon.Judge Hickey you are needed in your position and when you retire fill it with someone like yourself honorable.I cannot say the same for your associates.I don’t know what it feels like to be Black in America but my mind tells me the outcome would have been different had Edmond been like me White in America.How is Edmond recovering today is his life halfway back to normal??????

  12. Isn’t it funny how cases such as these are kept out of the media.When I read the story and listen to the podcast interviews I can’t help but feel that this case is or was all about RACE,CORRUPT Pharmacuetical companies,Judges and Doctors from the start.I gave a lengthy comment on How Positive Are You,another site with this story.It’s a heart breaking story that needs to be told VERY LOUDLY.I too agree with others who are commenting on this story(Why isn’t Mr.McNack MAD AS HELL.He’s much too calm in both of the interviews,sometimes you have to break character so people will listen to you unless that’s just his character.GREAT STORY L.SCHEFF

  13. It’s a shame that Mr. McNack has had to suffer this indignity after suffering thru and it’s my understanding that this young man is still in pain. If he was a white man the judge would have awarded the maximum benefit/judgment in his favor but because he is black he’s to be made to feel the age old injustice that has threatened this country for decades!! I hope justice will prevail in this case!!

    1. Hi Linda,

      The AIDS machine is happy to drug you to death regardless of complexion. They do focus their drugs on black folk and gay men, for the most part. They go by ‘risk group’ in determining who’s gonna get drugged.

  14. Don’t forget the Bristol study on 22,000 patients on HAART, in all of it’s woffle about HAART saving lives there were other details that they conveniently ignored but it got to the news regardless….

    “Yet despite the steady evolution of HIV therapy, a newly released study shows no corresponding decline in death rates or progression to AIDS among patients from North America and Europe who were followed for up to a year.

    Just over 22,000 patients starting therapy for the first time were included in the study, which appears tomorrow in the journal The Lancet.

    The findings do not mean that HAART is not saving lives or keeping HIV-infected people from developing AIDS.

    All agree that today’s drug regimens are remarkably effective. So effective, in fact, that one study found the nine out of 10 patients who stay on the treatment can expect to live for more than a decade.

    Rather, the findings seem to reflect the changing face of HIV infection in Europe and North America, experts say.

    Changing Demographics

    Researchers found that in 2003, patients tended to be sicker when they started treatment than those beginning treatment in 1995. And that the number of AIDS cases seen in recent years is related to an increase in cases of tuberculosis.

    Compared with patients starting HAART for the first time in 1995, those starting therapy in 2003 were far more likely to be female and infected with HIV through heterosexual rather than homosexual contact.”
    HIV Meds Improve, Death Rate Doesn’t
    Study Shows No Decline In HIV Deaths Despite Better Treatments

    This was becuase they started testing more women and turned them into industrial commodities…


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