Third set of numbers are in

[AaronbytheC]

Well my third labs came back today.  I have to admit I have mixed feelings about them.  My RN who is normally upbeat and supportive just didn't have that "tone" in her voice that made me feel like things are great.  Maybe she is just having an off day  

My CD4's are continuing to climb, up to 541 from 307 two months ago.  
My Viral Load climbed by only 1000, up to 10,500, over the the past two months as well.  
The thing that is concerning me is she said my CD8's went up "a lot" so my over all % went down to 17%.  

I haven't had a chance to talk to my Doc yet, we're going to do a phone appointment tomorrow to save me the hour drive.    Hopefully she'll have some cheery input to make me feel great!  She keeps telling me that since this is a new infection things will increase and then stabilize.  (Time will tell)

In the meantime, I've got got two full bottles of Atripla at home waiting for me to decide when is the right time for me.  While I was hoping to see a rise in my percentages this time I think I'm going to hold off another month or so on HAART.  I've read much about the benefits of UD on the body, but I don't think 10,500 is anything to stress over.  

I'd love to hear input from others who have been here already.  Does my logic above seem sound?  Any idea why my CD8's are growing faster than CD4's?

This past 4 months has been a whirlwind!  Life is slowing getting back to normal...  While not a day goes by that I don't realize at some point that I have HIV, its not on my every thought anymore.  

[roy100]

Hi, this is what happened to me , Its just an example.

You can see at my counts in the signature below.

I had a lot of CD8 when first tested, the Dr told me that when the CD4 count goes down, the body to compensate produces more CD8.

An increase in CD8 produces a lot of food allergies not previously had, including milk, and cheese, also to conservatives in foods.
It also produces rashes , folliculitis, Eosinophilia .

To me it sound as its will be time soon to start your medicines, before all this stuff starts happening.

With  medicine my CD 4 are increasing, but my CD8 are still very high, its normal, the DR told me, they will soon start to come down as the body " normalizes" the immune system.
My food allergies are down, and can eat cheese, and canned food , and ham and cold cuts which previously I could no longer eat.

Good luck

[roy100]

I forgot to mention that I suspect i have had HIV for about 9 to 10 years without medication. And that could be the reason as to why I had all of those sicknesses .

You have just recently infected and your CD4 count is pretty good.

Please read the additional information I am giving you in the following link, as to how to interpret your blood tests.

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/TCellTest_4727.shtml

Thanks

[AaronbytheC]

Thanks for the input Roy.  There is a pretty interesting thread going on in the living with HIV section about when people started meds and why...  It's pretty insightful   

I'm sure I'll start my pill popping after the next labs, if not for me, defiantly for my husband.  The fact of being UD in a magnetic relationship will make me sleep better. 

I talked with my doc today and she did make me feel really good about where I'm at and where I'm going.  We agreed to check CD4's & %'s again 6 weeks from my last draw to get one more look at where my body is going with this.  In the meantime I'll keep stockpiling my stash of Atripla, I'll have about three months worth built up by then.    

[numbersguy82]

Glad to hear that you are in good spirits Aaron and staying positive. I can't offer too much advice as you know, but for me I had chosen to start meds regardless of my first labs. I think your numbers are promising no matter what you decide. Good luck and keep us posted with what the Dr says

[newt]

Hello

The fact of being UD in a magnetic relationship will make me sleep better. 

This is a very good reason to be on meds, and not to be underestimated.

Meds is basically a one-way street. There is no "holiday". At a CD4 over 500 you have a near enough normal immune system. What do really think deep down about being on meds day in day out? And what does your partner think? Are you (both) ready? (as you can ever can be ready for this parachute jump...)

- matt

[AaronbytheC]

@ Newt - "I think I am" would have to be the honest answer   

When my first labs came back at 307 there was no question I needed HAART so I was completely ready to start (I mean it seemed like there was no choice)   
After the second labs came back at nearly 500 I was like, OK let's just see where this goes for another month and see where this is going. 
Now at 541 I'm really waffling...  Start or just watch my numbers for now?  Part of me feels like if I can go a few years without the cost and issues of HAART why should I?  However the other part of me feels I've brought enough on our relationship so starting HAART is the responsible thing for me to do.

