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Author Topic: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased  (Read 6106 times)

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Offline scottieman

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  • Posts: 58
2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« on: August 09, 2012, 12:53:19 pm »
I just tested poz in September of lat year (2011) started on Complera right away and my viral load dropped to UD.  6 weeks ago I had a VL done and it was 75 so the DR wanted me back in 6 weeks to re-test.  Did that Tuesday and got the results today, VL is now 97 but my CD4 is 899 and my % is 35.  Should I be concerned?  He wants me to test again in 6 weeks, thinks I might not be eating enough calories when I take my Complera, usually just a bagel with some peanut butter.  So will be adding a banana to this mix.  Thoughts?
Logged
August 19, 2011 Negative Oral Swap
August 30-September 4, 2011 (Thought Strep throat really sero-conversion)
October 5th, HIV Diagnosis
October 22 labs, CD4 619, VL 21,000 21%
November 13th, Started Complera
January 9th, Labs CD4 631, VL-UD 28%
March 28th Labs CD4 610, VL-UD 31%
July 2nd CD4 792, 34% VL-75
August 7th, 2012 CD4 899, 35% VL-97
September 17th, 2012 CD4 989, 33% VL-27
November 8, 2012  CD4 850, VL-UD, 39%
December 6, 2012 CD4 849, VL-UD, 39%
April 2, 2013 CD4 904, VL-UD, 33%
July 17, 2013 CD4 988, VL UD, 38.2%

Offline LiveWithIt

  • Member
  • Posts: 535
Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #1 on: August 09, 2012, 01:10:17 pm »
I would not be worried about a few points up or down.  Your viral load can be in the millions so it still being under a hundred or around that much should not be much to worry over.  Maybe stress or a tiredness led to the numbers going up a little.  Don't let it worry you. 
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Pray God you can cope
I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.

Offline buginme2

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Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #2 on: August 09, 2012, 01:28:32 pm »
No time to panic.

Could be a fluke.  Could be the test.

If the next test shows your vl above the level of detection a discussion with your doc about changing meds is in order.  Recent study/discussion at AIDS 2012 talked about low level viremia.  Its thought now that low level viremia could lead to a greater risk of failure in the future if you remain on that regimen.  The goal of treatment is an undetectable viral load, if your not reaching that you may need to make a change.
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Offline scottieman

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Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2012, 01:50:22 pm »
Thanks guys!
Logged
August 19, 2011 Negative Oral Swap
August 30-September 4, 2011 (Thought Strep throat really sero-conversion)
October 5th, HIV Diagnosis
October 22 labs, CD4 619, VL 21,000 21%
November 13th, Started Complera
January 9th, Labs CD4 631, VL-UD 28%
March 28th Labs CD4 610, VL-UD 31%
July 2nd CD4 792, 34% VL-75
August 7th, 2012 CD4 899, 35% VL-97
September 17th, 2012 CD4 989, 33% VL-27
November 8, 2012  CD4 850, VL-UD, 39%
December 6, 2012 CD4 849, VL-UD, 39%
April 2, 2013 CD4 904, VL-UD, 33%
July 17, 2013 CD4 988, VL UD, 38.2%

Offline newt

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  • the one and original newt
Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #4 on: August 09, 2012, 07:41:50 pm »
400-500 calories please with a decent amount of fat or these drugs don't work.

- matt
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Offline Jmarksto

  • Member
  • Posts: 667
Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #5 on: August 09, 2012, 10:03:40 pm »
Thank you all for posting - i start Complera later this month and have been thinking about what to eat with it.  Also - does it mater if you take the pill before or after eating?

Thanks,

JM
Logged
03/15/12 Negative
06/15/12 Positive
07/11/12 CD4 790          VL 4,000
08/06/12 CD4 816/38%   VL 49,300
08/20/12 Started Complera
11/06/12 CD4   819/41% VL 38
02/11/13 CD4   935/41% VL UD
06/06/13 CD4   816/41% VL UD
10/28/13 CD4 1131/45% VL 25
02/25/14 CD4   792/37% VL UD
07/09/14 CD4 1004/39% VL UD
11/03/14 CD4   711/34% VL UD
03/13/15 CD4   833/36% VL UD
04/??/15 Truvada & Tivicay
06/01/15 CD4 1100/50% VL UD
10/16/15 CD4   826/43% VL UD
??/??/2017 Descov & Tivicay
2017 VL UD, CD4 stable around 850
2018 VL UD, CD4 stable around 850

Offline LiveWithIt

  • Member
  • Posts: 535
Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #6 on: August 09, 2012, 11:43:33 pm »
Quote from: Jmarksto on August 09, 2012, 10:03:40 pm
Thank you all for posting - i start Complera later this month and have been thinking about what to eat with it.  Also - does it mater if you take the pill before or after eating?

Thanks,

JM

Normally when they say to take a pill with food you would eat first.
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Pray God you can cope
I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.

Offline leatherman

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Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #7 on: August 09, 2012, 11:49:00 pm »
Quote from: Jmarksto on August 09, 2012, 10:03:40 pm
does it mater if you take the pill before or after eating?
"during" is also an option  ;)
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leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Ann

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Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2012, 04:01:35 am »
Quote from: Jmarksto on August 09, 2012, 10:03:40 pm
Thank you all for posting - i start Complera later this month and have been thinking about what to eat with it.  Also - does it mater if you take the pill before or after eating?

