Author Topic: New Numbers - Not so good! And Shingles!! (Read 7467 times)

thirtysomething · « **on:** June 18, 2007, 08:21:39 pm »

Hey Guys,

I got my new numbers today (labs done 5/28) and I'm kinda sad now after getting the result.

Viral Load went up, CD4 and CD4% went down! It's the first time my VL has ever been that high!

Moreover, I started getting this slight pain in my back 2 weeks ago and last night it flared up really bad. My doctor thinks it's Shingles!! I don't know how I could have got Shingles.

CD4 - 1140
CD4% - 42.6
Viral Load - 734

Life sucks big time!

RapidRod · « **Reply #1 on:** June 18, 2007, 08:25:15 pm »

I would die to have numbers like that. Hell anyone can get shingles if you've had chickenpox's and apparently you have.

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #2 on:** June 18, 2007, 08:25:21 pm »

Well if it is shingles it's because you've had chicken pox at some time in the past. You needn't fret about it being HIV related though. Your numbers are spectacular. Attacks of shingles can affect anyone and are often brought on by stress and other lifestyle issues.

Similarly I wouldn't be worrying about those numbers. They are nothing short of fantastic. I'd kill for even half of your CD4 %.

MtD

dtwpuck · « **Reply #3 on:** June 18, 2007, 08:26:48 pm »

You can shingles from exposure to anyone with chicken pox from what I understand. They aren't much fun, so be sure you take care of it now.

However, the numbers you post below are really good. There are a large number of poz people who would kill for a cd4 count in excess of 1000. A VL of 700 is also really good. While you're used to being undetectable, and I understand that kind of anxiety, you are OK.

So chin up... take care of those shingles, take a deep breath, and stay healthy!

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #4 on:** June 18, 2007, 08:27:14 pm »

Life sucks with 1140 cd4's? Since when?

pozguy75 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 18, 2007, 08:27:47 pm »

man, I would kill for even a fraction of those numbers!

Dachshund · « **Reply #6 on:** June 18, 2007, 08:32:17 pm »

I was jumping for joy when I reached 300 cd4's and life looked pretty sweet.

Longislander · « **Reply #7 on:** June 18, 2007, 08:44:58 pm »

I'll trade ya!

Don't sweat the #'s, they're awesome. Sorry about the shingles~

Paul

J.R.E. · « **Reply #8 on:** June 18, 2007, 09:00:17 pm »

Hi there,

So, has the doctor decided to prescribe you anything, just to play it on the safe side in case it is shingles?

Take care----Ray

thirtysomething · « **Reply #9 on:** June 18, 2007, 09:05:49 pm »

Thanks guys.. I've been living a pretty healthy lifestyle lately and was expecting little or no change with the numbers.. Oh well.. I guess I can only do so much!

And on top of that it's Pride week in Toronto, and my doc today advised me not to drink while I'm on Valtrex (for Shingles)!

Hi Ray, it's Valetrax that I've started today. 6 pills a day for a week!

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #10 on:** June 18, 2007, 09:11:45 pm »

I've been living a pretty healthy lifestyle lately and was expecting little or no change with the numbers.. Oh well.. I guess I can only do so much!

Well Raj, the reality is that you've gotten the results you expected. The difference between your last results and these most recent ones indicates little or no change.

Perhaps you should read the AIDSMEDS lesson section and familiarise yourself with what your blood test results actually mean and how to understand them. Alternatively you could ask your doctor to explain it all to you.

These really are excellent numbers. It's almost obscene.

MtD
(Who makes do with a paltry 12%)

thirtysomething · « **Reply #11 on:** June 18, 2007, 09:21:35 pm »

Thanks Matty, I will read about this again. My concern is the VL jump. Let me read again, though. Thanks for the advise!

camille07 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 18, 2007, 10:29:01 pm »

Those numbers really are fabulous, but change of any kind can be nerve racking especially when its in our bodies. Physically, I understand that shingles are pretty painful. I know of quite a few neggies who had shingles at some point in their post pox years. Be thankful that you at least got the chicken pox. I had a bad bout of them a few years back. And I have some family that still have yet to call in the calamine.

RICKY77531 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 18, 2007, 10:47:05 pm »

I tRADE YOU NUMBERS???

RapidRod · « **Reply #14 on:** June 18, 2007, 10:50:53 pm »

Thirty, there are some people here that can tell you what to do for the itching. I forget, but they got me through the itching stages. I don't remember if it was oatmeal baths or what. Don't scratch or you'll get those little scars. I know one thing it hurt like hell.

fearless · « **Reply #15 on:** June 18, 2007, 11:35:09 pm »

Quote from: dtwpuck on June 18, 2007, 08:26:48 pm

You can shingles from exposure to anyone with chicken pox from what I understand.

.

Just wanted to correct this. You can only get shingles if you have had chicken pox yourself. You cannot catch shingles from exposure to someone with chicken pox. At worst, you may get chicken pox, if you've not had them before.

Your numbers are great, so don't stress.

scud44 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 19, 2007, 07:06:30 am »

I had a test done at the end of May and got the results today - my CD$ count has gone from 325 down to 198 and my VL has gone from undetectable for the past 17 months to 300000 - not a good result.
Starting new meds tomorrow - Darunavir, Ritonavir, Abacaviir and Emtriva - Will be interesting to see what the results are after 3 months.

RapidRod · « **Reply #17 on:** June 19, 2007, 07:12:04 am »

scud44, did you get a prescription for bactrim also?

thunter34 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 19, 2007, 07:41:08 am »

Quote from: RapidRod on June 18, 2007, 10:50:53 pm

Thirty, there are some people here that can tell you what to do for the itching. I forget, but they got me through the itching stages. I don't remember if it was oatmeal baths or what. Don't scratch or you'll get those little scars. I know one thing it hurt like hell.

Nobody on my crack medical team remembered to advise me against scratching. Hence, I have a lovely little honeycomb pattern of scarring on my shoulderblade from the very worst lesions. Simply FABULOUS!

I'd like to dedicate them to all of you here....my Number One Shingles.

PS- To ThirtySomething: This may be a support forum, but you're sure not getting much sympathy with those numbers.

Tough crowd, eh?

IzPoz · « **Reply #19 on:** June 19, 2007, 08:32:35 am »

Wow... I reflect what most have said here, I would die for those cd4 and %. Sheesh.

Hope the shingles is short lived.

lucas clay · « **Reply #20 on:** June 19, 2007, 08:36:32 am »

I have had the dreaded shingles once, lost 15 pounds and left my left leg weak. Sometimes if my leg gets cold the leg and the hip aches still, and its been 3 years . I got out on the bicycle and that helped get the leg back into shape.
After you have the Chicken pox it lives in your spine, your immune system holds it at bay.
Running yourself down , stress, or a number of other factors and boom there it is. nasty ailment.
Hope it is not to bad of a outbreak.

Lucas

thirtysomething · « **Reply #21 on:** June 19, 2007, 06:04:37 pm »

I don't have any blisters on my body, no itching, nothing...just a very small part of my back is RED and it hurts like hell, even with slight touching. I have started taking Valtrex since last night, hope this goes away in couple of days.

I have a question.. Is it ok to have sex with this thing or should I keep away from sex for a while? It's Pride weekend here and I'm suppose to meet this hot guy visiting TO

Thanks Guys!

newt · « **Reply #22 on:** June 19, 2007, 06:13:00 pm »

Sex: only with folk who've had chickenpox

- matt

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Author Topic: New Numbers - Not so good! And Shingles!! (Read 7467 times)