My numbers are in decline! Advise needed.

[Delby]

Hi Everyone,

I have just got my labs back and I'm extremely worried. Here are my last 3 sets of labs over a period of 1 year.

1. CD4 702 %44 UD
2. CD4 616 %38 UD
3. CD4 496 %35 UD

I'm seeing my dr on Monday but I'm so scared. He told me at the beginning that never take one result in isolation, but always look for a trend of 3 results. There is a clear trend here. My % has dropped dramatically and so has my CD4.

I am also struggling to keep my weight on. Can some of you with a bit more experience offer some advice? It seems like my counts are in free fall.

Delby

[mecch]

Are you treated?

[leatherman]

There is a clear trend here.

a clear trend of what? What are you scared of?

Haven't you been on Complera for a while after switching off Atripla? Aren't you holding undetectable? That means it's not AIDS you should be worrying about. It's clearly not an HIV issue as you are undetectable.

Since cd4s can change by up to 100 pts in a single day, your first count could have been high by 100 pts and your most recent count could have been low by 100,  meaning you have actually been holding pretty steady in the 600 range.

Before treatment, the cd4/cd8 percentage number can help understand the damage to the immune system and help lead to a decision to start meds. In any other situation that percentage number really doesn't give much correct information about your treatment. (in 30 yrs of being poz, I have only known my cd4/cd8 percentage once. LOL) Actually the only number that really means much is the viral load when someone is on antiretrovirals. see the thread "Death of the cd4 count" to see references on why the cd4 count is less important (and maybe not even important at all) when under successful (ie undetectable) treatment.

[Since1993]

Hi Everyone,

I have just got my labs back and I'm extremely worried. Here are my last 3 sets of labs over a period of 1 year.

1. CD4 702 %44 UD
2. CD4 616 %38 UD
3. CD4 496 %35 UD

I'm seeing my dr on Monday but I'm so scared. He told me at the beginning that never take one result in isolation, but always look for a trend of 3 results. There is a clear trend here. My % has dropped dramatically and so has my CD4.

I am also struggling to keep my weight on. Can some of you with a bit more experience offer some advice? It seems like my counts are in free fall.

Delby

Are you having any other physical symptoms beside weight loss (i.e. fever, rashes, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, etc.)?  Underlying physical illness separate from HIV can cause a decrease in CD4/CD8.  Have you been tested for STD's in the past year?  How is your oral health?  Have you been to the dentist recently?

If you are currently receiving treatment, your physician may or may not want to change your medication regimen.  The important thing right now is that your viral load remains undetectable.  Before pressing the panic button, wait and see what your physician has to say.  If you have been having any other physical symptoms it would be helpful to communicate them to your physician next visit.  Beyond that, you have no reason to panic at this point. 

Prophylactic pharmaceutical intervention (Bactrim/Azithromycin) would only occur if your CD4 count dropped below 200 to prevent opportunistic infections, but you are not close. 

Go about your day and live freely!

[Delby]

Hi All

What would I do without the support of those from this site. I'm forever grateful for your support and advise.

Mechh & Leatherman - Yes I'm on treatment and switched onto Completa from Atripla about 18 months ago.

I'm just nervous as I was always told to look for trends. I guess I need to take a step back, a deep breath and have a chat with the dr on Monday.

Delby