Thanks,

JM

Complera Meal Options.
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Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline scottieman

  • Member
  • Posts: 58
Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #9 on: August 10, 2012, 09:08:12 am »
I guess I need to be eating more!
Logged
August 19, 2011 Negative Oral Swap
August 30-September 4, 2011 (Thought Strep throat really sero-conversion)
October 5th, HIV Diagnosis
October 22 labs, CD4 619, VL 21,000 21%
November 13th, Started Complera
January 9th, Labs CD4 631, VL-UD 28%
March 28th Labs CD4 610, VL-UD 31%
July 2nd CD4 792, 34% VL-75
August 7th, 2012 CD4 899, 35% VL-97
September 17th, 2012 CD4 989, 33% VL-27
November 8, 2012  CD4 850, VL-UD, 39%
December 6, 2012 CD4 849, VL-UD, 39%
April 2, 2013 CD4 904, VL-UD, 33%
July 17, 2013 CD4 988, VL UD, 38.2%

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #10 on: August 10, 2012, 09:15:09 am »
Quote from: scottieman on August 10, 2012, 09:08:12 am
I guess I need to be eating more!

The easy solution would be to take your Complera when you eat your biggest meal of the day. You can start doing it any time you like - you don't have to move your dosing hour by increments or anything like that - a one-off gap of a few hours either way isn't going to be a problem. What's important is that you take it once a day and with enough food.
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Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline Rockin

  • Member
  • Posts: 507
Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #11 on: August 10, 2012, 11:08:42 am »
That is amusing because my own doctor never said anything about taking the meds with food. Never. Ever.

I'm not saying this to dispute your statements about it, I'm just saying that he never talked about it. I believe you guys.
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Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #12 on: August 10, 2012, 11:28:21 am »
Quote from: Rockin on August 10, 2012, 11:08:42 am
That is amusing because my own doctor never said anything about taking the meds with food. Never. Ever.

I'm not saying this to dispute your statements about it, I'm just saying that he never talked about it. I believe you guys.

While I find it negligent and inexcusable for any doctor not to discuss special dosing requirements and possible side effects, the dispensing pharmacy should fully label the bottle with the proper stipulation. If the patient doesn't read the labeling then they're also at fault.

Other than that it's fully explained on the official medication web site, like it would be for any other medication: http://www.complera.com/hiv-treatment-diet/

I would still ask your doctor why this wasn't fully explained to you.
« Last Edit: August 10, 2012, 11:30:00 am by Miss Philicia »
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Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
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Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #13 on: August 10, 2012, 11:46:26 am »
Quote from: Miss Philicia on August 10, 2012, 11:28:21 am

Other than that it's fully explained on the official medication web site, like it would be for any other medication: http://www.complera.com/hiv-treatment-diet/


Same link I gave about eight hours ago.
Logged
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline LiveWithIt

  • Member
  • Posts: 535
Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #14 on: August 10, 2012, 12:38:49 pm »
Walgreens is pretty good about putting stickers on bottles.  They especially should if it's your first time taking it.  Often times when I needed an antibiotic it would have 3 different stickers on them.  Some saying to take it with food if if upsets your stomach and others telling you to stay out of sunlight. 

I agree the doctor should tell you to take Complera with a full meal.  Most full breakfasts lunches and dinners have over 400 calories.   A small hamburger and small fries form McDonalds has more than 400 calories and won't get you full.
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Pray God you can cope
I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.

Offline Miss Philicia

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  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #15 on: August 10, 2012, 03:04:10 pm »
Quote from: Ann on August 10, 2012, 11:46:26 am
Same link I gave about eight hours ago.

The internet is not a contest.
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"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #16 on: August 10, 2012, 06:48:40 pm »
Quote from: Miss Philicia on August 10, 2012, 03:04:10 pm
The internet is not a contest.

But I was under the distinct impression that you thought it was? ;D

Logged
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline scottieman

  • Member
  • Posts: 58
Re: 2 tests in a row my viral load has increased
« Reply #17 on: September 18, 2012, 11:11:38 am »
Well I got my latest test results back today, after 2 months of being above 50 I am back down to an undetectible level VL today was 27 and my cd4 is 989  I had stopped taking my 2 fish oil pills a few months ago, and this month added them  back in and ate a few more calories at breakfast.  I guess it had to be the calorie intake with the Complera, it just wasn't enough.
Logged
August 19, 2011 Negative Oral Swap
August 30-September 4, 2011 (Thought Strep throat really sero-conversion)
October 5th, HIV Diagnosis
October 22 labs, CD4 619, VL 21,000 21%
November 13th, Started Complera
January 9th, Labs CD4 631, VL-UD 28%
March 28th Labs CD4 610, VL-UD 31%
July 2nd CD4 792, 34% VL-75
August 7th, 2012 CD4 899, 35% VL-97
September 17th, 2012 CD4 989, 33% VL-27
November 8, 2012  CD4 850, VL-UD, 39%
December 6, 2012 CD4 849, VL-UD, 39%
April 2, 2013 CD4 904, VL-UD, 33%
July 17, 2013 CD4 988, VL UD, 38.2%
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