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Author Topic: Question on Progression of HIV  (Read 5245 times)

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Offline BrotherDavid

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Question on Progression of HIV
« on: April 04, 2010, 06:35:51 pm »
Hello,

I am new to you're community. I have been HIV positive since 2009 and recently started Atripla. I have searched the forums and do not seem to be able to find an answer to my question. Maybe there is no concrete answer but I was just curious.

My virile load has dropped to an undetectable level on the medication. My CD4 count is 400 on average. I have not had any OIs except thrush when I was diagnosed.

I have been reading many threads and I see where people are still getting OIs or other HIV symptoms even though they show as undetectable and have a high CD4 count. I notice this especially with some of the long term people who have basically suppressed the virus.

I hope my question does not make me look totally foolish, but I am curious if the virus being undetectable is still able to cause HIV related issues, or is there a chance due to starting the meds while at a higher CD4 that I may stay symptom free?

Again, thanks in advance for any information on this. David.

Offline Ann

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Re: Question on Progression of HIV
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2010, 06:31:23 pm »
Hi David,

Sorry your question has gone unanswered for so long. It doesn't make you look totally foolish, but it is a little difficult to understand what, exactly, you're asking about.

It's kinda one of those "how long is a piece of string" questions. It's true that some people can be undetectable with good CD4s and yet still have hiv-related problems. And it's also true that some people who start with higher CD4s will remain asymptomatic, but being hiv asymptomatic is not the same thing as not suffering side-effects from the meds.

Does that help?

Ann
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Offline Inchlingblue

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Re: Question on Progression of HIV
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2010, 07:58:48 pm »
There are no guarantees in life with anything but for the most part, if you take your meds and you are undetectable and can maintain decent/good CD4 counts, there's every reason to believe that you will be fine.

Yes, there are some OIs that can happen even with excellent numbers (such as KS) but this is rare, most people with good numbers are doing very well.

Stay away from things that are obviously damaging such as recreational drugs or excessive alcohol (light alcohol consumption is fine, unless you have major liver issues) and try and live a healthy lifestyle overall, these things make a difference in one's health, with or without HIV.

Have you been tested to make sure you don't have any other infections such as Hepatitis or Syphilis, etc?
« Last Edit: April 07, 2010, 09:36:06 pm by Inchlingblue »

Offline mecch

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Re: Question on Progression of HIV
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2010, 10:30:40 pm »
My virile load has dropped to an undetectable level on the medication. My CD4 count is 400 on average. I have not had any OIs except thrush when I was diagnosed.
There is a good article on inflammation on this months home page.  
http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/hiv_aging_inflammation_2042_18256.shtml

There is all kinds of information coming out about what long term HIV infection with successful HAART may or may not imply for health and longevity. Not to worry you, by the way, but 400 isn't exactly a "high" CD4 count, as you seem to have implied.  "or is there a chance due to starting the meds while at a higher CD4 that I may stay symptom free?"
 Its above the level for most OIs however.  How long have you been on HAART? How low did your CD4 count go before you started?
« Last Edit: April 07, 2010, 10:38:41 pm by mecch »
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Offline kev72

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Re: Question on Progression of HIV
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2010, 11:32:38 am »
I think the poster was basically asking if the ARVs will reduce the progression of the HIV overall.

I had been kind of wondering the same thing because of my low CD4 and age, but have not wanted to research it to death since I am feeling okay right now and do not want to read any bad news.

Reading the information in the links that mecch provided was extremely informative. While it can be interpreted as both good or bad news for us who have been diagnosed late, it is also a good wakup call. Since there are many factors invloved, I guess no one knows what the future will bring.

Offline BrotherDavid

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Re: Question on Progression of HIV
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2010, 02:32:28 pm »
Hello everyone,

Thank you all for the valuable information. Yes Ann, I know my post was hard to word, but I think you were able to figure out what I was getting at.

You other guys were a big help, Inchingblue, Mecch, You're experience and the information you attached is a great start. It is what I was basically looking for. My CD4 has always hovered between 400-500.

Kev72, yes the information can look a bit depressing for people with a long progression but there is a lot of positive in the articles and hope.

Thank you all for trying to understand my question. This site is a great and so upbeat it provides a comfort to us newbies.

David

 


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