"Are we both ready?"  Funny you should ask that...  We have been together for just over 12 years, he is truly my best friend and the yen to my yang!  He was of the same opinion back at 307, "Time to start your hormones"     He told me, "you know once you start this I'm going to ride you and make sure you you take every pill on time!"  I know he means it and he will be a big support for me.  We've gone as far as a "test run" of vitamin D pills for the past month (I take a pill every night at 10 pm to see how hard it is to do day in and day out!)  We talk openly about this, he agrees with the current course of action.  He really just wants me to stay healthy and happy.  I guess I should ask him point blank how he feels about the UD issue as he's never come right out and said how he feels.  Realistically he has as much to say about this as I do.  HIV may be in MY body but it's in OUR life.   

[numbersguy82]

Congrats Aaron in continuing to improve!!! That is really great news and even better news that your relationship is so strong. I can only imagine how dealing with a new diagnosis would be in a relationship... much less a magnetic one so Kudos for you guys

Question do you have your resistance labs back yet? You can pretty much choose your combo if you have the all clear. My doc was really great about sitting me down with all the different drugs and combos, and the pros/cons of all of them. Because I didn't have my resistance test back yet I decided to not go with Atripla which seems to be the current drug to take. I went with Norvir, Prezista, and Truvada which is still once a day, but 4 pills instead of one. I was just curious if you had given the actual meds any thought yet. I know for me Atripla sounded great, but some of the groggy side effects might impact my job as an accountant. Altho you get the funky dreams lol. Make sure your doc sits down and discusses this as just because something is popular or easy doesn't mean its the best fit for you

[newbieguy]

congrats on the good aspects of your treatment, and you seem to have a great attitude about it which can only help. I just try and live it one day at a time, and not think about it too much. Ive been on Atripla for nearly a month, with only one missed dose, and it has gotten much better generally. Im lucky to be alive and pretty healthy. Ill be anxious to see what my first post-meds labs say and if my numbers improve a good deal. I have noticed a somewhat drop in my overall libido since starting meds, but Im hoping that can be attributed to my body becoming acclamated to it. Its something I may bring up with my doctor when we meet tomorrow. Overall, I dont notice being on Atripla all that much. I dont have any crazy dreams, I sleep fine, and my energy level is ok. I do feel sluggish/tired in the mornings some, and get periodic headaches, but I did have those before going on it. I wonder what if any the timeframe for resistence is if one decided to take a break from HAART?  A month or two, or vary from person to person? You raised some very interesting points, as I myself was very reluctant to start meds due to my good numbers without them. At any rate, best wishes to u!

xo

[AaronbytheC]

@ Numbers;  Yes my resistance was done a few days after I got my first labs.  No resistance issues were found so my doc and I discussed and decided on Atripla.  We did this because she thinks it was a good fit for me and our lifestyle, additionally I was able to talk with a few people who are on Atripla now and get firsthand reports.  Since it is a new infection we also chose to not start it right away just to see where my numbers were going.  (I have the unique perspective of know the exact time, date and person I got this little bugger from )  Even though we agreed to not start taking it I did start my prescription so I could build a "rainy day" supply. 

@ Newbie:  Thanks for the input!  I was a daily reader of your post on starting Atripla.  I really want to thank you for posting your experiences, as some one right behind you I really appreciated seeing your experiences and getting some insight as to what I may experience.  Hopefully once I start it will be an easy transition.   

[newt]

@ Newt - "I think I am" would have to be the honest answer

Good, then do it. Being ready is very important. It's the best time to start. My only tip would be, have a Plan B that you have discussed with your doc iin case your first combo don't work out for any reason. It probably won't be needed, but having one helps cut through a difficult moment should it arise.

Good luck and a blessing on both of you.

 - matt