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Author Topic: counts gone down  (Read 3214 times)

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tendai

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counts gone down
« on: December 15, 2006, 04:39:21 am »
i'm coming from the doctor. my CD4's gone down from 503 in June 2006 to 389.  she reassured me and said not to panic and see if they keep going down when i get new labs in March next year (if i'm not dead of AIDS by then).  i dont understand how they dropped like that.  maybe i got complacent when they rose from 478 to 503 and wasnt putting so much effort or something.  or maybe i had too much sex. i dont know. i'm almost frozen with fright.

Offline sweetasmeli

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Re: counts gone down
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2006, 06:44:41 am »
Tendai
I know from experience that its a heartstopper the day that your counts fluctuate. But I also know from experience that one drop in a CD4 count is not conclusive of anything, except that at that moment when your CD4 was taken, they were lower than before. That could have been caused by a cold, a winter bug in your system that hasnt reared its head yet, a change in diet or simply stress.

As your doctor has already told you, wait to see what your March results bring. With a CD4 count of 389, you certainly wont be dead by then...well, not from aids anyway...cant speak for the bus routes where you live!

What was your CD4% and your viral load?
Just the CD4 count on its own isnt enough to conclude anything.
Also are you on meds? Hope you dont mind all the questions - I'm just trying to get a clearer picture of your individual situation.

My last results dropped from 500+ in March to 287 in September. My % also dropped from 35% to 30%. But my viral load was only about 1100. Yes it freaked me out a bit at the time but I put it into perspective, taking into consideration the tremendous amount of emotional stress I've been under the past 12 months or so. Plus, even though it did indeed drop, my % was still good.

I'm having my bloods done again next week. I'm not worried though. Whats the point? That wont help the results. If they've dropped again it will be a sure indication to me that all the stress I've been under - and still havent got a proper handle on - has had a huge impact on my immune system and needs seriously addressing. Then again I dont really need a blood test to tell me that stress and unhealthy living isnt good for me! I've already started taking baby steps to address all that...

As for becoming complacent after your last results, only you can judge that. What do you mean by complacent?

And as for too much sex...now you're just bragging! If anything, surely too much (good) sex can only do a person good! All I can say to that is at least you're getting some, you lucky bugger!

Try not to worry. I know...easier said than done. But seriously, worry wont help your tcells stop depleting or start multiplying any faster!

Pm me anytime if you want to chat.

Melia :)
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(,,,_ ,,,)/   (,,,_ ,,,)/ Cats rule!

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Yeia kai hara (health and happiness) to everyone!

tendai

  • Guest
Re: counts gone down
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2006, 09:46:19 am »
thanks for replying. we dont do % or viral loads here. just the CD4. but its such a big drop i cant help but worry.  i had a couple bouts with diarrheoa when i had some dody food but it didnt last long.  the first one was about 2 days then the second one was just about a day.  tehn i had the herpes simplex sore on my lip but in all cases i ran for the medicine before it got out of hand.
about the sex i was thinking God is punishing me for having it in the first place. now i'm scared to do it again.  he does know i'm poz and doesnt mind but now i'm scared i'm so overflowing with virus i might infect him if i even touch him.
i'm not on any meds.  i just take vitamins once a while if dont forget and i drink herbal tea only now. apparently none of its working. i just bet if/when i tell my boss he'll insist i go on meds.

about the complaceny, when i got my 503 count i was like 'wow that's great, i'm so ok' then i guess i wasnt watching my diet that well or putting as much effort and stuff i dont know, i just relaxed and made like i'm not poz anymore or something. funny thing is i've gained weight and everyone's commenting and some suggesting i'm pregnant (i'm not). so i'm eating less now to lose weight coz my doctor said i shouldnt get overweight. oh well. 
i hope your next labs are good Melia.  thanks again.

Offline skeebo1969

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Re: counts gone down
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2006, 10:23:21 am »


     Tendai,

          First I would like to say 389 is really not that bad.   Of course I am not taking into consideration that we would all love to have numbers 500 and above, but really as Melia stated it's more important if there is a trend showing a decline in your numbers.  In the last year my numbers bounced around quite a bit.  With the highest being 611 and the lowest at 137....  The 137 was a shocker for me, but then again I was not eating properly.   I also had a high VL of 234,000 which only recently is at an all time low of 8,000 and change (can't remember exactly).   I messed around and did not go to my doctor for 6 months and then went through some stressful situations, which is why I think my numbers dipped so much lately.   Unless you are a non progressor we all eventually have to go on meds.   That is the reality of it all.   I think at this time you should just make sure to keep your doctor appointments going every 3 months so you can monitor any changes accordingly.  Keep your chin up!

    Thomas
I despise the song Love is in the Air, you should too.

Offline Christine

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Re: counts gone down
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2006, 06:05:52 pm »
Hi Tendai,
I agree with Thomas and Melia, cd4 counts can bounce around for various reasons; stress, if you had a stomach bug, or the cold sore can cause your counts to temporally decline.

I know it is hard, but try not to worry, and wait until your next set of labs.

 In regards to eating well, do the best that you can, and don't feel bad if you have a few days of not eating so well. I am right there with you this month. With the holiday season, I am defiantly eating to many sweets and candy.

If I remember from your past posts, your bosses at work seem to be truly caring and kind people. If they want to help you, let them.

Big hugs to you!
Christine
Poz since '93. Currently on Procrit, Azithromax, Pentamidine, Valcyte, Levothyroxine, Zoloft, Epzicom, Prezista, Viread, Norvir, and GS-9137 study drug. As needed: Trazodone, Atavan, Diflucan, Zofran, Hydrocodone, Octreotide

5/30/07 t-cells 9; vl 275,000

Offline Eldon

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Re: counts gone down
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2006, 06:10:37 pm »
Hello Tendai...

Our CD4 counts tend to fluctuate for a number of different reasons. Try to stay calm with these fluctuations and keep a close eye on your trend with your sets of labs. There is a graph tool available on this site that can help you with that.

Are you taking any meds?

You are in my thoughts and my prayers and i am sending some positive energy your way.

"Don't Give Up, Don't Give In... Cause it is ALL within you to WIN!"

tendai

  • Guest
Re: counts gone down
« Reply #6 on: December 20, 2006, 03:52:25 am »
thanks a lot guys.  i find myself afraid to eat sometimes coz i fear getting diarrhoea again.  this herbalist lady i saw said if you get diarrhoea or any infection your count goes down and it wont go back to where it was before.  so maybe thats why. i'd gone for months without any major infection then it just started with the lip then then the diarrhoea.  and i had some last night but i'm better now.
guess i'll have to prepare myself for meds in March if all doesnt go well, though i will do my best to eat well and stuff.  fingers crossed.  thanks again for the support. :-*

Offline Ann

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Re: counts gone down
« Reply #7 on: December 20, 2006, 06:02:49 am »
Hi Tendai,

It just is NOT true that "if you get diarrhoea or any infection your count goes down and it wont go back to where it was before" - the herbalist is wrong.

Back in the spring of 2004 I had a shingles outbreak that saw my CD4s decline to 281, but within three months they were back up to 460 and they have been as high as 787 since then. (I'm not on meds either!) Your numbers CAN and WILL go up and down - it simply is not true that they can only go downward.

Hang in there Tendai, and don't think you're doing anything wrong. It sounds like you are doing the very best you can - keep up the good work. Try to not listen to people who are full of gloom and doom - like that herbalist. Don't just prepare yourself to go on meds in March, also prepare yourself to see your counts go back up. ;)

Hugs,
Ann
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