POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: Incognito12 on May 19, 2012, 11:35:12 pm
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I value your opinions so please tell me what would be a safe cd4 number to stop taking trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole ? Please don't suggest going to a doctor.
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When I was on Dapsone,( the equivalent) My doctor told me that once I got to 200 t-cells and maintained that for two consecutive readings, that I would be able to stop it. That's what I did. I stopped it, when the doctor recommended that I stop it But I believe a person could remain on it longer, depends on what the doctor see's in the reports, and see's in the patient.
Whats the problem with talking to a doctor about this ? What meds are you currently on, and what was your lowest CD count prior to starting. Have you experienced any opportunistic infections ?
Ray
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I think my doctor used at least above 250, but yes on more than one single test. Remember that cd4 counts can fluctuate +/-100 so there's a chance that a reading of 200 isn't really 200 but lower. I would tend to be conservative on this issue unless you're having some huge issue with a side effect, and in that case you would need to go to the doctor regardless of whether or not you want to, because then they should see about putting you on another medication.
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Incog,
Here's a chart that will give you a little more info. It's from 2000, so I am not sure if there have been changes applied :
http://www.thebody.com/content/art14578.html
Ray
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Thank you so much for your helpful replies.
The reason I asked is That I would have to take a round trip of 6 hours,wait another hour to ask the doctor what I've asked you. I've been taking bactrim since oct 2012 when my cd4 count was 10. It is now 210 and I would like to stop taking it ASAP because of side effects.
I also take stocrin and tenofovir, also fluconazole. I will NOT stop taking these.
Be well.
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I've been taking bactrim since oct 2012 when my cd4 count was 10.
Do you mean 2011 ? ;)
I started Dapsone 11/2003 , I was on Dapsone for about a little over a year
( notice my percentages were very low) :
I quit taking it around December of 2004. These were my numbers back then...
MONTH/YEAR
10/03---CD-4- 16 VIRAL LOAD--500,000 PERCENTAGE <4% ( From October of 03)
12/03---CD-4- 48 VIRAL LOAD- <50 PERCENTAGE--- 4%
1/04-----CD-4- 76 VIRAL LOAD--155 PERCENTAGE--6%
2/04-----CD-4-87 VIRAL LOAD--89 PERCENTAGE--5%
3/04-----CD-4- 125 VIRAL LOAD--<50 PERCENTAGE--6%
5/04-----CD4--139 VIRAL LOAD--<50 PERCENTAGE--7%
6/04-----CD4--150 VIRAL LOAD--150 PERCENTAGE--6%
8/04-----CD4--199 VIRAL LOAD-- 96 PERCENTAGE--8%
11/04---CD4--253 VIRAL LOAD--<50 PERCENTAGE--8%
Stopped Dapsone at this point
2/05----CD4--239 VIRAL LOAD--<50 PERCENTAGE--7%
5/05----CD4- 213 VIRAL LOAD--<50 PERCENTAGE--7%
8/05----CD4--333 VIRAL LOAD--<50 PERCENTAGE--7%
Ray
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I mean oct 2011...!
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Thank you so much for your helpful replies.
The reason I asked is That I would have to take a round trip of 6 hours,wait another hour to ask the doctor what I've asked you.
6 hour round trip? I often forget how far many fellow pozzies have to travel for treatment. Your doc does make himself/herself available by phone for possible serious issues that come up?
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Doctor is based in a hospital and therefore no incoming phone calls.
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Judging by your replies I think I am on the right track by thinking that a stable cd4 reading of around 250 for about 3 months should be a safe time, (under normal circumstances) to say bye-bye to bactrim. :D
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Judging by your replies I think I am on the right track by thinking that a stable cd4 reading of around 250 for about 3 months should be a safe time...
Some doctors say up to 6 months. So, lets say between 3 and 6 months, depending on any other health issues going on.
I can only share with you my experiences, and what my doctor told me. He's the one that had the chart in front of him, and had all the necessary information to make that decision. After stopping the Dapsone, I did pretty well, but there were a couple times after stopping, ( a few months later) that I restarted, on a three week cycle, because I just wasn't feeling right. Mostly respiratory related.
And because my percentages were so low at that time, I wasn't going to take any chances. I already pushed my health to the limits back then, by not starting on meds, when I should have started.
Ray
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Incog
PS: If your looking for a " Go ahead and stop the Bactrim" from me, You won't get it. That's a decision you and your doctor will have to make.
Good luck to you though, and stay well !
Ray
I just want to say one more thing. There were plenty of times almost immediately after starting on meds, that I felt I wanted to drop the Dapsone, or the zithromax, or both. But I am glad I didn't ! ;)
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Understood and thanks.
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I've started Bactrim a couple of times. its been when T cells drop below 200. I stay on until they are back over 250 and they see an improvement in the % also. Its not going to be a fixed number and will vary on what else with going on with your health.
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If Bactrim doesn't agree with you, talk to your doc about changing to Dapsone (this is what I did a few years ago when I was in your shoes). It's (usually) much easier to tolerate. See if your doc will make the change without an office visit - bactrim is notorious for side effects. Also Dapsone is VERY inexpensive.
Edit - Missed the part about not being able to access your doc by phone. You should try though. Maybe someone else takes calls for him.