Got my results today...

[traveltramp]

Hey friends..  wanted to post my latest results...

CD4 959 %37 (can someone remind me what the % means.. and what is the range for normal)
VL 2418

It has been just a year since I tested positive and I have not been very good to myself..

I need to do better.. my numbers seem good but I know it wont always be this way...
so.. why do I keep trying to destroy myself?  I dont know....

[emeraldize]

Hi TT

You write your numbers seem good (they ARE good) and you know they won't always be that way.

That's how I started out...prepared for the worst to happen very soon after diagnosis.

It didn't. That's not to say it won't, but it hasn't. It's possible you are a slow progressor, or a long-term non-progressor. No matter what kind of progressor you are, good self-care is what is needed to aid your immune system in taking care of you.

There's no predicting your numbers, nor all the things you'll do in life, but taking care of yourself well, is something you can actually affect and therefore predict. For example, I will take my vitamins and walk daily. I will get enough sleep. I won't get drunk anymore.

If you don't understand why you're not treating yourself well, why not enlist the help of a counselor? It is usually self-esteem at the core of crummy self-care. If you don't like yourself, you're not going to be as inclined to take good care of yourself.

Sound reasonable?

You might be dealing with some depression, post-diagnosis, or otherwise.

Understand this, there are oodles of your positive sisters and brothers whose numbers are quite the opposite yours (if left unmedicated and even some who are unable to taken on their regimens) who take really good care of themselves, have taken the time to understand their emotional state and attitude toward the virus and their days ahead---and they would guard such numbers as if they were pure gold.

Let these people inspire you. Read more of their stories. Pick one or two posters whom you like and read their the full collection of posts to see if you can pick up some clues about how to deal.

Best regards
Em

[Ann]

Hi TT, long time no see!

Your numbers are fantastic! The normal range for CD4s is between 500 and 1500. The normal range for CD4% is between 32% and 68%. You're doing great.

You can read more about just what the CD4 (aka T-cells) numbers mean by going to the Lesson at http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/TCellTest_4727.shtml

For an overview of all the different sorts of blood tests, go here: http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/BloodTest_5030.shtml

Take care of yourself, young man, you're going to be here for a long time to come.

Good to hear from you again. Don't be such a stranger!

Hugs,
Ann
xxx